IN BRIEF – April 4, 2019

Refugee advocates call for fairness and decency
ADVOCATES for refugees and asylum seekers in the Geelong region will launch a campaign this weekend urging the federal government to “choose fairness and decency”. The Combined Refugee Action Group is asking voters in Corangamite to consider the issue as they go to the polls at the coming federal election, and will be handing out “scorecards” listing
the respective positions of the major political parties. The Choose Fairness and Decency campaign will be launched at the riverbank near Barwon Heads Bridge (at the rotunda, if it is raining) on Sunday, April 7 at noon.

Torquay Fire Brigade to hold open day
THE Torquay Fire Brigade will hold an open day next weekend. The CFA brigade will have a barbecue lunch, station tours, fire truck demonstrations, and much more. Meet local firefighters and find out more about how to join the brigade. The open day will be held at the Torquay fire station on Sunday, April 14 from 11am-2pm.

Free workshops for volunteers next week
VOLUNTEERS and volunteer managers have been invited to attend free workshops being held in Torquay next week. Volunteering Geelong and Be Collective are hosting the event, in which participants can learn how to find support when volunteering, get access to a free platform to easily manage volunteers, and advertise for free with Volunteering Geelong. The workshops will be held at Torquay Community House on Monday, April 8 from noon-1pm and from 5-6pm. No booking required. For more information, email [email protected].

ANGAIR to celebrate 50 years
ANGAIR (Anglesea Aireys Inlet Society for the Preservation of Flora and Fauna) begins its 50th year celebrations with the launch of a history – “ANGAIR: the first 50 years”. The book will be launched at the golden anniversary dinner at The Sands Torquay on April 27, the same date that the society’s first meeting was held in 1969. Guest speaker, Dr Mark Norman, chief conservation scientist at Parks Victoria, will discuss “The Challenges of a Changing World: Conservation and Park Management”. For details for booking by Wednesday April 10, head to angair.org.au.

Small Business Bus to visit Apollo Bay
SMALL business operators in the Apollo Bay area will be able to get access to support and government business services when the Small Business Bus visits the town on Monday, April 10. Through the bus, small business mentoring specialists provide advice in marketing, finance, human resources and sales. The Small Business Bus will be located at the Apollo
Bay foreshore (opposite the newsagency) at 135 Great Ocean Road from 10am to 4pm. Free mentoring sessions on board the bus are limited and bookings are essential. Head to business.vic.gov.au/sbb or phone 13 22 15.