IN BRIEF

Donation supports animal welfare in Ocean Grove

AS PART of its commitment to donate $1 million to animal welfare charities, PETstock Assist has just announced a $30,000 donation to Cherished Pets. Located in Ocean Grove, Cherished Pets works with the vulnerable including the elderly, people with disabilities and victims of domestic violence, to ensure their pets receive the care they deserve, even during times of trouble for their owners. The grant will assist Cherished Pets to deliver programs and ensure these owners can reap the recognised benefits of companion pets for people who are socially isolated and disadvantaged.

Deakin study finds youth would support a sugar tax

THE majority of young Australians support a tax on sugar sweetened drinks, especially if funds were to be directed towards health promotion initiatives, according to a new Deakin University study based on research in Geelong. Published in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, the study surveyed 1,793 Geelong residents aged 18 to 30 to determine their support for a proposed tax of 40 cents per 100 grams of sugar in sweetened drinks, which would equate to a price increase of 15 cents for the average can of soft drink or 80 cents for a two-litre bottle.

Supercats sign Anthony Williams for 2019 season

The Geelong Supercats have announced that Anthony “AJ” Williams will be the basketball team’s second import for the 2019 season. A two time team captain at Clark Atlanta University, Williams was named conference player of the year as a senior in the 2017/18 NCAA season. In his two years with the Clark Atlanta Panthers, Williams led his team to the NCAA Division 2 tournament in both each year. Geelong Supercats head coach Leon O’Neill said he was looking forward to the point guard’s arrival in 2019 and what he could bring to the men’s team.