The waterside city of Geelong is currently hosting the Fireball World Championship with competition based out of the Royal Geelong Yacht Club on the Eastern Beach waterfront.

The Fireball is a high-performance, two-person dinghy offering exciting sailing, intense competition and a great social atmosphere off the water.  It also makes for an exciting and colourful spectacle which is free to watch.

With 18 National associations in Australia, Europe, North America and Asia, the 2024 Worlds are expected to be hotly contested by a strong international fleet.

If you haven’t caught the gaze-grabbing spectacle yet, there’s still plenty fo time left to do so with top level competition continuing daily through to this Friday February 16 (inclusive).

Áine Tyrrell is an inspiring and thought-provoking multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and unmissable live act and she’s headed to The Palais, Hepburn to perform this Saturday evening , February 17.

Refusing to be boxed by the music industry with their narrow definition of Irish Folk, she is reclaiming and redefining her rise every step of the way with her own proclaimed genre, evocatively entitled ‘Irish as Fuck’.

Her set moves from singing in Irish, acoustic guitars, powerful vocals, to spoken word and hip hop – all unified by her fire.

Áine Tyrrell has built her international music career by thinking outside the box and saying it how it is.

Her life, an inspiring journey in and of itself, is the canvas for the music, words and powerful performances that make her a thought provoking multi-instrumentalist, songwriter and an unmissable live act.

Still waiting on that electric vehicle (EV) Santa promised to deliver by Christmas?

A shipment of just over 3700 EVs has had a setback, with the discovery of yellow-spotted stink bugs on board. An outbreak in stink bugs could decimate Australia’s agriculture industry for generations, with early detection and prevention being a vital component in Australia’s biosecurity strategy. 

A vessel carrying just over 3700 EVs had multiple detections, including the yellow-spotted stink bug.

The vessel has left Australian territory on its own accord to manage the biosecurity risk associated with the cargo.

Materials such as soil, plant debris, seeds and live insects are likely suspects of biosecurity breaches when importing cars, with potentially devastating effects if left undetected.

September through April are particularly stinky months for highly invasive species such as the brown marmorated stink bug, with seasonal measures in place to ensure outbreaks like this are identified before reaching our shores. 

According to the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) since 2021, Australia’s ports have seen an 88 per cent increase in new vehicles arriving with biosecurity risk material contamination.

Over the same period, there has been a 17 per cent increase in the total number of new vehicle imports into Australia. These factors have combined to create one great big cleaning job for the commercial companies employed by car manufacturers to ensure your new car doesn’t come with any ‘hidden extras’!

The Australian government is committed to strengthening Australia’s biosecurity and it’s a shared responsibility, the CSIRO says.

Stink bugs can breed huge populations that become both a household nuisance, as well as a major problem for crop growers.

The CSIRO is currently working with DAFF and partners to ensure Australia’s biosecurity system remains fit to meet the challenges of the next decade. 

An example of the types of projects CSIRO is undertaking with DAFF is an app designed to help the biosecurity officers tasked with the tricky job of correctly identifying a stink bug.

A teenaged motorcyclist has been arrested after allegedly clocking speeds of up to 160km/h while evading police on the Mornington Peninsula in recent days, before posting the vision to social media.

Police were travelling on the Mornington Peninsula Freeway at Dromana on Monday 28 January, when they observed a motorcycle with its licence plates concealed, about 1pm.

It will be alleged the motorcycle was ridden only on its rear tyre before accelerating at high speeds.

Police attempted to stop the rider in McCrae a short time later, however, he allegedly rode off at 160km/h, and began weaving through heavy traffic.

It will be further alleged vision of the offending was then uploaded to social media.

Following enquiries, Rosebud Uniform Police executed a search warrant at a home on Duncans Lane, Diggers Rest, about 8am last Monday February 5.

During a search of the property, police seized a motorcycle, GoPro, computer and clothing relevant to the investigation.

A 19-year-old man was arrested at the scene.

He has been charged with ten speed and traffic offences, including reckless conduct endangering life, and fail to stop on police direction.

He was bailed to appear at Dromana Magistrates’ Court on 4 April 2024.

As enquiries continue, anyone with information – including dashcam vision on the Mornington Peninsula Freeway at Dromana or Point Nepean Road in McCrae between 12pm and 1.30pm on 28 January – is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report via the Crime Stoppers website.

Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO, and Swinburne University of Technology have established a new partnership to tackle global decarbonisation with innovative green steel and mineral processing research and development. 

The collaboration will build national research capability across the Australian innovation system to help industry investigate low-emission steel technologies to guide future demonstrations and industry development. 

The ‘Sustainable Mineral Processing and Green Steel Program’ partnership will address key net zero challenges for the mineral resources industry, including developing low-carbon routes for iron, steel and critical metals, as well as improving recycling technologies.  

Bringing new skills to the energy transition challenge is a crucial aspect of the partnership, with research fellows and PhD candidates from both institutions to work alongside international researchers and industry.

Swinburne’s Professor Akbar Rhamdhani, a noted expert in sustainable processing, particularly in battery materials and critical metals, who will play a significant role. 

Swinburne is emerging as a leader in the field of supply chain transformation and sustainability, a technological and societal priority area for organisations and governments worldwide.

As part of its Net Zero 2025 Pathways, the University has invested in researchers from minerals characterisation, minerals processing, pyrometallurgy and materials recycling. Coupled with CSIRO’s extensive minerals research and development expertise, researchers from both organisations will bring the program to life.  

The program will also provide a platform for international conferences and industry courses, as well as engagement for students through scholarships, joint final year projects and work experience programs. 

This critical work is supporting one of Australia’s hard-to-abate sectors to halve their emissions by 2035, and forms part of CSIRO’s Towards Net Zero Mission.

Swinburne Chief Scientist Professor Virginia Kilborn:  “Swinburne is thrilled to be working with CSIRO on another program, this time using our combined strength in decarbonisation and green steel. The university has a long-standing relationship with CSIRO, linking world-class capability across a vast range of strategic research areas.

“Green steel makes up a key part of Swinburne’s flagship research area ‘Innovative Planet’. This partnership is another active step taken by Swinburne towards global decarbonisation to achieve net zero.” 

Despite so many people having air conditioning at home now, many are still unsure how to use it efficiently, prompting the CSIRO to publish a new report detailing how to use air conditioning to best effect, save energy and reduce energy wastage.

And air conditioning uses a lot of energy. For example, running all the lights in an average home all day and night consumes about the same energy as one hour of air conditioning of the same space.

Many people think they can save money and energy by just blasting the air conditioning at a very low temperature, such as 17°C, for a short period of time to chill the room – before switching it off and enjoying the chilled air until another blast is needed later on. But it requires a lot of energy to get a room to a very chilly temperature.

While running it briefly and intermittently at a very cool temperature may feel thrifty, it won’t be the most energy efficient choice.

Published on the CSIRO website last month a report by Mark Goldsworthy shows home residents and office workers how to use airconditioners most effictively, wasting less energy and saving money and cost to the planet in terms of unnecessary emissions that contribute to the climate change problem.

The new report is entitled ‘How do I use air conditioning efficiently? Is it better to blast it briefly throughout the day, or just leave it on?’ and it can be found on the CSIRO website.

Police have arrested two people following a car crash in Carlton North last week.

Officers from the Air Wing had first noticed a black Jeep travelling at alleged speeds in excess of 200km/h on the Eastern Freeway just before 11pm last Monday, February 5.

The Jeep travelled to Solly Avenue, Princes Hill where it stopped.

Ground units were called in and officers parked in front and behind the vehicle in an attempt to stop it from driving off.

The vehicle hit both police cars before driving off and colliding with another car on Solly Avenue and colliding with a fence.

The Jeep continued on to Park Street, Carlton North where it was involved in another collision with another car and building.

A male and female ran from the Jeep but were quickly arrested by police.

A 17-year-old girl from Black Rock and a 17-year-old boy from Tarneit were taken to hospital under police guard for treatment.

A 67-year-old woman and a 29-year-old woman involved in the third collision were taken to hospital with injuries.

The investigation remained ongoing as at latest police reports issued.

The CFA has issued a public statement thanking the many people who supported its preview screenings of the Australian movie ‘Force of Nature: The Dry 2’.

More than $7000 was raised from the ticket sales for the two fundraising screenings and this will now be used to help support CFA brigades.

The CFA especially issued “huge thanks” to the Belgrave and Lorne brigades for all their time and support and to Roadshow Films for their support of emergency services.

The two locations were chosen because the movie Force of Nature was filmed in Victoria around the Lorne and Belgrave areas.

The Lorne fundraiser was held on Monday 29 January and the Belgrave fundraiser was held on Sunday 4 February.

Ballarat residents can now get free microchipping for their four-legged friends in return for ensuring that their pets are registered with the City of Ballarat for this year.  

Microchipped pets mean they are more identifiable if they escape the property, reducing stress on pets and owners.  

Renewing pet registration each year means all contact details are up to date and Animal Management Officers can return the animal to its home, with no need to impound the dog or cat.  

Registration fees also contribute to overall animal management across the City of Ballarat, including staff being able to attend to:  

• Cat and dog roaming reports
• Welfare and cruelty complaints
• Wandering and stray animals  
• Barking/noise concerns
• Investigating dog attack incidents  
• Picking up stray cats and dogs  
• Managing and running the Ballarat Animal Shelter

Appointments are required to have your dog or cat microchipped and registered with the City of Ballarat. This can be made via phone, 5334 2075 or by emailing your name and phone number to animalshelter@ballarat.vic.gov.au and the staff will be in contact to make an appointment time.  

Proof of ownership of your pet or cat will be required. This can be in the form of vet bills, insurance paperwork or a series of photos.  

Registration fees are:

• Dog and Cat Standard (de-sexed) $44
• Dog and Cat (not de-sexed) $182
• Puppy awaiting desexing (3-12 months of age) $44

Residents with a pension card will receive a discounted registration fee. For more information click the ‘Pets’ tab on the City of Ballarat website.

For the 9th consecutive year, CFA members have taken part in the annual Midsumma Pride March.

The March, which runs as part of the Midsumma Festival, is an opportunity to proudly demonstrate the CFA’s commitment and support to the LGBTQAI+ community and to reaffirm its position as an inclusive and welcoming organisation. 

A number of CFA members took part in the event alongside emergency service colleagues, marching to support their LGBTQAI+ colleagues, friends and family members. 

CFA General Manager – Infrastructure Services Paul Santamaria was one of these participants.  

“CFA is a leading organisation in the community, and being a leader in our organisation means it’s important to show how CFA works to embrace and include all members of CFA and the communities we serve,” he said. 

“We’re made up of so many different people from so many different identities and it’s so important to make CFA a welcoming and inclusive space for everyone.” 

Paul said events such as Midsumma Pride March are a great opportunity to learn and network. 

“Taking part in events such as these are a great way to meet people from across the state, and also from our emergency services partner organisations,” he said. 

“It’s really important to me that I continue to learn from people with different identities, backgrounds and histories – it makes us a more inclusive organisation.” 

Paul said everyone can work toward creating a safer and more inclusive CFA by being willing to learn. 

“We can be better allies to the LGBTQAI+ community by being willing to listen and engage, being willing to have a conversation and learn a bit more than you didn’t know the day before. 

“It helps you develop as a person and helps you to build a shared learning and understanding, and helps others feel supported and included.” 

Participation in the inaugural Vols on Hols program is off to a flying start with 20 visiting CFA members registering and participating in the program to date.

Vols on Hols is a pilot program being trialled in Mallacoota in far east Gippsland with the aim to bolster volunteer numbers over the busy summer period.

Deputy Chief Officer for South East Region Trevor Owen said they’ve had good numbers since launching the program and have additional capacity up to 30 January.

“With school holidays coming to an end, we have a gap from 1 to 17 February which we are currently promoting to be filled but fortunately from the 18 Feb until the end of March the numbers pick back up again,” DCO Owen said.

The program was launched in November last year with Mallacoota being chosen as the trial site. The population of the remote coastal town can swell by up to 10,000 visitors during peak season and the area was severely impacted during the 2019-20 bushfire season.

“If you’re a CFA volunteer on holiday in Mallacoota this summer, the local brigade wants to hear from you,” DCO Owen said.

Warragul Fire Brigade member Danielle Watkins was one of the volunteers who happened to be holidaying in Mallacoota this summer and decided to put her name down for the program.

“It was a bit of a fluke actually. We don’t normally go to Mallacoota on holidays but my husband suggested it and I said yep let’s go to Mallacoota,” Danielle said. 

“I happened to be doing a training program with Tracey (Captain of Mallacoota Fire Brigade) at the time. I mentioned to her that I was coming down to Mallacoota and she said, ‘bring your gear!'”

The CFA is encouraging brigades across the state to compete in next month’s CFA/VFBV State Firefighter Championships.

Mooroopna Recreation Reserve will again be the site of the events with the Urban Junior State Championships kicking off on 16 and 17 March. The Senior Urban and Senior Rural events will be held at the same site the following weekend, 23 and 24 March. 

CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan said the State Championships have a rich tradition and are an integral part of CFA. 

“The Championships are a great opportunity for our members to engage in some friendly competition with their brigade and fellow firefighters,” CO Heffernan said. 

“It’s also a great way for the community to see what we do and hopefully we can inspire them to join their local brigades. 

“I highly recommend brigades get involved in the event which includes practical firefighting activities utilising hoses, hydrants and other equipment. It’s also fantastic for teamwork and comradeship.” 

Hannah Logie from Strathmerton Fire Brigade, who has competed in the State Championships for the past eight years, encourages other brigades to take part because she says it’s the best two weekends of the year. 

“I have been competing since I was 11 years old and my whole family has been involved over the years too,” Hannah said.  

“It’s a great event because you make friends, you get fit and most importantly, you have a good laugh. 

“What I love most is the people I’m around all day, it’s a really close-knit group. If you’re considering joining, just do it, it’s the best fun.” 

Interested brigades need to register by 18 February 2024. Nominations are online via the VFBV website.

Police are investigating after a window was damaged at a business in Bendigo last Friday, 2 February.

It’s believed two unknown offenders approached the Mollison Street property just before 2.30am and threw a brick three times at the window, causing it to break.

The two are described as wearing all black clothing and face coverings, with black back packs.

Investigators have released images (above) of two people they believe may be able to assist with their enquiries.

Anyone who witnessed the incident or has information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online via the Crime Stoppers website.

An E-bike rider has died in hospital following a collision in Canterbury last month.

It is believed that two E-bikes collided on Mont Albert Road about 6.30pm on 29 January.

One of the riders, a 62-year-old Blackburn man, was taken to hospital with minor injuries.

The second rider, a 41-year-old Balwyn man, was taken to hospital where he died at a later date.

The exact circumstances surrounding the collision are being investigated.

Anyone who witnessed the incident or has information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online via the Crime Stoppers website.

Coming up Sunday February 18th, the Trentham Fashion Swap team will host their first of four clothing swaps for 2024, at the Trentham Neighborhood Centre.

Team members make no secret of the fact that they’re pretty excited about the upcoming swap event which they say is sure to be a fabulous day out to feel good, connect with the community, save money and help protect our planet.

In a media release previewing the upcoming swap they also say:

“The amount of clothing being thrown away has been skyrocketing globally, especially since clothing production doubled between 2000 and 2014.

“In Australia alone, over 200,000 tonnes of clothing ends up in landfills annually. Unsustainable quantities of water, energy and resources are required to produce these clothes, and their production often involves harmful pesticides, damaging mining processes, toxic dyes and poor worker conditions.

“Clothing swaps are a great way to reduce this waste and help find loving new owners for unwanted apparel and accessories.

“So do your part by bringing along up to 8 clean and wearable items to the Trentham Summer Swap, which will focus on women’s clothing of all sizes, formalwear and maternity clothing, shoes, jewellery and accessories.

“No spare items? No worries, come along and make a gold coin donation. Please bring along your friends, because everybody is welcome at this marvellous seasonal event, and there will even be afternoon tea and a door raffle. Proudly sponsored by Trentham Sustainability Group and Hepburn Shire Council.”

The Trentham Fashion Swap is a seasonal event hosted by a team of passionate local volunteers. The idea gained momentum when it was supported by Trentham Sustainability Group’s Great Ideas for Sustainability in Trentham (GIST) contest in 2023 and is expanding in 2024 thanks to a Hepburn Shire Council community funding grant.

The team is planning a few more exciting initiatives to promote circular fashion in 2024 too, so stay tuned for more news soon.