About: james

July 30, 2020

Non-urgent elective surgery suspended to free up aged care beds

THE state government has put a halt to all elective surgery in hospitals except for urgent cases in response to a surge in coronavirus...

July 30, 2020

Arts ambition: Feasibility study recommends $28 million development in Torquay

A FEASIBILITY study into Torquay’s long-awaited dedicated arts space has recommended an extensive knockdown/rebuild that will house several facilities in one $28-million development. As well...

July 30, 2020

One in five Australians have a mental health condition, report says

A new report from the Australian Institute for Health and Welfare (AIHW) confirms the widespread nature of mental illness in Australia.

The Australia’s Health 2020...

July 30, 2020

Jan Juc artist creates inspirational mural

A JAN Juc artist hopes her colourful piece of public art is inspirational and honours those who are fighting and have survived brain and...

July 28, 2020

Community concerns about Torquay North roadblocks

THE roadblocks installed by the Surf Coast Shire council in Torquay North are proving divisive, with some residents in the area urging the shire...

July 23, 2020

Coronavirus cases spike in Geelong region but no sign yet of Stage 3 restrictions

TWO schools in the Geelong region shut their doors earlier this week after suspected coronavirus cases, but Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has not signalled...

July 23, 2020

Indigo-slow: Developer of Torquay hotel will wait until tourists return

THE proponent of Hotel Indigo in Torquay says he is not rushing to get the five-storey project built and will assess the best timing...

July 23, 2020

Coker and Henderson plead with Melburnians to stay home

THE message to Melburnians to stay away from their holiday homes during the capital’s coronavirus lockdown has bipartisan support, with Geelong’s federal Labor and...

July 23, 2020

Tourism industry will go to the wall without JobKeeper, VTIC warns

THE tourism industry has taken the biggest hit from the knock-on effects of the coronavirus pandemic, according to new figures, and the Victoria Tourism...

July 23, 2020

JobKeeper and JobSeeker extended for six months

THE JobKeeper and JobSeeker schemes have been extended beyond September, but the payments will be reduced. On Tuesday this week, Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced...

July 22, 2020

Most Victorians not self-isolating when sick or after being tested for coronavirus

A RECORD 484 cases of coronavirus have been identified in Victoria in the past 24 hours, and Premier Daniel Andrews has revealed most Victorians...

July 22, 2020

2020 Queenscliff Music Festival cancelled

THE Queenscliff Music Festival (QMF) has been officially cancelled off for 2020, but organisers have promised to return next year. In an update sent out...

July 17, 2020

Face masks recommended in regional Victoria

PEOPLE in regional Victoria are now being recommended to wear a face mask when outside their home if it is difficult to maintain social...

July 16, 2020

Local pubs vetting IDs during Melbourne lockdown

PUBS and restaurants across the Geelong region are keeping an eye out for non-local customers as they follow the state government's latest changes to...

July 16, 2020

Get tested for COVID-19, even outside Melbourne

THE latest coronavirus lockdown restrictions do not apply to Geelong and surrounds, but the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is still urging...

July 16, 2020

Tigers juniors tune up with practice matches

THE Torquay Tigers juniors are roaring to get out on the field, and some of them tested their skills on Sunday in an intraclub...

July 16, 2020

Dividing line: Developer slams council’s roadblocks between Torquay North estates

THE developer of The Quay and Quay 2 has slammed the Surf Coast Shire council’s decision to close roads connecting the two Torquay North...

July 16, 2020

G21 warns “perfect storm” could wash away Geelong’s tourism industry

LEADING lobby group G21 says tourism in the Geelong region is facing a "perfect storm" of negative impacts, and is urging the Morrison Government...

July 15, 2020

Boorai Centre to stay closed until next week

The Boorai Centre in Ocean Grove will remain closed for the rest of this week and reopen on July 20, following confirmation that a...

July 14, 2020

The Sands Resort enters voluntary administration

THE Sands Resort in Torquay has entered voluntary administration, with the Melbourne office of firm PKF Australia to make "an urgent assessment of the...

July 13, 2020

Councillor Column: Ron Nelson from the City of Greater Geelong, July 9

Recovery WITH the spike in COVID-19 cases in Melbourne recently, I’ll admit it can be difficult at times to keep morale up and continue looking...

July 12, 2020

Geelong road projects share in fast-tracked funding

FIVE road projects in the Geelong region will share in $16 million as part of a fast-tracked infrastructure program. On Monday, the Victorian and federal...

July 11, 2020

New fund to help tourism operators cover corona cancellations

LEADING industry bodies have welcomed the state government's establishment of a $5 million fund for businesses facing cancellations from people in the locked-down postcodes...

July 10, 2020

NAIDOC Week postponed until November

NAIDOC 2020 celebrations due to take place across the region this week have been postponed until November. Following the lead of the NAIDOC National Committee,...