Colac Herald » Ben Martin

Demons in semi-final

Ben Martin — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 22:13:36 +0000

Demons Lakers have defeated top seed Hawks Magic and won a chance to play off for their third Colac men’s basketball championship in as many years.
After downing the Magic by 31 points in round 12, a recharged Magic unit hit back against the Lakers in the A Grade preliminary final.
Magic tower Lochie Veale made things difficult for Lakers talls Levi Dare and Justin Williamson, playing strongly under the basket.
But it was Matt Lucas, 17 points, and the Lakers that shot out to a 15-point lead at half time, holding their opposition to just 12 points.
Magic’s Jason Cuolahan attacked in the second half, breaking apart the Lakers’ defensive zone to score a team-high 11 points but the Lakers prevailed, and came away with the 46-34 win.
The Magic will take on Saints ANZ in next week’s semi-final after ANZ defeated Saints Irra in impressive fashion.
A welcome return from ANZ’s Luke Sisic, 16 points, benefited the side that has struggled to make numbers since Sisic moved to Ballarat mid-season.
Sisic teamed up with team-mate and league top-score Brendan Dell, 22 points, to defeat a determined Irra, which is yet to defeat ANZ this season.
Irra talls Jarrod Stinchcombe, 17 points, and John Bergman, 12, played hard to keep their finals chances alive but ANZ proved too strong, coming away 57-40 winners.
In the women’s competition, top seed Saints Tigers failed to continue their season dominance into finals after falling prey to an in-form Saints Deli.
The Tigers had a big task from the opening whistle, playing without tall Rebecca Scott and guard Shelley Scott, and took to the court with just four players.
Deli’s Jac Cardinal was on fire from long range, netting 14 points, while tall Emma Hillman, 16, cleaned up under the ring.
Though the five-on-four match seemed like an unfair advantage, Tigers Kaitlyn Hammond, 16 points, and Jane Hawker, 13, saw it as a challenge, as the game went goal-for-goal for the entire match.
By the final siren, it was Deli which had won the 52-49 match, meaning Tigers will return next week to take on Rebels Rock Lobsters in the semi-final.
In-form Lobster Zoe Donne will be the player to watch after she scored 15 points in the 36-23 win against Demons.
After leading by just three points at half time, the Lobsters shot away in the second half to secure their finals chances, despite tenacious defence from young Demon guards Edwina Parker, 7, and Chloe Gray, 6.

Lobsters claw their way to win

Ben Martin — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 22:07:10 +0000

A dying seconds lay-up from Sheryl Donne helped Rebels Rock Lobster upset league
powerhouse Saints Tigers in Colac Basketball’s A Grade competition.
In the final round of the season, the 33-31 win will boost the Lobsters’confidence ahead of next week’s elimination final against Demons.
Rock Lobster Zoe Donne, 10 points, used her height to overpower the Tigers, which are still getting over the loss of 190cm Rebecca Scott to State Netball commitments.
The Tigers, which finished top of the A Grade ladder, will take on Saints Deli in the qualifying final, after Deli defeated Demons Breezers in a hard-fought match.
Deli’s Emily Ryan played strong for her side, netting 20 points, while Breezer Hannah Perkins, 10, shot well.
In the men’s competition, a 10-point loss at the hands of Saints Irra has knocked Demons out of finals contention.
Demon Harry Sinclair tried his best to stop the strong Irra unit, scoring a game-high 14 points, but it was too little too late as Irra’s Jason Cartwright, 19, and his team came away with the 60-50 win.
Irra will now take on third placed Saints ANZ in the competition’s elimination final after ANZ defeated Saints Syrup Makers in a close contest.
After downing the ‘Makers by 19 points in round eight, ANZ led by just four points at half time, forcing ANZ’s Brendan Dell to step up, knocking down a game-high 35 points.
‘Maker Joel Menzies was his side’s best, scoring 20 points, but it was ANZ which came away with the 55-44 win.
A 33-point game, including five baskets from three-point range, from Hawks Magic’s Pete Williamson proved too much for Saints Williams Auto.
Auto was unable to use its height advantage as the Magic put its opponent away with accuracy from outside the arc.
Auto’s Carl Angus, 11, top scored in his side’s last game, while the Magic’s 13th win of the season will leave them on top of the men’s A Grade ladder.
Magic will take on Demons Lakers in the competition’s qualifying final, and will play off for a spot in the 2009-10 season grand final.

Help is at hand to quit smoking

Ben Martin — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 23:39:10 +0000

Quitting smoking is not easy for many people.
But there is a solution for Colac and district smokers.
Colac’s Corangamite Clinic and Colac Area Health provide smoking cessation clinics to give quitters the support and education they need to give up their habit.
Colac’s Rachel Wood quit smoking more than a year ago and said she could not have done it without the Colac Area Health program.
“I’d tried going cold turkey and using patches but I couldn’t do it,” she said.
“The education and support was key, and having weekly appointments gives you the push you need to stay off.”
Ms Wood said program facilitators designed the 12-week program to fit each person and the level of their addiction.
“A habitual smoker might just choose to have a cigarette with friends whereas with an addicted smoker the chemicals force you to need a cigarette,” she said.
“I learned through the program that that’s what I was – addicted.
“The clinic gives
you an individual strategy and you get
a choice of what you want to do – from
medication to lozenges, micro tabs or patches.
“With support from Christine Buckley, Di O’Dowd and Kath Gannon I was able to be treated accordingly and supported to
break through my 20 years of nicotine addiction.”
Corangamite Clinic smoking cessation facilitator Susan Cole said visitors benefited from one-on-one mentoring.
“You get to understand each person’s capabilities and what they want to achieve,” she said.
Ms Cole said most smokers heard
about the clinic through their general practitioner.
Colac’s Brent Hateley completed the program at
Corangamite Clinic
in order to quit smoking.
“It was mainly because I had young kids, I wanted to be a better and fitter dad because they’re not easy to keep up with,” he said.
“When I began the clinic knew I was physically dependant.
“You name it I’d tried it – patches, hypnosis, cold turkey, I’d tried them all.
“But at the clinic you’re not doing it yourself, you have the support of Sue and doctors.”
Mr Hateley, who has lost six kilograms since quitting, said
he couldn’t speak
more highly of the program.
“I’m feeling a lot stronger and fitter, and my kids see it as a good example which is great,” Mr Hateley said.
“I still feel like a cigarette every day, but now I know to push past it,” he said.
“I can’t see myself smoking ever again.”

QUITTER: Colac’s Rachel Wood was able to quit cigarettes for good
with help from smoking cessation clinics in Colac.

Hairdresser set to start new chapter

Ben Martin — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 00:06:54 +0000

A Colac hairdresser will step aside from his business after 40 years in the industry.
Wayne Cahill of Cahill Clips has decided to step down today as one the town’s longest-serving hairdressers to begin a new life chapter.
Mr Cahill said he felt it was time to move on.
“Forty years is long enough for anything,” he said.
Mr Cahill began hairdressing in 1968 doing an apprenticeship with Colac’s George Hinke at the age of 18.
He opened his own salon, known as Cahill Clips, three years later.
“I think it was more a timing thing, I finished my apprenticeship and a salon opened up in Murray Street – where Selwyn Jewellers are now,” he said.
“It was scary but exciting to start my own business at 21.
“I spent 30 years at Murray Street, before moving to Gellibrand Street where we’ve been for the past 10.”
Cahill Clips even branched out in 1990, opening a salon at Lorne, though it only lasted six years.
Mr Cahill said people kept him in the industry for so long.
“I will miss the friendships I’ve made the most, it’s really been more of a relationship because over the years I’ve seen their children grow up,” he said.
“Some clients I’ve had for forty years.”
Mr Cahill met his wife Jan through his business.
“At Murray Street my wife Jan came and worked for me – she’s a terrific hairdresser – and after two years we started dating, and six months later we were married.
“That was 30 years ago now,” he said.
Wayne and Jan have three children Garth, 25, Zachary, 22, and Jake, 19.
Mr Cahill said he was happy his business was able to win business awards, including Best Business House and Apprentice of the Year Awards.
“It’s great having such fabulous staff, many of them have won awards,” he said.
“We currently have an apprentice in the top seven of the Geelong Apprentice of the Year Awards.”
Colac’s Geraldine Tucker, formerly of Denise Duryea Hairdressing, is taking over the business.
Mr Cahill said he would take a break before searching for more work.
“I’m planning on taking a short break to soak up some sun in Queensland then come back and work,” he said.
“At the end of the day, hairdressing is a young person’s job, it’s time to move on and I trust we’re leaving the store in good hands.”

CHANGE: Hairdresser Wayne Cahill and wife Jan at Colac’s Cahill Clips yesterday, before handing the business over to new owner Geraldine Tucker today.

Pupils model latest fashions

Ben Martin — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 22:29:41 +0000

Colac school pupils are dressing up tonight to raise money and promote the city’s businesses.
Colac’s St Mary’s Primary School will host a fashion parade to launch the school’s discount card at Trinity College Hall from 7.30pm.
St Mary’s Primary School Parents and Friends committee organised the parade, starring pupils and families modelling the fashions of Colac businesses featured on the discount card.
Committee member Paula Riches said the parade was a way to launch the card, as well as showcase what Colac businesses had to offer.
“Each year the school distributes a discount card to raise money for the school’s equipment,” she said.
“Basically, we were thinking of a way to promote the discount card, and we thought a fashion parade was a good way to get people to come along and have a look.
“The businesses supply fashions and some will provide food stalls.
“It was so successful last year that we’re hoping to go bigger and better this year.”
Mrs Riches said the parade was available to anyone, with a complimentary glass of champagne and nibbles provided.
“The event’s open for the public, it’s not just people from the school,” she said.
Mrs Riches said the event and the sale of the discount cards would raise money for St Mary’s Primary School.
“In the past we have provided smart boards for the children,” she said.
“This year we’re raising funds to buy more equipment for the new school buildings that are being built.”

MODELS: Colac St Mary’s Primary School pupils Sage Brown, 9, Claudia Donnelly, 11, and Maddison Brown, 11, are gearing up to model the fashions of Colac at a fashion parade to launch the school’s discount card tonight.

Colac team among best

Ben Martin — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 23:04:36 +0000

Colac’s A Grade basketballers have proven themselves as some of the best in the region.
Colac men’s and women’s senior representative sides came away undefeated after competing in a regional round robin tournament at Colac’s Bluewater Fitness Centre on Sunday.
The women’s squad, made up predominantly of the Colac’s top junior players, kicked off the day against Timboon.
After an impressive start to the clash, the Kookas shot out to a 19-point lead heading into the first break, led by young-gun Edwina Parker, 11 points.
Not to be outdone, the Timboon squad hit back in the second half but it was too little, too late as Colac held off Timboon to come away 42-34 winner.
In the men’s first match against Timboon, Colac tall forward Brendan Dell helped the home side find its feet, netting 14 points.
After setting up a 30-point lead at half-time, the Kookas cruised through the second half to win 63-31.
Colac’s women’s squad had a run for its money in its second clash, this time against Terang.
A tenacious Terang line-up gave its all against the young Colac team, and Emma Hillman stepped up when the team needed her.
Hillman scored 16 points for the match to obliterate any chance of Terang coming away with the win, and Colac won its second match 45-41.
In the men’s second clash against their Terang counterparts, Colac’s men failed to get the early jump they made against Timboon.
Terang’s bigger-bodied players made it tough, but dangerous guard Matt Lucas helped his side break away to a 15-point lead late in the first half.
Despite a second-half fight-back from Terang, Colac halted a late charge to win the 54-40 clash.
Terang finished second in the men’s competition after downing Timboon 56-43 while Timboon’s women were second-best on the day and defeated Terang’s women 33-25.

WINNERS: From left, Ben Martin, Brent Hay, Brendan Dell, Jonathan Daffy, Levi Dare, Brad Russell and Matt Lucas.

UNDEFEATED: Clockwise, from back left, Tegan McNamara, Edwina Parker, Kelsey Lang, Emma Hillman, Tahlia Jeffreys and Hayley Dewar.

Sea change for station

Ben Martin — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 22:56:06 +0000

A Colac community radio
station has branched out into surrounding districts.
OCR FM will broadcast from Apollo Bay thanks to new broadcasting equipment.
Station president Tyson Graham said he looked forward to hearing what interested Apollo Bay presenters had to offer.
“Apollo Bay can now get involved because we’re broadcasting down there,” he said.
“We had a meeting at Apollo Bay for people from the town to get involved with the station and I was really impressed with the amount of people down there who wanted to help out.”
OCR FM has one presenter broadcasting from Apollo Bay – Sunday at the Bay host Brian Dwyer.
“He does a show from three o’clock on a Sunday, about Apollo Bay news and music from people at Apollo Bay,” Mr Graham said.
He said he hoped more Apollo Bay residents would join the station as presenters.
“Heaps of new shows would be great because it gives the station more variety and that’s what community radio’s about,” he said.
“OCR FM’s been broadcasting down there for a while but reception has been on and off, but thanks to some new equipment we’re getting a better signal.”
Meanwhile, the station is celebrating the success of its movie fundraiser presentation of Bran Nue Dae on Friday.
“It was really successful, we were really impressed with everyone coming along to support,” Mr Graham said.
People interested in getting involved with community radio can contact OCR FM at Shop 6 in Colac’s Ten-Pin Bowl Arcade.

Tyson Graham

Youths lead music group

Ben Martin — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 22:52:57 +0000

Seven Colac students will head the district’s music-based youth group.
The Colac FReeZA committee has begun planning for the year after announcing its new leaders.
Colac Secondary College Year 11 students Holly Smith and Riley Phillips will join the committee for the first time this year.
Holly said she was looking forward to contributing to Colac’s live music scene.
“I like how the group is involved with music most of the time,” she said.
“And I’m looking forward to getting involved with Push Over Festival.”
FReeZA gives young Victorians aged 12 to 25 the opportunity to lead the planning and staging of live band gigs, BMX and skating competitions and other cultural, recreational and artistic events in safe venues.
Holly and Riley will join returning FReeZA committee members, Trinity College Year 11 students Bridie O’Sullivan, Josh Ryan, Miranda Loats, Darby Heaysman and Colac Secondary College Year 12 student Cara Bithell.
The youth group even attracts former students including Emma McNamara, 18, who is in her third year with the committee.
Emma said the group had big plans for the year.
“We’ll be doing the Battle of the Bands again, which is the only event we do every year, other events we vary to change it up a bit,” she said.
“This year we’re hoping to organise a gig at Straight Shooters, and get more underage events going.”
FReeZA co-ordinator Vicki Jeffrey said the group would spend the next few weeks organising and doing the MC work for a young rerformers’ stage at the Apollo Bay Music Festival on March 27.
Ms Jeffrey said the group also hoped to help community radio station OCR FM with a live music workshop at Colac Otway Performing Arts and Cultural Centre in April.

READY: Colac FReeZA committee is hard at work after appointing its 2010 members. Pictured are members Holly Smith, 16, Bridie O’Sullivan, 16, Riley Phillips, 16, Cara Bithell, 17, and Josh Ryan 16. Absent is Miranda Loats, 16, and Darby Heaysman, 16.

On the street

Ben Martin — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 22:48:10 +0000

We asked people if they thought a near-crash involving Liberal leader Tony Abbott highlighted the need for duplication of the Princes Highway.

“It needs to be done. It’s just scary
driving on it because it’s too dangerous.”
Tracy Cook, Elliminyt

“The road definitely needs to be duplicated
soon. My family travel along it a fair bit
and I think it’s really dangerous.”
Kylie Smith, Cororooke

“There are a lot of things the government
could spend on but the roads should be a
main focus. Even if it’s just resurfacing
because the highway is quite rough.”
Paul Newcombe, Cororooke

“I ride my motorbike on it and it’s rough.
You see all the money the government’s
spending between Geelong and Melbourne
and we get just as much traffic.”
Rodney Fridey, Colac

“Maybe they just need more overtaking
lanes or turn-off lanes. But I do think the
main link should be a dual carriageway.”
Andrew Conway, Tumut, NSW

“The highway should be duplicated.
It has definitely got some spots that are
too dangerous.”
Joanne Kerr, Ondit

Colac recruit tops his class

Ben Martin — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 22:39:28 +0000

A Colac man has received rave reviews on his completion of a Royal Australian Navy recruit school.
Harrison Wallis, 20, graduated from the 11-week recruit school at HMAS Cerberus at Westernport with academic honours.
Mr Wallis achieved an average score of 99.33 in his studies, the highest for his intake, earning him an academic prize.
Mr Wallis, son of Robert Wallis of Kawarren and Jenette Callow of Colac, said the tests covered a range of navy aspects.
“Some of the areas covered were first aid, survival at sea, fire fighting and damage control,” he said.
“We also had a couple of big formative and summative assessments on all sorts of stuff about the navy, including the current fleet, command structure and other things.”
Mr Wallis, who is four months into a navy gap year program, said recruits became seaman stars – the equivalent of a trainee – upon completion of recruit school.
He said there were numerous pathways for seaman stars.
“Because I’m just doing a gap year, I only do basic seamanship which is a three-week course,” he said.
“It enables me to be able to work to an extent on a working ship rather than be a passenger.
“Others go on to category school at HMAS Cerberus or a few other bases – if you want to be an electronic technician or mechanical technical your training will be 30 plus weeks but if you are a boatswain your training is only 16 weeks.”
Mr Wallis, who completed his seamanship training on Friday, said he was waiting for a posting to a naval base in Australia.
“I’m not entirely sure when they make me a seaman, but I’ve heard I may be getting posted to Cairns, though it’s not confirmed,” he said.
“There’s a bit of a waiting game.”
As a part of the gap year program, Mr Wallis will take part in a bus trip to Canberra to inspect navy officer training bases this week.

RESULTS: Harrison Wallis graduated from a Royal Australian Navy recruit school with a score of 99.33.