12496497-CG22-21
May 15, 2026
FREE DIGITAL EDITION
Ü¡
SIG N U P N O W!
Sam selects Tanner to slide Geelong midfielder Tanner Bruhn is Sam Moorfoot’s choice to slide into the icy water at Geelong’s Big Freeze. Newtown & Chilwell Football Netball Club will host the fifth edition of the Big Freeze on Sunday 31 May at Elderslie Reserve, taking on South Barwon in a huge round. The Big Freeze is dedicated to MND research and fundraising and each year Sam’s Choice is selected to participate and this year it is Bruhn, who will slide, joined by premiership Cats David Wojcinski and Cam Mooney. Bruhn said his costume will be something Newtown & Chilwell related. “It is where I first fell in love with the footy,” he said. “I still remember my first game filling in for my younger brother Jaxon’s Under 9 team. I am lucky enough to have known Sam ever since I arrived at the Cats. It’s my fourth year…and it’s a great pleasure to spend time with Sammy.” See support.fightmnd.org.au/ fundraisers/BigFreezeGeelong52026 for more information and to donate. Tanner Bruhn braces for the chill with David Wojcinski and Sam Moorfoot only too keen to make it happen. (Ivan Kemp) 551893_01
Solidarity on show The Geelong community came together in an act of solidarity and remembrance last week at the Geelong Candlelight Vigil. More than 200 attended the event at Geelong Arts Centre’s Open House Theatre to honour the women and children who have lost their lives to family and domestic violence, hearing from survivors and advocates including Conor Pell and Courtney Ugle. A proud Ballardong/Wardandi Noongar woman, Ms Ugle is the founder of Waangkiny, a social enterprise dedicated to empowering individuals and communities through the power of storytelling. Just 19 years old when her mother was killed as a result of domestic violence, she
shared how personal tragedy led her to advocate for change. “Now I travel and share my story, spread love and light, and bring awareness to the very cause that took my mum,” Ms Ugle said. “Family and domestic violence is riddled throughout our society. It is happening in our homes and in our communities, and there are so many of us with similar experiences. “I’m not the only one with a story like this, I wasn’t the fi rst one with a story like this, and I won’t be the last one with a story like this.” The vigil, which included a minute’s silence to remember those lives lost, also
featured artwork created by local women who have experienced sexual and family violence. Meli chief executive Robyn Hayles said the vigil was an “incredibly powerful evening” demonstrating the “courage of survivors like Courtney and the strength of a community willing to stand together”. “When survivors share their stories and a community listens, it creates real momentum for change,” she said. “It sends a clear message that violence will not be tolerated and that those impacted are not alone. “At Meli, we see the impacts of family violence every day. Events like this reinforce the role we all play in prevention,
early intervention and in reducing harm and saving lives.” Sexual Assault & Family Violence Centre chief executive Kerriann Campbell-Jones said she was grateful for strong show of community support. “The evening provided a meaningful opportunity for our community to pause, reflect and honour those whose lives have been lost to family violence, while standing alongside those who continue to be impacted today,” she said. “Courtney’s courageous story had a profound impact on all who attended, creating a powerful sense of connection and hope, and reminding us of our shared responsibility to prevent violence against women and children.”
& WJYNWJRJSY ^TZ Ð QT[J More freedom. M f d Less L fuss. f At A Armstrong A Green, G enjoy j a lockl k up-and-leave lifestyle for retirees who still say yes to travel, laughter, friendship, and fun within a welcoming community that keeps life easy and connected. Book your private tour today | 1800 777 898 armstronggreen.com.au | 722–742 Barwon Heads Rd, Armstrong Creek 12866436-KF20-26 23