INSIDE THIS EDITION…
WORLD CLASS BOWLS IN OG, PAGE 17
15 - 28 MAY, 2026
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Young Grubbers in hot form
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Isla Briggs was best afield for Ocean Grove’s Tisdale Under 14 team on Sunday 10 May and judging by this perfect kicking technique, it’s not hard to see why. Ocean Grove defeated Bell Park by 78 points at Ray Menzies Oval and although the scoreline suggested a one-sided affair, the Dragons were much better than the final result suggests. Briggs booted three goals for the Grubbers and was named best while Annabelle Smith, Charli McKinley, Elsie Smith, Penelope Carroll and Ruby Brand were also in the best players. Ocean Grove fields two girls sides in each of the Under 17, 14, 12 and 10 competition with the future looking bright for the club despite not entering any senior women’s sides this season. Ocean Grove Tisdale takes on Barwon Heads at home this Sunday while the other Under 14 team - Ocean Grove Lamb - plays North Geelong. See page 26 for more pictures from
the match.
Budget ‘falls short’ Greater Geelong mayor Stretch Kontelj has responded to this week’s federal budget, which holds little for those in the Geelong and Bellarine regions to be enthusiastic about. The Australian government’s main investment intended specifically for Geelong is an undisclosed amount for capital works at the CSIRO’s Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness (ACDP) in Newcomb and the tail end of federal funding for the Geelong City Deal. Mayor Kontelj said Jim Chalmers’ budget, released on Tuesday, did not support councils in realising the region’s much-needed housing supply targets. “Greater Geelong is being asked to deliver a significant share of Victoria’s future housing, but this budget falls short
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of matching that task with adequate regional investment,” he said. “As one of the fastest growing regions in Australia we need ongoing investment in housing-enabling infrastructure, transport connectivity, liveability and economic growth.” “We welcome the federal government’s $2 billion housing enabling infrastructure fund, which reflects strong advocacy from Geelong and regional cities. It recognises that homes cannot be delivered without the essential infrastructure to support them. “However, with only 25 per cent available to regional Australia, there remains a clear disconnect between what regions are being asked to deliver and the funding available to support it.”
Mayor Kontelj said the Geelong City Deal demonstrated what genuine investment in the region could deliver, transforming the city by “driving major projects and long term economic benefit”. “While we value continued funding through programs like Growing Regions and Stronger Communities, they do not provide the same scale or lasting impact,” he said. “As the City Deal concludes, we will be advocating to address the significant funding gap it leaves behind.” Flexible and untied funding was “critical” for councils managing rapid growth, the mayor said. “Th is funding has not kept pace with the responsibilities local government is being asked to carry, and councils cannot
continue to shoulder the cost of growth alone,” he said. “To manage this growth, we are strongly advocating for a Special Economic Zone in central Geelong to facilitate more building and residential developments in the CBD.” Mayor Kontelj said the investment in the ACDP, one of the “few specific announcements for Geelong”, was “welcome and reinforces Geelong’s importance on the national stage”. ‘Support for projects such as the Armstrong Creek indoor sports facility is also valued in meeting the needs of our growing community,” he said. “Geelong is ready to play its part, but ambition must be matched by investment, and regional cities must be properly resourced to deliver.”