Holiday hit
Victoria’s new grand final eve public holiday will cost the Geelong region up to $30 million, according to MP Simon Ramsay.
The Member for Western Victoria said the holiday would hit local businesses hard, with a single bakery estimating a $10,000 bill.
Elcho boost
A funding injection will help build new change rooms at the region’s only club-owned soccer field, Sport Minister John Eren has announced.
He unveiled the $150,000 for North Geelong Warrior’s Elcho Park facility at a luncheon before Saturday’s match, calling change rooms “the most important infrastructure at any sporting club”.
WorldSkills medal
Grovedale hairdressing apprentice Hayley Parker has won a Medallion of Excellence at a WorldSkills International Competition in Brazil.
Ms Parker won the medallion for achieving above-average scores at the event, featuring competition among trade apprentices from more than 50 countries.
ICU first
The first patient through Geelong’s newest intensive care unit has praised its services.
Richard Kerr was thrilled to be the “lucky first” in Geelong Private Hospital’s $3 million unit after it opened “just for me”.
Capital idea
Geelong will have its say at a federal inquiry into assisting regional capitals today, according to a senator.
Peter Whish-Wilson said the travelling inquiry was seeking input from the cities into how Canberra could “craft policy specifically to cater for their needs”.
Deakin stars
Geelong’s Deakin University has teaching rated four stars out of five but its graduates achieve one-star salaries, according to a new survey.
The Good Universities Guide also gave Deakin a rating of two stars for graduates’ chances of achieving full-time jobs.
Speed cuts
VicRoads has permanently lowered the Great Ocean Road’s speed limit to 60km/h between Eastern View and Cinema Point and from Big Hill to Cathedral Rock.
South west regional director Mark Koliba said the area recorded 28 accidents over the past five years, 10 involving serious injuries.
