Get the latest news to your email inbox FREE!

REGISTER

Get the latest news to your email inbox FREE!

REGISTER
HomeIndyDouble Take

Double Take

Angling expert and On the Bite columnist Brian Long has handed the rod to new ownership and management at his iconic fishing shop on Shannon Ave.
Brian, who followed legendary dad Ray into the Manifold Heights institution, finished full-time duties last week as he began the descent into a well-earned retirement.
So what does a seasoned retail operator do to keep busy after so many years in the trade?
Golf? Travel?
Silly question?
“Fishing,” answered Brian with a weary smile.

Insurance company Vero might struggle to gain new customers from Geelong given its latest advertising campaign.
The Brisbane Lions sponsor’s latest TV commercial features Geelong’s embarrassing game in round 13 last year when the Cats surrendered a 52-point lead to lose to the underdogs.
Too bad insurance doesn’t extend to losing footy games.

A planned Geelong public meeting on fracking has raised eyebrows after organisers denied permission for a local radio show to record and broadcast the proceedings.
But Mik Aidt, of The Pulse’s Sustainable Hour program, was unsurprised, despite his show broadcasting four other public meetings on fracking in the past couple of years.
“I assume it’s because it’s also the first time Lakes Oil comes to the microphone at a public meeting in our region. They probably have good reasons to be nervous about that,” Mik concluded.
So much for the “public” meeting concept.

Indy reader Peter Mackinlay has noted a discrepency in local fundraising for cancer research.
On this week’s Letters page he discusses the focus on breast cancer, and rightly so, but then highlights the lesser prominence of prostate cancer despite its higher Australian mortality rate.
Pink buns are raising money for breast cancer, Peter observes, but what’s the prostate option? He provides an, er, cheeky suggestion.
For his effort Peter earns two thumbs up, or perhaps a finger.

Digital Edition
Subscribe

Get an all ACCESS PASS to the News and your Digital Edition with an online subscription

Hot rods roar to life

One of the region’s biggest classic car and hot rod events will roar back to life for another year in Queenscliff. Queenscliff Rod...

Summer cranks up

More News

16-year low for water storages

Greater Geelong’s water storages are at a 16-year low, closing out 2025 at a combined capacity of 47.2 per cent. It is the lowest level...

Battling illegal dumping

Geelong roadside maintenance crews are appealing to the community to stop illegal dumping and save ratepayers money. City of Greater Geelong has...

Summer cranks up

Summer seems to have upped its game a notch and Independent photographer Ivan Kemp went to Ocean Grove main beach on Tuesday 20 January...

Call out for Battle of the Bands

Young musicians across Golden Plains Shire are being encouraged to participate at the 2026 Battle of the Bands competition. Battle of the Bands is a...

Giant killers Leopold into T20 decider

Leopold became giant killers at Reynolds Oval, winning through to the Geelong Cricket Association top grade T20 grand final. One of only two GCA2 sides...

Land sale feedback wanted

Golden Plains Shire intends to sell council-owned land at 132 Milton Street, Bannockburn and wants community feedback. The vacant parcel of 3.5 hectares in the...

Community heroes nominated

Golden Plains Shire has announced nominations for its Community Awards 2026. The awards recognise and celebrate the exceptional contributions made by individuals and groups. Young community...

Top-order stability for Grove

Openers Shaun Fankhauser and Dan Roddis combined for their third major partnership in a row to catapult Ocean Grove to an eight-wicket derby win...

World star leads Drysdale to victory

Led by 2024 world No 1 Kelsey Cottrell, Drysdale is four points outside the Geelong Bowls Region Premier Pennant top four after upsetting Ocean...

500 games for Anglesea legend

Anglesea Cricket Club legend Mark Stoneham’s 499 games have always been played in the right spirit. Competitive, but scrupulously fair, the 62-year-old is still making...