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We respectfully acknowledge the country on which our Community House is located, Wadawurrung country and pay our respects to traditional owners, ancestors and elders, both past, present and emerging.
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Torquay Community House will re-open to the public from 9am Monday February 8 and we can't wait to see you back in the house! Due to Covid restrictions we will be at a limited capacity.
Many of our activities will continue in some of our local parks and ovals but our indoor activities will be coming back as well. Read on to see what's coming up.
Welcome back to U3A as well, details of their classes further down.
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Registration for all classes and groups is essential due to capacity restrictions. To enrol in a class or group please click on the images below.
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We have an employment opportunity for an Activities Co-ordinator to join our team. Please check out the position description HERE for details and apply before February 12th.
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Ashbury Community Fund Helps Provide Subsidised Counselling
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A huge thank you to the Asbury Community Fund for their grant which will allow Torquay Community House to offer free counselling services.
Torquay Community House has for many years provided our local community with access to low cost counselling services and further subsidised payment for people experiencing financial hardship. This service is more important than ever, as many people in our local community are struggling with their mental health as they find themselves in situations they never thought they would be in because of job losses and financial stress.
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To make a counselling appointment please call us on
5261 2583, 9am-5pm, Monday to Friday or email administration@torquaycommunityhouse.org.au
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Do you love crafts and working with pre-schoolers? Then we'd love to talk to you about joining our Little Da Vincis team.
After 9 years of delivering this very popular activity and delighting many pre-schoolers Anne Boyer Blackie and Jo Taylor have decided to call it a day and need some wonderful people to step into their shoes!
This volunteer position requires a commitment of approximately two hours a week to decide on, set up and run the weekly half hour craft session. All craft materials will be provided. Please apply to adminstration@torquaycommunityhouse.org.au
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Make a Difference in Your Community
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Volunteers are the heart of our community and essential to running Torquay Community House. We currently have a range of volunteer positions available. We are particularly looking for more volunteers to help out in the afternoons. We would also love to find people who want to volunteer their marketing skills to help get the word out about all our wonderful programs.
No special experience is necessary, just a great attitude and a desire to be part of the community.
If you are interested in volunteering please call 52642583, 9am-5pm, Monday to Thursday or email co-ordinator@torquaycommunityhouse.org.au and download the volunteer pack HERE for more information.
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Torquay Bridge Club Lessons
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Always wanted to learn bridge? Torquay Bridge Club is offering bridge lessons for beginners from 15th February.
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Free Career Training Opportunity
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Surf Coast Shire "People - Place - Future" Community Survey
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Surf Coast Shire Council invites you to participate in this important survey that will help set the direction for the future of our community, define our shared vision and guide the priorities for Council.
Complete the survey HERE
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Need Help to Negotiate a Rent Reduction Due to Covid?
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Dear Landlord can help you if:
 You are renting a residential property in Victoria.
You have a private landlord (not the Director of Housing or a community housing provider).
You have been affected by COVID-19.
You have a rent related problem.
Check out the tool HERE
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If you're a temporary or undocumented migrant, and can't access Centrelink, you might be eligible for financial assistance from this joint program by the Victorian Government and Red Cross! Go to redcross.org.au/vicrelief to find out more
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Torquay Lions Racing Ducks Earn Dollars
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Three Torquay Lions Beached Ducks events have raised $2350 online for needy and community projects.
According to President Bill Ferguson, the popularity of the duck races promoted on the Club’s social media outlets surprised some members of the Club.
“We had a few doubters sure this fun-driven fundraiser would not work. The results show that even with COVID restrictions our community can have fun while helping others. The proven success of the races has led us to consider running another series of races later in the year,” he opined.
The final event held at Fisherman’s Beach near the boat ramp, did draw a small safe-distancing group of spectators, including young children enthralled by the ducks racing to the beach. Organised by Lion Neil Roche, and with prizes donated by Rip Curl, Torquay Books, IGA and Bunnings, buyers of ducks were plentiful.
“The online event was exceptionally popular,” Lion Neil said. “The number of ducks set to race grew from 120 in the first event to 200 today as buyers sought to be winners. We ran 10 heats and a final in each event, with prizes presented to the first three ducks to cross the finish line in the final,” he reported.
The event was a fun experience with a small crowd encouraging the ducks along the course to the beach and Lion Brian Keane calling the races as they happened.
The fun online fundraiser produced $2350 which will be distributed by Torquay Lions as community needs are assessed.
The past 12 months’ restrictions have had an adverse on the Club’s fundraising but the Ducks Races show there are more than the Lions’ traditional income streams such as sausage sizzles and raffles.
Results of the races and a video of today’s final race are available on the Torquay Lions Website and Facebook.
Further Information
Peter Thomas or Neil Roche
Torquay Lions Club Duck Race Organiser
PH: 0417 374 249 Ph:0427336484
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Torquay RSL: Exercises for Mind and Body
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Exercise programs for veterans, and their carers, are held at various times on three mornings a week at Body Sculpting and Fitness in Torquay. The free programs help veterans maintain a level of fitness appropriate to their age; help with rehabilitation from injuries or surgery; and help with mental health issues through social interaction with other veterans. Organised and run by Exercise Physiologists from NJF, there are group sessions or one on one sessions catering for special needs of the veterans.
Torquay RSL is a strong supporter of the exercise programs with a number of its members attending two or three times a week. According to Wellbeing Advocate, Peter Thomas, social interaction is a big part of the morning sessions. “By the time we have finished our workouts, we are usually ready for a coffee and chat session. These get-togethers each gym morning seem to help whenever we have issues, or are just a great together for reminiscing or helping sort out each other’s daily life problems.”
Peter, who is a Vietnam veteran, encourages all veterans to participate in these or similar programs. “Once it was just Vietnam veterans taking part in the program,” he said. “Over the years, however, we have been gratified to see younger veterans from more recent overseas operational service, or service in Australia who are joining us.
Torquay RSL encourages veterans and their carers to join the fitness programs. To fnd out more contact the RSL by email torquayrsl@gmail.com or ring the office on on 0409 297 441
Torquay RSL rooms at the back of Torquay Bowls Club are not always staffed but phone or email messages are quickly followed up.
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The committee at their January meeting at the Danawa pavilion.
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Danawa Community Garden has survived the COVID year with full membership and plenty of produce.
A new Committee was elected at the delayed AGM in November. Committee members are: Justine Holmes, President, Patricia Genat, Secretary, Tim Lawes, Treasurer, and Jeff W, Elle M, Raechel M, Danni J and Giuliana T completing an active and energetic group. At the AGM we made special mention of Richard & June Marks, who retired from the committee although still active in the garden. Their work, knowledge and enthusiasm over the past few years has been wonderful and greatly appreciated.
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Wishing all who read this column a happy and healthy 2021!!
It is with regret that we have to advise that we lost our long time Scottish member Max Wellins on Thursday January 28, 2020. To his wife and family we all at the Shed, send our condolences. Max was a long time member of the Shed and we will miss hearing his Scottish brogue reverberating off the walls in the meeting room.
Unfortunately it is the nature of men’s sheds generally, and ours in particular, that with our ageing membership, it is inevitable that we will lose members periodically, but that’s life unfortunately! It all ends at some point and in Max’s case I am told he left us peacefully with family by his bedside.
Now to some brighter Shed news; we have been open since January 5, with some Covid19 constraints, including temperature checks, hand sanitisers and social distancing measures. All of this is to reassure all of you members out there that we are as safe as we can be, so come and visit for a cuppa and a chat!
We have been busy in the woodwork shop too with various projects – some small others more complex.
Also we are currently undertaking training on the safe operating procedures of all the machinery in the workshops so, if you would like to know more about operating any of the extensive equipment list we have in our shed then come in and talk to Brian, our woodwork shed manager or Ian in the metalwork shed and put your name down. It is all a part of our duty of care commitment to our members, so don’t be shy, put your hand up!
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Term one - 2021
After the restrictions of 2020, U3A is ready to begin classes and activities for term one on February 8th, albeit under COVID-safe rules. Twenty-four classes are on offer with two Occasional Lectures and many classes already have waiting lists but there are still some spaces available.
If you are interested please go to: Courses & Activities – U3A SurfCoast or call for further information - Phone: 0435 374 139 or email: info@u3asurfcoast.org.au
Occasional Lecture: February 23rd, 2.45 pm at Torquay Senior Citizens Centre: “Hold Some and Steal Some” with Greg Brinsmead (MSc, BSc. BEd, Dip Ag)
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Greg grew up on a beef and sheep farm at Driffield near Morwell, Gippsland, and attended Morwell High School, Longerenong Agricultural College and the University of Melbourne. He retired as Principal of Marcus Oldham Farm Management College in 2002
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and previously served as Deputy Principal at Dookie Agricultural College and McMillan Rural Studies Centre. His research interests were in agricultural history, especially the dairy industry where he has published a number of articles and been involved in a series of projects to preserve the history of the dairy industry including photographing remaining dairy buildings throughout Victoria.
Many of us grew up on farms where turning the milk separator before we went to school was a daily chore. “Hold Some and Steal Some” is an illustrated talk that traces the Victorian Dairy Industry from a farmyard- based industry to a modern factory- based industry. As farming settlement spread across Victoria, most farms produced some dairy products and as modern technologies were introduced, butter and cheese factories sprung up in most Victorian towns. This talk traces the evolution of the Victorian dairy
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Occasional Lecture: March 23rd, 2.45 pm at Torquay Senior Citizens Centre: “Geelong to Geelong: 50 yrs in Journalism”
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Join former News Corp Editor in Chief Bob Osburn for a rampage through 50 years of journalism spanning regional, community and metro daily newspapers, magazines, radio and television. And, while we're at it, he's happy to explore with you the murky crystal ball that holds the secret to the future of journalism.
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There are still spaces available in ‘ Armchair Politics’ and given the extraordinary events of 2020, it seems appropriate to pause and reflect on this past year in order to gain some perspective on how these events have impacted global politics today. The pandemic, extreme weather conditions, the US election and Australia/China relations are among the many high profile issues which will be discussed during term one. Armchair Politics provides a friendly environment where the sharing of ideas is encouraged; and all political opinions are respected. Each week journal and newspaper articles from reputable sources, and which cover different interpretations of events, are used to introduce relevant topics. There is no prerequisite for this course - just an interest in politics. Debate will also be encouraged. Wednesdays from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM at The Salvation Army Centre beginning February 10th.
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Local Legend: Recently U3A committee member John McDonald received a Local Legend award for his service to the community. As well as being the first President of U3ASurfCoast, John initiated Relay for Life in Torquay, was Chairman of the Lions Village Board and many years with Torquay Rotary. Congratulations John.
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Torquay Rotary Motor Show 2021 is virtual
With the cancellation of the 2021 “Face to Face” Torquay Motor Show we are holding a “Virtual” Show to keep our supporters involved and to maintain some fundraising to help fund our Rotary Club’s ongoing Projects helping the less fortunate people in the world. These projects include Clean Water, Health and Education and the Indigenous Literacy Foundation. Visit the Torquay Rotary Motor Show 2021 now
How to enter your vehicle
To enter the show, complete the entry form with your personal details, the class you are entering and email your pic(s) to eventstorquayrotary@iinet.net.au plus make a minimum donation/entry fee of $5 per pic via our TryBooking fundraising page.
Classes
There are 6 “One Off” Virtual Show Trophies to be awarded to the “Best” pic in each of the following classes: -
- Hot Rod
- Classic (incl Vintage & Veteran)
- Muscle Car
- Modern Vehicle
- Commercial (utes, vans and trucks)
- Motorcycle
Obviously with a “Virtual” Show it is impossible to judge on any technical criteria or to assess the “originality” of the vehicle purely from a picture. Therefore, the judging process will be more relaxed than would be the case at a Face-to-Face Show, with photos to be judged on their overall “Visual Impact and Appeal”. We encourage you to enter as many times and with as many pics as you wish to help support the Rotary Club of Torquay.
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Great Ocean Road Cruise
We also invite you to get your “Special Vehicle” out for a Street Cruise to Lorne on Saturday 13th Feb. Please watch for further details at https://torquaymotorshow.com.au/cruise or search @TorquayMotorShow on Facebook.
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Members of the Surf Coast Community are always welcome to join in the Torquay Rotary Club virtual meetings held via ZOOM 7pm Monday night to hear some good speakers and have some fun getting to know your local Rotarians. For more go to https://torquayrotary.org.au/
Or contact Secretary Maggie Isom 0412 713 102 secretarytorquayrotary20@gmail.com
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Need help with something else?
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Check out our support services page HERE for links to services that offer mental health assistance, housing advice and more. Or call 5261 2583 11am-2pm, Monday-Wednesday during term time.
The Surf Coast Shire also has a comprehensive page of with information on support services for all these issues and more. Please visit the page HERE
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