Festa funding
Pako Festa’s rising costs have forced ratepayers to chip in another $10,000 to keep the event viable, according to Geelong’s council.
February’s event already had $72,000 from council’s Geelong Major Events and $150,000 from State Government but needed more funding to cover costs associated with “mitigating risk, insurance and staffing”, council said.
Cats’ $63m
An increase in Kardinia Park home games helped the Cats earn $63 million last year, according to chief Brian Cook.
A membership record and additional revenue from the completion of a Brownlow Stand redevelopment also boosted the club’s finances, which ended the financial year with a $4 million net profit, Cook said.
Five honoured
The CFA will honour five Geelong West Fire Brigade members on Sunday’s 20th anniversary of their deaths in a bushfire near Linton, south-west of Ballarat.
“Brave men” Matthew Armstrong, Jason Thomas, Chris Evans, Stuart Davidson and Garry Vredevelt had inspired training to prevent similar tragedies, said CFA acting chief officer Stephanie Rotarangi.
Fire fine
A tip fire that required the attendance of six CFA tankers has cost Surf Coast Shire an $8060 fine, according to the state’s environmental watchdog.
The shire had failed to monitor the fire site for “hot spots” before the blaze in October, the Environmental Protection Authority Victoria said.
Museum returns
Ford’s former Discover Centre museum in central Geelong has reopened under a new name at Hamlyn Heights.
Geelong Museum of Motoring + Industry’s “historically significant collection” was on display again for the first time at Western Heights College after vacating its former premises in the city’s centre two years ago, a spokesperson said.
Dry start
Geelong’s water storages have missed out on their traditional spring boost, going into summer seven per cent lower than at the end of winter.
Barwon Water this week measured the storages at 58.7 per cent of capacity as levels continued declining despite 17mm of rain in the catchment area over the seven days to Tuesday.
Osborne boost
Leasing an “underused portion” of the Osborne House precinct could provide the historic property with a financial lifeline, according to City Hall.
Councillors this week agreed to lease the site’s former polo ground to the owner of the adjoining Powerhouse building as council continued working toward “restoration and associated planning” for the house and its stables, City Hall said.
Wanted woman
A woman who allegedly assaulted an emergency worker has failed to appear in court on a range of charges, according to Geelong Police.
Elizabeth Grindley, 46, was also wanted in court to answer theft and “assault matters”, police said this week as they appealed for anyone knowing her whereabouts to contact Crime Stoppers.
