Ocean Grove Voice - Your Local Newspaper

Grove doesn’t forget

abnews — Wed, 02 May 2012 05:18:27 +0000

HOWLING winds and lashing rain did not deter Ocean Grover’s as they gathered around for the dawn ANZAC service.
John Dickinson President of the Ocean Grove RSL said he was surprised at the number of people happy to brave miserable conditions.
“We were just amazed. We were very surprised that so many had turned up especially for the dawn service, it was truly just amazing,” he said.
John said an abundance of young people amongst the crowd highlighted the increased interest and participation in the younger generation.
“I don’t know if it’s because the schools are doing a bit more education, I know Bellarine Secondary College watched a couple of videos of Edward “Weary” Dunlop and the Burma rail way,” he said. “But I think Australia itself seems to be noticing more the ANZAC and the history.”
Jenny McMahon who brought her 11-year-old daughter out despite the weather said it’s important for her to have a sense of what was sacrificed for them.
“I think it’s important for her to appreciate the freedom we have because of those sacrifices and I think the bad weather gives another sense of what it was like for the soldiers,” she said.
John said this year for the first time Geelong RSL pipers were present for the dawn service and the Barwon Heads and Ocean Grove marches.
“We have stuck to the traditional times in years past so we were unable to have the pipers. This year though we adjusted the times and we got the whole band. It was phenomenal,” he said.
After the service the Ocean Grove Rotary club provided tea coffee and egg and bacon rolls for the wet and weary crowd.
John Calnin Coordinator for the dawn breakfast said the Rotary had been behind the dawn service now for several years.
“It’s good fun. We all like to respect the diggers, we started this about 6-7 years ago to add to the service,” he said.
Amongst the crowd was veteran Don Dow who said ANZAC day was important as it represents part of our history.
“Both my Father and I served in WWI and WWII and today we remember our fallen and all those who participated in the war, its part of our heritage,” he said.
John said the day will continue to get stronger come rain hail or shine.
“We don’t cancel on the dawn service and we don’t cancel on the Anzac march it’s a tradition and that’s that,” he said.

A graders hit their stride

abnews — Wed, 02 May 2012 05:07:30 +0000

OCEAN Grove Netball Rounds 3 & 4: Seniors
A-Grade
The Ocean Grove A-grade netball team have turned their season around and now have a 2 wins/2 loss record after two great victories in a row.
Round 3: Ocean Grove 51 defeated Geelong Amateur 29.
The A-Grade girls opened their winning account for the season with a hard-working win against Geelong Amateur in round 3.
Coach Megan Blake-Uren said every player in the red and white colours gave their all and the result was a fitting reward for their efforts. The hard work across the court created many opportunities for the shooters Tina Birch and Zanna Woods who had their radars on target. Krystal Boswell was superb in Wing Defence, while Paula Birch and Lauren Ollis vigorously defended their patch for four quarters.
Round 4: Ocean Grove 55 defeated Newcomb 47
With two wins in a row, Ocean Grove came out on top again in a tough contest against Newcomb. Krystal Boswell showed her class again and put in another Best on Court performance from Wing Defence. Jaimie George and Grace Caldow kept control of the game through the centre while Lauren Ollis was again rock solid in the last line of defence.
Tina and Zanna continued their good goal shooting form from the previous round to keep their team in front.
Coach Megan was ecstatic with the consistent four quarters played by all players who kept their composure and stuck to the game plan when challenged by Newcomb.
B-Grade
Round 3: Geelong Amateur 28 defeated Ocean Grove 24.
It was another competitive performance from the B-Grade ladies but they just failed to get the job done. Luci Ross kept the Grubbers in the game with a solid four quarter effort through the centre while Kelly McIntosh had a fantastic game in defence rebounding everything in sight.
Round 4: Ocean Grove 44 defeated Newcomb 27
Victory! The B-graders were finally rewarded and notched their first win of the season against Newcomb. Jess Morris was unstoppable in the goal ring and Emma Doolan controlled the back half of the court. The girls are starting to gel and the new game plan and coaching methods are starting to pay dividends. The players now believe that they can match any other team in the competition.
C & D Grades
The C & D grade teams are continuing to put in spirited efforts but can’t quite find the necessary consistency over four quarters to chalk up a win. If the endeavour continues, a win won’t be far away for both teams.

Big kahuna of a turnout

abnews — Wed, 02 May 2012 05:02:05 +0000

The SOUL Longboard club recently held its April comp and had 70 competitors on the day.
This was made up of 56 open and age group surfers as well as 15 super groms for the kids go surfing day.
The club tries to hold a few events for the kids each year and with the weather forecast being so good for the weekend it was an ideal day for them.
Surfers were greeted with a 25 degree day and light North Westerly winds, so it was all looking good for a full day of competition.
Surfing was held on an outgoing tide at “Boings” with the low tide banks throwing down some small but clean fun waves.
With so many competitors there was no time wasted between heats and the swap over of judges and scorecards was constant all day. First heat was in the water at 7.50 and last heat was at about 5.15.
President Brian Tucker said “that he was very happy with the turn out for the day and was wrapped to see at least 4 new members and about 15 kids come and have a surf on an almost perfect day. I don’t think there would be another Longboard club in Australia that would have this many turn up for a club comp.”
Next club comp is May 19. Meet at Ocean Grove Main Beach 7am.
Keep an eye on the web site for more details as well as on Facebook.www.soullongboardclub.com.au. Brownie.

Diver resuscitated

abnews — Wed, 02 May 2012 04:57:13 +0000

A DIVER was dragged from the water unconscious after he is believed to have taken a bad gulp of air and fallen overboard.
The 32-year-old from Lara was about to dive near the HMAS Canberra wreck when the accident happened in the morning on April 20.
When he fell overboard he also took in water.
He was pulled back into the boat by fellow divers who administered CPR in the craft while it headed for shore at Ocean Grove’s Main Beach.
Paramedics were already on the headland car park waiting when they arrived and surfers and beachgoers joined the divers in ferrying the man up the boat ramp to the waiting ambulance.
The man was taken to Geelong Hospital for treatment and was kept in for observation.
Leading Senior Constable Byron Blower of Bellarine Police said the situation had been “very serious”.
Off duty paramedics and police also helped in the rescue.
Witnesses said that the man was already looking better by the time he reached the ambulance.

Grove firing

abnews — Wed, 02 May 2012 04:49:24 +0000

OCEAN Grove coach Cameron McGregor admits his side needs improvement ahead of Saturday’s Battle of the Bridge match against Barwon Heads, despite a flawless start to 2012.
Along with 2011 premier Queenscliff and Torquay, the Grubbers, who compiled a 120-point demolition over bottom-placed Newcomb on Saturday at Grinter Reserve, remain the only undefeated teams after four rounds of the BFL.
The Grubbers won 24.20.164 to the Power’s 6.8.44, Ocean Grove saved their best until the end in a nine-goal final quarter-blitz.
It was not all one way traffic for the visitors, Newcomb competed well in patches and booted the opening the goal of the match and kicked two unanswered goals to open
the second half.
While McGregor admitted his team experimented with a different game plan after the match, he said the Grubbers will need to be at their best against the BFL’s elite teams.
“We are winning without playing great football, from my point of view we have got a fair bit of room for improvement,” McGregor said.
“We are obviously trying to work on our stoppages, we played a completely different game plan just to try something, we don’t want our side to be a one-trick pony team.
“I think it is more about our mental attitude, we have got to make sure that is up every week rather than anything else.”
McGregor praised Grubber James McTaggart, who was at his silky best mopping up the ball at ease across the midfield, while key forward Daniel Maloney booted five goals and Louie Holmer continued his bright start to 2012 kicking three goals.
Liam Rock was a pivotal smaller marking target up forward, also booting three majors.
The Grubbers were without some of their key players including co-captain Pete Corredig (shoulder), fellow big man Michael Stewart, Ryan Baker and Travis Gavin, who are in line for a return against Barwon Heads this Saturday.
McGregor spoke highly of some of the club’s best young talent including Tom Lundberg, who made his senior debut and played in the ruck in the absence of Stewart and Corredig.
Under-18 listed player Andy Higgins, who kicked four goals, was amongst his side’s best against the Power and has played a crucial role through the midfield in recent weeks, while youngster Jack Rawlings provided plenty of avenues to goal.
“Tommy Lundberg deserved his recognition for the hard work he has played in the first three games in the seconds and got in the best in those games, he did a good hard
pre-season,” he said.
“Young kids like Andy Higgins were very good and Jack Rawlings was good in patches and put good blocks on and just did the little things.”
MEANTIME, McGregor said Barwon Heads will have a massive point to prove on their home turf on Saturday, after the Seagulls suffered a 106-point loss at the hands of Torquay last Saturday at Spring Creek Reserve.
The Seagulls remain 1-3 after four rounds.
“Very much they (Barwon Heads) will want to take us down,” he said.
“There is nothing better for Barwon Heads to try and get up and knock off Ocean Grove – we have got to be on our game.”
The Grubbers senior match against the Seagulls starts at 2:10pm at Howard Hammer Oval in Barwon Heads.

FINAL SCORES
Ocean grove 24.20.164
defeated Newcomb 6.8.44
Ocean Grove
Goal Kickers: D Maloney 5, A Higgins 4, L Hollmer 3, L Rock 3, S. Jack 3, B. Backwell 2, R O’Callaghan, J Rawlings, S. Fankhauser , B. Ricardo.
Best Players: J McTaggart, A Higgins, L. Rock, J Rawlings, T. Foott.

Crime wave

abnews — Wed, 02 May 2012 04:45:29 +0000

A WAVE of burglaries and graffiti attacks has come as a shock to Ocean Grove’s relatively crime free way of life.
In the last week Ocean Grove’s 7th Wave, Ocean Grove Quality Meats and Bolzano’s restaurant have all been broken into and cash grabbed, while vandals have daubed graffiti on the amenity block on Main Beach and Ocean Grove Football Club.
Bolzano’s owner Hamish Hames had to close the restaurant for a night because of the attack.
He said he received a call early in the morning letting him know that it appeared he had been robbed.
“Roy next door at the Chinese restaurant came in and saw that the front door was open and things were everywhere,” he said.
“The the locks were jimmied off the front door, the till was damaged when it was pried open and cash was stolen.”
Hamish said that the loss of business that night was the most frustrating part of it all.
“We had 40 bookings and unfortunately we were unable to open because of this,” he said.
Continued page 3Luke Riley owner of 7th Wave said he was surprised only cash was taken.
“I had my laptop right next to the till and that was left. They also didn’t touch the safe or take any alcohol. They just pried open the till and took cash,” he said.
Luke said the activation of the alarm may have deterred the burglar or burglars.
“I think they were in a hurry to get out once the alarm had gone as there were gold coins all over the floor next to the till. They’d also dropped and just left change by the back door,” he said. “The Police saw the light flashing out the front and came to investigate but by that stage they had gone.”
Colin Smith from Ocean Grove Quality Meats said that he arrived to a wide open back door.
“They took a couple of donation tins on the counter, the footy clubs and the surf life saving tin,” he said.
“They destroyed the fridge door and took all the loose change.”
Sergeant Mick Knight of Bellarine Police said that Crime Desk had attended the scene where fingerprints and photos were taken.
“It will be referred to the Geelong tasking unit who are currently investigating burglaries across the Bellarine and Geelong region,” he said.
Anyone with any information is encouraged to call crime stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Blazes leaves family homeless

abnews — Wed, 02 May 2012 04:40:53 +0000

OCEAN Grove and Barwon Heads firefighters were quickly on the scene of a major house fire on the corner of Mermaid Avenue and Fraser Crescent on Saturday.
No one was in the house at the time but vigilant neighbours were able to rescue a pet terrier that had been inside.
The fire couldn’t have come at a worse time for the family which had only recently moved into the rented house.
The family, Debbie Freeman and her partner and her two daughters Jessica, 19, and Renea, 17, were excitedly expecting the birth of a grandchild. Jessica is heavily pregnant. Debbie had just unpacked treasured family baby clothes, all of which are likely to have been ruined.
Jessica was treated by paramedics on the scene and went into early labour. She was discharged from the hospital after staff stopped the labour. She was still too distressed to talk on Sunday, but her heartbroken mum Debbie explained that the fire had left them homeless and with nothing.
“My daughter is 31 weeks pregnant and all the baby stuff has been burnt and damaged,” said Debbie. “Jessica went into labour last night. They’ve stopped it but she’s got to take it easy.
“We’re just devastated. (We’ve) got nothing. It’s hard to comprehend it all. We just moved in two weeks ago and I had just finally pulled out all my antiques from my nan and all the baby stuff and made it look really nice for her. We’ve lost it. I’m more upset with the baby stuff than anything.
“At least there wasn’t anybody in the house and we’re all safe and Jess’s home from hospital. We’ll just take it day by day.”
Debbie said they were grateful for the actions of neighbours who saved the pet terrier Jed and to the emergency services for their care. “The fire brigade and the ambulance were great, and some neighbours across the road gave us some blankets and toothpaste. It’s just been overwhelming.”
Fire crews worked hard to contain the fire and also looked after the family when they arrived to find the harrowing scene. Incident controller Morrie Barry said: “It had the potential to wipe the place out. It was quite a good save even though some areas were badly smoke damaged.”
The family is staying with Debbie’s son close by.
The fire is believed to have started in the kitchen.

Picked a perfect day

abnews — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 00:50:28 +0000

OCEAN Grove’s second annual picnic in the park achieved its aim - bringing the commuity together.
Glorious sunshine helped local groups make the most of the networking opportunity by getting to know other community clubs and asssociations.
The picnic also featured kombis, a lions club sausage sizzle, face painting, a scouts rope bridge and wood chopping.
The event was supported by Ocean Grove Community Enterprise and Rotary, as well as local councillor Jan Farrell.
Organiser Richard Grimmett thanked the groups that took part and said: “We look foward to keeping this going in future years.
“It has been terrific.”
The Community Enterprise also used the event to present the latest round of grants. Details in the next edition of the Voice.

Solid start for Grubbers

abnews — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 00:43:42 +0000

THE GRUBBERS head into this weekend’s clash against 2011 BFL finalists Geelong Amateur full of confidence after an unbeaten start to the 2012 season.
Ocean Grove recorded a 2-0 start to the new season following a comprehensive 36-point victory over Modewarre at Mount Moriac Recreation Reserve on Saturday.
Final scores were Ocean Grove 16.14.110 to Modewarre 11.8.74.
Ocean Grove coach Cameron McGregor admits he is wary of Geelong Amateur’s slow start to 2012 and said the match looms as a danger game for his players.
Amateur, who remain winless after two rounds with losses to Queenscliff and Torquay, faced a similar predicament last season after 1-2 start and a 31-point loss to Ocean Grove in the corresponding round three fixture in 2011.
Geelong Amateur finished the home and away last season with 15 wins 2 losses and 1 draw.
“We beat them last year at the same time in Round three and (Geelong Amateur) did not lose another game for the remainder of the home and away season,” McGregor said.
“If we play to our ability I think we can beat Amateur, it is certainty a danger game as every game is going to be.”
MEANWHILE a bag of six goals from Ocean Grove forward Daniel Maloney was the big catalyst in the win over Modewarre.
Key Grubber Shane Jack was amongst his side’s best after missing with a back injury in Ocean Grove’s one-point win over Drysdale in Round one.
New recruit Tom Roberts was the major injury casualty from the Modewarre win after he sustained a corked thigh and remains unlikely to play this weekend.
McGregor said it was a tough and physical encounter for his players.
“They (Modewarre) threw everything at us, it was a pretty tough physical game of footy,” he said.
“But we stood up and gave us much as we got.
“It was a really hard game I suppose it was one of the most physical games that I have seen us play.”
The Grubbers led at all the quarter by quarter time breaks, the second term the most profitable for the visitors with six goals.
MEANWHILE a fired-up Ocean Grove upstaged 2011 premiers Modewarre to win by 39 points in the Reserves grade.
The Grubbers won 11.12.78 to the Warriors 6.3.39
A six-goal opening quarter blitz help set up the win for Ocean Grove after home side Modewarre failed to kick a goal at the first break.
In the Under 18’s Colts, Ocean Grove 5.4.34 lost their opening game of the season to St Mary’s 11.13.79 by 45 points at St Mary’s Oval.
Nethaniel Giddings was the star for the young Grubbers as he booted three majors.
MEANTIME Saturday’s match against Geelong Amateur starts with the Under 18’s Colts game at 10am at Ocean Grove.
The reserves match follows at midday, while the senior match begins at 2:10pm.

Grove hauls in nearly $35k

abnews — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 00:32:13 +0000

BEAUTIFUL weather combined with a worthy cause saw Ocean Grover’s collectively raise $34378 for The Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday appeal.
“It was an absolutely tremendous effort that everyone should be very proud of,” said appeal area manager Alistair Drayton.
The action began on Good Friday eve with The Mex’s annual bar auction.
“They raised some $5500 together with a number of raffles and Bay Fm’s Mark Hyland ran a very good show providing plenty of humour,” said Alistair.
The CFA brigades of Ocean Grove and Mannerim conducted a tin shake throughout their respective communities and they raised in excess of $15000.
Ocean Grove Fire Brigade’s Peter Baxter said that people were once again more than happy to get behind the fundraising efforts.
“We filled about 30 tubs. It was beautiful weather and everyone was really, really generous. Everyone just gave with everything,” he said.
“It was unbelievable; they were emptying their consoles full of coins.”
“We’ve had a big day. Instead of going to each individual street we hit the beach and on a day like today it was packed,” he said.
The supermarket donation wells collected $2161 throughout the year, Collendina Holiday Park conducted their own annual ‘hole in one’ competition and raffle and raised $2884, while Ocean Grove Bowling Club conducted their traditional auction and raffles on Good Friday Night, raising more than $8,000.
Alistair said this was a magnificent achievement which they continue to better each and every year.
“All in all the Ocean Grove Tally Board again looked extremely pleasing with a total of$34,378.
“Well done to everyone involved on another fabulous effort,” he said.