A fundraising campaign has been launched to upgrade Queenscliffe’s only basketball courts. 

The Point Lonsdale Basketball Association (PLBA) is hoping to raise $120,000 to resurface the courts, at the Point Lonsdale Primary School courts, and add four new adjustable rings. 

“This upgrade will provide a safe training ground for all our teams and mark the beginning of our journey to establish a true home for basketball,"  it said. 

The association was formed two years ago to bring together local teams that compete in the Bellarine competition. In that time, the number of PLBA-affiliated teams has grown from just two to 23. 

It launched the appeal at an inaugural Basketball Fair, held at the school on July 14. 

Follow this link to donate.

Can you pen a short story in exactly 50 words?

Not 49, or 52 - but exactly 50!

The Queenscliffe Literary Festival’s Penned Micro-fiction Writing Competition is on again, challenging budding writers to submit an original shot story with a very small word count.

There are bookshop vouchers to be won in Open, Secondary and Primary school categories.

This year’s judges are award-winning authors Jock Strong, Mark Smith and Favel Parret. 

Last year’s competition attracted 350 entries. 
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Entries close at midnight on Saturday 21 September. Winners will be announced on 12 October. 

Two local community groups are the beneficiaries of a local bulk buy solar program. 

More than 36 kilowatts of solar panels will be installed at the Bellarine Railway and the Queenscliff Lonsdale Yacht Club (QLYC) for free, as part of Queenscliffe’s Community Solar Program.

Launched by the Queenscliffe Climate Action Now (QCAN) in 2023 in partnership with Vortex Electrical, the program pledged to donate solar panels or funding towards equipment for every solar and/or battery system installed.

“Now it’s come full circle [and] through participation in the program, our community generate the equivalent of a 10kw solar system, plus $2,300 worth of solar equipment,” said QCAN spokesperson Kitty Walker. 

“The extra cool part of this story is that the donation has been leveraged to install not one, but three systems across two community organisations - totalling more than 36kw of local solar generation.”

A 6.5 kW system installed by Vortex at the QLYC is already producing renewable energy while two 14.8 kW systems are proposed for the railway, subject to Heritage Victoria and Vic Track approvals.
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Together, the new systems are expected to reduce community carbon emissions by more than 42 tonnes per year.

Two Altona Meadows men have been convicted and fined nearly $16,000 for illegally netting fish in Port Phillip last year.

The two, aged 78 and 43, recently pleaded guilty in the Melbourne Magistrates Court to several charges including the unauthorised use of commercial fishing equipment, illegally selling fish, and dealing in the proceeds of crime.

“The older man, who was fined $5500, is one of eight remaining commercial licence holders in Port Phillip, permitted to catch fish on long lines, but not with nets, which were phased out from the bay in April 2022. The younger man was fined $10,300,” said Ian Parks, Victorian Fishing Authority (VFA) Director of Education and Enforcement. 

They were arrested in November last year following a six-month investigation, codenamed Operation Debris, which began in June 2023 when Fisheries Officers located a large quantity of mesh net hidden along a remote section of shoreline on the western side of Port Phillip.

In an effort to remain undetected, the duo had been fishing with up to 844 metres of net under the cover of darkness, often traveling dangerously without navigation lights visible on their boat.

Having launched their vessel, they would collect hidden nets from the shoreline, catch a variety of fish, then stash the nets back ashore before returning to the boat ramp with their haul, which included snapper, gummy shark, and bream.

Their activity occurred around Point Wilson and internationally-recognised Bellarine Peninsula Ramsar Site which has six distinct wetland areas.
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The illegal nets were seized and taken back to the VFA’s Queenscliff Harbour offices. 
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A boat shed, named in honour of a legendary Queenscliff boat builder, will be refurbished after securing a $50,000 Victorian Government grant. 

Queenscliff Maritime Museum’s Gil Albutt  Boat Shed is one of five Bellarine small projects to secure funding under the Victorian Government’s $20 million Tiny Towns Fund. 

Mr Albutt led a team of volunteers who voluntarily built the shed in 1995. It was officially re-named in his honour after he died in 2021, aged 88. 

The grant will help transform the space for community gatherings. 

“Our Bellarine tiny towns might be small in population but they have a big heart,” said Member for Bellarine Alison Marchant. “I know grants like these make our towns even better places to live and visit.”

​Other Bellarine projects to share funding include: 
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• Indented Head Yacht Club have received $10,000 to deliver clubhouse refurbishments.
• St Leonards Progress Association have received $11,416 to deliver an entrance and courtyard surface and shade upgrade.
• Portarlington Bayside Miniature Railway Inc have received $21,000 to deliver a refurbishment of the Point Richards Station and Signal Box Building.
• Bellarine Bears Baseball Club have received $50,000 to deliver improvements to fencing at the Wallington Recreation Reserve Baseball field.

Point Lonsdale’s Bea Conroy has booked a place on the  Bioglan Bells Beach Longboard Classic World Tour after claiming the 2024 Victorian Longboard Titles.

Conroy carried her strong recent form into the final weekend of the state championships, held at 13th Beach over the weekend of May 11th and 12th. 

She finished with a heat total of 16.17, ahead of Asha Reaves (Melbourne) on 12.90 points.

“I am pretty happy to say I’ve come back and got the title this year” said Conroy. “Surfing at my favourite spot with the worlds best is going to be something pretty special. It’s an amazing opportunity that I will make the most of.”

She will next compete at the Bells Beach Longboard Classic from July 18-21.
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Photo courtesy Surfing Victoria

The Point Lonsdale Arts Collective has blamed financial pressures for its decision to put a “pause” on future event programming.

In a letter to supporters posted on its webpage, the small company said it needed time to re-evaluate what it does and how it presents events to the community. 

“From the very start, we have been buoyed by the immediate and passionate uptake to participate in everything we threw at you, from exhibitions, workshops, live performances, dancing in the dark and supper,” the post said. 

“Each event has helped to grow a culture of deep listening and generous participation, spurred on by our incredible programmed artists, the warmth of our community and the dedication of our board members, volunteers and generous partners.” 

In the six years since it was formed, the Collective has driven numerous live music concerts at its New Hall venue in Point Lonsdale and has played a significant role in driving community participation arts and cultural activities.

However, it said in the past six months it had become increasingly apparent that significant post-COVID challenges remain for small arts bodies.  

“Rising costs, unpredictable tickets sales, more difficult access to grant funding, and precarious financial times ahead, combined with ‘life’ pressures on all of us and the real possibility of team fatigue, means that we have to take a few months break and spend some time working out how we move forward,” the Collective said.

“We’ll take some time to reimagine the creative experiences we hope to offer our community and our artists and then reboot for a strong and bright future. 

“Our decision to pause was not an easy decision to make. However, we believe that it will allow us to find a way forward that speaks to further creative expansion, playfulness and adventure,” it added. 
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FOR NEW HALL HIRE ENQUIRIES, please contact Jan Hodge at:
ph: 0429 356 230

A series of six wellbeing workshops will commence in Queenscliff in March, aimed at promoting a positive mindset.

Hosted by Bellarine-based group Shedding the Blues, the ‘Bright Side of Life Optimism Workshops’ will cover a range of themes including Positive Psychology, Understanding Ourselves, Strengthening Relationships, Resilience and Bouncing Back from challenging circumstances.

The program is supported by the Borough of Queenscliffe and each workshop will be held at the Queenscliff Hub, commencing on Thursday 11 March and continuing every Thursday until 11 April. 
Through a shared love of music, Shedding the Blues was established to support the mental health in our local community. 

“Because Shedding the Blues is a community group using music as a means of connection and a way of fostering sound mental and physical health, we will be including live music from our members in the workshops,” said coordinator, Des Gorman. 

“The music we chose will set the scene for each particular topic so it should be a lot of fun coupled with some important information and discussion facilitated by former psychologist and teacher, Roger Dingle.” 
The workshops are open to all genders and aged. Registrations can be made through Trybooking at: https://trybooking.com/COUIX or by phoning Des on 0407546391.​

Point Lonsdale disability advocate Katie Alexander has achieved an important personal goal, by completing her first-ever Melbourne to Geelong Passage Race in January.

The 59-year-old, who lives with a rare muscle wasting disease, competed onboard the 52-foot ex-Sydney to Hobart yacht ‘Wot Eva,’ after enduring 18 months of intensive physiotherapy to prepare for the event. 

"I've never been a sporty person, but when I was first introduced to sailing it just grabbed me," she told Sail World magazine.

"Given my physical limitations with deteriorating muscle strength and numbness in my hands and legs, I just feel an enormous sense of freedom and peace when I'm out there on the water. It has truly been life changing!"

The race was held over the Australia Day long weekend, as part of Royal Geelong Yacht Club’s Festival of Sails. 

Katie is a founding member of the Making Waves Foundation, which introduces children and young people living with disability to experience sailing. She is also a national Ambassador for Rare Voices Australia - Australia’s peak disability advocacy group.   

“I now know first-hand how sailing and the teamwork that underpins being part of a crew can help people like me focus on what's possible, and the thrill of being able to achieve something that might have previously seemed impossible." she said.”
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Read the full Sail World Magazine story here.

Queenscliff and Point Lonsdale have once again been called out in a new report, warning of the impacts of coastal inundation.

The Port Phillip Bay Coastal Hazard Assessment (PPBCHA) looks at the likely extent of flooding, changes in groundwater, and the impact of erosion for Port Phillip Bay in the decades to come.

Its findings are set to shake up the Borough of Queenscliffe’s (BoQ) planning scheme, with mapping show low-lying areas of the municipality at high risk from the impacts of climate change including storm tide inundation, erosion and changes in groundwater.

Welcoming the assessment, a Council spokesperson said the PPBCHA was vital to guiding risk management and mitigation measures. 

“We have waited five years for this research to be completed and shared. Our priority now is to work through the data and to engage with the Victorian Government on next steps,” the spokesperson said.

“The PPBCHA is a critically important project because it provides land managers and owners with updated data on areas at risk of sea level rise, inundation, and erosion. 

“Further work now needs to be done at the local level to understand the implications of the hazard assessment in terms of potential risk and cost.”

Queenscliffe CEO Martin Gill and the BoQ’s Land Use Strategic Planner were among local government officials to receive a special briefing on the report on Tuesday 9 January. 

“An important next step will be updating planning schemes to reflect the latest mapping of sea level rise, inundation, and erosion risk,” the spokesperson said. 

“It is critical that the State takes the lead on this, with the Minister for Planning using her powers under the Planning and Environment Act to update schemes to reflect the latest data and ensure there is a consistent approach across the state.

“This advocacy is already happening through our membership in the Victorian Marine and Coastal Councils, the Association of Bayside Municipalities, G21 and MAV.”

Environment Minister Steve Dimopolous said the Assessment’s technical reports had been prepared by a range of external providers, including the CSIRO, and had undergone a rigorous independent peer review.
“Victoria’s precious coastline is already being impacted by climate change. Our focus is on managing the risks, adapting to the changes, and supporting communities and industries to be resilient.
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“The Port Phillip Bay Coastal Hazard Assessment will be used to help local authorities and Victorians make better informed decision around our changing coastal environment,” the Minister said.
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A Queenscliff land owner is taking his bid to be able to fly a helicopter from his Burnt Point property to VCAT, after it was rejected by the Queenscliffe Council. 

In June 2022, the applicant, a property developer, sought a planning permit from the Borough of Queenscliffe (BoQ) to operate a helicopter from his land at 6 McDonald Road for business purposes. 
It was subsequently rejected at Council’s October 2023 meeting.

According to the application, the helicopter would be used no more than eight times per month and on a restricted flight path.

“My neighbours in McDonald Road have years ago been advised that a helicopter occasionally operates out of the site and have not raised any concerns,” it said.

“The aircraft is generally used as a mode of transport in the business the company operates, which is land development… mainly in Geelong, Bannockburn, Inverleigh, Batesford and other towns. 

“It is more efficient visiting sites by helicopter than the car in time, cost and safety,” it continued. 

The proposal received upwards of 25 objections, chiefly concerned about impacts on Swan Bay’s migratory birds. 

In refusing the application, Council said the proposal was not sensitive to “the environmental values, fauna habitats and natural environments” of the property’s RAMSAR-listed foreshore location.

The helicopter landing site would detract from broad environmental qualities, impact a range of bird species and was “at odds with the character of the location which is focused on minimising impact to the important terrestrial and marine environments adjacent the area of McDonald Road,” it said.
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A date for the VCAT hearing is yet to be set. 

Plans for a bike park in Point Lonsdale are moving forward, with the Borough of Queenscliffe releasing a tender for its design. 

According to the tender documents, the bike park would be in the order of 2,500 square meters in size. To be located alongside the existing skateboard park, the proposed circuit will feature dirt jumps and an asphalt pump track, suitable for both novice and serious riders.    

“It would be a win for everyone in our community; local riders would have a safe, all- ages location suitable for all levels of experience to practice,” said CEO Martin Gill. “It would better protect fragile vegetation in other areas previously used for riding.”

The proposal to date is based on community consultation, including an insight design workshop with riders. The final design process would begin once a consultant is appointed,” Mr Gill said. 

The BoQ is yet to secure either Federal or State government funding support towards the project’s estimated cost of more than $520,000. 
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“The design will assist in future bids for external funding to progress construction of the bike park,” Mr Gill said.
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More details can be found here.

Queenscliff has pulled off one of the coups of the BFNL off season by signing on former Australian Diamond Jane Searle as senior netball coach for 2024. 

Searle, who has had an un-official attachment to the Coutas over several years, mentored the A-Grade side last season -  helping it to its first finals appearance in more than 20 years. 

She replaces Katrina Daws, who stepped down as coach after two seasons in the job. 

Searle is a Victorian Institute of Sport Hall of Fame member , boasting an impressive record on and off the court. The former national assistant coach has also coached the Melbourne Kestrals, West Coast Fever, Adelaide Thunderbirds. She was also previously mentor with the Brunei national team.

“We are honoured to have Jane as Head Coach at Queenscliff and look forward to next season,” the club posted on its Facebook page. 

Assisting Searle in the role will be Queenscliffe local Laura Clarke, who returns to the Coutas having played over many years as a junior.  

Laura’s mum Sylvia was a founding member of the club.

“They say if you want something done you ask a buddy person and with two young children, a career as a paramedic and a husband who has put up his hand to be the QFNC Reserves coach, Laura certainly has her hands full,” the club said. 

The club’s talent stocks have been boosted in the off-season with the signing of state level player, and former Queenscliff junior Laura Cayzer and talented teenagers Madison Foot and Sienna Bruhn - sister of Geelong footballer Tanner Bruhn. 
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Cayzer was a member of the Geelong Cougars Victorian Netball League Club and more recently played at GFL club St Mary’s.

Queenscliff’s new $15 million ferry terminal has been recognised on the world stage, picking up an award at The Architectural Masterprize. 

The building, designed by Melbourne-based F2 Architecture for Searoad Ferries, was named ‘Best of the Best’ in the Transportation category of the prestigious international awards. 

To top of the success, Tim Griffiths, who submitted accompanying photographs of the terminal building, also collected the top gong for Architecture Masterprize Photography.

Run out of the United States, The Architecture Masterprize fields entries from leading architects worldwide.

It is the latest accolade for the striking building, which officially opened to the public in April 2023. In June it received a commendation in the Public Architecture category at the Victorian Architecture Awards.

In designing the two-storey building, F2’s Franco Fiorentini and his team drew inspiration from the surrounding environment and historic buildings.  

Its sweeping arches frame views to Swan Island in the north, and Port Philip Heads to the south, while elongated wings extending from the roof line resemble the multiple species of stingray that inhabit Port Phillip Bay.
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The Searoad Ferries car and passenger ferry service is Australia’s busiest with over 8,200 crossings annually, carrying more than 950,000 passengers.
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Sixteen Queenscliff Primary School students can now call themselves authors, after a book featuring their imaginative storytelling was published. 

‘Stories from Life’ is the culmination of a writing project initiated during Book Week 2023. 

Students were set the challenge to start telling a true story about themselves, and then let their imagination take over, explained mentor Jayne Tuttle - herself a published author and owner of the Bookshop Queenscliff. 

“The result is a series of fabulously written, unique and surprising tales.”​
Described as a “wild and wonderful romp through the imaginative minds” of the 16 participants, ‘Stories from Life’ is now available for purchase from the Bookshop, with all proceeds going to the primary school.