Geelong Times

THE efforts of thousands of women and girls across the region were celebrated last week as AFL Barwon concluded its Festival of Female Sport with its annual breakfast.

THE Armstrong Creek Town Centre precinct is a hive of construction activity, with several major developments taking shape as the area’s primary shopping destination continues to expand. The works form part of the town centre’s second stage on the western side of the precinct, between the existing Home.Co shopping centre and the Surf Coast Highway. Part of the corner site at 10 Main Street in the Armstrong Creek Town Centre is still up for lease.

COMMUNITY Grants, big and small, are making a huge difference for residents in Geelong’s northern suburbs. Whether it’s a festival, a game-changing upgrade for your club, or just tools, sporting equipment or even a new fridge, these grants are helping local organisations and residents continue the incredible work they do every day. One of the biggest winners in Corio ward for 2025–26 was Geelong Pool Club, which received a $250,000 Community Infrastructure Grant to expand its clubrooms.

TWO social housing homes in Norlane have had their walls 3D printed in just seven days, in a project that could transform the way houses are built in Australia. Hamlan Homes, with backing from the Victorian government, is building the two three-bedroom homes using a 3D concrete printer, with the technology expected to reduce construction costs and build times.

To successfully transition from a regional operation into a highly profitable market leader, businesses along the Geelong and Surf Coast economic corridors require structured strategic business advisory intervention. Scaling an enterprise demands a meticulous shift away from day-to-day administrative firefighting toward sophisticated financial modelling, equity funding strategies, and multi-year cash flow forecasting.

The Liberals have dismissed concerns their proposed 110kmh speed limit on the Princes Freeway between Geelong and Melbourne would lead to more crashes or injuries, arguing advances in road design and vehicle safety have made the increase safe. The new limit, which the Liberals would introduce if they win November’s state election, would apply on the Princes Freeway and Princes Highway between Laverton and Colac. Some stretches would keep a 100kmh limit, such as near Winchelsea.

JOBS for entry-level forest firefighters are now available across the state as Forest Fire Management Victoria (FFMVic) prepares for the coming bushfire season. Applications are open until 26 July for ongoing and seasonal roles, with successful applicants joining a team of nearly 1,800 frontline personnel and 1,200 accredited incident management staff. FFMVic is looking for recruits with a “can do” attitude who can work as part of a team. Photo: Mark Jesser.

WHEN Liam Prescott moved from Melbourne to Geelong in 2019, he found himself searching for more than just a way to connect and get around the city. Looking to rebuild the sense of community he’d left behind, the urban planner stumbled across local group Friday Night by Bike (FNBB) online. Whilst it took him some time to work up the confidence to join the group for their monthly ride in 2021, five years on, he hasn’t looked back.

THE idea of creating again helped Morgan Bridgeford through the darkest period of his life. Without it, he believes he could have ended up on a very different path. Morgan has collected hundreds of surfboard fins from his daily walks at Winkipop. Photo: Nathan Rivalland. Bridgeford is the creative force behind Found A Fin and Bask Life. His work is inspired by a journey of illness, recovery and a desire to celebrate the Surf Coast’s surfing culture.

The Liberal Party has endorsed Leopold resident Callum Whitehead as its candidate for Bellarine, setting up a contest with incumbent Labor MP Alison Marchant at November’s state election. Whitehead said he was standing to help deliver better opportunities for local families, arguing the Bellarine had been let down the Labor government. “People on the Bellarine, especially myself, have seen what’s been going on over the past 12 years under a Labor government and we’ve just had enough,” he said.