Community urged to prioritise ladder safety as hospitalisations rise
THE community is being urged to take care when climbing ladders, whether people are decorating their homes with Christmas decorations or taking advantage of...
The Pierce Brothers return to The Night Tree
Melbourne indie-folk duo the Pierce Brothers will stop by the Torquay Hotel next year as part of a national tour celebrating the 10th anniversary...
Playgroup wraps up successful year with Christmas party
JAN Juc's Bob Pettitt Pavilion was abuzz with festive fun and laughter on Tuesday morning, as local families gathered for the Jan Juc Playgroup's...
Leon Bridges cancels A Day on the Green show
GRAMMY Award-winning Texan singer-songwriter Leon Bridges has cancelled his coming A Day on the Green performance at Mt Duneed Estate due to a scheduling...
Food system strategy needed to feed growing population, inquiry says
A PARLIAMENTARY inquiry has called on the state government to develop a whole-of-government food system strategy to secure the state's food supply into the...
A new approach to the youth mental health crisis
A new digital tool aiming to provide local schools with the information they need to better understand the mental health and wellbeing of their...
Local graduates to save hundreds in student debt
AN ESTIMATED 38,000 student debts across the Surf Coast and Greater Geelong region will be reduced by hundreds of dollars, after legislation changing how...
New CEO to take reins at Geelong Sustainability
GEELONG Sustainability will enter 2025 with a new leader at its helm, with chief executive officer Dan Cowdell set to step down from the...
Santa and fun await at Jan Juc Playgroup Christmas event
THE Jan Juc Playgroup will next week host its annual Christmas party celebration for its members, volunteers and any local families interested in joining...
Apollo Bay welcomes cruise ship visitors this weekend
A CRUISE ship will anchor offshore of Apollo Bay this weekend, boosting tourism and supporting local businesses in the coastal township in the lead...
Local ‘fairy godmothers’ make Christmas wishes come true
SURF Coast "fairy godmothers" Gail McCully and Liza Graham are back at it again this year, ensuring no child misses out on gifts this...
State’s pill testing trial to be launched at local music festival
BEYOND the Valley will be the first music festival to host a mobile drug checking site as part of the Victorian government's forthcoming pill...
Big hair, big laughs, big ideas: Effie takes on Geelong
Larger-than-life Greek goddess Effie Stephanidis will bring her big hair, propensity for malapropisms and even bigger personality to Geelong Arts Centre next year for...
Housing affordability continues to decline across region
COASTAL towns are among the least affordable regions in Victoria and several local townships are now considered unaffordable for the average regional Victorian family...
‘Cash mandate’ to require businesses to accept cash for essential items
THE federal government has this month announced it will mandate that businesses must accept cash when selling essential items, such as groceries and fuel. Consultation...
Local women’s health group empowers community
SURF Coast Women's Health Group last week hosted an evening of connection and laughter that brought together women of all ages and backgrounds to...
Online study tackles loneliness and dementia
Researchers are seeking participants for a world-first online study investigating the role of social engagement in maintaining brain function and wellbeing. The UNSW Sydney's Centre...
Bulk billing rises in regional Victoria
THE proportion of doctors' visits bulk billed across regional Victoria over the past 12 months has increased to 77.1 per cent, figures released by...
Local health service wins Premier’s award
GREAT Ocean Road Health has this month been named the Premier's Small Health Service of the Year at the Victorian Public Healthcare Awards. The health...
Meadow music festival to end after 10 years
INTERNATIONALLY renowned neo-soul four-piece Hiatus Kaiyote and psychedelic rockers Pond will headline the 10th and final Meadow music festival. Set to take place between March...
The SAFV Centre appoints new CEO
THE Sexual Assault and Family Violence (SAFV) Centre has found its new leader. Kerriann Campbell-Jones, an executive with more than 15 years' experience in the...
Employers urged to follow child employment laws this summer
VICTORIA'S child employment watchdog is urging local businesses intending to hire young people under the age of 15 over the summer holidays to ensure...
Share the Dignity seeks donations for Christmas appeal
NOT-FOR-PROFIT organisation Share the Dignity has this week launched its annual Christmas appeal and is calling on the community to come together to support...
Our Village seeks help as demand soars
LOCAL not-for-profit organisation Our Village is appealing to the community for assistance as its waitlist balloons to unprecedented levels. The charity, formerly known as Geelong...