Apollo Bay, what's happening in paradise!

Celebrate Australia Day In Colac Otway Shire
Colac Otway Shire Mayor, Cr Warren Riches is encouraging residents 'and visitors to the region to attend the Shire's Australia Day Celebrations in Colac and Apollo Bay on January 26.
Celebrations in Apollo Bay run from 12 until 2pm with free entertainment on the Apollo Bay foreshore and formal presentations in the Apollo Bay Surf Life Saving Club.
Celebrations in both Colac and Apollo Bay will include the presentation of awards for Citizen of the Year, Young Citizen of the Year, Community Service Award and Sporting Service Award and Australian citizenship ceremonies.

PUBLIC RALLY IN SUPPORT OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT FOR APOLLO BAY
Many members of the Community are concerned that current development proposals for Apollo Bay are unsustainable. While opinions have been voiced widely, Council appears not to be hearing us. Concerns are:
Uncertainty about water Uncertainty about power Oversupply of land for sale Inability of our roads to take the traffic Ignoring Climate Change Environmental sensitivities If you have a view, express it at the Public Rally Saturday January 27th, 11.30 am Adjacent to Surf Club, Apollo Bay Enquiries : John Spencer, (5237 6408) (on behalf of a Community Group)

IT'S A GIRL
Michelle, Damian, Jack & Ned are please to announce the safe and very exciting arrival of our little Miss Beth Kate Carney.
Born 11th Janauary 2007 at 11.25am weighing 7lb at the Timboon Hospital.
We would like to say a very big Thank-you to everyone who helped us at this very special time, especially Di, Tina, Gav, Zac, our beautiful Charmaine, Rochelle, Wayne and all those other people on our "Help List" . A big thank-you to Dr Jeanie Brown & all the wonderful staff at Timboon Hospital, and to the staff at the Apollo Bay General Practice. Thanks to all the kind and generous gifts and well wishes from the lovely people in our great little town. Michelle

CONGRATULATIONS TO DAMIAN, MICHELLE, JACK and NED CARNEY On the birth of their beautiful baby daughter and sister BETH KATE Born 11th January 2007.
Love Mainey XOXO

Support for community banking
A Community Bank® branch at Apollo Bay is on the home stretch after receiving more than $400,000 in pledges of support.
The Apollo Bay and District Community Bank®
project has received $417,000 in pledges, less
than $200,000 away from its goal of $600,000.
Committee chairman Lance Matthews said he was
"Quietly confident" the Community Bank®
branch would open.
"We are expecting to finish the pledge campaign
in February and move onto a feasibility study,"
Mr Matthews said.
"We have received a generous amount of pledges
for both business and shareholdings," he said.
"There is a good chance it will be going ahead.
"We are all excited at the prospect of enjoying the
opening of the Community Bank® branch in
Apollo Bay."
But Mr Matthews said the campaign had not been
smooth sailing.
"There is always opposition to all new ideas," Mr
Matthews said.
"There has been some background noise as
expected, but we are quietly confident we will
achieve our goal."
Bendigo Bank and the Apollo Bay and District
Community Bank® branch will share its
operating revenue, with the community's bank
share being reinvested into community projects.
(Rebecca Adam, Vie Colac Herald, Wednesday,
January 10, 2007.)

company Remix Publishing. Remix Publishing represents many other Australian Songwriters.
Two hugely successful singles released by Full Moon were Mark Jackson's "I'm an Individual" and Joe Dolce's "Shaddup You Face" which broke the record previously held by Mike's "Up There Cazaly" as the biggest selling single in Australian history. "Shaddup You Face" has now sold four million units worldwide. Mike and his company have produced albums for artists such as Tina Arena, Colleen Hewett, Mark Gillespie, and Mike Rudd and Bill Putt. Many artists including John Farnham and Tina Arena have recorded Mike's songs. Over recent years Mike has continued to write music for films and television projects most recently completing a children's TV series for Channel 7, 'The Adventures of Chuck Finn', together with writing songs for various sporting events - 'Courage in their Eyes' which was used to launch Channel Seven's media broadcast of the Olympic games and 'Rise to the Moment' the Paralympic official team song for the 2000 games. Another aspect of Mike is his solo performances and motivational speaking, which he combines with his work as front man of the 'Mike Brady Band'. His band is one of the hottest corporate acts in Australia having also performed overseas. Governor Opens Doors Professor David de Kretser AC, Governor of Victoria and Mrs Jan de Kretser are opening the doors of Government House to visitors on Australia Day, Friday, January 26, 2007. Visitors will be able to view many rooms that are not normally open to the public including the State Apartments, the Private Apartments and the Governor's study. The day will include a picnic in the grounds, children's entertainment, musical performances and sporting demonstrations with refreshments available. Government House is located in Government House Drive, Melbourne. Gates open at 10am with parking on Birdwood Avenue and St Kilda Road. For more information contact Deborah Roberts on 9655 4211.

Otway Odyssey entries close early -Olympians and National champions to descend on Apollo Bay
The inaugural Otway Odyssey Mountain Bike Marathon has reached its capacity and entries have closed early. More than 1,000 riders will descend on Apollo Bay on February 3 with every Australian state and territory represented.
Australia's best mountain bikers will race for the country's richest mountain biking purse of $13,000 in cash prizes (and over $20,000 in other prizes). Aiders leading this charge through the Otway Ranges include:
- Chris Jongewaard (Com. Games 2006, 2nd Herald Sun Tour 2006)
- Sid Taberlay (Olympics 2004, Com. Games 2006)
- Murray Spink (Com Games 2006)
- Tim Bennett (Aus. MTB Marathon Champion 2006)
- Emma Colson (Com. Games 2006)
- Tory Thomas (Aus. MTB Marathon Champion 2006)
- Members of the Under-23 national team
Other big names include Nick Harrison (Olympic marathoner, 2004) and Rob Crowe (Olympic road cyclist, 1992).
Starting on the Apollo Bay foreshore, the Otway Odyssey takes riders on a journey into the stunning Otway Ranges National Park. Riders will spin through dense rainforests, roller coaster single-track, creek crossings and sweeping 4" tracks offering spectacular views of surrounding hills, before finishing at the picturesque township of Forrest. The finish at Forrest coincides with the Forrest Festival; a huge family oriented festival with over 50 stalls selling food and local crafts as well as live music, kid's activities and BMX tricks displays.