WTF: Smith’s snub, court in the act, Cluck Norris, signage concern

This week’s WTF column looks at why Geelong’s most talked about man stood up an Addy photographer at a popular local pub. And one Surf Coast landowner has been court in the act.

This week’s instalment of WTF has landed.

They’re the little – and sometimes not so little – things that can really irk us … and they’re back! A new slot, on a new page with the same old problems that have us all saying, woah, that’s frustrating!

SMITH’S SNUB

Bailey Smith isn’t shy in promoting his own product. Picture: Supplied.

He’s the biggest ticket in town.

Plastered on marketing material the town over, it was a local watering hole’s turn to cash in last weekend.

The media release made it clear the great man Bailey Smith would be pouring his new Barry brew at the Sporting Globe on Sunday.

But when WTF’s photographer excitedly arrived, he was turned away.

So, had Baz skipped his big event?

Well, no, our spies noticed on Channel 7’s news that night grainy footage of Smith pouring drinks at the very same pub the photographer had tried to enter just hours before.

Bailey Smith at the Sporting Globe. Source: 7News Melbourne.

The reason for Smith’s snub?

“Bailey wasn’t keen,” a media manager shared.

While it’s certainly an interesting approach to PR, it’s not the first – and won’t be the last – time Smith has bucked the trend.

COURT IN THE ACT

A Jan Juc tennis court has caught the attention of authorities.

A Jan Juc property owner has served up a double fault of epic proportions.

Building works at the Bones Rd property, including a private tennis court, were completed years ago, but the cheeky owner only lodged a planning application with the Surf Coast Shire in March.

According to the application, the owner commissioned an extension, tennis court, small outbuilding, carport, fencing and installed shipping containers – all without council approval.

The court was once a horse paddock.

The extension, completed in 2023, added 128 sqm to the home, including additions to the ground and first floors, and included a lounge, a bedroom, bathroom and first floor catwalk.

Yes, a catwalk.

The 550 sqm tennis court was built in 2017, with the site being previously used as a horse paddock.

The property has been in the same hands since it last sold for more than $2.3m in 2014.

It’s understood the shire became aware of the works mid last year, although we remain in the dark as to how.

When contacted by WTF, acting general manager of placemaking and environment Gabrielle Spiller said a monetary fine was not appropriate given the landowner was taking steps to rectify the breach.

“Our first step is always to try to work with property owners to achieve compliance for unauthorised works, without the need for formal enforcement,” she said.

CLUCK NORRIS

Not a week goes by where WTF does not receive some form of colourful correspondence. Picture: Peter Ristevski.

We shift our attention to some correspondence received by WTF HQ in recent days.

But we do note that we have no way of verifying claims made in the message, but thought them too good not to share.

An email with the subject line “The Geelong CBD Rooster – Cluck Norris: The Bird, The Myth, The Meal,” hit our inbox on Tuesday.

Its contents told the “curious tale” that “took a turn for the absurd, and ended, quite literally, on a dinner plate”.

“A few weeks ago, our beloved rooster, Cluck Norris (yes, he was as tough as the name suggests), went missing without a feather out of place,” the email read.

“One morning he was strutting around, waking the neighbours at 5am like clockwork and the next, he’d disappeared faster than a Bunnings sausage on a Saturday.

“We searched high and low, even posted on local Facebook groups with headlines like ‘MISSING: Small but loud. Responds to his own name.’

“Nothing. Cluck had vanished.

“Fast forward to dinner at a friend’s place. The roast chicken was delicious both tender and crispy.

“’What’s your secret?’ we asked. With a smile, they replied, ‘Oh, some rogue rooster wandered into the yard last week — figured we’d put him to good use.’

Cluck Norris. Maybe.

“It was only later that week, after a few awkward laughs and some familiar feathers found in the compost that we put two and two together: Cluck Norris had staged his final escape … straight into the oven.

“We are still a bit stunned, but also pretty impressed. That bird went out the way he lived; loud, unpredictable, and at the centre of attention. He may be gone, but his legacy lives on in family stories … and possibly our next gravy recipe.

“Rest in peace, Cluck. You were delicious.”

It follows a WTF investigation into a rooster crowing in the CBD, which ceased to be heard soon after.

CAUSE FOR CONCERN

One resident relayed their concern about this signage in South Geelong. Picture: Alison Wynd.

South Geelong residents have long been concerned about an ominous sign.

Across from Kardinia Park, at the corner of Balliang and Moorabool streets, it looms large.

“CONCERN,” it reads, pointing down Balliang.

“I don’t know what it means, but it’s pretty creepy,” a concerned nearby resident relayed.

So what is the cause for concern?

Turns out, it’s far less sinister than it seems.

The sign points to a now closed non-profit organisation, Unitycare Concern Welfare.

Originally published as WTF: Smith’s snub, court in the act, Cluck Norris, signage concern