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Dynamo Dot back in the swim

31/12/2015

 
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Competitors in this weekend’s Point Lonsdale’s Rip View Swim Classic may not be aware of the world champion in their midst.

​After vowing last year that she had completed her last swim, Dorothy Dickey will be lining up for her 28th race.

“I know I said never again but I do have every intention of doing the swim, as long as you can guarantee a nice calm day for me,” she said.  

And the 85-year-old marvel could not be in better shape for the event having recorded two official world record swims in her age group in the past 12 months, and one un-official one.

“This year has been unbelieveable. I’ve been a busy little girl.“

That is an understatement!

Dickey was shocked when she learned she had set a new 800 metre world short course record in the 85-90 age group at the Australian Nationals in Hobart in April.

“I did the swim and the referee came over and said Dot, I think you might have broken the world record. I said don’t be stupid… anyway I did, I couldn’t believe it.

Soon after she clocked another title at the FINA World Championships in Russia. 

“I did the 800-metres again and I broke that record in the long course and I thought you silly old bugger, so that was a lot of fun.”

​The irrepressible octogenarian shaved a further two seconds off the time at the Masters games in Adelaide, however that event’s swims are not internationally recognized. She also managed to squeeze in an open water swim in Barbados – all on top of a weekly training regime that would pout most teenagers to shame.

In fact she is proof perfect you are never too old to try new things, having not taken up competitive swimming until her mid 50’s. Since then she has competed in all 27 Rip Views and numerous other big open water swims.  

“I could swim, I didn’t have to be taught how to do that but I joined the [Doncaster] swimming club when I was 54 and I went on from there. I just kept going and I haven’t stopped going since.

“I’m still doing training twice a week – Tuesdays and Thursdays and Saturdays and I go down and have a paddle on a Sunday. It’s just great.

​“I haven’t missed a Point Lonsdale swim because I enjoy it, it’s a good day down there.  A lot of us go and we all congregate in our little area on the grass near the change rooms and you’ve got the shops there and you can go and have a cup of coffee. It’s a great party atmosphere.”

Upwards of 1500 swimmers will again line up for the 1.4km swim on Sunday January 3. This year’s event will for the first time include a longer 3.8km swim, starting at Santa Casa Beach.

The Rip View swim is the first of Victoria’s  big summer ocean swims. It is also Point Lonsdale Surf Life Saving Club’s biggest annual fundraising event.

The event start at 11am. Online entries close this Friday evening.

Two storey cabins for Shortland's Bluff

12/12/2015

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Queenscliff’s Shortland’s Bluff will house 10 two-storey eco-cabins, a government funding pitch has disclosed.

The Borough of Queenscliffe hopes to attract $4m from Canberra for the estimated $7.15m accommodation hub on the former Port of Melbourne site, at the base of the Queenscliff lighthouse.

The surprise revelation, contained in a Queenscliffe Council document outlining priority projects ahead of next year’s federal election, has shocked some residents including David Kenwood, who sat on the recent community reference group tasked last year with determining the site’s future.

“I sat through the entire lighthouse reserve committee forums and I didn’t realise that we were talking about two-storey eco-units on Shortland’s Bluff and I’m sure a lot of other people didn’t,” the former Councillor told November’s council meeting.

“I guess what makes it equally galling is that a majority of people only voted for landscaping, with no eco-units on that site and now to be told they are going to be two-storey is quite a surprise.

“I’m sure Mr CEO that it is news to a lot of people,” he said.

Borough CEO Lenny Jenner said the proposal, which will be pitched to Corangamite MP Sarah Henderson ahead of next year’s poll, was “consistent” with options included in a public discussion paper for the site.

“That was the subject of extensive public consultation and then concluded with council formally resolving to support that direction and formally asking officers to seek funding opportunities from state and federal government to achieve that outcome.



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Above: the Queenscliff lighthouse could be the site of 10 two-storey eco-cabins, if the Borough of Queenscliff can secure government funding

The Borough is also seeking $2m in federal funding for the proposed Queenscliffe Community Hub project, incorporating a redeveloped museum, library and visitor information centre, is also identified as a pre-election priority project.

The Shortlands Bluff Activation Project incorporates the Queenscliff lighthouse reserve, fort and recreation precinct.

“[It] will drive new tourism visitation, strengthening Queenscliffe’s destination appeal and be a stimulus for new tourism product, investment and employment creation. Implementation will also lead to new services and products that will improve the liveability of the Borough,” the document states. ​
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Coutas hit the track

10/12/2015

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Upwards of 40 footballers have started pre-season training in a strong show of support for new Queenscliff senior coaches Andrew Hodgson and Jono Casey.

Hodgson said the numbers to date had been pleasing and were a promising sign for the season ahead.
“It’s been a really good turn out and has allowed us to do some solid drills and full training sessions. It’s a real credit to the boys because they are obviously wanting to get something out of it,” he said. 

Among those at hitting the track are returning talents Daniel Gibbs  and Jayden Durran, along with new Bell Park recruit Jason Graham.

Colts players have also joined in the sessions, some hopeful of a senior call up this coming season.

“It’s certainly something that Johnno and I are keen on is to get the young guys involved and make them feel a part of the senior group because I think once you get to Under 18s you essentially become a part of the senior footy club. It just creates a tighter bond between the players,” he said.
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Casey and Hodgson were appointed joint coaches in October, having spent several seasons playing at GFL club St Joseph’s.
 
Pictured: New coach Jono Casey takes a pre-season training drill  
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It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

7/12/2015

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St Aloysius Primary School students have taken on the role of Santa’s Little Helpers, delivering Christmas trees to residents across the Borough.

The school has initiated a Christmas Tree Drive to make life a little easier for locals at the very busiest time of the year.

“We found a great supplier in Colac who tends and shapes his trees with love, then insists on delivering them freshly cut on the day of selling them,” said spokesperson Andi Wyatt.

“We have also sourced Christmas Lillies from a farm in Torquay, fresh and barely opening, so they’ll be in full glory for Christmas Day.”

It is the first time the school has held the fundraiser. With enough support it could become an annual event.

“We are also offering a delivery service for a small fee.  And we will even pick up the tree after Christmas on the second weekend in January to then take it to be mulched and recycled,” Ms Wyatt said.

Parents and students have also been busily baking and making decorations for a festive fete on December 6. The event will be held on the corner of Bowen and Point Lonsdale Roads from 8am until 2pm..
Christmas trees can be ordered online at www.eventbrite.com.au. Reference: St Aloysius Christmas Tree Drive
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Fest success

3/12/2015

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Planning is already underway for next year's 20th anniversary Queenscliff Music Festival, following yet another successful event last weekend.
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Upwards of 7,000 patrons again poured through the venue gates over its three-day duration. Cool weather kept numbers down on Friday night but sunshine combined with an impressive line-up of Australian and international talent proved a magnet for music lovers on Saturday and Sunday. 

Festival Director Andrew Orvis said final numbers were still being collated but was confident it had been another profitable event.

“It’s too early to draw a proper assessment but ticket sales were looking pretty close to last year. We’re pretty happy with the outcome and I’m sure it will be a positive result one way or the other. 

“We had great feedback from the weekend. People certainly loved the music, which is most important, but they also loved the layout and a few other little changes we made," he said.

A rare performance by legendary Australian band the Hoodoo Gurus attracted hundreds to the Big Top tent on Saturday night. Leading talents Kate Miller-Heidke, Angus and Julia Stone ensured they returned on Sunday. 
​
“It’s probably the first year ever we’ve already started putting plans in place for the next festival already," Mr Orvis said. "Normally we draw breath and don’t gear up again until January or February but given it’s our 20th year we have already got some things in the pipeline for the special occasion."
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