Briefs

Wurdi Baierr stadium opened in Torquay this week.

 

Torquay stadium opens

A new indoor stadium featuring four courts, a café, meeting rooms and parking officially opened in Torquay today.

Wurdi Baierr stadium, pronounced word-ee bay-ear and named after the Wadawurrung words for “big gathering place”, will host a multitude of sports and activities.

Surf Coast Shire funded $5.5 million of the $13.5 million facility, while federal and state governments contributed $5 million and $3 million respectively.

Councillor takes leave

Winchelsea ward councillor Heather Wellington has announced she will take at least two months leave for treatment for a recently-diagnosed heart condition.

Cr Wellington thanked various health staff and said she would donate her councillor allowance to Geelong Community Foundation for a Surf Coast Shire cause.

Apprentice decrease

The number of Geelong apprentices and trainees in training has fallen by 4.2 per cent in the 12 months to September, according to National Centre for Vocational Education Research data released on Wednesday.

The youth unemployment rate increased from 9.9 per cent to 10.9 per cent in the year to December 2020, according ABS data.