INSIDE THIS EDITION…
STRAWBERRY FAIR FUN, PAGE 3
BELLARINE’S NUMBER ONE NEWSPAPER
17 - 30 OCTOBER, 2025
FREE FORTNIGHTLY
An early burst of summer
(Ivan Kemp) 509981_05
Well, we can’t complain with the weather on Wednesday and Thursday with sunny skies and temperatures climbing up to 30 degrees. In an early taste of summer, it was genuine beach weather and Voice photographer caught up with Claire Benn and baby Louie and Harvey, Emily Vining with baby Poppy and Lenny, and Lauren McGough with Billy and Ruby at Ocean Grove main beach on Wednesday. Temperatures will dip back to 19 degrees on Friday and Saturday before rising again for Sunday with the mercury going back up to the high 20s. A cool front will then push through and send temps back down to the teens. We may even get some rain on Monday and Wednesday although don’t put your winter woollies away just yet. It will only get to the mid-teens on Wednesday. For more out and about pictures,
see page 21.
Fire warning issued By Jena Carr Police continue to be on the lookout for a serial arsonist in the lead-up to bushfire season who may be responsible for multiple fires in and around St Leonards. Geelong Crime Investigation Unit investigators believe a mystery offender started 16 fires on the Bellarine Peninsula since January and could be responsible for more that weren’t reported. Detective Senior Sergeant Mark Guthrie said it is believed the firebug’s spree included setting fire to a tree twice and to flammable materials on a back road near St Leonards, along with other suspicious fires near Drysdale and Portarlington.
“Our grave concern at the moment is that we’ve got no idea who’s doing it,” he said. “It seems to be a pattern emerging around Grassy Point Road and roads in and around that area in St Leonards. There’s been no damage to property, but it’s getting close to that... and St Leonards is a semi-rural area, so we’re seeking some assistance if we can. “There could be a lot more that we’re not aware of, as the fires may have burnt out by themselves, and no one has reported them, or someone’s seen the fire and put it out and didn’t say anything to us. “They are only small fires that have been set to rubbish on the side of the road or other items that have been put in these areas or were already there that have just
been started in some way.” A suspected arson attack at Portarlington Police Station in August was not believed to be connected to the series of Bellarine fires, and Detective Senior Sergeant Guthrie confirmed with the Voice that the investigation into the incident was ongoing. “We know what bushfires can do; they devastate communities and people’s property and put lives at risk,” he said. “These fires are not only putting the community at risk, but they’re also putting the first responders at risk, as the fire brigade guys have to go in and actually fight these fires.” Country Fire Authority acting assistant chief fire officer Wayne Aylmer said there
was a “high risk of fires” for the Greater Geelong, Surf Coast and Bellarine regions during the upcoming fire season. “We’ll likely be in a fire danger period within the next four to six weeks, depending on how that weather goes,” he said. “The risk is higher coming into this summer than what we’ve seen in previous years, so that is a concern to us, and we need to make sure that people are starting to prepare for the fire season.” Anyone with information, dashcam or CCTV relating to any fire incidents across the Bellarine should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit crimestoppersvic.com.au to submit a confidential report.
16 Marine Parade, Ocean Grove
Ph: 5255 5611 All Major Brands - Wheel Alignment Wheel Balancing - Tyre Repairs 12525525-HC05-22
12558691-AI29-22
OUR SERVICES: NEW VEHICLE LOG BOOK SERVICING AUTO ELECTRICAL REPAIRS ALL MECHANICAL REPAIRS & SERVICING RACV BATTERY SALES AIR CONDITIONING REGAS, SERVICING & REPAIRS LPG REPAIRS & SERVICING CLUTCH & BRAKE REPAIR