Geelong Indy - 19th June 2026

Lighting up winter

West Park will light up for the longest night of the year during the Geelong West Winter Solstice.

The free event will feature many activities and experiences, including a lantern parade, with everyone invited to attend on Saturday 20 June.

Event organiser Mia Devani is pictured showcasing her fire twirling skills, which the community can expect to see more of during the event.

The winter solstice (which occurs on Sunday 21 June) is an astronomical event that marks the shortest day and longest night of the year, and highlights the official start of winter for Australia.

Community members can bring a picnic rug, a reusable cup, a picnic dinner, and a homemade lantern to the Geelong West Winter Solstice.

Turn to page 3 for the full story.

Crime reports up

By Jena Carr

The Greater Geelong community is reporting more crime offences to police as family violence numbers rise, according to the latest crime statistics.

Crime Statistics Agency (CSA) released itslatestdata,fortheyearending31March 2026, on 18 June, which found an increase in Greater Geelong’s total offences by 2.55 per cent (from 25,332 in 2025 to 25,979 in 2026).

Victoria Police Western Region acting commander Michael Reid told the Independent that an increase in numbers could reflect that more people are reporting incidents to police rather than staying quiet.

“Justice procedure offences relating to family violence have increased in the region, but there is a positive in that, as the data shows, more people are reporting these incidents to us,” he said.

Property and deception offence numbers were the highest out of Greater Geelong’s categories, despite the data

The region saw the total number of recorded offences increase over the past year across many categories, including justice procedures offences (from 4823 to 5257) and drug offences (from 1490 to 1696).

showing a decrease in recorded numbers from 13,777 in 2025 to 13,548 in 2026.

Corio featured one of the highest total offence increases among Greater Geelong’ssuburbs,with370moreoffences recorded this year (2562 in 2025 to 2932 in 2026).

Recorded theft offences were at their highest level in Corio over the past 10 years, with 1006 offences recorded this year (up from 953 last year), marking the firsttimethenumberhasrisenabove1000.

Property and deception offences also decreasedacrosssomesuburbs,including Norlane from 1381 recorded offences last year to 1120 this year and Highton from

425 recorded offences last year to 270 this year.

CSA chief statistician Fiona Dowsley said incidents attributed to youth had decreased across the state by 6 per cent to 22,654 during the past year.

“For the first time since 2022, incidents allegedtobelinkedtoyouthoffendershave decreased,withadultsnowresponsiblefor 88percentofoffenderincidents,”shesaid.

“There has been a 10.8 per cent increase in adult offender incidents recorded over the last 12 months, driven by increases in breaches of bail conditions, stealing from retail stores and breaches of family violence orders.”

As a Youth Justice worker, you’ll have a secure job working with young people in custody. The role includes paid training and you’ll be part of a supportive team.

Boost for Collendina

By Justin Flynn

Cricketers and junior footballers now have access to modern facilities at Collendina Reserve after a $2.2 million upgrade was completed this week.

The project at the Ocean Grove sporting ground included new player amenities, universal toilets, improved kitchen facilities and expanded social spaces to support local sporting clubs and the wider community.

It also made improvements to safety and traffic flow with a formalised entry and exit road, expanded parking and dedicated accessible parking space, a new turnaround area and a pathway around the oval.

Home to Ocean Grove Cobras Football Club and Collendina Cricket Club, the reserve upgrades were funded by $979,616 from the City of Greater Geelong, $642,000 from the Victorian government and $580,000 from the Australian government.

Collendina Cricket Club was forced to play home games at Memorial Reserve last season while the upgrades were carried out.

“The Collendina Cricket Club is looking forward to getting back to its home base this coming season and making the most of its new upgraded facility,” club president Neale Walter said.

“The new rooms look amazing, giving us more space to hold our own functions, and a new deck to watch the cricket from making the facility a real inviting place for all our members and the public.”

Ocean Grove Cobras president Suze McLeish also welcomed the upgrades.

“We were incredibly excited to officially

open our upgraded facilities at Collendina Reserve,” she said.

“This marked a significant milestone for us, alongside the Collendina Cobras Cricket Club. We’re very proud to have a thriving junior football club in Ocean Grove, with over 600 players and Auskickers participating across our programs.

“These new facilities will provide a welcoming, inclusive space for our players, families and volunteers to come together for years to come. This project is a wonderful investment in our local sporting community. We’re very grateful to everyone who has helped to make it a reality for us.”

Winter solstice warmth through connection

By Jena Carr

Geelong’s community can come together to celebrate the longest night of the year through warmth and connection.

West Park will host live music, fire twirling, market stalls, food and drinks, kids’ activities and a lantern parade during the Geelong West Winter Solstice from 4.30pm on Saturday 20 June.

Event organiser and fire twirler Mia Devani said the event focused on connection, creativity and inclusion among people across the region.

“I’m really looking forward to seeing community engagement at the event with people coming together to enjoy a beautiful experience,” she said.

“Fire dances, which include fire twirling, symbolise inner warmth and the return of the sun by connecting to the elements

Solstice resembling us coming out of ourselves in celebration of the light coming out from the dark.”

Geelong West Neighbourhood House, which will help host the event, manager Jonathan Chee said the event was a chance for people to connect with their community through food, performances and activities.

“Everyone is welcome, whether you come with family, friends, neighbours or on your own,” he said.

“Winter can be a time when people stay tucked away at home, so this event is really about giving people a reason to get out, see familiar faces and feel part of something local.”

Keeping kids safe and warm

By Jena Carr

A charity is asking the Geelong communities to help provide essential items to vulnerable children and babies this winter.

Our Village, which is a combination of the St Kilda Mums, Geelong Mums and Eureka Mums charities, will continue to run its Winter Appeal until the end of this month to ensure children have what they need to feel safe and warm.

Chief executive Ruth Holdaway said the appeal would help the charity provide items such as car seats, prams, clothes, toys, beds, warm clothing, and appropriate shoes for babies and children.

“This is a really critical time of year for babies and children because, as winter sets in and it gets colder, families tend to need more for their kids,” she said.

“We know that a lot of families are going without those very basic items, so at this time of year we want to make sure that we’re reaching all the babies and children that need help.”

Ms Holdaway said increasing costs across many items meant that families had to make “incredibly tough choices” about what their money would go towards.

“Demand for our services has been growing since the end of COVID-19 and since the cost-of-living crisis began,” she said.

“We currently help about 20,000 babies and children every year; however, we know that there are around 80,000 that need our help.”

through tribal beats.

“It is a great way to recognise the internal process that people have, with the Winter

Geelong West Winter Solstice aims to be a low-waste event this year with a dishwashing station available during the night.

Visit gwnh.org.au/gwnh-winter-solstice for more information.

Our Village held a Double Donation Day on 16 June, with more than $152,000 raised as of 2pm on 17 June.

Visit Our Village’s website for more information or to donate.

New drive to monitor learning Funding put to work

A local sustainability fund is now fully loaned out to not-for-profit organisations intheGreaterGeelongregion.

Geelong Sustainability’s Community Energy Revolving Fund (CERF) was established in 2021 to provide interest-free loans for solar and electrification projects intheregion.

Since then, the $267,000 seed funding – provided by Jan Juc philanthropic organisation PMF Foundation, other local donors and Sustainability Victoria – has grownto$381,560.

As of last month, that money has been fully loaned out, with 15 projects from 11 organisations already delivered. As loans are repaid, those funds are once more loanedouttolocalorganisations.

One of those organisations is the Good Neighbourhood Project, a Norlane-based not-for-profit creating initiatives in the community to come up with new solutions

tolocalchallenges.

The organisation used a CERF loan to install a 20 kW solar system at its Spruhan Ave site with no upfront cost. The system cuts electricity costs by more than $5000 eachyearandreducesCO2emissionsby22 tonnesannually.

Co-director Simon Reeves said Geelong Sustainability’s interest free loan program had helped fast-track sustainability upgrades for the Good Neighbourhood Project’s neighbourhood hub, including solarandaheatpump.

“This has been a huge benefit for our organisation from the cost savings they offer to helping us realise our vision of a sustainable, beautiful and healthy community,” he said. “This is a great program that helps local organisations be moreefficientandsustainable.”

Geelong Sustainability co-chief executive Karina Donkers said helping

local organisations transition to local energy was “one of the most practical ways we can reduce emissions while also deliveringrealbenefitstoourcommunity”.

“Byinstallingsolaronlocalnot-for-profit organisations, we’re not only cutting climate emissions, we’re helping communitygroupslowertheirenergybills, reduce financial pressure, and direct more of their resources towards supporting the people and causes they exist to serve,” she said.

“It’s a win for the climate, a win for community organisations, and a win for theregionasawhole.

“Thefactthatwe’veloanedoutmorethan we’ve received in seed funding shows just how much appetite there is for this kind of support.”

Local not-for-profits can visit geelongsustainability.org.au to find out moreaboutaccessingtheCERF.

Doctors on the move to help the homeless

Anewnot-for-profitmobilemedicalservice for people experiencing homelessness will officially launch next week with aheartfelt tribute to a local man.

Street Side Medics, which has been operating in Geelong since the end of May, will hold its official launch event at GMHBA Stadium at 11am on Monday 22 June.

Operating weekly every Sunday from 7pm to 9pm in partnership with The Outpost in Little Ryrie Street, Street Side Medics relies on volunteer GPs and other health professionals to deliver free, accessible healthcare to people in need of primary healthcare in the areas that need it most.

Geelong local Lila McLaughlin will also be a special guest at the event in honour of her late son Danny, who left part of his estate to Street Side Medics to help fund the Geelong clinic.

In recognition of Danny’s contribution, the van Street Side Medics uses to service Geelong has been named after him.

Street Side Medics chief executive Nic Brown says the continuity of the weekly GP-led service allowed for a building of rapport with vulnerable locals.

“By operating in partnership with likeminded organisations and at the same time and place each week, our aim is to alleviate the barriers that people experiencing homelessness face when it comes to accessing medical care,” he said.

“We’ve found these barriers include a lack of awareness about available services, prohibitive costs, limited access

to transportation, as well as past negative experiences that have led to distrust.

“StreetSideMedicsprovidesabulkbilling servicewithonlyaMedicarepayment,but

for those without Medicare, or any other limitationspreventingMedicarepayment, we have a no-turn-away policy and will see all patients free of charge.”

By Jena Carr

Teachers across Greater Geelong can continue to monitor students’ learning skills, with new numeracy and expanded literacy screening programsbeingrolledoutstatewide.

Thestategovernmentwillintroduce an optional Phonics Reassessment for Year 2 students, following the Year 1 Phonics Check being made mandatory at the beginning of this year.

Tate Street Primary School acting assistant principal and curriculum and inclusion learning specialist Lisa Wright said the Phonics Check helped identify learning gaps among students.

Ms Wright said the check also helped provide teachers with clear and early information about where everystudentwasintheirreadingand numeracy.

“The way that we now teach in schools is very structured, and children love predictability and consistentroutines,”shesaid.

“Children’s wellbeing and learning are so connected...and having that extra tool just really supports us to make sure that our teaching is targeted.

“We (the school) can monitor students’ learning progress while making sure they are acquiring the necessary knowledge, and it gives us great data to support what we’re doing.

“Childrenareexcitedtobelearning, andtheywanttobeonthesamelevel as their peers, so the phonics check gives us the vital information about what we need to do next with our students.”

The Phonics Reassessment will accompany the Year 1 Numeracy Check pilot currently underway across state public and specialist schools.

Member for Geelong Christine Couzens said it was important to make sure no child in Geelong was “leftbehind”.

“When we invest early in literacy and numeracy, we set children up to succeedforlife,”shesaid.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Education Ben Carroll said that more than 400 schools across the state will participate in the Numeracy Check pilot during Term 3, which will be mandated in all public primary schoolsfromnextyear.

Protecting maritime heritage

Three regional projects will be able to continue protecting and preserving the country’s proud maritime heritage thanks tofunding.

City of Greater Geelong secured a $15,000grantfromtheMaritimeMuseums of Australia Project Support Scheme (MMAPSS) to help preserve the region’s maritimehistory.

Geelong Heritage Advisory Committee chair Rowan Story said the grant would help restore and digitise a photographic album from the HMAS Australia’s 1934-35 voyage.

“This project is all about conserving and protecting the album so it can be safely sharedwiththepubliconceagain,”hesaid.

“This rare piece of history gives us a fascinating, firsthand look into daily life at sea during a pivotal interwar period throughphotos,postcardsandmaps.

“Once the conservation work is finished, we will be digitising the entire album for access online, which means anyone interested will be able to explore this vital pieceofourregion’smaritimehistory.”

MMAPSS also provided grants to the Queenscliffe Maritime Museum for conservation works and to Torquay’s Australian National Surfing Museum for a newexhibition.

Australian National Maritime Museum, which manages the MMAPSS, chair Hieu Van Le said “Our maritime heritage lives in the stories, vessels and objects that connect communities across generations andacrossthenation.”

“It is through the care, generosity and dedication of people and organisations that this rich legacy will continue to be preserved, shared and entrusted to those whocomeafterus.”

Clubs prepare to score goals for mental health this weekend

Football and netball clubs across the Barwon region will come together to support youth mental health and wellbeing during a community sports round.

More than 50 clubs will participate in the Read the Play Round from Friday 19 June to Sunday 21 June to raise awareness for youth mental health while building supportive environments.

ReadthePlaygeneralmanagerMichelle Gerdtz said community sport was “one of the most powerful places to reach young people”.

“The simple act of starting a conversation, checking in with a

Actively supporting cancer research

By Jena Carr

ABelmontmanishelpingraisemoneyand awareness for prostate cancer following his own diagnosis through a walking challenge.

Rod Lowther, 73, stepped out during Men’s Health Week (15 to 21 June) for the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia’s WalkforHimfundraisingchallenge.

MrLowtherwasdiagnosedwithprostate cancerin2019andsaidhiscancerdiagnosis promptedhimtobecomemoreactive.

“I had tests that found that my PSA (prostate-specific antigen) was elevated, so I had a biopsy, which indicated that my prostatewascancerous,”hesaid.

“I had the operation to remove my prostate, which means my PSA became zero, but I continued to have monitoring, andin2025itstartedtorise.

“I had my PSA regularly tested for six years without a trace, but then it started to rise...so, it was just a shock that, despite having my prostate out after five years, the cancercameback.”

Mr Lowther surpassed his $250 fundraising goal during the Walk for Him challenge and raised $364 as of 11am on 18 June for prostate cancer research, awarenessandsupport.

“When I had my first bout of cancer and myprostateremoved,Ididstarttodoquite a bit of running, which I had never really donebefore,”hesaid.

“Prostatecancerisaverycommoncancer amongst men, so the more it’s highlighted, themorethatpeopletakeactiononitordo somethingintheearlystages.”

Visit walkforhim.org.au/fundraisers/ rodlowther/walk-for-him-2026 to support MrLowther’sfundraisingefforts.

teammate or knowing where to turn can make a real difference,” she said.

“We want young people to see that their clubs are places where mental health is taken seriously and where support is available.

“Read the Play Round is a reminder that mental health and wellbeing need to be part of the conversation in every club, not just when someone is struggling.”

This year’s round will also include a donation drive to encourage the community to contribute to the ongoing Read the Play programs across the region.

AnactivationwilltakeplaceatAnglesea Football Netball Club on Saturday 20

June as part of the round, with a focus on junior football and netball matches in the morning.

Read the Play helps young people build mental health literacy, recognise when theyorateammatemayneedsupportand know where to go for help through the organisation’s free club-based programs.

Visit Read the Play’s website for more information or to donate.

PM visits Clifton Springs

By Jena Carr

The prime minister visited Clifton Springs this week to meet with a couple who purchased their first home with the help of a lower deposit.

Anthony Albanese met with first home buyers Brooklyn Sacchetta and Lochie Dennert, along with Member for Corangamite Libby Coker, on 16 June.

Mr Albanese said he wanted to celebrate the federal government’s 5 per cent first

home buyer deposit scheme as it was helping make the possibility of owning a home a “reality”formorepeopleacrossthecountry.

“No program has been more successful than our 5 per cent deposit or first home buyers scheme, and that’s seen 260,000 Australians make an enormous difference,” he said.

“We know that more was needed and that is why our reform is aimed at boosting (housing) supply as well as giving young people a fair crack at getting into their first

Beanies are changing lives

By Matt Hewson

A Geelong charity supporting families living with Type 1 diabetes celebrates its 11th year with the launch of its seventh annual beanie drive.

The Type 1 Foundation’s 1000 Beanies for Type 1 campaign is off and running, raising both awareness of the challenges faced by those living with Type 1 diabetes and funds to support the organisation’s mission.

The not-for-profit hopes to sell 1000 beanies by the end of National Diabetes Week 2026, which runs from 12 to 18 July.

The charity was founded by parents Ange and Leif McCaughley after their daughter Lila was diagnosed with Type 1 at the age of nine.

Realising the gap in support for families, the pair began their journey to provide support and connection for families living

with the chronic disease through large scale events, camps and other programs across Australia.

Ange said the beanie drive was hugely important to the foundation’s mission.

“We don’t receive any government funding, we rely purely on fundraising and corporate partnerships to be able to do what we do,” she said.

“This is our seventh beanie drive, and every year it gets bigger and bigger, with support from people all around Australia.”

She said the people of Geelong had been instrumental in supporting the foundation.

“The Geelong community is amazing,” Ange said.

“Geelong’s always been a great supporter, and we couldn’t have started our foundation without the support of the Geelong community.

“People here are just so community-driven, just amazing with supporting

home.

“Our comprehensive plan for increased supply, public housing, private rentals, and home ownership is going to make a substantial difference to the way the country functions as we go forward.

“We estimate these changes will mean 75,000 additional first home buyers get into the market on top of the measures that we’ve taken with the five per cent deposit scheme.”

Ms Sacchetta and Mr Dennert said they

went directly through a broker who helped them access the 5 per cent deposit scheme to purchase their Clifton Springs home.

“We crunched our numbers to ensure we can maintain the property and payments, as we’re aware that things ebb and flow,” Ms Sacchetta said.

“My advice for people looking to purchase their first home is to talk to a broker, as they will put it all into layman’s terms for you and make it super simple to understand,” Mr Dennert said.

causes, especially given the world’s current situation.”

Visit the Type 1 Foundation’s store in

For a limited time, Bolton Clarke will cover your service and maintenance charges on eligible villas — helping you feel at home sooner, with less to think about each month.

YOU CAN TEACH IN GEELONG

The future is calling, and we need your help to educate the next generation. With secondary teaching scholarships, employment-based degrees, and a range of supports to help get you into the classroom, there’s never been a better time to become a teacher in Victoria.

Powering change with AI

Aamir Qutub, 37, moved from India to Geelong in 2012 to study and, hopefully, find an environment that wouldrewardhiscreativityandtenacity.

Less than four years later, Aamir – at the time only 26 years old – quit his position as general manager of ICT Geelong (now Technology Geelong) to focus on his own business,EnterpriseMonkey.

Last month Enterprise Monkey’s Agents for Humanity project was named the national winner of the AI for Good Innovation Factory, a global startup competition to find the most promising AI solutions that support the United Nations’ 17sustainabledevelopmentgoals.

“Agents for Humanity is a free platform where anyone can put a problem,” Aamir said.

And it could be, ‘I’m trying to give uneducated girls a livelihood in three months.HowdoIdoitinaplaceinIndia?’

“Or, ‘how do I develop a meal plan for kids for my school in Kenya on the lowest budget?’ Or, ‘how do we solve the problem of homelessness in the City of Greater Geelong?’

“Once you pose a problem, on the other side people are contributing their AI, setting up a regular task for the AI saying go and contribute to Agents for Humanity. So agents come and identify what work is required.”

Aamir and his collaborators will head to Geneva to compete against 11 other international finalists in the global grand finale from 7 to 10 July, where, win or lose, Agents for Humanity will get exposure to global investors, industry experts and otherupandcomingentrepreneurs.

Having grown up in the fringe neighbourhood of Jamalpur in the third-tier Indian city of Aligarh, with an open sewer running through his street, unreliable electricity supply and a lack of access to clean water, Aamir has first-hand experience with the kinds of problems Agents for Humanity has been designed to solve.

“Growing up, one of my dreams was to one day sit in an aeroplane, very simple wisheslikethat,”hesaid.

“Forexample,inourschoolthereusedto beasamosaseller.Andwecouldnotafford a full samosa, so the dream was to have enough money so my friends and I could get one samosa each instead of sharing a samosa.”

Aamir and his two elder sisters had a solid roof over their heads; his father was an electrical engineer and worked hard to provideforhisfamily.

“My mother was a housewife, but she haddoneherstudiesinscience,soshewas always passionate about teaching people,” hesaid.

“She would find random girls in our area who were not going to school and bring themhome,trytoteachthem.

“A lot of women used to look up to her as well, come to her for advice. She would spend a lot of time helping people struggling with domestic violence and thoseissues.

“Seeing her so passionate about education, seeing her helping so many people,Ialwayshadadesiretodothat,but atalargerscale.

“Growing up, I saw a lot of people struggling with basic needs. I always had this desire, almost a resolve that if I’m able to grow up and do something, it’s going to be about those people and giving back to thecommunity.”

Aamir studied mechanical engineering at Aligarh Muslim University – “There you

Right: Aamir Qutub.

(Pictures: Ivan Kemp) 559638_01

Below: Aamir Qutub with Enterprise Monkey partner Steve Berg. (Supplied)

can do your whole schooling for $200, extremely cheap” – and got a job as a productionengineerataHondacarfactory inDelhi.

“It was a very mechanical job…I was not abletousemycreativity,”hesaid.

“I saw (Honda’s) papers and files were all over the place, so I asked my head of department if I could develop a knowledge management system. He said, ‘you can do it, but in extra hours, you won’t get paid for that’.

“I did that in four months, and it got deployedverticallyacrossHonda.Buteven then, my role didn’t change, so after one yearIresignedfromthejob.”

Aamir’s sister was living in Waurn Ponds at the time, and she and his father conspired to help him move to Australia to studyhisMBA.

He lived in Geelong and studied at DeakinBurwood,commutingeverydayby train.Aftermorethan300unsuccessfuljob applications, Aamir fibbed on his resume for a nighttime cleaning job, saying he worked at Honda as a cleaner rather than anengineer.

Finally, through Deakin, Aamir got the opportunity to do an internship at the City of Greater Geelong, which led to him joining ICT Geelong, the region’s peak representative body for the information, communication and digital technology sector.

The organisation quickly recognised Aamir’s intelligence, work ethic and his ability to find solutions to problems ICT Geelong didn’t even know it had. A year

Geelong tech company founder Aamir Qutub will take his groundbreaking Agents for Humanity project to Geneva next month for the UN’s AI for Good global summit. He spoke to Matt Hewson about who and what inspired him to be a force for good and the challenges he has overcome.

AI was created with the promise to help humanity, but somewhere it lost that promise and everyone’s just using it for profit

- Aamir Qutub

later,aged25,hewasofferedthepositionof interim general manager after his boss left therole.

Just 18 months later, Aamir left ICT Geelong to found Enterprise Monkey, which initially focused on finding automation and optimisation solutions for smallbusinesses.

Enterprise Monkey quickly evolved into doing work in traditional AI space and Aamir anticipated the development of the large language models that power AI applicationslikeChatGPT.

“What AI is actually really good for is taking any messy information and being abletomakesenseofit,”hesaid.

“The thing that has changed is that, for the first time ever, something non-human can understand human language. But it’s also really good at being able to capture everything.

“So we have an AI brain inside our organisation; it actually reads all of my email, all of my meetings, every conversation that I have, everything surroundingthat.

“Then, like the way our brains systematise, it systemises in terms of the people I know, the companies, the frameworks I’ve talked about…all of those things get stored. That becomes an extremely powerful tool for the organisation.”

Agents for Humanity seeks to take that powerful tool and use it to help charities or organisations solve problems they otherwisewouldn’thavethecapacitytodo so.

“AI was created with the promise to help humanity, but somewhere it lost that promise and everyone’s just using it for profit,” he said.

Sadly, Aamir’s mother died from cancer seven years ago. His father, who had retired to care for her through her illness, tookuphercausetoeducateandempower young women and girls in India.

“I saw my father trying to establish an education program, but he couldn’t really do it because he didn’t know anything about this,” Aamir said.

“Ithought,howcanIempowermyfather? Agents for Humanity can empower people who are trying to do good on the ground, but who don’t have access to consultants or support, resources or capabilities.

“So we did our first (Agents for Humanity) pilot with him. There’s a girl calledSabrina,whowasnotreallyengaged initially;nowshe’sdoingembroiderywork and she’s able to live in comfort.

“The last time I went to Aligarh I met her, and she’s encouraging other people in the community to do the program. So, to see that happen with the thing that we created, I think it has already paid off for me.”

Agents for Humanity will launch in the coming weeks at agentsforhumanity.ai ahead of Aamir’s trip to Geneva.

He said he thought his mother would be proud of what he had accomplished so far, and of the positive impact he could potentially have in the future.

“She was extremely warm… compassionate and caring, but she would just quietly do her work,” Aamir said.

“Even when she struggled with cancer sheneverletitshowonherface.Itwaslike aduckpaddlingreallyfastunderwater,but it always looks very calm on the surface.

“She used to say if you give someone a meal,youfeedaperson;butifyouempower them to take action, you empower the whole community. And that always stayed with me.

“If you could just do that, imagine the impact they could have on the world.”

CITYNEWS

GEELONG BOTANIC GARDENS TO GLOW AFTER DARK

This winter, Geelong Botanic Gardens will glow after dark with Eclipse – In Bloom, an immersive night walk featuring illuminated landscapes, soundscapes and large-scale light installations.

Telling the story of a garden awakening after sunset, the experience reveals a hidden world where native flora, pollinators and ecosystems shine with colour and movement. Visitors can wander through moments of discovery and wonder, celebrating the connection between nature, light and imagination in a uniquely Australian setting from 27 June to 26 July.

Book now: geelong.link/Eclipse

Download the guide: geelong.link/WSHFG

FREE PET REGISTRATION

First year free pet registration!

We’re offering free first-year pet registration for cats and dogs to support responsible pet ownership and help more pets safely find their way home if they become lost. Registering your pet ensures their microchip details can be quickly accessed, making it easier to reunite lost pets with their owners and reducing the time animals spend in shelters.

Register your pet at geelong.link/FirstYearFree

Before you apply for funding, take these key steps:

›know your organisation ›research and plan ›gather information

Download our handy help sheet and subscribe to our newsletter at geelong.link/Grants

COUNCIL MEETING

Held at Council Conference and Reception Centre, City Hall, 57 Little Malop Street, Geelong.

Tuesday 23 June at 6.00pm (doors open 5.45pm).

Reports for consideration include:

›2026-27 Budget and Council Plan 2025-29 Year 2 Update

›Amendment C433ggee - Pakington Street & Gordon Avenue UDFs - Consideration of Panel Report and Adoption

›2026-27 Community Grants Guidelines

For agenda and to live stream the meeting visit geelong.link/CouncilMeetings

Questions and submissions must be provided in writing by 12.00pm on Monday 22 June via the link above.

What days are the Geelong Botanic Gardens closed?

a) Never

b) Good Friday and Christmas

c) Mondays

A: See base of page

TRAFFIC CHANGES

To facilitate the safe conduct of the upcoming Barwon Heads Running Festival, the following roads will be closed from 6.00am–11.30am on Sunday 21 June:

›Ewing Blyth Drive

›Jetty Road

›Thirteenth Beach Road

›Blackrock Road – from Bluestone School Road

Visit geelong.link/BarwonRunning for detailed information regarding changed traffic conditions.

WOMEN IN LOCAL LEADERSHIP FORUM

COUNCIL ROLES, RESPONSIBILITIES, CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES

TUESDAY 30 JUNE | 5.30PM–7.30PM WURRIKI NYAL

Free event. Registrations are essential and must be received by Friday 26 June 2026.

Book now: geelong.link/WomenLocalLeadership Soft plastics don’t belong in your recycling bin.

BUSINESS IN F CUS

Sometimes, giving an animal a second chance starts with something as simple as anempty drink container.

For the Geelong Animal Welfare Society (GAWS), every 10-cent refund donated through the Victorian Container Deposit Scheme (CDS Vic) can help turn your recycling into food, shelter and veterinary careforanimalswaitingforanewhome.

As a not-for-profit organisation, GAWS provides best-practice care, community education and rehoming programs for animals in need. Behind every successful adoption is a network of people working tirelessly to nurse vulnerable animals back to health and now, that work is being supportedonecontaineratatime.

At GAWS, collecting containers for refunds has become a real team effort, with staff, volunteers and local businesses all pitching in to gather eligible containers each week. It’s a small weekly habit that adds up to a meaningful difference. And theneedisreal.

“Itcostsmorethan$65aday,onaverage, to care for one animal, this includes food, shelter,vettreatmentandtheloveandcare they need to heal from often traumatic situations,” GAWS chief executive Helen Cockssaid.

“Every refund donation helps an animal move from rescue to recovery and ultimately into the loving forever home theydeserve.”

For CDS Vic West Zone operator TOMRA Cleanaway,storieslikethiscaptureexactly why the scheme matters.

Chief executive James Dorney said the powerofCDSVicliesinitssimplicity.

“Every eligible container returned can helpprovidecomfort,careandafreshstart

foranimalsinneed,”hesaid.

“This is how small acts of recycling can create a lasting impact in the local community.”

It’s a win on every front: containers are diverted from landfill, the community gets behind a cause close to its heart, and animalsgetthecaretheyneedtofindtheir forever homes. Since the scheme launched more than two years ago on 1 November

Every container helps give an animal a second chance

the state,

have returned more than 3.2 billion drink containers, earning morethan$320millioninrefunds.

TOMRACleanawayprocessesmorethan 10 million drink containers nationally, delivering an agile service for container deposit networks that reflects best

practices and gives back to the community viaadomesticcirculareconomy. Contributingiseasy.Collectyoureligible containers, return them at one of the 24 refund points across Geelong. Select the Geelong Animal Welfare Society as your donation recipient via the CDS Vic West App.

Find your nearest CDS Vic return point at cdsvic.org.au

SCHOOL HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES

Family fun awaits at Laserquest CBD during school break

Lookingforanaction-packeddayoutthese schoolholidaysorafunfamilyactivityany timeoftheyear?

Laserquest CBD is one of Geelong’s largest indoor family entertainment centres, offering something for all ages underoneroof.

Conveniently located in the heart of Geelong, Laserquest CBD (formerly Timezone) has built a reputation as a go-to destinationforfamilyfun,birthdayparties, group outings and friendly competition. Whether you’re a serious gamer, a bowling enthusiast or ready to test your skills in the laser tag arena, there is no shortage of entertainmentonoffer.

One of the centre’s biggest drawcards is its impressive arcade, featuring more than 120games.

Visitors can enjoy a mix of the latest interactive games alongside beloved classics such as Pinball, Big Buck Hunter, Time Crisis and Air Hockey. Players can collect tickets and redeem them for a wide range of prizes, making every visit even morerewarding.

For those who enjoy a little friendly rivalry, the family-friendly 10-pin bowling lanes provide plenty of laughs and memorable moments. Located upstairs within the venue, the bowling area is designed to be accessible and enjoyable for bowlers of all ages and skill levels. There’s no need for special bowling shoes, althoughflat-soledfootwearisrequired.

Of course, no visit to Laserquest CBD would be complete without experiencing the excitement of laser tag. The centre’s immersive black-light arena uses state-of-the-art Laserforce Gen8 packs, creating a thrilling environment where

players can dodge, hide and compete againstfriendsandfamily.

With glowing obstacles and strategic gameplay, it’s an experience that keeps players coming back for more. Just one tip from the Laserquest team – avoid wearing white if you’re hoping to stay hidden from

youropponents!

Laser tag games are available from just $12 per person per game, making it an affordableandexcitingactivityforfamilies, friends,sportinggroupsandparties.

Whether you’re planning a birthday celebration, looking for a wet-weather

activity or simply wanting a fun day out with the family, Laserquest CBD offers hours of entertainment, excitement and memoriesforvisitorsofallages.

For more information, visit laserquest.com.au

TRIAL CLASSES

Turn screen time into skills

School holidays often mean extra screen time, but at iCode Geelong, children can use technology in a way that inspires creativity,learningandfun.

iCode Geelong’s school holiday program transforms screen time into skill time through engaging coding, robotics and STEMactivities.

Rather than simply consuming content, children are encouraged to create, build and explore while developing valuable skillsforthefuture.

passionate about technology, participants areguidedattheirownpaceinawelcoming andsupportiveenvironment.

The benefits extend well beyond coding. Activities are designed to strengthen problem-solving, critical thinking, creativity and resilience. Children learn how to approach challenges, test solutions and persevere when things don’t go to plan, skills that are valuable both in the classroomandbeyond.

The program focuses on hands-on learning. Children can design their own games, program robots to complete challenges and bring imaginative ideas to life using technology. Along the way, they gain confidence and experience the excitement of turning concepts into real projects.

Withamaximumofjusteightstudentsper session, every child receives personalised support from experienced Code Coaches. Whether they are new to coding or already

Parentsoftencommentontheconfidence their children gain and the pride they feel in sharing what they have created. For families seeking a school holiday activity that is educational, engaging and genuinely rewarding, iCode Geelong offers the perfect balance of learning and enjoyment.

Places are limited and early bookings are recommended. To learn more about the school holiday program, as well as term classes and one-on-one options, visit icodeschool.com.au

SCHOOL HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES

Cougars to claw into town to take on the Western Warriors

Victorian Netball League action is headed to Geelong next month, just before the winterschoolholidaysend.

Geelong Cougars will take on Western Warriors at The Arena, North Geelong, on Sunday 12 July headlining a full day of top-classVNLaction.

The action begins at 10.30am with the 17 & Under Barwon Junior Regional teams and then the Cougars’ development team takes on the Cougars’ 17 & Under boys teamatnoon.

At 1.30pm the top of the ladder Cougars takeonWesternWarriorsinthe23&Under match and at 3pm the Championship matchtakescentrestage.

The event is a result of Geelong Netball Club’s new partnership with Geelong United Basketball, bringing an elevated game-day experience to the club’s home netball.

“Running out at the Arena with a full game-day experience around us is going to be something special,” Cougars’ goal shooter Emma Buwalda said. “When the occasion matches the standard of netball we’replaying,youfeeleverybittheathletes youare-andthat’sexactlywhatwewantto share with our home crowd when we take ontheWarriors.”

Geelong Netball Club president Anne Lockwood thanked the support of local businessestomakethedayhappen.

By Eddie Kontelj

If the FIFA World Cup reminds us of anything, it’s that we are a sports-loving nation,andGeelongisnoexception.

Football fans, myself included, packed into Johnstone Park last Sunday to witness the Socceroos triumph over Türkiye 2-0 in thegroupstage.

Seeing that sea of green and gold reminded me just how highly we value sport, and why we must invest in infrastructure supporting everyone from ouryoungestathletestoeliteprofessionals.

AstheCity’schairofSports&Recreation, IwillbeadvocatingstronglytotheVictorian government ahead of November’s state election to secure funding for our region. Council is championing five priority projectsinparticular.

The centrepiece is the proposed Geelong RegionalIndoorSportsandEntertainment Centre (RISEC). This game-changing project would deliver a 5000 to 8000-seat show court capable of hosting major cultural events, international sports tournamentsandmajormusicartists.

InWaurnPonds,wearegoingintobatfor majorleagueimprovementstotheGeelong BaseballCentre.

We’re seeking funding in the ballpark of $16 million for pavilion, surface, lighting andchangeroomupgrades.

Geelong has already stepped up to the plateasapremierbaseballdestination.

“Hosting our home game at Geelong Arena is a proud moment for our club, and it doesn’t happen without the local businessesandcommunitygettingbehind us,” she said. “Their support means we can give our players and supporters a game day to be proud of, and we’d love the whole Geelong community to come down and be partofit.”

The day is built with families in mind, with free entertainment in the foyer, including face painting and activities to keepyoungerfansbusybetweengames. More information and tickets at bit. ly/3SeKHr3

Sports focus ahead

For the past two summers, South Korea’s KT Wiz spent six weeks here, partnering with the Melbourne Aces and local clubs GeelongBaycatsandEastBelmontSaints.

We’ve also hosted training for the Chiba Lotte Marines from Japan’s Pacific League, and the Korean Baseball Organisation’s DoosanBearsinpreviousyears.

Armstrong Creek is the focus of our tennis ambitions. With no existing courts inthisgrowtharea,HorseshoeBendNorth Reserve is the preferred site for a new Regional Tennis Centre to nurture future starsandmeetlocaldemand.

The City has already committed $13 million toward the master plan, supported by $1 million from Tennis Victoria and TennisAustralia.

We are asking the Victorian government for $10 million to deliver the hub, which will feature 12 ITF-approved courts and eightcommunitycourts.

We are equally focused on recreational infrastructure that keeps the entire communityactive.

Partnering with Surf Coast Shire and supported by a TAC grant, the City has designed the Safe Cycling Link between GeelongandTorquay.

This continuous, accessible, off-road corridor will connect our two major regionalhubs.

We are seeking $13 million to deliver this project, which will encourage active transport, improve public health, and offer a more sustainable future for the region.

And, finally, our region’s soccer fans will have another reason to cheer, as the City responds to a surge in popularity of the worldgameacrossGreaterGeelong.

The City and Football Victoria are progressing plans for a premier regional soccer facility, with Football Victoria recently identifying Sutcliffe Reserve in Corioasitspreferredlocation.

The hub would support our region’s 5600 soccer participants and support the growing participation in the sport, including a remarkable 114 per cent increase in female participation between 2015and2022.

All these projects are major game-changers and I look forward to advocating for their funding ahead of the election.

Asalways,Iamhappytospeaktoanyone on council-related matters. Please see belowmycontactdetails.

Phone:0455532006

Email:ekontelj@geelongcity.vic.gov.au

The Guide

MONTY DON’S BRITISH GARDENS

ABC TV, Friday, 7.30pm

Monty Don (pictured) believes there is a lot to be learnt from Britain’s great outdoors. In his eyes, everything from the humble backyard to the grandest of grounds tells a story about the country’s culture, climate and history. Over five parts, the ardent horticulturalist travels from the north-west of Scotland to the southern tip of England to discover more than 60 different gardens and the custodians who keep them flourishing. Don begins his journey at Inverewe, a botanical wonderland in the Scottish Highlands that includes plants from all over the world, including the New Zealand tree fern. It’s a fascinating series that’s sure to inspire your own trip to the nursery.

SMALL PROPHETS

WATSON 10, Sunday, 8.15pm

For one season and one episode of this medical mystery drama, Dr John Watson (Morris Chestnut) – one of literature’s most famous sidekicks – finally had the spotlight all to himself. Since the death of Sherlock Holmes, the good doctor has been treating patients with rare disorders at a Pittsburgh clinic. As season two picks up steam, Holmes (who, as it turns out, is very much alive) makes a shocking return and wastes no time weighing in on his partner’s latest case – an apparent “zombie virus” affecting a team of microbiology researchers. Trainspottingstar Robert Carlyle (pictured) brings a mischievous magic to his portrayal of the iconic detective, making this reunion anything but elementary.

ABC Entertains, Tuesday, 8.30pm

From the brilliant mind of Detectoristscreator Mackenzie Crook, this o eat sitcom has a rare blend of fantasy and realism to simultaneously enchant and bewilder viewers. It follows hardware store clerk Michael (regular Crook collaborator Pearce Quigley, pictured), whose life has been on hold since the unexplained disappearance of his partner Clea seven years earlier. Michael spends his days winding up gullible customers at work and visiting his eccentric dad (Michael Palin) in aged care. But when a surprising revelation disrupts his status quo and opens the door to a world of alchemy and magical spirits, he gets an unexpected opportunity to uncover the truth about his lost love.

Friday, June 19

ABC TV (2) SBS (3)

SEVEN (6, 7)

TRAVEL GUIDES

HE

6.30 Hard Quiz. (PG,R)

7.00 ABC News.

7.30 Monty Don’s British Gardens. (Premiere)

8.30 Shetland. (Mdl) Calder and Tosh discover the truth behind Rossi’s mission.

9.30 Twenty Twenty Six. (M) Anew Tournament Ambassador isannounced.

10.30 Gruen. (PG,R)

11.05 ABC Late News.

11.25 Guy Montgomery’s Guy Mont Spelling Bee. (PG,R)

12.10 The Control Room. (Ml,R)

1.10 Rage New Music. (MA15+adhlnsv)

5.00 Rage. (PG)

ABC FAMILY (22)

6.00 Soccer. FIFA World Cup. GroupB. SUI vBIH. Cont. 7.30 Soccer. FIFA World Cup. GroupB. CAN vQAT. 10.30 Soccer. FIFA World Cup. GroupA. MEX vKOR. From Guadalajara Stadium, Mexico. 1.30 Soccer. FIFA World Cup. GroupL. England vCroatia. 4.30 PBS NewsHour. 5.30 Letters And Numbers. (R)

6.00 Mastermind Australia.

6.30 SBS World News.

7.35 Paul Merton: Driving Amazing Trains. (PG)

8.30 Record-Breaking Bridges. (PG)

9.30 Michael Palin In North Korea. (R)

10.25 SBS World News Late.

10.55 FIFA World Cup2026: Highlights Show.

11.25 The King. (MA15+a)

12.15 The Typist. (Masv, R) 1.20 Shark Curry: A Cricket Delicacy. (R) 1.50 Robson Green’s Weekend Escapes. (R)

2.25 Great British Railway Journeys. (R)

3.00 Going Places With Ernie Dingo. (PGa, R) 4.00 Soccer. FIFA World Cup. GroupD. USA vAUS.

PICK OF THE WEEK

Nine, Monday, 7.30pm

30pm rs arrived on in enovators tcases d nd he for n rary sa gh ail e icy onia.

When Adelaide sisters Eliza and Liberty Paschke arrived on the set of TheBlockin 2023, the inexperienced renovators brought so many suitcases with them that you’d think they were bound for Milan Fashion Week. Let’s hope the pair have learnt the art of packing light, as they’re joining the cast of TravelGuidesfor a Chilean adventure this week. Despite a shaky start on Santiago’s steep historical funicular, the siblings couldn’t ask for a better introduction to the show. Their itinerary also includes a handson pottery class and a street art tour through Valparaíso before concluding with a trail ride and cruise in the icy wilderness of Patagonia.

On top of the world: Sisters Eliza and Liberty Paschke join TravelGuides

NINE (8, 9) 6.00 News Breakfast. 9.00 News. 10.00 Compass. (R) 10.30 Stuff The British Stole. (R) 11.00 Race Around The World. (M, R) 12.00 News. 1.00 The Assembly. (PG, R) 1.45 Ground Up. (Ml, R) 2.15 Guy Mont Spelling Bee. (PG, R) 3.00 Restoration Aust. (R) 4.00 Murdoch Mysteries. (Md, R) 4.45 Long Lost Family. (PG, R) 5.30 Antiques Roadshow. (R)

6.00 Sunrise. 9.00 The Morning Show. (PG) 12.00 Seven’s National News At Noon. 1.00 Your Money & Your Life. (PG) 1.30 Border Security: International. (PGd, R) 2.00 Bridge Of Lies: Celebrity Specials. (R) 3.00 The Chase. (R) 4.00 Seven News At4. 5.00 The Chase Australia.

6.00 Seven News.

7.00 AFL: Friday Night Countdown. Alead-up tothe Friday night AFL match.

7.30 Football. AFL. Round15. Gold Coast Suns vHawthorn. From People First Stadium, Queensland. 10.30 AFL Post-Game Show. Post-game discussion and interviews.

11.15 GetOn Extra. Alook atthe weekend’s best racing.

11.45 To Be Advised.

1.15 Harry’s Practice. (R) Information about pet care.

2.00 Home Shopping. (R)

4.00 Million Dollar Minute. (R)

5.00 NBC Today.

7TWO (62, 72) SBS VICELAND (31) 6am Children’s Programs. 11.15 The Makery. 11.30 Wiggle. 11.45 Andy’s Global Adventures. 1.30pm PJ Masks Power Heroes. 1.50 Kangaroo Beach. 2.30 Daniel Tiger’s. 2.45 The Makery. 3.00 Play School. 4.05 Andy’s Dinosaur Adventures. 4.40 Ariel. 5.30 Talking Tom Heroes. 6.05 Spidey And His Amazing Friends. 6.25 Paddington. 6.45 Ben And Holly. 7.05 Gardening Australia Junior. 7.30 MOVIE: Scoob! (2020, PG) 9.05 Caper Crew. 9.55 MythBusters “There’s Your Problem!”. 10.20 Late Programs.

6am Morning Programs. 10.30 Front Up. 11.00 FIFA World Cup 2026: Highlights Show. 11.30 Front Up. Noon DW The Day. 12.30 Hoarders. 2.05 Who Killed The WCW? 3.00 Bamay. 3.40 WorldWatch. 5.40 Inside The Huddle. 6.10 Over The Black Dot. 6.40 Jeopardy! 7.35 8 Out Of 10 Cats. 8.30 Cup Fever! 9.00 Mysteries Unearthed With Danny Trejo. 9.50 The Americans. 10.45 Fashionista. 11.00 Soccer. FIFA World Cup. GroupL. ENG vCRO. Replay. 2am NHK World English News. 5.00 Al Jazeera. 6am Morning Programs. Noon House Of Wellness. 1.00 Escape To The Country. 2.00 The Great Australian Doorstep. 2.30 Weekender. 3.00 Imagine Holidays Iconic Rail Journeys. 3.30 Harry’s Practice. 4.00 Better Homes. 5.00 Escape To The Country. 6.00 Bargain Hunt. 7.00 Better Homes. 8.00 Escape To The Country. 10.00 Dog Patrol. 10.30 Horse Racing. Royal Ascot. 3.30am Animal Rescue. 4.00 Better Homes. 5.00 The Great Australian Doorstep. 5.30 Late Programs.

7MATE (64, 73) SBS WORLD MOVIES (32) 6am Morning Programs. 7.50 Bushwhacked!

8.15 Motown Magic. 8.40 The Magic Canoe. 9.10 Spartakus. 10.00 Great Blue Wild. 11.00 Going Places. Noon Sunny And The Dark Horse. 1.30 Stompem Ground. 2.00 Kriol Kitchen. 2.30 The Cook Up. 3.00 Jarjums. 5.00 Harlem Globetrotters. 5.30 Nula. 6.00 Bamay. 6.40 Undiscovered Vistas. 7.30 MOVIE: Like Mike. (2002, PG) 9.25

6am The Movie Show. 6.20 Howl’s Moving Castle. (2004, PGw) 8.25 The Man Who Brought Down The White House. (2017, PGal) 10.20 Riceboy Sleeps. (2022, Mals) 12.35pm The Graduate. (1967, Mas) 2.30 Discovering Film. 3.25 P’tang, Yang, Kipperbang. (1982, PGals) 4.50 Thirteen Days. (2000, PGal) 7.30 All The President’s Men. (1976, Ml) 10.00 The King Tide. (2024, Malv) Midnight Radical. (2023, Mal, Spanish) 2.25 Michael Clayton. (2007, MA15+l) 4.35 Open The Wall. (2014, PGal, German)

6am Morning Programs. 11.30 American Resto. Noon Storage Wars. 12.30 American Pickers: Best Of. 1.30 Pawn Stars. 2.30 Kick Ons. 3.00

(2016, M) 11.00 MOVIE: Mercury Rising. (1998, M) 1.20am Pawn Stars. 1.50 Mountain Men. 3.00 American Resto. 3.30 Late Programs.

6.00 Today. 9.00 Today Extra. (PG) 11.30 9News Morning. 12.00 MOVIE: The Better Man. (2025, Mal) 2.00 Pointless. (PG,R)

3.00 Tipping Point. (PG,R) 4.00 9News Afternoon. 4.30 Tipping Point Australia. (PG)

TEN (5, 10)

5.00[MELB] TippingPoint Australia.(PG,R) 5.30 WIN News. 6.00

6.00 9News.

7.00 A Current Affair.

7.30 Escape To The Chateau. Dick and Angel host indulgent feasts.

8.40 MOVIE: Casino Royale. (2006,Mv,R) James Bond must stop anevil banker. Daniel Craig, Eva Green, Judi Dench. 11.30 Next Stop. (R)

12.00 Tipping Point. (PG,R)

12.50 Find My Beach House Australia. (R)

1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)

4.00 Skippy The Bush Kangaroo. (R)

4.30 Global Shop. (R)

5.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)

5.30 Postcards. (PG,R)

9GEM (81, 92)

6.00 10 News+. Hosted byDenham Hitchcock and Amelia Brace.

6.30 Deal Or No Deal. (R)

7.00 Millionaire Hot Seat. (PG,R)

7.30 Selling Houses Australia. (R) Theteam helps adivorcee. 8.30 Have You Been Paying Attention? (Malns,R) Celebrity panellists compete tosee who can remember the most about events ofthe week. 9.30 10’s Late News. Coverage ofnews, sport and weather. 10.30 The Big Bang Theory. (PG,R) 11.30 10 News+. (R) 12.00 Home Shopping. (R)

10 COMEDY (52, 11)

6am Morning Programs. 11.30 My Favorite Martian. Noon Tycoons Down Under. 1.00 The Brokenwood Mysteries. 3.00 Antiques Downunder. 3.30 MOVIE: The Man Who Haunted Himself. (1970, PG) 5.30 Yorkshire Auction House. 6.30 Antiques Roadshow. 7.30 Rugby League. NRL. Knights vDragons. 9.55 NRL Friday Night Footy Post-Match. 10.45 MOVIE: Lethal Weapon 2. (1989, M) 1am 1.30 MOVIE: The Man Who Haunted Himself. (1970, PG) 3.30 Late Programs. 10 DRAMA (53, 12)

(82, 93)

6am Morning Programs. 10.30 Bewitched. 11.30 Rugby Heaven. 12.30pm Wild Cards. 2.30 Nanny. 3.30 Seinfeld. 4.30 Addams Family. 5.30 Bewitched. 6.30 Nanny. 7.30 MOVIE: Mirror Mirror. (2012, PG) 9.40 MOVIE: Freelance. (2024, MA15+) Midnight

Saturday, June 20

ABC TV (2) SBS (3)

6.00 Rage Charts. (PG) 7.00 Weekend

Breakfast. 9.00 Rage. (PG) 10.30 Rage Vault Guest Programmer. (PG)

11.55 Rage Closer. (R) 12.00 Football. VFL. Round13. Williamstown vCasey Demons. 3.00 Shanghai Symphony Orchestra. 5.00 Stuff The British Stole. (R) 5.30 Australian Story. (R)

6.00 Kath & Kim. (PGals,R) Kimkicks upa major stink.

6.30 Hard Quiz. (PG,R) Presented byTom Gleeson.

7.00 ABC News. Takes alook atthe top stories ofthe day, including coverage ofdeveloping stories and events.

7.30 Death In Paradise. (Final, ofa murder investigation.

8.30 The Hardacres. (PG) Things come toa head for Sam atthe docks. Mary and Liza struggle with the aftermath ofthe disastrous soiree.

10.05 The Capture. (Mlv,R) More video evidence ofthe attack emerges, isolating Carey further from those around her. 11.05 Rage. (MA15+dhlnsv) Continuous music programming.

6am Children’s Programs. 2.45pm Wiggle. 3.00 Play School. 3.30 Octonauts And The Great Barrier Reef. 4.10 Odd Squad. 5.10 Octonauts: Above And Beyond. 5.35 Super Monsters. 6.05 PJ Masks. 6.25 Emerald. 7.05 Let’s Go Bananas! 7.30 Kids Baking C’ship. 8.10 Kids BBQ Championship. 8.55 Caper Crew. (Final) 9.40 Fresh Off The Boat. 10.05 Late Programs.

6am Morning Programs. 2.35pm Over The Black Dot. 3.05 Stompem Ground 2022: Footprince. 3.30 The Frontier. 4.20 This Is Indian Country. 4.50 Paid In Full: The Battle For Black Music. 6.00 Home, Land & Sea. 6.40 The Other Side. 7.30 Alone Australia. 8.30 MOVIE: Beowulf. (2007, MA15+) 10.10 Lee Fields, Faithful Man. 11.40 Late Programs.

6am Morning Programs. 10.30 Al Jazeera. 11.00 BBC News At Six. 11.30 France 24 English News. 12.00 WorldWatch. 12.30 Soccer. FIFA World Cup. GroupD. TUR vPAR. 3.35 Megastructures: Knights Templar Castles. (PGav, R) 4.35 Hitler: A Life In Pictures. (PGa, R) 5.35 Underground Army. (PGav, R)

6.30 SBS World News. 7.30 Soccer. FIFA World Cup. GroupD. USA vAustralia. From Seattle Stadium, Washington, US. Replay. 9.30 Shut Your Big Fat Mouth John Safran! (Ma,R) 10.45 FIFA World Cup2026: Highlights Show. 11.15 Snowpiercer. (Mv,R) 12.10 Robson Green’s Weekend Escapes: Hexham – Matheson Green. (R)

1.25 Great British Railway Journeys: (PGa,R)

2.00 Going Places With Ernie Dingo. (PG,R)

2.30 Soccer. FIFA World Cup. GroupF. Netherlands vSweden. From Houston Stadium, Texas, US. 5.30 Soccer. FIFA World Cup. GroupE. Germany vCote d’Ivoire.

6am Morning Programs. 2pm Cryptoland. 2.30 If You Are The One. 3.40 WorldWatch. 5.45 Mastermind Aust. 6.45 The MegaBrands That Built The World. 7.35 Abandoned Americana. 8.30 Cup Fever! 9.00 The Death Coast. 9.50 The Americans. 10.40 The Swiping Game. 11.00 Soccer. FIFA World Cup. GroupD. USA vAUS. Replay. 1am Late Programs.

6am Morning Programs. 1pm Post Coitum, Animal Triste. (1997, Malsv, French) 2.50 Open The Wall. (2014, PGal, German) 4.35 The Assassin. (2015, PGv, Mandarin) 6.35 Music & Lyrics. (2007, PG) 8.30 Intolerable Cruelty. (2003, Mlsv) 10.20 Kaymak. (2022, MA15+als, Macedonian) 12.20am The Rover. (2014, MA15+lv) 2.15 Everyone Else. (2009, MA15+ns, German) 4.30 Late Programs.

SEVEN (6, 7)

6.00 NBC Today. 7.00 Weekend Sunrise. 10.00 The Morning Show: Weekend. (PG) 12.00 Horse Racing. Civic Stakes Day, VRC Country Race Day and Ipswich Cup. 5.00 Seven News At5. 5.30 Border Security: Australia’s Front Line. (PG,R)

6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Better Homes And Gardens. 8.00 Border Security: Australia’s Front Line. (PG,R) Acricketer isnot playing bythe rules. 8.30 MOVIE: The Equalizer3. (2023,MA15+av,R) Robert

Denzel Washington, Dakota Fanning, Eugenio Mastrandrea. 10.45 Motor Racing. Supercars Championship. Round6. Darwin Triple Crown. Day1. Highlights. From Hidden Valley Raceway, Northern Territory. 11.45 Motorway Patrol. (PGa) 12.15 MOVIE: Nightmare Student. (2021,Mav,R)

2.30 Home Shopping. (R)

4.00 It’s Academic. (R) 5.00 House Of Wellness. (PG,R)

6am Morning Programs. Noon Australia’s Amazing Homes. 1.00 Animal Rescue. 1.30 The Salvation Army: Red Shield Appeal. 2.00 Better Homes. 3.00 Secrets Of Beautiful Gardens. 4.00 Escape To The Country. 5.00 Dog Patrol. 5.30 World’s Most Scenic Railway Journeys. 6.30 Bondi Vet. 7.30 The Yorkshire Vet. 8.30 Lewis. 10.30 Horse Racing. Royal Ascot. 3.30am Late Programs.

6am Morning Programs. 2pm Rides Down Under: Workshop Wars. 3.00 Motor Racing. National Drag Racing C’ship. Top Doorslammer. Riverbend Nationals. 4.00 Duck Dynasty. 5.00 Counting Cars. 6.00 Pawn Stars. 7.00 Storage Wars. 7.30 MOVIE: Back To The Future. (1985, PG) 10.00 MOVIE: Battleship. (2012, M) 12.40am Late Programs.

The Breeze Point Lonsdale Retirement Living

NINE (8, 9)

6.00 Getaway. (PG, R) 6.30 ACA. (R) 7.00 Weekend Today. 10.00 Today Extra: Saturday. (PG) 12.00 Australia TV. 12.30 Drive TV Presents. 1.00 Explore TV Viking. (R) 1.30 My Way. (R) 1.45 Space Invaders. (PGa, R) 2.45 Shark! (PGhl, R) 4.00 Tasman Trails. (PGl) 5.00 9News First At Five. 5.30 Getaway. (PG)

6.00 9News Saturday. 7.00 A Current Affair.

7.30 MOVIE: National Treasure. (2004,PGv,R) Atreasure hunter steals the Declaration ofIndependence inorder toprotect its secrets from arival. Nicolas Cage, Diane Kruger, Sean Bean. 10.10 MOVIE: The Tomorrow War. (2021,MA15+lv,R) Afamily man

Chris Pratt, Yvonne Strahovski. 12.40 Law & Order: Organized Crime. (MA15+av,R)

1.35 Explore TV Viking. (R)

2.00 The Incredible Journey Presents. (PGa)

2.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)

4.30 Global Shop. (R)

5.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)

5.30 Helping Hands. (PG,R)

6am Morning Programs. 10.00 Helping Hands. 10.30 MOVIE: Champagne Charlie. (1944) 12.40pm MOVIE: The Courtneys Of Curzon Street. (1947) 3.00 MOVIE: Went The Day Well? (1942, PG) 5.00 MOVIE: The Amazing Howard Hughes. (1977, PG) 7.30 TBA. 12.30am MOVIE: Champagne Charlie. (1944) 2.40 MOVIE: The Courtneys Of Curzon Street. (1947) 5.00 Avengers.

6am Morning Programs. 12.05pm Cops. 2.05 Motor Racing. FIA World Endurance C’ship. 24 Hours ofLe Mans. H’lights. 3.15 MOVIE: Batman Returns. (1992, PG) 5.45 MOVIE: Doctor Dolittle 2. (2001, PG) 7.30 MOVIE: The Wizard Of Oz. (1939) 9.35 MOVIE: Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory. (1971) 11.45 Top 20 Funniest. 12.40am Late Programs.

Discover all the charm of coastal living, complemented by everyday convenience. Join us to experience a welcoming community where relaxed seaside lifestyle meets comfort and connection. Whether you're just exploring or ready to take the next step, our friendly team is here to help. Call us on 03 5254 5473 or email enquiries@sencia.com.au

Sunday, June 21

ABC TV (2)

SBS (3)

6.00 Soccer. FIFA World Cup. GroupE. GER vCIV. Cont. 8.30 DW English News. 9.00 Al Jazeera. 9.30 Soccer. FIFA World Cup. GroupE. ECU vCUW. 12.30 WorldWatch. 1.30 Soccer. FIFA World Cup. GroupF. TUN vJPN. 4.35 Hitler: A Life In Pictures. (PGa, R) 5.30 Underground Army. (PGav, R)

SEVEN (6, 7)

(8, 9) 6am Morning Programs. 9.00 Insiders. 10.00 Offsiders. 10.30 World This Week. (R) 11.00 Compass. (R) 11.30 Praise. (R) 12.00 News. 12.30 Landline. 1.30 Monty Don’s British Gardens. (R) 2.30 Race Around The World. (PG, R) 3.30 Creative Types. (PG, R) 4.00 Restoration Aust. (PG, R) 5.00 Back Roads. (R) 5.30 Antiques Roadshow.

6.30 Compass: The Myth Of The Nurses On The Beach.

7.00 ABC News.

7.30 Race Around The World. (PG) Filmmakers race across the 8.30 Ground Up. (Md) Hugh and Destiny’s quest tosecure asponsor istorpedoed bythe newly appointed coach.

9.05 The Capture. (MA15+) Thetables turn once again for Rachel Carey.

10.00 Death In Paradise. (Final, Mv,R) 11.00 The Hardacres. (PG,R)

12.30 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv)

3.00 Gardening Australia. (R)

4.00 Movin’ To The Country. (R)

4.30 Poh’s Kitchen. (R)

5.00 Insiders. (R)

6am Children’s Programs. 1.50pm Kangaroo Beach. 2.25 Mister Maker Around The World. 3.00 Play School. 3.25 PJ Masks Power Heroes. 3.50 Odd Squad. 4.25 Little J And Big Cuz. 5.15 Isadora Moon. 5.40 Super Monsters. 6.05 PJ Masks. 6.25 Emerald. 7.05 Let’s Go Bananas! 7.30 MOVIE: Fantastic Mr. Fox. (2009, PG) 8.50 Animal Park. 10.20 Late Programs.

6am Morning Programs. Noon Over The Black Dot. 12.30 Inside The Huddle. 1.00 Stompem Ground 2022: Blekbala Mujik. 1.50 FIFA World Cup Classic Matches. 3.15 Piri’s Tiki Tour. 4.10 Lee Fields, Faithful Man. 5.50 Undiscovered Vistas. 6.40 Australian Music Vault: Paul Kelly. 8.30 MOVIE: Searching For Sugar Man. (2012, PG) 10.05 MOVIE: Purple

6.30 SBS World News.

7.30 Mary Celeste: Solving The Mystery. (M) 8.25 Titanic: Secrets Of The Shipwreck. (PGalv,R) 10.15 Rock Legends. (PGs,R) 10.45 FIFA World Cup2026: Highlights Show. 11.15 How To Make It In Comedy. (MA15+l,R) 12.10 Robson Green’s Weekend Escapes. (R) 12.45 Going Places With Ernie Dingo. (R) 1.15 MOVIE: Chuparrosa. (2024, G, Spanish) 1.30 Soccer. FIFA World Cup. GroupH. ESP vKSA. From Atlanta Stadium, Georgia, US. 4.30 Soccer. FIFA World Cup. GroupG. BEL vIRN.

6am Morning Programs. 1pm Fashionista. 1.15 Everything’s Gonna Be All White. 2.15 Jeopardy! 4.20 WorldWatch. 5.45 The Frontier. 6.40 Abandoned Engineering. 8.30 Cup Fever! 9.00 The Death Coast. 9.50 The Americans. 10.40 The Swiping Game. 11.00 Soccer. FIFA World Cup. GroupD. TUR vPAR. Replay. 2am Late Programs.

6am Morning Programs. 12.20pm The King Tide. (2024, Malv) 2.15 Thirteen Days. (2000, PGal) 4.55 Francis: Pray For Me. (2015, PGals, Spanish) 6.50 3:10 To Yuma. (1957, PGv) 8.30 Rambo III. (1988, MA15+v) 10.25 Transcendence. (2014, Mav) 12.40am Intolerable Cruelty. (2003, Mlsv) 2.30 Up In The Air. (2009, Mlns) 4.25 Cat Call. (2023, Ma, Hungarian)

6.00 Better Homes And Gardens. (R) 7.00 Weekend Sunrise. 10.00 The Morning Show: Weekend. (PG) 12.00 Sunday Footy Feast. 2.30 AFL Pre-Game Show. 3.00 Football. AFL. Round15. St Kilda vWestern Bulldogs. From Marvel Stadium, Melbourne.

6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Farmer Wants A Wife. (PGal) Hosted byNatalie Gruzlewski. 8.30 7NEWS Spotlight. Focuses onlong-form investigations.

9.30 24 Hours In Police Custody: The Home County Cartel Pt 1. (Madlv,R) Detectives battle drug smugglers. 12.05 Motor Racing. Supercars Championship. Round6. Darwin Triple Crown. Day2. Highlights. From Hidden Valley Raceway, Northern Territory.

1.05 Harry’s Practice. (R)

2.00 Home Shopping. (R)

3.30 Million Dollar Minute. (R)

4.00 NBC Today.

5.00 Sunrise Early News.

5.30 Sunrise.

6am Morning Programs. 12.30pm Your Money & Your Life. 1.00 Better Homes. 2.00 South Aussie With Cosi. 2.30 The Surgery Ship. 3.30 The Yorkshire Vet. 4.30 My Greek Odyssey. 5.30 Australia’s Amazing Homes. 6.30 Escape To The Country. 7.30 The Coroner. 8.30 Vera. 10.30 Malpractice. 11.30 The Coroner. 12.30am Late Programs.

6am Morning Programs. 11.30 Step Outside. Noon The Fishing Show By AFN. 1.00 Fishing Addiction. 2.00 Fishy Business. 2.30 Fish’n Mates. 3.00 Counting Cars. 4.00 Duck Dynasty. 5.00 Counting Cars. 6.00 Border Security: Int. 7.00 Border Security. 8.30 MOVIE: Bad Boys II. (2003, MA15+) 11.30 MOVIE: After Earth. (2013, M) 1.35am Blokesworld. 2.00 Late Programs.

TEN (5, 10)

6.30 The Dog House. (PGa,R) Theteam atWoodgreen makes its abandoned dogs feel extra special this time ofyear with adoggy Christmas dinner.

7.30 Selling Houses Australia. Theteam helps John and Kitsa, who invested enormous amounts into their business and residential building but are now struggling. 9.30 Ambulance UK. (Ma,R) Itis abusy night shift for the ambulance service when they are alerted toan infectious disease outbreak

waiting times stretch out into the early hours ofthe morning. 11.30 FBI. (Mav,R) Afederal judge disappears. 12.30 Home Shopping. (R) 5.00 Hour Of Power.

6.00 Hello SA. (PG, R) 6.30 ACA. (R) 7.00 Weekend Today. 10.00 AFL Sunday Footy Show. (PG) 12.00 Wide World Of Sports. (PG) 1.00 GolfBarons. (PG, R) 1.30 Fish Forever. (PGl) 2.00 Taronga: Who’s Who In The Zoo. (PGm, R) 3.00 Rugby League. NRL. Melbourne Storm vCanberra Raiders. From AAMI Park, Melbourne.

6.00 9News Sunday.

7.00 60 Minutes. Current affairs program.

8.00 Boy George & Culture Club. (Mdl) Looks atEnglish pop band Culture Club, which emerged in1981’s UK new romantic scene with iconic style and music.

10.00 9News Late.

10.30 The First48: Vengeance/ Paid In Full. (MA15+av)

11.25 Love Cheats. (Ma,R)

12.15 Tasman Trails. (PGl,R)

1.05 GolfBarons. (PG,R)

1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)

4.00 Skippy The Bush Kangaroo. (R)

4.30 CampByMe.

5.00 Today Early News.

5.30 Today.

6am Morning Programs. 11.00 NRL Sunday Footy Show. 1pm Explore. 1.15 MOVIE: We Of The Never Never. (1982) 4.00 Midsomer Murders. 6.00 Getaway. 6.30 Motorway Cops. 7.30 David Attenborough’s Mammals. 8.40 Paramedics. 9.40 Emergency. 10.40 Major Crimes. 11.40 Midsomer Murders. 1.40am MOVIE: We Of The Never Never. (1982) 4.25 The Baron. 5.30 Late Programs.

6am Morning Programs. 12.35pm Innovation Nation. 12.50 MOVIE: Loch Ness. (1996) 2.50 The Summit. 5.30 MOVIE: Agent Cody Banks 2: Destination London. (2004, PG) 7.30 MOVIE: The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1. (2014, M) 10.00 TBA. Midnight Arrow. 3.20 4.30 Lego Dreamzzz. 5.10 Bubble’s Hotel. 5.30 Late Programs.

R) 1.00 Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly Australia. (PGa, R) 2.00 Deal Or No Deal. (PG, R) 2.30 Millionaire Hot Seat. (PG, R) 3.00 The Finish Line. (R) 4.00 Lingo.

6.30 10 News+. Hosted byDenham Hitchcock and Amelia Brace. 7.00 MasterChef Australia. (PG) Amateur cooks take tothe kitchen toimpress judges Andy Allen, Jean-Christophe Novelli. 8.15 Watson. (PGav) Auniversity research team returns from anexpedition toSiberia and soon falls ill from apossible “zombie virus”. 9.15 FBI. (Mav) When paintings from exchange are stolen, the team races torecover the priceless artworks. 12.00 10 News+. (R) Hosted byDenham Hitchcock and Amelia Brace. 12.30 Home Shopping. (R)

Monday, June 22

ABC TV (2) SBS (3) SEVEN (6, 7)

6.00 News Breakfast. 9.00 News. 10.00 The Hardacres. (PG, R) 11.30

You Can’t Ask That. (Mal, R) 12.00

ABC News At Noon. 1.00 Landline. (R) 2.00 Parliament Question Time. 3.00 Restoration Australia. (R) 3.55 Murdoch Mysteries. (PGv, R) 4.45 Long Lost Family. (PG, R) 5.30 Antiques Roadshow. (R)

Four Corners.

9.15 Media Watch. (PG)

9.35 Planet America.

10.05 Stuff The British Stole: The Cook And The Dead. (R)

10.35 ABC Late News.

10.50 The Business. (R)

11.10 Rolf Harris: Primetime Predator. (Final, Ml,R)

12.05 Murdoch Mysteries. (Mav,R)

12.50 Long Lost Family. (PG,R)

1.35 Parliament Question Time.

2.35 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv)

4.00 Gardening Australia. (R)

5.00 Poh’s Kitchen. (R)

5.30 7.30. (R)

6am Children’s Programs. 3.25pm Wiggle. 4.05 Andy’s Dino Island. (Premiere) 4.40 Ariel. 5.30 Talking Tom Heroes. 6.05 Spidey And His Amazing Friends. 6.25 Paddington. 6.45 Ben And Holly. 7.05 Batwheels. 7.35 Ninjago: Dragons Rising. 8.00 Young Sheldon. 8.25 Young Sheldon. 8.45 Expedition With Steve Backshall. 9.35 Chopped Jnr. 10.15 Late Programs.

6am Morning Programs. 1.30pm Yarrabah! 2.00 Kriol Kitchen. 2.30 The Cook Up. 3.00 Jarjums. 5.00 Harlem Globetrotters. 5.25 The 77 Percent. 5.55 Bamay. 6.38 Undiscovered Vistas. 7.30 Who Do You Think You Are?

8.30 Living Black. 9.00 MOVIE: The Saltwater Story. (2018, PG) 10.05 MOVIE: Flatliners. (1990, MA15+) Midnight Late Programs.

6.00 Soccer. FIFA World Cup. GroupG. BEL vIRN. Cont. 7.30 Soccer. FIFA World Cup. GroupH. URU vCPV. 10.30 Soccer. FIFA World Cup. GroupG. NZ vEGY. 1.30 Soccer. FIFA World Cup. GroupE. GER vCIV. From Toronto Stadium, Canada. 4.40 Patagonia. (PG, R) 5.30 Letters And Numbers. (R)

6.00 Mastermind Australia. 6.30 SBS World News.

7.30 Robson Green’s Weekend

Escapes: Matheson Green. (PG)

8.40 24 Hours In Emergency: See The Light. (Mal)

9.35 8 Out Of10 Cats Does Countdown. (Mals,R)

10.30 SBS World News Late. 11.00 FIFA World Cup2026: Highlights Show.

11.30 Niagara Falls. (R)

12.30 Robson Green’s Weekend

Escapes: East Durham –Charlie Hardwick. (R)

1.40 Going Places With Ernie Dingo. (PGl,R) 2.10 Bamay. (R) 2.30 Soccer. FIFA World Cup. GroupJ. Argentina vAustria. 5.30 BBC News At Six.

6am Morning Programs. 2.20pm Inside The Huddle. 2.50 Over The Black Dot. 3.30 WorldWatch. 5.30 The Secret Genius Of Modern Life. 6.40 Jeopardy! 7.35 8 Out Of 10 Cats. 8.30 Cup Fever! 9.00 Mysteries Unearthed. 9.50 The Americans. 10.45 Fashionista. 11.00 Soccer. FIFA World Cup. GroupE. GER vCIV. Replay. 2am Late Programs.

6am Morning Programs. Noon Up In The Air. (2009, Mlns) 2.00 The Assassin. (2015, PGv, Mandarin) 3.55 Music & Lyrics. (2007, PG) 5.50 BMX Bandits. (1983, PGalv) 7.30 Shaolin Soccer. (2001, PGav, Cantonese, Mandarin) 9.35 Through Rocks And Clouds. (2024, PGa) 11.10 Tudawali. (1987, Mlsv) 12.50am Transcendence. (2014, Mav) 3.00 Late Programs.

Tuesday, June 23

6.00 Sunrise. 9.00 The Morning Show. (PG) 12.00 Seven’s National News At Noon. 1.00 Time Is Money. 2.00 Bridge Of Lies. (R) 3.00 The Chase. 4.00 Seven News At4. 5.00 The Chase Australia.

6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Home And Away. (PGa) Sonny tells alie.

7.30 Farmer Wants A Wife. (PGal) Hosted byNatalie Gruzlewski.

9.10 The Rookie. (Mav) Nolan makes aquiet arrest. Chen and Juarez race torescue akidnapping victim.

10.10 The Agenda Setters. (R) Ateam oftrusted and respected footy voices tackles the biggest topics inthe AFL world.

11.10 The Agenda Setters: Rugby League. Anexpert panel tackles the biggest rugby league topics.

12.10 New Amsterdam. (MA15+av,R) Sharpe discovers along-kept secret.

2.00 Home Shopping. (R)

4.00 NBC Today.

5.00 Sunrise Early News.

5.30 Sunrise.

6am Morning Programs. 11.30 The Great Australian Doorstep. Noon Better Homes. 1.00 My Greek Odyssey. 2.00 Weekender. 2.30 Auction Squad. 3.30 Harry’s Practice. 4.00 Animal Rescue. 4.30 Better Homes. 5.30 Escape To The Country. 6.30 Bargain Hunt. 7.30 Doc Martin. 8.30 A Touch Of Frost. 10.50 Air Crash Inv. 11.50 Doc Martin. 12.50am Bargain Hunt. 2.00 Late Programs.

6am Morning Programs. 1.30pm Rides Down Under: Workshop Wars. 2.30 Motor Racing. Supercars C’ship. Darwin Triple Crown. Day 1 and 2. H’lights. 4.30 American Resto. 5.00 Storage Wars. 5.30 American Pickers: Best Of. 6.30 Pawn Stars. 7.30 The Agenda Setters. 8.30 Aussie Gold Hunters. 9.30 Adventure Gold Diggers. 10.30 Aussie Salvage Squad. 11.30 Late Programs.

NINE (8, 9)

6.00 Today. 9.00 Today Extra. (PG) 11.30 9News Morning. 12.00 Boy George & Culture Club. (Mdl, R) 2.00 Pointless. (PG, R) 3.00 Tipping Point. (PG, R) 4.00 9News Afternoon. 4.30 Tipping Point Australia. (PG) 5.00[MELB] TippingPoint Australia.(PG) 5.30 WIN News.

6.00 9News.

7.00 A Current Affair.

7.30 Travel Guides. (Return, PGl) Ordinary Australians become travel critics. (Ml) Ateam offooty experts tackles the AFL’s big issues and controversies.

9.40 Players. (Ml) Alook atall the AFL news.

10.40 9News Late.

11.10 100% Footy. (Mal)

12.10 Tipping Point. (PG,R)

1.05 Hello SA. (PG)

1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)

2.30 Global Shop. (R)

3.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)

4.00 Skippy The Bush Kangaroo. (R)

4.30 A Current Affair. (R)

5.00 Today Early News. 5.30 Today.

6am Morning Programs. Noon David Attenborough’s Mammals. 1.00 Antiques Roadshow. 1.30 MOVIE: The 14. (1973, PG) 3.40 MOVIE: Blue Murder At St Trinian’s. (1957) 5.30 Yorkshire Auction House. 6.30 Antiques Roadshow. 7.30 Death In Paradise. 8.40 The Madame Blanc Mysteries. (Return) 9.40 Good Karma Hospital. (Return) 10.40 Major Crimes. 11.40 Late Programs.

6am Morning Programs. 11.40 Parental Guidance. 2.30pm Nanny. 3.30 Seinfeld. 4.30 Addams Family. 5.30 Bewitched. 6.30 Nanny. 7.30 Seinfeld. 8.30 TBA. 10.55 Seinfeld. 11.55 The 100. 12.45am Love Island Games. (Return) 3.15 9Honey Hacks. 3.30 4.00 Barbie It Takes Two. 4.30 I Love VIP Pets. 4.50 LEGO Friends: Girls On A Mission. 5.10 Late Programs.

TEN (5, 10)

6.00 10 News+. Hosted byDenham Hitchcock and Amelia Brace.

6.30 Deal Or No Deal. (PG) Hosted byGrant Denyer.

7.00 Millionaire Hot Seat. (PG) Hosted byRebecca Gibney.

7.30 MasterChef Australia. (PG) Amateur cooks take tothe kitchen.

8.40 Have You Been Paying Attention? (Malns) Celebrity panellists compete tosee who can remember the most about events ofthe week.

9.40 10’s Late News. Comprehensive coverage oflocal, national and international news, aswell asthe latest sport and weather.

10.40 The Big Bang Theory. (PGs,R) 11.30 10 News+. (R) Hosted byDenham Hitchcock and Amelia Brace.

12.00 Home Shopping. (R)

ABC TV (2) SBS (3) SEVEN (6, 7)

(8, 9) 6am Morning Programs. 10.00 Deep End: The Scott Miller Story. (R) 10.30 Planet America. (R) 11.05 Rolf Harris: Primetime Predator. (Final, Ml, R) 12.00 News. 1.00 Death In Paradise. (Final, Mv, R) 2.00 Parliament. 3.00 Restoration Aust. (PG, R) 3.55 Murdoch Mysteries. (PGv, R) 4.45 Long Lost Family. (PG, R) 5.30 Antiques Roadshow. (R)

6.00 DW English News. 6.30 Soccer. FIFA World Cup. GroupI. FRA vIRQ. 9.30 Soccer. FIFA World Cup. GroupI. NOR vSEN. 12.30 Soccer. FIFA World Cup. GroupJ. JOR vALG. 3.40 Brooklyn Bridge: Engineering Masterpiece. (PG, R) 4.40 Patagonia. (PGa, R) 5.30 Letters And Numbers. (R)

6.00 Mastermind Australia. 6.30 SBS World News. 7.30 Who Do You Think You Are? (PG) 8.30 Insight. 9.30 Dateline. (Return) 10.00 SBS World News Late. 10.30 Living Black. (R) 11.00 FIFA World Cup2026: Highlights Show. 11.30 The Negotiator. (Mal)

1.45 Parliament Question Time.

2.45 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv)

4.00 Gardening Australia. (R)

5.00 Poh’s Kitchen. (R) 5.30 7.30. (R)

6am Children’s Programs. 3.25pm Wiggle. 4.05 Andy’s Dino Island. 4.40 Ariel. 5.30 Talking Tom Heroes. 6.05 Spidey And His Amazing Friends. 6.25 Paddington. 6.45 Ben And Holly. 7.05 Batwheels. 7.35 Ninjago: Dragons Rising. 8.00 Young Sheldon. 8.20 Young Sheldon. 8.40 Savage Builds. 9.25 MythBusters “There’s Your Problem!”. 9.50 BattleBots. 10.35 Late Programs.

6am Morning Programs. 11.30 MOVIE: Loudmouth. (2022, PG) 1.40pm Generations Of Men. 2.00 Kriol Kitchen. 2.30 The Cook Up. 3.00 Jarjums. 5.00 Harlem Globetrotters. 5.30 Indian Country Today News. 6.00 Bamay.

12.20 Robson Green’s Weekend Escapes. (PG,R) 12.55 Great British Railway Journeys. (PGa,R) 2.05 Bamay. (R) 2.30 Soccer. FIFA World Cup. GroupK. Portugal vUzbekistan. 5.30 Soccer. FIFA World Cup. GroupL. ENG vGHA.

6am Morning Programs. 2.20pm The Grudge. 2.50 Food Lovers’ Guide. 3.30 WorldWatch. 5.30 The Secret Genius Of Modern Life. 6.40 Jeopardy! 7.35 8 Out Of 10 Cats. 8.30 Cup Fever! 9.00 Mysteries Unearthed. 9.50 The Americans. 10.45 Fashionista. 11.00 Soccer. FIFA World Cup. GroupH. URU vCPV. Replay. 2am Late Programs.

6am Morning Programs. Noon The Invisible Fight. (2023, Mav, Estonian) 2.10 Viceroy’s House. (2017, PGa) 4.10 Hotel Salvation. (2016, PGad, Hindi) 6.05 Arthur’s Hallowed Ground. (1984, PGl) 7.30 A Shot At Glory. (2000, Mls) 9.40 Baghdad Messi. (2023, Mlv, Arabic) 11.15 Marmalade. (2024, Malsv) 1.10am Through Rocks And Clouds. (2024, PGa) 2.45 Late Programs.

6.00 Sunrise. 9.00 The Morning Show. (PG) 12.00 Seven’s National News At Noon. 1.00 Time Is Money. 2.00 Bridge Of Lies. (R) 3.00 The Chase. 4.00 Seven News At4. 5.00 The Chase Australia.

6.00 Seven News.

7.00 Home And Away. (PGa) 7.30 First Dates Australia. (Return,

8.40 Doc. (Ma) After atragic accident, one ofJoan’s oldest friends isrushed toMinneapolis tobe treated byher.

9.40 House Of Wellness. (PG) Insights and experiences that highlight living well.

10.40 The Agenda Setters. (R)

11.40 Happy’s Place. (PGal)

12.10 New Amsterdam. (MA15+av,R)

1.10 The Outdoor Room With Jamie Durie. (R)

2.00 Home Shopping. (R)

4.00 NBC Today.

5.00 Sunrise Early News.

5.30 Sunrise.

6am Morning Programs. Noon Farmer Wants A Wife. 2.00 Creek To Coast. 2.30 House Of Wellness. 3.30 Harry’s Practice. 4.00 Animal Rescue. 4.30 Better Homes. 5.30 Escape To The Country. 6.30 Bargain Hunt. 7.30 Call The Midwife. 8.45 Inspector Morse. 11.05 Escape To The Country. 12.05am Hornby: A Model Empire. 1.05 Bargain Hunt. 2.00 Late Programs.

6am Morning Programs. 12.30pm Pawn Stars. 1.30 Aussie Gold Hunters. 2.30 Adventure Gold Diggers. 3.30 Mountain Men. 4.30 American Resto. 5.00 Storage Wars. 5.30 American Pickers: Best Of. 6.30 Pawn Stars. 7.30 The Agenda Setters. 8.30 Rookie Truckers. 9.30 Outback Truckers. 10.30 Train Rescue Down Under. 11.30 Ice Road Truckers. 12.30am Late Programs.

6.00 Today. 9.00 Today

(PG) 11.30 9News Morning. 12.00 MOVIE: A Royal Makeover. (2023, PGa, R) 2.00 Pointless. (PG, R) 3.00 Tipping Point. (PG, R) 4.00 9News Afternoon. 4.30 Tipping Point Australia. (PG) 5.00[MELB] TippingPoint Australia.(PG) 5.30 WIN News.

6.00 9News.

7.00 A Current Affair.

7.30 The Hundred With Andy Lee. (PGls) 8.30 Clarkson’s Farm: Hurrying. (MA15+l) Ascheduling mistake creates tension. (Ml)

10.40 9News Late.

11.10 Outback Opal Hunters. (PGl)

12.00 Tipping Point. (PG,R)

1.00 Destination WA.

1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)

2.30 Building Ideas. (PG,R)

TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)

Skippy The Bush Kangaroo. (R)

A Current Affair. (R)

Today Early News.

Today. 6.00 10 News+. 6.30 Deal Or No Deal.

6am Morning Programs. 11.30 My Favorite Martian. Noon Death In Paradise. 1.00 Antiques Roadshow. 1.30 MOVIE: Baxter! (1973, PG) 3.40 MOVIE: On The Buses. (1971, PG) 5.30 Yorkshire Auction House. 6.30 Antiques Roadshow. 7.30 New Tricks. 8.40 Agatha Christie’s Marple. 10.40 Rizzoli & Isles. 11.40 To Catch A Copper. 12.40am Antiques Roadshow. 1.10 Late Programs.

6am Morning Programs. 11.40 Motor Racing. FIA Formula E C’ship. Sanya ePrix. H’lights. 12.50pm LEGO Masters: Grand Masters. 2.30 Nanny. 3.30 Seinfeld. 4.30 Addams Family. 5.30 Bewitched. 6.30 Nanny. 7.30 Seinfeld. 8.30 TBA. 10.45 Seinfeld. 11.45 The 100. 12.40am Love Island Games. 2.00 The Real Housewives Of Salt Lake City. 2.50 Late Programs.

Wednesday, June 24

ABC TV (2) SBS (3)

6.00 News Breakfast. 9.00 News. 10.00 Four Corners. (R) 11.00 Restoration Australia. (PG, R) 12.00 ABC News

At Noon. 12.30 National Press Club

Address. 1.35 Media Watch. (PG, R) 2.00 Parliament Question Time. 3.00 Restoration Australia. (R) 3.55 Murdoch Mysteries. (PGv) 4.45 Long Lost Family. (PG, R) 5.30 Antiques Roadshow. (R)

6.30 Hard Quiz. (PG,R)

7.00 ABC News.

7.30 7.30.

8.00 Gruen. (PG) Presented byWil Anderson.

8.35 Guy Montgomery’s Guy Mont Spelling Bee. (PG) Presented byGuy Montgomery.

9.20 Race Around The World. (PG,R)

10.25 Planet America. (R)

10.55 ABC Late News.

11.10 The Business. (R)

11.30 You Can’t Ask That: (Ml,R)

12.00 Murdoch Mysteries. (PGv,R)

12.50 Long Lost Family. (PG,R)

1.35 Parliament Question Time.

2.35 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv)

4.00 Gardening Australia. (R)

5.00 Poh’s Kitchen. (R)

5.30 7.30. (R)

6am Children’s Programs. 2.45pm The Makery. 3.00 Play School. 3.25 Wiggle. 4.05 Andy’s Dino Island. 4.40 Ariel. 5.30 Talking Tom Heroes. 6.05 Spidey And His Amazing Friends. 6.25 Paddington. 6.45 Ben And Holly. 7.05 Batwheels. 7.35 Ninjago: Dragons Rising. 8.00 Young Sheldon. 8.20 Young Sheldon. 9.05 Adv Time. 9.50 Pokémon: Diamond And Pearl. 10.15 Late Programs.

6am Morning Programs. 1pm Out Of The Ashes. 2.00 Kriol Kitchen. 2.30 The Cook Up. 3.00 Jarjums. 5.00 Harlem Globetrotters. 5.35 News. 6.05 Bamay. 6.45 Undiscovered Vistas. 7.35 Breaking Wild. 8.30 Pro Bull Riding Australia. 9.30 Over The Black Dot. 10.00 Inside The Huddle. 10.30 MOVIE: Smoke Signals. (1998, M) 12.05am Late Programs.

6.00 Soccer. FIFA World Cup. GroupL. England vGhana. Continued. 8.30 Soccer. FIFA World Cup. GroupL. Panama vCroatia. 11.30 Soccer. FIFA World Cup. GroupK. Colombia vCongo DR. 2.30 Soccer. FIFA World Cup. GroupI. France vIraq. 5.30 Letters And Numbers. (R)

6.00 Mastermind Australia. 6.30 SBS World News.

7.30 Wogball: Australia’s Beautiful Game. (PGal)

8.40 Mysteries Of Sink Holes: Hidden Worlds. (PGav,R) Looks atthe mysteries ofsinkholes.

9.35 Coldwater. (Malsv) John and Fiona attend the funeral ofa resident.

10.30 SBS World News Late.

11.00 FIFA World Cup2026: Highlights Show.

11.30 The Art Of Dissent. (Malv,R)

1.25 Patagonia: The Desert Coast. (PGa,R)

3.05 Great British Railway Journeys: Waterloo To Regent’s Park. (R) 4.15 The Choice To Love. (PG) 4.30 Soccer. FIFA World Cup. GroupB. Switzerland vCanada. From BC Place, Vancouver, Canada.

6am Morning Programs. 2.30pm Wine Lovers’ Guide. 3.35 WorldWatch. 5.35 The Secret Genius Of Modern Life. 6.40 Jeopardy! 7.35 8 Out Of 10 Cats. 8.30 Cup Fever! 9.00 Mysteries Unearthed. 9.50 The Americans. 10.45 Fashionista. 11.00 Soccer. FIFA World Cup. GroupI. FRA vIRQ. Replay. 2am Late Programs.

6am Morning Programs. 12.25pm Through Rocks And Clouds. (2024, PGa) 2.00 Shaolin Soccer. (2001, PGav, Cantonese, Mandarin) 4.00 BMX Bandits. (1983, PGalv) 5.40 7.30 I Am Zlatan. (2021, Mlv) 9.25 John Wick. (2014, MA15+v) 11.20 Re-Animator. (1985, MA15+hnv) 1.05am Baghdad Messi. (2023, Mlv, Arabic) 2.40 Late Programs.

Thursday, June 25

ABC TV (2)

6.00 News Breakfast. 9.00 News. 10.00 Gruen. (PG, R) 10.35 Guy Mont Spelling Bee. (PG, R) 11.20 Dr Karl’s How Things Work. (R) 12.00 News. 1.00 The Capture. (MA15+v, R) 2.00 Parliament. 3.00 Restoration Aust. (R) 3.55 Long Lost Family. (PG, R) 4.45 Frankie Drake Mysteries. (PGa, R) 5.30 Antiques Roadshow. (R)

6.30 Hard Quiz. (PG,R)

7.00 ABC News.

7.30 7.30.

8.00 Restoration Australia: Moruya Homestead. (Final, PG)

9.00 Ground Up. (Md,R)

9.30 Twenty Twenty Six. (M,R) 10.00 Long Lost Family: Born Without A Trace. (R) 11.05 ABC Late News.

11.20 The Business. (R) 11.40 Frankie Drake Mysteries. (Ma,R)

12.25 Long Lost Family. (PG,R)

1.15 Parliament Question Time.

2.15 Rage. (MA15+adhlnsv)

4.00 Gardening Australia. (R)

5.00 Poh’s Kitchen. (R)

5.30 7.30. (R)

6am Children’s Programs. 3.25pm Wiggle. 4.05 Andy’s Dino Island. 4.40 Ariel. 5.30 Talking Tom Heroes. 6.05 Spidey And His Amazing Friends. 6.25 Paddington. 6.45 Ben And Holly. 7.05 Batwheels. 7.35 Ninjago: Dragons Rising. 8.00 Young Sheldon. 8.25 Young Sheldon. 8.45 Ultimate Vets. 9.05 Animal Park. 9.50 Secrets Of The Zoo. 10.35 Late Programs.

6am Morning Programs. Noon Pro Bull Riding Australia. 1.00 Over The Black Dot. 1.30 Inside The Huddle. 2.00 Kriol Kitchen. 2.30 The Cook Up. 3.00 Jarjums. 5.00 Harlem Globetrotters. 5.30 Te Ao With Moana. 6.00 Bamay. 6.40 Undiscovered Vistas. 7.30 Going Places. 8.30 Swift Street. 9.30 MOVIE: The Last Samurai. (2003, MA15+) 12.10am Late Programs.

SEVEN (6, 7)

NINE (8, 9)

6.00 Sunrise. 9.00 The Morning Show. (PG) 12.00 Seven’s National News At Noon. 1.00 Time Is Money. 2.00 Bridge Of Lies. (R) 3.00 The Chase. 4.00 Seven News At4. 5.00 The Chase Australia. 6.00 Today. 9.00 Today Extra. (PG) 11.30 9News Morning. 12.00 The Hundred With Andy Lee. (PGls, R) 1.00 Getaway. (PG, R) 1.30 Destination WA. 2.00 Pointless. (PG, R) 3.00 Tipping Point. (PG, R) 4.00 9News Afternoon. 4.30 Tipping Point Australia. (PG) 5.30 WIN News.

6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Home And Away. (PGa)

7.30 The1% Club UK. (PGa) Hosted byLee Mack.

8.30 The Front Bar. (Ml) Hosts Sam Pang, Mick Molloy and Andy Maher take alighter look atall things AFL. (PG) Hosted byHamish McLachlan.

10.00 The Agenda Setters. (R) Anexpert panel tackles the biggest AFL topics.

11.00 The Fall And Rise Of Reggie Dinkins. (Premiere, PGalv)

11.30 Stumble. (Premiere, PGal)

12.00 New Amsterdam. (MA15+av,R)

1.00 Harry’s Practice. (R)

2.00 Home Shopping. (R)

4.00 NBC Today.

5.00 Sunrise Early News.

5.30 Sunrise.

6am Morning Programs. Noon Better Homes. 1.00 Secrets Of Beautiful Gardens. 2.00 Weekender. 2.30 Hornby: A Model Empire. 3.30 Harry’s Practice. 4.00 Animal Rescue. 4.30 Better Homes. 5.30 Escape To The Country. 6.30 Bargain Hunt. 7.30 Heartbeat. 8.45 Foyle’s War. 10.55 Air Crash Inv: Accident Files. 11.55 Bargain Hunt. 12.55am Late Programs.

6am Morning Programs. 12.30pm Pawn Stars. 1.30 Outback Truckers. 3.30 Mountain Men. 4.30 American Resto. 5.00 Storage Wars. 5.30 American Pickers: Best Of. 6.30 Pawn Stars. 7.30 The Agenda Setters. 8.30 The Force: BTL. 9.30 Caught On Dashcam. 10.30 World’s Wildest Police Videos. 11.30 World’s Scariest Police Chases. 12.30am Late Programs.

6.00 9News.

7.00 A Current Affair.

7.30 To Be Advised.

8.30 NRL Origin Story. Before1980, NSW dominated asthe “Origin” rule let players play where they started their career, not lived.

9.40 9News Late.

10.10 Bad Blood. (MA15+avv)

11.10 A Killer Makes A Call: Grindr Killer. (MA15+a,R) Police pursue aserial killer.

12.00 Tipping Point. (PG,R)

1.00 Next Stop. (R)

1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)

2.30 Global Shop. (R)

3.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R)

4.00 Skippy The Bush Kangaroo. (R)

4.30 A Current Affair. (R)

5.00 Today Early News. 5.30 Today.

6am Morning Programs. 11.30 My Favorite Martian. Noon New Tricks. 1.00 Agatha Christie’s Marple. 3.00 Antiques Roadshow. 3.30 MOVIE: Warlords Of Atlantis. (1978, PG) 5.30 Yorkshire Auction House. 6.30 Antiques Roadshow. 7.30 As Time Goes By. 8.40 Midsomer Murders. 10.40 Rizzoli & Isles. 11.40 To Catch A Copper. 12.40am Antiques Roadshow. 1.10 Late Programs.

6am Morning Programs. 11.30 Jeopardy! UK. 12.30pm The Summit. 2.30 Nanny. 3.30 Seinfeld. 4.30 Addams Family. 5.30 Bewitched. 6.30 Nanny. 7.30 Seinfeld. 8.30 MOVIE: Batman Forever. (1995, PG) 11.00 Seinfeld. Midnight The 100. 12.50 Love Island Games. 2.20 The Real Housewives Of Salt Lake City. 3.20 Parental Guidance. 4.30 I Love VIP Pets. 4.50 Late Programs.

SBS (3)

6.00 Soccer. FIFA World Cup. GroupB. SUI vCAN. Cont. 7.30 Soccer. FIFA World Cup. GroupC. SCO vBRA. 10.30 Soccer. FIFA World Cup. GroupA. CZE vMEX. 1.30 Soccer. FIFA World Cup. GroupL. ENG vGHA. From Boston Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts, US. 4.30 WorldWatch. 5.30 Letters And Numbers. (R)

6.00 Mastermind Australia. 6.30 SBS World News. 7.35 Fortress Britain With Alice Roberts: Avoiding Armageddon. (PGa,R) 8.30 Saving Yellowstone: A Gathering Place. (Final, PGaw) Looks atwhat ittakes toprotect Yellowstone wildlife.

9.25 A Gentleman In Moscow. (Ma) 10.15 SBS World News Late. 10.45 FIFA World Cup2026: Highlights Show. 11.15 Exit. (MA15+adlnsv,R) 2.40 Patagonia: Mountains. (R) 4.20 Bamay. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning. 5.30 Soccer. FIFA World Cup. GroupE. Ecuador vGermany.

6am Morning Programs. 1.30pm FIFA World Cup 2026: Highlights Show. 2.00 WorldWatch. 2.30 Insight. 3.35 WorldWatch. 5.35 The Secret Genius Of Modern Life. 6.40 Jeopardy! 7.35 8 Out Of 10 Cats. 8.30 Cup Fever! 9.00 Mysteries Unearthed. 9.50 The Americans. 10.45 Fashionista. 11.00 Soccer. FIFA World Cup. GroupL. ENG vGHA. Replay. 2am Late Programs.

6am Morning Programs. 11.55 Marmalade. (2024, Malsv) 1.45pm Hotel Salvation. (2016, PGad, Hindi) 3.35 Discovering Film. 4.30 Arthur’s Hallowed Ground. (1984, PGl) 5.50 Teen Spirit. (2018, PGals) 7.30 Bend It Like Beckham. (2002, PGls) 9.35 John Wick: Chapter 2. (2017, MA15+av) 11.55 Taking Lives. (2004, MA15+asv) 1.50am Gangster Squad. (2013, MA15+lv) 3.55 Late Programs.

TEN (5, 10)

6.00 10 News+. Hosted byDenham Hitchcock and Amelia Brace. 6.30 Deal Or No Deal. (PG,R) Hosted byGrant Denyer.

7.00 Millionaire Hot Seat. (PG) Hosted byRebecca Gibney. 7.30 MasterChef Australia. (PG) Amateur cooks take tothe kitchen. 8.40 Boston Blue. (Premiere, Mav) Twodetectives, one from New York City and the other from Boston, 9.40 10’s Late News. Comprehensive coverage oflocal, national and international news, aswell asthe latest sport and weather. 10.40 The Cheap Seats. (Mal,R) Presented byMelanie Bracewell and Tim McDonald. 11.40 10 News+. (R) 12.00 Home Shopping. (R)

SEVEN (6, 7) TEN (5, 10) NINE (8, 9)

6.00 Sunrise. 9.00 The Morning Show. (PG) 12.00 Seven’s National News At Noon. 1.00 Beat The Chasers UK. (R) 2.00 Bridge Of Lies. (R) 3.00 The Chase. (R) 4.00 Seven News At4. 5.00 The Chase Australia.

6.00 Seven News. 7.00 Football. AFL. Round16. Brisbane Lions vSydney. From the Gabba, Brisbane. 10.30 AFL Post-Game Show. Post-game discussion and interviews taking alook back atall the action from the match. 11.00 Kick Ons. Apreview ofthe upcoming AFL matches.

11.30 To Be Advised.

1.00 Brave New World. (MA15+asv) Lenina tests the limits ofher conditioning.

2.00 Home Shopping. (R)

4.00 NBC Today. News and current affairs.

5.00 Sunrise Early News.

5.30 Sunrise.

6am Morning Programs. Noon Better Homes. 1.00 Escape To The Country. 2.00 South Aussie With Cosi. 2.30 Air Crash Inv: Accident Files. 3.30 Harry’s Practice. 4.00 Better Homes. 5.00 Escape To The Country. 6.00 Bargain Hunt. 7.00 Home And Away. 7.30 Father Brown. 8.30 Grace. 10.30 Murdoch Mysteries. 11.30 Father Brown. 12.30am Bargain Hunt. 1.30 Late Programs.

6am Morning Programs. 12.30pm Pawn Stars. 1.30 Highway Patrol. 2.30 The Force: BTL. 3.30 Mountain Men. 4.30 American Resto. 5.00 Storage Wars. 5.30 American Pickers: Best Of. 6.30 Pawn Stars. 7.30 Highway Patrol Special. 8.30 Air Crash Inv. 9.30 Homicide: With Ron Iddles. 10.30 MOVIE: The New Mutants. (2020, M) 12.30am Late Programs.

6.00 Today. 9.00 Today Extra. (PG) 11.30 9News Morning. 12.00 MOVIE: Game Of Love. (2023, G) 2.00 Pointless. (PG, R) 3.00 Tipping Point. (PG, R) 4.00 9News Afternoon. 4.30 Tipping Point Australia. (PG) 5.00[MELB] TippingPoint Australia.(PG,R) 5.30 WIN News. 6am Morning Programs. 7.30 Everyday Gourmet. (R) 8.00 Lingo. (R) 9.00 The Finish Line. (R) 10.00 Ent. Tonight. (R) 10.20 MasterChef Aust. (PG, R) 11.30 Farm To Fork. (R) 12.00 Everyday Gourmet. 12.30 Family Feud. (PG, R) 1.00 News. 2.00 Millionaire Hot Seat. (PG, R) 2.30 The Finish Line.

6.00 9News.

7.00 A Current Affair.

7.30 RBT. (Mdl,R)

8.30 Emergency. (Mlm,R) Doctors fear acyclist has life-changing injuries.

9.30 A+E After Dark. (Mlm,R) Thestaff treats ahomeless woman’s ovarian cyst.

10.30 Chicago Med. (MA15+amv)

11.20 9News Late.

11.50 Tipping Point. (PG,R)

12.40 Pointless. (PG,R)

1.30 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 2.30 Global Shop. (R) 3.00 TV Shop: Home Shopping. (R) 4.00 Skippy The Bush Kangaroo. (R) 4.30 A Current Affair. (R) 5.00 Today Early News. 5.30 Today.

6am Morning Programs. Noon As Time Goes By. 1.10 Midsomer Murders. 3.10 Antiques Roadshow. 3.40 MOVIE: Carry On Teacher. (1959) 5.30 Yorkshire Auction House. 6.30 Antiques Roadshow. 7.30 Rugby League. NRL. Eels vSouth Sydney Rabbitohs. 9.55 NRL Thursday Night Footy Post-Match. 10.40 See No Evil. 11.40 Sight Unseen. 12.40am Late Programs.

6am Morning Programs. 11.30 Innovation Nation. 11.45 Motor Racing. IndyCar Series. XPEL Grand Prix atRoad America. H’lights. 12.55pm The Summit. 2.30 Nanny. 3.30 Seinfeld. 4.30 Addams Family. 5.30 Bewitched. 6.30 Nanny. 7.30 Seinfeld. 8.30 TBA. 10.30 Seinfeld. 11.30 The 100. 12.20am Love Island Games. 1.55 Late Programs.

6.00 10 News+. Hosted byDenham Hitchcock and Amelia Brace. 6.30 Deal Or No Deal. (R) Hosted byGrant Denyer. 7.00 Millionaire Hot Seat. (PG) Hosted byRebecca Gibney. 7.30 Taskmaster Australia. (Mals) Hosted byTom Gleeson. 8.40 NCIS. (Mv) Navy Week turns electric when astolen

stabbed inthe trunk. 9.40 10’s Late News. Comprehensive coverage oflocal, national and international news, aswell asthe latest sport and

Big futures begin at Aspire

We are excited to welcome families in Armstrong Creek to Aspire Early Education and Kindergarten’s newest purpose-built early learning centres, designed to provide exceptional care, education, and nurturing environments for children during their most important yearsofdevelopment.

We are proud to be expanding into the Armstrong Creek community in Geelong with two brand-new early learning centres, Aspire Warralily and Aspire ForrestGreen.

Families can now enrol at the centres, withtoursbecomingavailablesoon.Both Aspire centres are set to be open by the endof2026.

At Aspire, we are committed to helping children grow, learn, and connect, with our newest centres designed to inspire curiosity, confidence, and a lifelong love of learning. Featuring modern indoor learningenvironments,engagingoutdoor play spaces, and innovative educational programs, each centre supports every child’sindividualjourney.

We understand that choosing an early learning service is one of the most important decisions families make. That’swhyweplaceastrongemphasison creating warm, welcoming communities where children feel safe, supported, and valuedfromtheirveryfirstday.

Our highly qualified educators work in partnership with families to foster meaningful relationships and provide enriching experiences that support children’sdevelopment.

The opening of our new Aspire centre represents our continued investment in local communities and our mission to provide high-quality early childhood

Explore Aspire Early Education and Kindergarten’s newest purpose-built early learning centres. (Supplied)

education that prepares children for a successfulfuture.

Families can expect thoughtfully designed programs, exciting incursions, nutritious meals prepared fresh daily, strong family communication, and environmentsthatencourageexploration anddiscovery.

Familiesinterestedinlearningmoreare invited to enquire now and book a tour and discover what makes Aspire Early Education a place where children truly belong.

Visit Aspire Early Education today orcontacttheteamon1800978429to secureyourchild’splace.

Find your voice, join a choir

Tides of Welcome Choir is inviting new members to join its welcoming and inclusive community choir on the BellarinePeninsula.

Established in 2003, the choir has been bringingpeopletogetherthroughashared loveofsingingformorethan20years.

Operating under the umbrella of Queenscliff Uniting Church, Tides of Welcome provides a supportive environment where people of all backgrounds and abilities can enjoy the experienceofmakingmusictogether.

Affectionately known as the ‘Tiders’, the choir is led by choir director Nadine Joy, a highly skilled and passionate musical leader who has helped guide the choir through a range of successful performances and community events acrosstheregion.

Over the years, Tides of Welcome has performed at community celebrations, UnitingChurchevents,QueenscliffMusic Festival, wedding proposals and local

festivals, including Mouth to Mountain and Tranquility at Twilight. The choir continuestobeanactiveandvaluedpart oftheBellarinecommunity.

Rehearsals are held each Thursday evening from 7.30pm to 9pm at either Kirk’s Place in Point Lonsdale or QueenscliffUnitingChurch.

Thechoircatersforthreevocalsections – soprano, alto/tenor and bass – and welcomessingerswhoenjoylearningand performingaspartofagroup.

Tides of Welcome operates on a school-term basis and accepts new membersatthebeginningofTerms1and 2eachyear.

Membershipfeesarecurrently$132per termor$121concession.

Discover the joy of singing, make new friendshipsandbecomepartofathriving localchoir.

For more information, visit tidesofwelcome.au or email tides. of.welcome@gmail.com

A date night with country

By Matt Hewson

One of Australia’s most decorated country artistsistakingastepintotheunknown.

Gina Jeffreys had her first number one countrysongatage25,hassevenTamworth GoldenGuitars,wasthefirstfemaleartistin Australiancountrymusichistorytoachieve platinum record sales and has shared the stagewiththelikesofJohnnyCashandKris Kristoffersen.

But Jeffreys said joining the second iteration of touring show Country Love: The Ultimate Date Night, featuring three different country music couples, has taken hercompletelyoutofhercomfortzone.

“Normally when I go on the road, I take my own band and it’s all about me,” she laughed. “My show is quite structured, I know I’m going to open with this song, I’m

going to close with this one…it’s evolved withmyowncareerovertheyears.

“So this is nothing like anything I’ve ever done in my life. It sounds like crazy fun… apparently when they did the first tour (in 2024) they were laughing so hard it was hard to sing, so I’m really looking forward tothat.”

Jeffreys and husband Rod McCormack join fellow Aussie country couples Brooke McClymont and Adam Eckersley and Jay and Mark O’Shea, performing all together and in smaller combinations to deliver well-known hits, unexpected songs, interactive games with the audience and a feel-goodatmosphere.

Having rarely performed with McCormackdespitehimbeingherproducer and a well-known artist in his own right, Jeffreys said she was looking forward to

singingwithherhusbandandthetwoother couples.

“This is new for us; Rod and I have sung with each other but we’ve not done duets,” shesaid.

“People say when you watch us on stage you can see the way he looks at me and the way I look at him, so I think you’re going to seealotoflovebetweenthecouples.

“But while Mark and Jay are really wholesome, Brooke and Adam are really naughty humans, so I can’t even imagine what’sgoingtohappen.

“It’s going to be so much fun, even for us backstage and travelling together. I haven’t been this excited about a tour in a long time.”

CountryLoveisatPortarlingtonParksHall on Saturday 27 June. Visit bellarineestate. com.au/eventsformoreinformation.

Community choir steps out for first concert

By Matt Hewson

A community choir will give their very first performance in Geelong West next weekend alongside a very special guest.

The Torquay New Swell Choir, formed last year by choir leaders Tess Duddy and Ben Talbot-Dunn, will hold their first winter concert at Geelong West Town Hall on Saturday 27 June.

Adelaide-based indie-folk artist Naomi Keyte will also join the more than 50 New Swell choristers for the concert, performinganumberofheroriginalsongs

both solo and accompanied by the choir thanks to brand new arrangements by Talbot-Dunn.

The Torquay choir is the second New Swell ensemble formed by opera and musical theatre performer Duddy and composer/arranger and guitarist Talbot-Dunn, with the first established in Point Lonsdale in 2023.

Duddy said this first performance was a celebration of the Torquay choir’s journey since it began rehearsing last year.

“Somepeoplelovetohaveaperformance goal, some don’t,” she said.

“Not everybody in the choir is actually

performing in the concert, some just like to come and sing each week…We’ve had about 65 this term, and I think there’ll be about 50 people performing.

“Some people do it so they can catch up with their friends once a week, they meet there and they just happen to be singing great music. People come for all sorts of reasons and I think all those different things can be catered for.

“It’s a pretty great standard considering it’s a community choir, they truly sound so beautiful.”

Visit linktr.ee/newswellchoir for tickets and more information.

Journey into the heavy metal void

Rock and heavy metal fans are in for a treat when one of Melbourne’s premier tribute acts comes to Geelongthismonth.

Megalomania - The Australian Black Sabbath Tribute Show brings the deep, dark sound of the heavy metal pioneers to the Barwon Club HotelonSaturday27June.

Featuring classic Black Sabbath anthems such as Iron Man, War Pig, Paranoid, Children of the Grave and N.I.B., Megalomania celebrates the iconicbandthatlaidthefoundations of heavy metal and influenced generationsofmusiciansworldwide.

Alyssa Borda, who co-founded the show with lead singer Stuart ‘Ozzy’ Mander in early 2023, said the band had a real passion for the music and storyofBlackSabbath.

“They’re an iconic, seminal band… Ozzy Osbourne is the godfather of heavy metal,” she said. “From their humble beginnings in heavy blues rock to what they evolved into…it’s amazinghoweachalbumissoiconic.

“We want to give the punters an absolutely genuine Birmingham experience. We want them to be able toclosetheireyesandfeellikethey’re really listening to Ozzy Osbourne andBlackSabbath.”

MelbournepowertrioTripleThreat will also perform, delivering their signaturebrandofhigh-energyblues/ rock, while local singer-songwriter ErrinKelly&TheMergewillopenthe night.

Three acts join forces for a blues extravaganza on Sunday 28 June

By Matt Hewson

Three of Victoria’s best roots acts will converge on Piano Bar for a blues extravaganza this June.

The soon-to-close venue will host the Geelong bands Sweet Water Blues and Blue Sunday as well as South West Victorian harp player Eddy Boyle on Sunday 28 June.

The three acts include multiple award-winning musicians in Sweet Water Blues’StevePlaterandMarionTurnerand Blue Sunday frontman Marco Goldsmith, while Boyle is Blues Music Victoria’s disability ambassador.

bassist Ian Amor organised through their communitymusicgroupBellarineMusos’ Den.

“We ran a Tribute to the Blues in August 2025 in Portarlington and we got these guys (Blue Sunday),” Cairns said.

“Wehad150-oddpeoplethere,andthey all loved it. We started saying we should do another one together, so we’ve been trying to get this on for a while.”

Amor said the three acts would bring a wide range of sounds to the show.

operators, swing and all that nice stuff

“They’ve got keyboards and sax, we’ve only got howling slide guitar. And it works out really well…we all love it, and there are many different shades of blue, aren’t there?”

Blue Sunday bassist Ron Hilla said the event was sure to be an enjoyable one for listeners and dancers alike.

“Betweenthetwomainbandsthere’sso much dance music in there,” he said.

This joint gig follows an event Sweet Water Blues drummer Jeff Cairns and

“We complement each other because we’re different styles,” he said. “We’re more traditional, we get down and dirty. And Blue Sunday are the smooth

“And Eddy’s a real character, the crowd just loves him. So it’s a good lineup, we’ll keep it moving.”

Visit trybooking.com/events/ landing/1581495 for tickets.

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

WANT YOUR EVENT LISTED? Community Calendar is made available free of charge to not-for-profit organisations to keep the public informed of special events and activities. Send item details to Geelong Independent Community Calendar, 1/47 Pakington Street, Geelong West, 3218, or email to editorial@geelongindependent.com.au. Deadline for copy and announcements is 5pm Tuesday. Due to the ever increasing entries coming in each week for our Community Calendar page, we have enough to fill almost three pages. This means your entry will not appear each week. We will do our best to rotate them fairly. If you have an existing entry that no longer operates, please let us know so we can remove it. Your patience and understanding is welcome for this FREE service. The calendar in its entirety with every entry is posted every Saturday at 9am at geelongindy.com.au

Winter market

To raise funds for Christ Church Geelong and church projects with crafts, gifts, baked goods, plants, preserves, cakes, sausage sizzle and famous winter socks and other woollen items. Corner Moorabool & McKillop Streets, Saturday 20 June, 9.30am-1pm. office@christchurchgeelong.org

Ballroom dance

Leopold Hall, 805-809 Bellarine Highway, Saturday 20 June, 7.30-10.30pm, $10 includes supper. Music: Ben. A small plate to share for both events is appreciated. 0400 500 402

Austrian Club

Winter solstice featuring Heidi & Herman and The Sisters of Twilight. Sunday June 21, noon-5pm, Sutcliffe Reserve, 240 Plantation Road, Corio. Meals, drinks, fun. Irmela, 0435 995 200

Geelong Scout Heritage Centre

A trove of Scouting memorabilia. Open third Sunday of the month (not September or January), 56 Russell Street, Newtown, June 21, 10am-3pm, entry by donation. Groups by appointment. 0419 591 432, or geelong.heritage@ scoutsvictoria.com.au

Grovedale East Ladies Probus Fourth Monday of each month, 9.30am, Belmont RSL.

Sally Nelson, 0402 450 610

Waurn Ponds Combined Probus Fourth Wednesday of the month, 10am. Maximum 100 members. probussouthpacific.org/microsites/waurn

Lions Club of Geelong Meets 1st & 3rd Monday of each month. Contact below for venues and times. geelong.vic@lions.org.au, or 0408 599 962

Geelong Harmony Chorus Women’s four-part harmony singing. All ages encouraged. Rehearsals Mondays 6.45pm at Herne Hill. contact@geelongharmony.com.au, or 0406 666 737

Geelong Welsh Ladies Choir

Small ladies choir who require no knowledge of the Welsh language. Meet Wednesdays 7pm at St Luke’s, Highton to help each other sing in Welsh and English. 0413 406 433, or welshladieschoir.com.au

Hot Shots

Western Heights Uniting Tennis Club coaching for ages 5 to 12. Equipment provided. Three sessions from 4-5.30pm at WHUTC and at Bell Post Hill tennis courts. Evie, 0409 433 772, or evieryan296@gmail.com

Chess clubs

Ocean Grove, Tuesdays at 1.30pm at 101 The Terrace, Ocean Grove; Portarlington, Mondays at 9.30am, Parks Hall, 87 Newcombe Street, Portarlington; and St Leonards, Thursdays at 9.30am, unit 2 1375-1377 Murradoc Road (on Blanche Street), St Leonards. Ralph, 0431 458 100 (Ocean Grove), Rob, 5259 2290 (Portarlington), Lyn, 5292 2162 (St Leonards)

Dancer’s Club Geelong Ballroom dance weekly, Leopold Hall 7.30-10.30pm. Admission $8 includes supper. Old time, New Vogue and Latin. CDs by Kevin and Tre. Russ, 5250 1937

Women in Local Leadership

Free forum to learn about councils’ community wellbeing roles and responsibilities, and to encourage women candidates to stand in the 2028 council elections. Wurriki Nyal, 137-139 Mercer Street, Geelong, Tuesday 30 June, 5.30-7.30pm. Register geelong.link/WomenLocalLeadership wildgeelong@gmail.com

Life Activities Club [Geelong Inc]

Arvo tea dance every Thursday, Belmont Pavilion, 2-4pm, $5 entry. Val, 5251 3529

Belmont Combined Probus

First Monday of the month, 9.30am, Geelong RSL Function Room, 50 Barwon Heads Road. New members and visitors welcome Sue, 0409 945 011, or probusclubofbelmont@outlook.com

Barwon Valley Belmont Probus

First Thursday of month, 10.30am, Waurn Ponds Hotel.

Membership officer, 0407 333 263, or bobstafford@ozemail.com.au

Lectures

Join Adfas Geelong Inc. for illustrated lectures by art historian Matthew Martin, formerly curator of the National Gallery of Victoria.

Sports

Badminton: Corio Leisuretime Centre, Mondays 12.30-2.30pm. Beginners welcome.

Netball: YMCA Riversdale Road, Monday & Wednesday mornings, Thursday nights. Walking-netball also played. Umpire training available. Maureen, 0429 397 015

Live music

Country Heartbeat Allstars every Friday 7-10pm, White Eagle House Polish Club, Fellmongers Road Breakwater. Walkups welcome. Proceeds to Sunny Days Rescue & Rehab. Dawn, 0417 148 493

Bellarine Historical Society

Postcards & poetry, Sunday 21 June, 2pm. Local artists have drawn objects from the museum. Poetry by local writers. Entry by donation. Open to the public. Discover the area’s past. Open Sundays, 10.30am-12.30pm. Courthouse Museum, 11 High Street, Drysdale. bellarinehistory.org

Arts National-Geelong

One hour arts lectures and presentation, Newcomb Hall, Wednesdays monthly, 10.15am. Sharron, 0439 328199, or geelong@adfas.org.au

Geelong Vietnam Veterans

Coffee and chat, 31 Mt Pleasant Road, Belmont, Monday, Wednesday & Friday 10am-3pm. Fortnightly lunch at various

locations. Meetings second Monday of each month.

Gary, 0400 862 727

GROW Australia

Community organisation offering practical steps and peer support to help recover and maintain mental health through free face to face and online groups. Mondays 7pm, 195 Ormond Road, East Geelong; Fridays 12.45pm, Vines Road Community Centre, Hamlyn Heights. grow.org.au, or 1800 558 268

Grovedale Seniors

Indoor bowls Monday 1-3pm; gentle exercise Tuesday 9-9.45am; cards (Euchre) Tuesday 1-3pm; bingo Thursday 1-3pm. Grovedale Community Hub, 45 Heyers Road. Julie, 0419 549 521

Drysdale Day VIEW

Fourth Friday of each month at Portarlington Golf Club for lunch. Margaret, 0431 636 090

Table tennis

All seniors welcome for a social game. Vines Road Community Centre, Hamlyn Heights, Wednesdays 12.30-2.30pm. Allen, 0433 883 116

Leopold VIEW

Second Tuesday of each month, Leopold Sportsmans’ Club, 10.30am. leopold.viewclub@gmail com

Writers’ group

The Hub writers’ group meets at Arts Hub, Clifford Pde, Barwon Heads, first Sunday of the month, 2-4pm. New members welcome. dorothy.johnston@hugonet.com.au

Geelong Evening VIEW

Third Monday of the month, 6pm, Waurn Ponds Hotel. geelongeveningview@gmail.com

Laughter Club Geelong Saturdays, 9am, Eastern Beach in front of the swimming enclosure. 30-minutes free laughter yoga done standing or seated. 0418 521 265

Lions Club International

Enjoy meeting great people and help out your community at the same time. Clubs all over greater Geelong - see which one is right for you. Les, 0428 466 446

Grovedale Marshall Probus Second Thursday of the month,10am, The

Grovedale Hub, 45 Heyers Road, Grovedale. Anne, 0425 356 973

Chess Group Chess lessons at Geelong West. Suitable for beginners who have a reasonably firm understanding of the game rules. Kids and adults welcome. Isaac, isaacsmith5603@gmail.com or 0406 199 457

Geelong Day VIEW

First Monday monthly from 11am at Shell Club, 76 Purnell Road, Corio. geelongdayview@gmail.com

Ocean Grove Senior Citizens 101 The Terrace, Ocean Grove Weekly

Tuesday: 1pm snooker, chess, indoor bowls Wednesday: bingo 1.15pm, ukulele class 1.30pm, Chord Club jam session 4pm Thursday: social afternoon, cards 500 1pm Friday: art classes 9am, social art group 1pm.

Fortnightly

1st & 3rd Monday: CWA, 2pm Paschal, 0426 889 456 Wednesday: Book club, 10.30am Paul, 0425 110 792 5255 2996, or groveseniors101@gmail.com

Leopold Book Club

Meets second Tuesday of the month at 6.30pm in Leopold. Very friendly group, new members welcome. Shirley, 0488 055 969

Church

Aberdeen Street Baptist Church, each Sunday 10am to worship, sing and enjoy traditional hymns followed by morning tea. All welcome.

Hamlyn Heights Combined Probus Meets second Thursday of the month, 10am, 200 McCurdy Road, Fyansford. Noel, 0425 706 339

Esoteric coffee meetups

For mature 18+ interested in the supernatural/occult paranormal experiences tarot cards, Anton La Vey, NDE, for fortnightly/coffee and chat catch-ups in northern Geelong/Geelong area. Bookings limited.

Text name/details, 0400 542 522

Combined Probus Belmont Central The Combined Probus Club of Belmont Central meets 10.30am on the second Wednesday of each month at Waurn Ponds Hotel. Visitors welcome. Publicity officer, 0417 555 547

Geelong Central Probus Third Friday of the month, 9.45am, Grovedale Hotel. geelcentprob@gmail.com

Newcomb Probus Third Wednesday of each month, 10am, East Geelong Uniting Church, corner Boundary & Ormond Roads. Gary, 0407 320 735

Music for preschoolers

Mainly Music is a music and movement program for babies to preschoolers at St Albans-St Andrews Uniting Church, 276 Wilsons Road, Whittington, Tuesdays 10am during school terms. Rhonda, 0437 241 345

Leopold Library

Tuesdays 2pm: Digital drop in for basic tech needs. Free school holiday programs. All ages, all interests. 4201 0675, or grlc.vic.gov.au

Out and about at the market

Independent photographer Ivan Kemp ventured to Geelong City Market on Saturday 13 June to find plenty out and about despite the impending rain.

Alfa Romeo’s face of fun

By Chris Riley, Marque Motoring

AlfaRomeoJuniorisareplacementforthe previous Mito and Giulietta hatches.

And while the small crossover adds an interesting dimension to Alfa’s growing SUV lineup, they can keep the name.

Initially called Milano, parent company Stellantis opted to change the name after theItaliangovernmentobjected.Itargued thatitwasillegaltosell’Italian-sounding’ products that were not produced in Italy and sure enough Junior is built in Tychy, Poland.

Don’t know how they came up with Junior, but it just sounds so American and at the moment that’s probably not a good thing in the current political climate.

A replacement for Mito and Giulietta, thecrossoverisavailableinhybrid(Ibrida) and fully electric (Electtrica) form and shares a platform with the Fiat 600 and Jeep Avenger, as well as the Peugeot 2008.

Styling Junior comes in two flavours: hybrid Ibrida and fully-electric Electtrica, priced from $45,900 and $57,900 respectively –plus on-road costs.

All colours except white add $1990, with the only option a sunroof at $1990.

From the stitching on the seats to the placementofcontrols,everydetailreflects Alfa’s dedication to creating a vehicle that isnotonlybeautiful,butalsoajoytodrive.

Standard features include 18-inch alloys, two-tone paint, gloss black body kit,‘Spiga’seatstrimmedinacombination of cloth and artificial leather with red finishes, single-zone climate air (no rear vents), heated front seats, with massage and power adjustment for the driver, leather steering wheel, aluminium pedals and door sills plus eight-colour ambient interior lighting.

Other features include LED matrix headlights, LED tail lights, active park assist, adaptive cruise control, traffic sign recognition, auto high beam, auto lights and wipers, frame-less auto-dimming rear view mirror, front, side and rear parking sensors, plus a hands-free power tailgate.

The Alfa Romeo Junior is backed by a five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty, with five-year roadside assistance.

Infotainment

Infotainmentconsistsofa10.25-inchinset touchscreen, with another 10.25-inch screen for the stylised ‘cannocchiale’ instrument cluster.

There’s also Bluetooth, voice control, AM/FM and DAB + digital radio, wireless CarPlayandAndroidAutoandsix-speaker sound.

Though not branded, the latter is actually quite good.

A wireless charge pad carries the ‘Biscione’ logo, with front USB-A and -C ports and another rear USB-C port plus Alfa Connected Services.

Safety Junior has not been rated for crash safety yet by the ANCAP organisation. However, it offers an array of driving assistance features, including six airbags, automatic emergency braking and Level 2 autonomous driving.

Autonomous Emergency Brake Control with Vulnerable Road User Detection (pedestrian and cyclist detection).

There’s also blind-spot monitoring, intelligent speed control with traffic sign recognition, drowsy driver alert, lane keeping assist, traffic jam assist, 360-degree parking sensors with active park assist and 180-degree rear camera.

We’ll update our safety rating after the car has been tested.

Engines/transmissions

The self-charging mild hybrid features a 1.2-litre three-cylinder Miller cycle engine with variable-geometry turbo and distributionchainformaximumreliability, together with a 48-volt lithium-ion battery and21kWelectricmotor.

Producing107kWofpowerand230Nmof torque, drive is to the front wheels through asix-speeddual-clutchgearbox.

Driving

At a compact 4.17m in length, it includes severallinkstoAlfaRomeoheritage.

An updated version of the triangular grille is accentuated by a black grille with Alfa Romeo signature in acrylic, paying homage to the Alfa Romeo sports cars of the1920sand1930s.

The protruding front number plate mount attracts plenty of comment and is obviouslyanadd-onforcountrieslikeours thatrequireafrontplatetobedisplayed.

Inside the driver-centric design delivers auniqueandsportydrivingexperience.

However, there’s plenty of cheap plastic to be found in the cabin if you go looking and the cupholders in the doors will not accommodatesportsbottles,butthecentre console with sliding lid hides a surprising amountofstorage.

There are no door pockets at all in the back, rear legroom is severely limited depending on placement of the front seats and the cheap plastic hinge used for the parcel shelf over the luggage pulled free, suggestingalimitedservicelife.

We also cut the back of our hand on the driver seat mount while trying to remove thefrontmatfromthefootwell.

The10.25-inchinstrumentclusterandits historical cannocchiale (telescope) design addstothedramaofthedriveexperience.

But we found it difficult to find a happy balance between front legroom and distance to the steering wheel – it’s one of theother.

Insetinthedashboardandtiltedtowards the driver, a slick 10.25-inch infotainment display can be customised via quick and easy drag and drop, but was difficult to

backoutofsomemenus.

The team that worked on the ride and handling was the same as the one that developedtheGiuliaGTA.

The target was best-in-class road holding, with direct steering calibrated to be extremely precise, to enhance road holding.

How’dtheydo?

Evaluating the performance of a car without first checking out the specs is an interesting proposition, a bit like tasting winesblindfolded.

Without knowing what’s lurking under the bonnet, you tend to avoid bias and expectationsofanykind.

For instance, if you know it’s a V8, you tendtoexpectbigthings.

On the other hand, a small three-pot is liable to be greeted with derision by a driver, resigned to the fact the drive experienceisn’tgoingtobemuchfun.

As it turned out the Ibrida happens to be plenty fun, despite its diminutive 1.2-litre three-cylinder engine – or 1200cc in motorcyclespeak.

Helpingtoturnthingsaroundisavariable turbocharger plus further assistance from abatteryandsmallelectricmotor.

Thedashfrom0-100km/htakessome8.9 seconds and it has a top speed of 206km/h – around the same figures as our first generationSwiftGTI(ittoowasfun).

It’s also one-tenth quicker than the Electtricaversion.

With a 44-litre tank, fuel consumption is a claimed 4.1L/100km (WLTP) and it takes 95premiumunleaded.

Under hard acceleration the raspy note fromthepetrolenginequicklyconfirmsits three-cylinderstatus.

While powering into our first corner underbrakeswasalsoenlightening.

They’ve taken the time to set it up right because the Junior is clearly no run of the millshoppingtrolley.

At the same time compact dimensions and basic torsion beam rear suspension seethecarbecomeunsettledonsecondary roads, with some skipping evident in corners.

In stark contrast Ibrida offers a smooth driving experience around town, with the option of pure electric mode if required.

This is possible not only during parking manoeuvres or at low speeds in urban areas, but also out of town with a limited loadathighwayspeeds.

The electric motor provides additional power when needed and regenerates energyduringbrakingphases.

As with most twin-clutch transmissions, it occasionally becomes confused, especiallyinstop-and-gocitytraffic.

DNA drive mode provides Dynamic, Natural and Advanced Efficiency options with specific steering and accelerator calibration for different scenarios – in otherwordsSport,NormalandEco.

Advanced Efficiency is calibrated for maximum energy efficiency by reducing consumption without affecting driving pleasure, but unfortunately the system defaultstoNatural.

We were getting 5.5L/100km after just over 670km of mixed driving at an average 62km/h, including a return trip down the coast – highway driving does not generally favourhybrids.

Interestingly, however, the long-term average at a much slower 39km/h was 6.7L/100km, even though it must have includedmorecitydriving.

Luggage space is a generous 415 litres withbothseatbacksraised.

Atyrerepairkitisstandard.

Summing up

Much better than Mito, the Junior is a little trier.

Itgoeshard,doesn’tusemuchfuelandis relatively cheap to buy. As such it is likely to hip, young up and coming professionals with money on their hands and an apartmentinthecity.

Old folks could well find the Junior an appealing runaround too and for all the samereasons–shameaboutthename. You’d think ’Minore’ or ’Giovane’ which basically mean the same thing might have beenabetteroption.Si?

PUZZLES

To solve a Sudoku puzzle, every number from 1 to 9 must appear in: each of the nine vertical columns, each of the nine horizontal rows and each of the nine 3 x 3 boxes. Remember, no number can occur more than once in any row, column or box.

ACROSS

1 Meagre (6)

4 Egyptian god of the afterlife (6)

10 Principal singer, – donna (5)

11 Pink, wriggly creature that lives in soil (9)

12 Unduly prominent (9)

13 Lord (5)

14 Made (6)

15 Comely (4)

19 Casserole (4)

20 Lengthy recitation (6)

24 Propelled (5)

25 Hosiery (9)

27 Elusively (9)

28 Take place (5)

29 Creations (6)

30 Losses (6) DOWN

1 Assumed (8)

2 Aircraft pilots (8)

3 Ordinance (7)

5 See 6-down

6, 5-down Oxford student (6,7)

7 Seethe (6)

8 Prefix meaning half (4)

9 Store (7)

16 US dictionary maker (7)

17 Wooden panelling on the lower part of a wall (8)

18 Ugly buildings (8)

19 From Stockholm, say (7)

21 Irritating (7)

22 Word modifier (6)

23 Empty talk (coll) (3,3)

26 Black quartz (4)

Today’s Aim:

12 words: Good 18 words: Very good 24 words: Excellent

Using the nine letters in the grid, how many words of four letters or more can you list? The centre letter must be included and each letter may only be used once. No colloquial or foreign words. No capitalised nouns, apostrophes or plural nouns ending in “s”. O E R V H R C A E

3 LETTERS ACE ADS ALL AMP AND BEE ELM ERA EVE GAL HAS IMP IRE MIX NIP ONE PEN PET RAP

4 LETTERS DASH DEFT EARN HISS NEST NEWT RANG REDS SALE SASH SAWS SLAY TYRE YAPS

5 LETTERS ABOUT AGILE

ALONE AMAZE ANGLE APING ARENA ARIAS AROMA BACON BASTE BEGUN DEEDS DEFER DOZEN DRESS EDGES EERIE EXERT FROND GIRTH GRAPE HATES HYENA

INANE LEAPS LINEN MENUS OARED OLIVE OUGHT PENCE REEFS REUSE ROADS SALAD SARIS SINEW SIZER SLEDS SPENT SUEDE TANGS TEENS TENSE TRADE

1 What comes between iridium and gold on the periodic table?

2 What is white embroidery on white material with eyelet and cutwork designs known as?

3 Bathurst Island lies off the coast of which Australian state or territory?

4 By what nickname is 1960s model, singer and actor Lesley Lawson more commonly known?

5 What is the term for the study of insects?

6 Complete this 1987 film title: Full Metal what?

TSARS USUAL WAVES ZONED

6 LETTERS ARBOUR GOATEE HURTLE LEASES

7 LETTERS ALARMED CONSULS

7 Kelly Rowland (pictured) was a member of which popular 90s girl group?

8 Tahini is a paste made from ground what?

9 Michelin, the company that publishes well-known restaurant guides, also manufactures what?

10 True or false: a dodecahedron is a polygon with 12 angles and 12 sides?

Around the grounds

Scores, goal kickers and best players from Bellarine, Geelong, and Geelong & District Football League matches played on Saturday 13 June.

BELLARINE

Geelong Amateur 5.2(32), 12.3(75), 16.8(104),24.13(157)

SurfCoast1.2(8),2.7(19),3.8(26),5.10(40)

Goals: GeelongAmateur-M.Day8,S.Lloyd 8, R. Mattner 3, B. Barnett 2, L. Reilly, H. Kershaw. Surf Coast - M. Wright, M. Gaunt, Z. Warne, L. Cartelli, P. Smith.

Best: Geelong Amateur - M. Day, S. Lloyd, A. Hanegraaf, D. Weigl, T. Gribble, L. Reilly. SurfCoast-M.Wright,I.LopezBasavilbaso, T. Flanigan, T. Schultz, J. Howlett, H. Gravener.

Anglesea3.0(18),5.3(33),9.5(59),11.10(76)

Modewarre1.2(8),2.6(18),5.9(39),9.11(65)

Goals: Anglesea - A. Braaksma 2, J. Gray, R. Baker, J. Hogan, W. Batson, S. Kent, H. Ling, N. Collins, J. Carr, A. Gras. Modewarre - J. Motton 2, S. Morter 2, F. Royal, T. Hornsey, M. Mckim, S. Farelley, T. Scott.

Best: Anglesea-J.Jaska,J.Hogan,H.Ling,J. Keras, W. Batson, J. Fulton. Modewarre - M. Fenton, M. Farrelly, M. Mckim, O. Cooke, O. Hocking, M. Uhlhorn.

Barwon Heads 6.4(40), 6.6(42), 9.12(66), 14.13(97) OceanGrove1.1(7),5.3(33),6.5(41),7.9(51)

Goals: Barwon Heads - C. Ward 4, J. Whybrow 3, M. Jensen 3, J. Henderson 2, A. Ford, J. Stevens. Ocean Grove - L. Waldron 2, J. Lange, B. Coote, G. Rohan, B. Pohlner, F. Rolfs.

Best: Barwon Heads - L. Blacket, C. Ward, C. Hurst, J. Whybrow, K. Polley, M. Philp. Ocean Grove - D. Harrington, H. Walsh, F. Rolfs, J. Lange, B. Hayward, R. Bongart.

Queenscliff 4.3(27), 6.11(47), 9.17(71), 12.22(94)

Portarlington 2.2(14), 3.3(21), 4.6(30), 5.8(38)

Goals: Queenscliff - I. Grant 3, J. Wright 2, J. Rush2,C.Durran2,S.Bowtell,J.Monahan, K. Keenan. Portarlington - K. Dart 2, S. McDonald, B. Dowie, M. Ruiter. Best: Queenscliff - S. Kalbfell, L. Kidd, J. Wright, C. Durran, K. Keenan, J. Cincotta. Portarlington - J. Baldi, K. Pickard, T. Cummins, S. McDonald, T. Panuccio, M. Turnbull.

Newcomb1.2(8),2.5(17),7.8(50),8.10(58) Torquay2.2(14),6.6(42),6.7(43),6.8(44)

Goals: Newcomb - J. Watson 3, J. Duke 2, K. Sykstus, B. Ritchie, B. D’Arcy. TorquayA. Hanley 2, H. Trigg, S. Ham, M. Boag, T. Diamond.

Best: Newcomb - L. Wagener, F. Anscombe, J. Watson, B. Clark, P. McGinley, T. Webster. Torquay - T. Diamond, T. Smith, W. Montebello, W. Doyle, J. Dawson, M. Croxford.

GEELONG

BellPark2.3(15),7.4(46),9.7(61),13.7(85) South Barwon 0.1(1), 1.5(11), 2.5(17), 2.10(22)

Goals: Bell Park - J. Sarcevic 3, M. Mahady 2, E. Pearce 2, R. McWaters, Z. Lamb, T. Pidgeon, E. Hollard, H. Lucas, J. Bermingham. South Barwon - S. James, M. Caldow.

Best: Bell Park - M. Jones, T. Pidgeon, S. Bensted, I. Wareham, J. Sarcevic, H. Lucas. South Barwon - D. Madigan, M. Caldow, D. Starkie,T.Mulraney,W.Bennett,A.Boseley. Colac1.1(7),5.9(39),11.15(81),16.18(114)

Geelong West Giants 0.1(7), 2.3(15), 3.3(21),5.5(35)

Goals: Colac-J.Fish2,C.Murray2,J.Garner 2, K. Spokes 2, J. McCormack, J. Simpkin, A. Garner, W. Parkhouse, J. Finn, B. McCarthy, J. McDonald. Geelong West Giants - L. Horniblow 3, M. Scoullar.

St Joseph’s Malachi White stumbles after being grabbed by the ankle against St Albans. (Ivan Kemp) 559173_21

Best: Colac-Z.Zdybel,S.Giblett,E.Liddle, K. Spokes, J. Fish, B. McCarthy. Geelong West Giants - W. Nicholls, M. Scoullar, L. Handley, L. Horniblow, B. Harvey, R. Moore.

Leopold 2.8(20), 5.11(41), 10.14(74), 13.17(95)

North Shore 3.1(19), 4.4(28), 8.4(52), 11.4(70)

Goals: Leopold-D.Brislane3,K.Gallagher 2,A.Eichler2,D.Henderson2,B.Clark2,T. Lunnon-Johnson,H.Morphet.NorthShore - H. Purcell 6, O. McAusland, B. Shelley, J. Sammut-Miljevic.

Best: Leopold - C. Alexander, B. Clark, J. Henderson, A. Eichler, W. Sheahan, K. Gallagher. North Shore - H. Purcell, N. Creighton, J. Purcell, N. Mitzithras, J. Sammut-Miljevic, B. Clifford.

St Joseph’s 3.3(21), 6.7(43), 12.8(80), 13.14(92)

St Albans 1.2(8), 6.3(39), 7.5(47), 10.8(68)

Goals: St Joseph’s - G. Posterino 3, M. White 3, P. De Grandi 2, L. McCallum, J. Nurnaitis, J. Jovanovic, R. Connolly, M. Chafer. St Albans - T. Higgins 4, L. Gray 2, H. Andrews, L. Foster, B. McDonald, H. Elliot.

Best: St Joseph’s - M. White, J. Gow, G. Posterino, J. Nurnaitis, A. Humphrey, L. Kershaw. St Albans - T. Higgins, N. Cole, N. Cockerell, J. Grigsby, L. Gray, H. Andrews.

StMary’s1.6(12),7.7(49),8.9(57),11.12(78) Grovedale 3.2(20), 4.8(32), 7.10(52), 8.10(58)

Goals: St Mary’s - J. Willson 5, S. Bourke 2, L. Peck, H. Cook, E. MacDonald, C. Vallelonga. Grovedale - N. Deans 3, J. McCarthy 2, N. Vassallo, R. Quinn, H. Greenwood.

Best: St Mary’s - E. MacDonald, H. Bourke, P. Dowling, R. Pendlebury, C. Lang, E. Wales. Grovedale - W. Ford, J. Caia, B. Ferguson,J.McCarthy,N.Deans,R.Quinn.

GEELONG & DISTRICT

Werribee Centrals 6.4(40), 13.6(84), 16.8(104), 21.11(137)

Corio 1.1(7), 3.2(20), 8.5(53), 11.7(73)

Goals: Werribee Centrals - J. MacDonald 4, J.Stone3,K.Kur2,B.Linehan-Cunningham 2, B. Taylor 2, T. Camilleri 2, D. Phillips, T. Crennan, M. Culliver, C. Saliba, K. Adorno, K. Gomes Pattiyage. Corio - C. Shoebridge 5, J. Blackney, B. Natoli-West, H. Carr, C. Gibson, J. Evans, H. Taylor.

Best: Werribee Centrals - M. Culliver, T. Camilleri,C.Saliba,J.MacDonald,K.Gomes Pattiyage, B. Linehan-Cunningham. Corio - C. Shoebridge, C. Gibson, J. Evans, D. Waldron, M. Jelenic, J. Blackney.

Bell Post Hill 1.1(7), 5.2(32), 7.4(46), 10.7(67)

EastGeelong1.2(8),3.3(21),6.6(42),7.6(48)

Goals: Bell Post Hill - D. Handley 3, J. Saunders 3, L. Verschuren 3, N. Costello. East Geelong - A. Steele 2, B. Crombie, Z. Smith, J. Payne, B. Mulvahil, G. Munari.

Best: Bell Post Hill - D. Banister, T Jenkins, J. Yates, D. Handley, J. Saunders, S. Quinn. East Geelong - B. Payne, J. Mclean, J. Payne, J. McIntyre, M. Kasparian, D. Martin.

North Geelong 6.4(40), 11.6(72), 14.10(94), 23.12(150)

Geelong West Giants 2.2(14), 3.3(21), 5.4(34),6.5(41)

Goals: North Geelong - B. Riccardi 8, J. Bertucci 4, C. Pasque 2, C. Vaughan 2, T. Schwennesen 2, B. Orr, D. Fazio, M. Habib, J. Jewell, L. Parker. Geelong West Giants - M. Leamer 2, S. Goddard, D. Pollard, M. Hanna, N. Butters.

Best: North Geelong - B. Riccardi, T. Davis, S. Reynolds, D. Fazio, J. Bertucci, R. Desnoy. Geelong West Giants - J. Collins, N. Butters, M. Hanna, L. Treacy, D. Pollard, N. Lloyd.

Bannockburn 2.6(18), 3.8(26), 5.10(40), 11.17(83)

Anakie1.1(7),2.4(16),4.5(29),4.5(29)

Goals: Bannockburn - T. Battaglia 4, C. Jervies 2, B. Kelly, B. Harding, T. Gibson, F. Wilson, R. Harding. Anakie - S. Hoffman, D. Robinson, J. Mawson, B. Gerrard.

Best: Bannockburn - T. Battaglia, S. Giles, C. Jervies, W. Mack, J. Gorman, T. Sadler. Anakie - B. Gerrard, R. Law, L. Fitzpatrick, S. Sim, J. Moylan, L. Roberts.

Belmont Lions 3.4(22), 7.9(51), 10.12(72), 13.12(90)

Inverleigh2.2(14),5.4(34),6.6(42),7.8(50)

Goals: Belmont Lions - S. Jones 3, J. Evans 2, B. Mahoney 2, B. McPherson 2, C. Anderson,J.Grohmann,J.Butler.Inverleigh - J. Bacon, H. Bauer, M. Dickson, B. Collins, D. Grundell, E. Floyd, A. Donohue.

Best: Belmont Lions - J. Wood, S. Jones, J. Wilson, J. Beasley, B. Michell, S. Hogan. Inverleigh - W. Stoney, B. Warren, D. Muir, J. Fiolet, C. Sharrock, B. McIntosh.

Winchelsea 2.5(17), 7.6(48), 13.16(94), 18.20(128)

Thomson2.4(16),6.5(41),7.6(48),8.6(54)

Goals: Winchelsea - C. Primmer 5, J. Gould 2, F. Parish, R. Baulch 2, L. Carver 2, B. Mumberson, R. James, C. Parish, I. Parish. Thomson-J.Camm3,M.Hodgson,H.Ryan, C. Judd, C. Eden, A. Anticev. Best: Winchelsea - F. Parish, A. Walsh, L. Gemmill, R. James, L. Carver, J. Gould. Thomson - C. Eden, S. Jacka, J. Camm, A. Anticev, J. Hanneysee, M. Piasente.

Around the courts

Results and best players from Geelong, Geelong & District, and Bellarine Netball League matches played on Saturday 13 June.

GEELONG

Geelong West Giants 52 def Colac 45

Best: Geelong West Giants - Lily Mckimmie, Lexie Whatley, Eloise Ritchie. Colac - Layla Holt, Monika Hammond, Mary Place.

St Joseph’s 92 def St Albans 26

Best: St Joseph’s - Ella Closter, Elli Leydin, Kiahna Fallon. St Albans - Amy Cook, Taliah Mullane, Mia Robb.

St Mary’s 51 def Grovedale 40

Best:StMary’s-HannahFitzGerald, Ellie Kennedy, Arlee Bennett. Grovedale - Kaleisha Pell, Scarlett Funcke, Bonnie Coburn.

South Barwon 60 def Bell Park 37 Best: South Barwon - Ellen Doyle, Eloise Maddox, Michelle Svetnik. Bell Park - Charlotte Morey, Bree Cail, Madison O’Keefe.

GEELONG & DISTRICT

Inverleigh 51 def Belmont Lions 31

Best: Inverleigh - Zoe Saunders, Riley Baker, Jemma Schaftenaar. Belmont Lions - Molly Gribble, Yianna Ross, Rachael Kirtley. Corio 42 def Werribee Centrals 31 Best: Corio - Bridie Shanahan, Erin Dillon, Hannah Welsh. Werribee Centrals - Jacinta Savory, Alual Garang, Lauren Winter.

East Geelong 42 def Bell Post Hill 30

Best: East Geelong - Claudia Cook, Molly Neeson, Jenelle Baker. Bell Post Hill - Kaytlyn Stone, Sharni Van Doren, Lily Grey.

NorthGeelong57defGeelongWest Giants 22

Best: North Geelong - Lily Davis, Keira Marsh, Cody Dixon. Geelong West Giants - Kirsten Martin, Sam Tucker, Bronte Weigl. Bannockburn 68 def Anakie 22

Best: Bannockburn - Lila Morris, Jade Merry, Ashley Carson. Anakie - Mia Edwards, Alice Egberts, Kyra Ballantyne.

Winchelsea 39 def Thomson 30

Best: Winchelsea - Katrina Filice, Meg Royal, Liv Barber. Thomson - Cheyenne Philpott, Bek Lebish, Amelia Jarvis.

BELLARINE

Geelong Amateur 47 def Surf Coast 25

Best: Geelong Amateur - Keisha Guilmartin, Alex Duck, Jessica Standfield. Modewarre 52 def Anglesea 32 Best: Modewarre - Hannah Richards, Abby Larkin, Bonnie Everett. Ocean Grove 57 def Barwon Heads 33

Best: Ocean Grove - Bridgette Vos, Amanda O’Malley, Amy Kennedy. Barwon Heads - Tiana Newman, Martine Rodger, Chelsea Baker. Newcomb 48 def Torquay 46 Best: Torquay - Kiralee Collings, Ariana Luamanu, Taylor Mitvalsky. Portarlington 69 def Queenscliff 37

Blueprint for future

By Justin Flynn

A steering committee will oversee a long-term plan to re-establish competitiveness in Greater Geelong’s football and netball leagues in the wake of widening results between the top and bottomteams.

AFL Barwon said the Barwon Blueprint is a long-term, regionwide strategy focused on strengthening the sustainability, competitiveness and future viability across theregion.

AFL Barwon oversees the Geelong and Bellarine Football Netball Leagues as well as female, junior and all-abilities football and provides administrative support for Colac & District and Geelong & District Football Netball Leagues with on- and off-field gaps between the top and bottom clubscontinuingtowiden.

The imbalance between the best and worst performing teams increases pressure on volunteer-driven clubs, AFL Barwon said. The steering committee will prepare a report outlining a long-term competition roadmap, including structural options and transitionplans.

“Our region is widely recognised as one of the strongest community football and netball regions in Victoria, but we cannot afford to be complacent,” AFL Barwon chief executive and chair of the steering committeeKatePattersonsaid.

“We are seeing clear sustainability challenges caused by competitive imbalance, and participation issues that

impactlong-termclubviabilityinsomeparts ofourregion,whileothersareexperiencing rapid growth. This project is about taking a proactive, evidence-based approach to ensure our competitions remain strong, relevantandsustainablewellintothefuture.

“Importantly,thisprocesswillbegenuinely collaborative and consultative. Clubs, leagues, volunteers and key stakeholders willallhaveanopportunitytocontributeto shaping the future direction of football and netballinourregion.”

Lara withdrew its seniors and reserves men’s football teams from the GFNL this season along with its A grade netball side duetoalackofplayingnumbers.

Among the actions of the steering committee will be to produce a five- to 10-year competition roadmap including structuraloptions,transitionplansandrisk assessments.

Itwillreviewexistingcompetitivebalance levers, such as players points allocation, salarycaps,tieringandlistrules.

The committee’s final recommendations are expected to be delivered by the end of Junein2027.

Ladder squeeze in Section 7 junior tennis

LOCAL TENNIS

Donna Schoenmaekers

While most of the afternoon was a non-event, junior tennis managed to get through unscathed from the weather this week.

Section 7 Boys is proving to be one to watchwithsixoftheeightteamschanging position after this week’s matches and only three points separating third from sixth.

The ladder leaders only a few points further ahead and well within reach as we come to the halfway mark of the season.

It was a battle for top spot in Barwon Heads, where they hosted second placed Lara. The Heads started the day three points clear, meaning Lara were well positioned to knock them off if they could play well enough.

Jessica Di Rosa kicked Lara off with a 6-3 win in the second singles while Patrick Basselot-Hall got over the line in a tie-break in the first.

It was another tie-break win to Lara in the third through Olivia Teesdale, but Darcy McCredden put the Heads on the board in the fourth winning 6-2. McCredden paired with Beckett Lynch and smashed out a 6-0 win to keep the Heads in touch, but with Basselot-Hall and Di Rosa clinching another tie-break, Lara finished ahead four sets to two, now one point ahead of their opponents.

ItwasthirdversusfourthwhenSurfcoast JanJuctravelledtoOceanGrove,resulting in another win to the away team.

LoganCapuano,NateMcConnel-Brown andFelixMartinpostedcomfortablewins in the singles to put Juc ahead while Leo McIntoshkeptGroveinthematchwithhis 6-0 win. Capuano and McConnell-Brown, along with Martin and Meesha Singh, finished off the 5-1 win for Surfcoast in the doubles, pushing them into third, just five points behind Barwon Heads and one ahead of Ocean Grove.

Wandana Heights drew level on points with Ocean Grove, but now sit in fifth on

percentage after a 5-1 win over Grovedale. Liam Rouse, Ariel Gare and Josh Carland got up in their singles while Darcy Finch put Grovedale on the board.

TheHeightsweretoogoodinthedoubles with Rouse and Raffael Gare winning 6-1 and Ariel Gare and Josh Carland 6-3.

Surfcoast Torquay improved their standing this week, posting their first win for the season over Anglesea. Anglesea struggled for players, but despite that, Surfcoast put in the effort with Sasha Dart getting the first singles, and with a couple of close losses boosting their game tally, managed to get the underdogs over the line, with a good chance to back up next week when they face eighth placed Grovedale.

Next week is round 7 and all teams will have played each other giving an indication of where the teams are placed. In a section this close, every week could see potential changes in ladder positions so all teams will need to be on their game for the balance of the season.

Centurions aiming for a top two finish in the GDFL

By Tara Murray

Werribee Centrals have shifted the goalposts and are now aiming for a top two spot in the Geelong and District Football League.

Afteraperfect9-0starttotheseason,the Centurions sit three games clear at the top oftheladder.

Having missed finals last season, Centurions coach Rhyce Prismall said they couldn’t have imagined the start they’ve hadtotheyear.

“Definitely not with the first six to seven gamesbeingprettytoughagainstsidesthat played finals last year,” he said. “We would havebeenhappyat5-2aftersevenmatches and6-3afterninematches.Tobe9-0,we’ve beenontherightendofafew50-50games.

“Last year we started 0-3 and lost those games by a total of 10 points. You need a bit of luck which we probably deserve this year.”

Prismall said the aim this season was to always play finals, but now they were looking to try and lock in a double chance comefinals.

Hesaidthatwouldsetthemupforatiltof

Sports shorts

Annand makes AFL debut Former Ocean Grove ruckman Kye Annand made his AFL debut just weeks after being picked up in the midseason draft. The 22-year-old was picked by Richmond at No 2 in the draft and made his debut against Brisbane at Ninja Stadium in Hobart on Sunday 14 June where he gathered nine kicks and five handballs and took two marks and looked comfortable at the highest level. Annand was playing for Geelong’s VFL side and working as a plumber until recently and credited coach Mark Corrigan and operations manager Aaron Black for suggesting a move to the defensive end of the ground where he has thrived. Another Geelong VFL player taken in the draft, Marcus Herbert, made his debut for West Coast and picked up 15 disposals and took six marks.

Goals galore

Geelong Amateur duo Mitch Day and Sam Lloyd each booted eight goals in their side’s demolition of Surf Coast in the Bellarine Football League. Ammos won by 117 points and former Richmond and Western Bulldogs forward Lloyd leads the competition for goals with 46 ahead of Queenscliff pair Jordan Monahan and Izaac Grant on 34. Torquay’s Tynan Smith, Newcomb’s Jack Duke and Anglesea’s Ayden Gras are next on 32 with Day and Barwon Heads’ Jack Henderson on 29.

Bellarine sharpshooters

goingdeepintofinals.

While the Centurions are on top, they aren’ttakinganysidelightly.

On Saturday, they faced Corio which is sittingtowardsthebottomoftheladder.

“Theyhaveanewlook,”hesaid.“Theyare a bit younger now and move the ball better thanpreviousyears.

“Wehadafewleadersinthemidfieldstep upandtreatthemlikewewereplayingatop side.”

The Centurions jumped out of the blocks with six goals in the first quarter and anotherseveninthesecondquartertohave thegameundercontrolatthemainbreak.

While Corio won the third quarter, the Centurions responded in the final quarter to come away with a 21.11 (137)-11.7 (73) win.

Prismall said the first quarter allowed them to set the game up well and it was alwaysgoingtotakealottocomebackfrom that, especially with rain falling through mostofthegame.

JoshMacDonaldkickedfourgoalsforthe Centurions and Joshua Stone kicked three while Cooper Shoebridge booted five goals forCorioandwashisside’sbest.

Three Bellarine Netball League players have passed 300 goals so far this season. Portarlington’s Tully Bethune leads the comp with 320 while Surf Coast’s Elisa Hall is not far behind on 315 while Geelong Amateur goal shooter Eliza Oxley has 302. Newcomb’s Carly Sanders has 292 goals, but will have to wait a week to reach the 300 mark with her side having a bye. Ocean Grove star Zanna Punshon is a chance to get there this weekend against Anglesea and needs 33 more goals to hit 300.

Doyle hits 400 mark South Barwon champion Ellen Doyle reached 400 goals for the season in the Geelong Netball League on Saturday. Doyle shot 45 goals against Bell Park to take her tally to 402. Newtown & Chilwell young gun Holly Adams-Alcock had a bye last week, but should pass the 400 mark this weekend with just four needed. St Joseph’s Ella Closter sits third on the table with 365, Bell Park’s Makaela Connolly is on 332 and Colac’s Louella Tomlinson Colac rounds out the list of players who have scored 300 goals or more with 303.

FOR MORE SPORT, VISIT Web: geelongindy.com.au Facebook.com/GeelongIndy

First win for rebuilding Magpies

Independent photographer Ivan Kemp braved the wet at West Oval on Saturday 13 June to see North Geelong defeat Geelong West Giants in Geelong & District Netball League A Grade.

Joeys home in a tight contest

St Joseph’s shrugged off a persistent and very good St Albans side by 24 points at Herne Hill Reserve on Saturday 13 June and Independent photographer Ivan Kemp was there to snap these pics.

Young Joeys lead the way

By Justin Flynn

Two young guns and a combined defensive effort dragged St Joseph’s to a 24-point win on Saturday 13 June just when a gallant St Albans made one last charge.

When Lachie Foster goaled at the 15-minute mark of the final term at Herne Hill Reserve, it put the Supersaints to within 14 points and an upset was a genuine possibility.

But youngsters Giuseppe Posterino and Malachi White, along with midfielder Josh Nurnaitis, helped get Joeys home according to co-coach James Gow.

“I think it was definitely the younger players that followed on from probably that third quarter surge,” Gow, who played a superb game himself, said.

“Pep Posterino and Mal (White), those types of players (and) our backs were pretty outstanding as well. It was probably a real group performance to be honest.

“Josh Nurnaitis was one that got us rolling in that last quarter, too. He was awesome throughout the day. His grunt through the middle of the ground, kicked a great goal on the boundary and made important contests and tackles.”

White and Posterino each booted three goals in the win for St Joseph’s. Gow said White probably had his best game for the club.

“He’s had plenty of good games, but that one was something that stood out as his best,” he said.

“He’s hitting the scoreboard every game he’s playing and giving us a lot of grunt through the midfield, which is great.”

Posterino has kicked on after being part of Joeys’ Under 18 side last season as well as making his senior debut in round 16 and playing six games for Geelong Falcons in the Coates Talent League. He has booted 15 goals from 10 games this season.

“He played one game last year, but it’s his first real year in the seniors coming out of Under 18s,” Gow said.

“He’s a really good player, incredible below his knees and on the ground and gives us a lot of zip through that forward line and midfield when we need him.”

St Albans produced a five-goal second term with key forward Tom Higgins booting three in six minutes and cut the deficit to just three points at the main break.

“We weren’t really happy with the way we went about it probably got a little bit complacent,” Gow said of the second quarter.

“I would say a lot of players would say as well, so we did focus on adjusting the way we started in the midfield, our starting positions and worked off that which seemed to work for us a lot.”

Apart from that six-minute burst, St Joseph’s captain Joel O’Dwyer kept the dangerous Higgins in check although his four goals took his season’s tally to 32, equal second with Grovedale’s Tom Gillett and three behind leader Jack Jovanovic, who booted one goal for St Joseph’s.

The win was extra sweet for Callum Mitchell in his 100th game and Archer Chamberlain, who made his senior debut.

St Joseph’s already played their round 11 match as a standalone fixture to open the season and originally had a bye scheduled for this Saturday.

But their final round match against Bell

Park was brought forward and it sets up a tantalising encounter at Herne Hill Reserve on Saturday 20 June after the Dragons kept South Barwon to two goals in a 63-point victory. The two sides met on 16 May with Joeys winning by 24 points.

“We probably played one of our best games defensively and pressure-wise, but they (Bell Park) were missing a few that day,” Gow said.

“For them to beat South Barwon by that much is pretty impressive.”

Baby steps for fledgling Magpies after first win of 2026

By Justin Flynn

On face value it was a match between two winless sides sitting at the bottom of the Geelong & District Netball League ladder, but for a rebuilding team such as North Geelong, it was an opportunity to confirm the belief in the direction the club was heading.

The Magpies got out to an eight-goal lead at quarter time against Geelong West Giants and extended the margin at every change to win 57 to 22 at West Oval.

The ease in which the Magpies defeated the Giants even surprised coach Katie McLean.

“We talked about it on Thursday night at training and said how it was a winnable game, but we honestly didn’t expect to win by as much as we did either,” McLean said.

“I was really proud of the girls and the effort that they put in. I think that both times we played them last season, we lost by around 20 goals.

“So to have a 55-goal turnaround was definitely an achievement and it was really good to see that the effort and commitment finally paid off.”

With an 18-goal lead at half-time, North Geelong didn’t ease up and piled on 16 third-quarter goals to five.

“That’s something that we’ve really worked hard on,” McLean said.

“Last season there were a couple of games later on at the back end of the season where they were in it up until half-time and then the third quarter was their problem.

“They just always ran out of legs or I think a lot of it for them has been the mental game, too, because they are such a young group (and) they don’t have a lot of experience up there.

“It all fell into place, something clicked, and I really hope now that moving forward they can believe in themselves that they are capable.”

Several players have stepped up from

playing in the lower grades and are making an impact in A grade this season.

Lily Davis had to be coaxed into going up to A Grade, but has shown she is up to the level at goal defence.

“We kind of went backwards and forth and she then said, ‘yep, I want to give it a crack’,” McLean said.

“I said to her that it’s going to be challenging, coming from a lower grade that had been so successful, but I wanted her to see it from a personal perspective and put in that hard work to see what she can get out of it.

“And she’s just come leaps and bounds. The effort that she puts in and the talk that she gives amongst those young girls as well, it’s amazing to see her achieve what she’s been able to achieve this season.”

Midcourter Cody Dixon has won the last two GDNL B Grade best and fairest medals and has also moved up a grade.

“She’s an absolute workhorse,” McLean said.

“She just makes everything look easy and she does it with discipline. She does it with a smile on her face. She’s just a pleasure to watch with what she puts in on and off the court.”

Moving forward, the fledgling Magpies will work towards bridging the gap between

them and the best in the comp.

“The goal always was to give the young ones a chance to come up into those higher grades to get that experience,” McLean said.

“We wanted to keep improving. We’ve got Anakie next week, which again is a doable game so it’d be really good to see if we can roll from what we’ve just been able to do against West and keep that momentum going.

“We wanted to improve on our deficits from last year. If we can get a couple of wins along the way, that’s great. Moving into the second-half (of the season), we play those teams again and bring it in even closer and improve and then see where we can go moving ahead next year.

“It was always the plan to take baby steps and see where we can get.”