WTF: Hole lot of confusion, swingers mix-up, extra home ground advantage
The hunt for the owner of a storm water pit that a teen fell into last week has turned into a wild-goose chase, amateur golfers were told they’d face a $1k fine for a bad slice, and Jeremy Cameron broke the hearts of opposition fans twice.
Geelong
Don't miss out on the headlines from Geelong. Followed categories will be added to My News.
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!
FINDING AN OWNER IS THE PITS
It’s the asset no one wants.
WTF found itself running rings around the rabbit hole last week as it tried to pinpoint the responsible authority for the almost 10m deep unguarded North Geelong water pit that a teenager had to be rescued from.
City Hall not once, but twice, pointed the finger at the Department of Transport and Planning.
Problem solved. Well, not quite.
The DTP claimed to be in possession of documents that proved it was, in fact, a council asset.
For reasons we remain unaware of, access to those documents was denied but that didn’t dampen the department’s enthusiasm in pointing the finger at council.
Barwon Water searched its geographic information system and reported soon after it was not theirs.
VicTrack, the owner of Victoria’s transport land, assets and infrastructure, “believed the pit could be a water authority asset” and suggested we contact them, unaware we already had.
And round and round we go.
We note that management of the pit is not the only unanswered question stemming from the dramatic Monday night rescue on Corio Quay Rd.
When WTF visited the scene Tuesday morning, the concrete pit was surrounded by witches hats and plastic meshing.
We asked around about who was responsible for that handiwork and can confirm it wasn’t council or the SES.
Fire Rescue Victoria, the lead agency during the rescue, referred us to council and VicTrack.
Aghh, we’re getting dizzy.
FORE!
The email landed like the thud of a wayward golf ball hitting a tin roof.
Golfing hacks at the Sands golf club in Torquay got the fright of their life recently when an email from operations manager Mat Mackay landed in their inbox.
“Our insurer, Sportscover, has introduced a $1000 excess for all property damage claims – for example, if a golf ball causes damage to a window or cladding,” it warned.
“If you are responsible for such an incident, you will be required to pay the $1000 excess.
“We ask all members to remain honest and accountable if an incident occurs.”
WTF spies suggest that golf balls regularly hit houses at the Sands, an unsurprising fact given the difficult links course is located within a residential estate.
One relayed an incident on the 18th some time ago where an irate homeowner confronted a 23 handicapper after his final drive of the day was sliced with some much gusto that it smashed his front window.
But a day later Mackay sent another email that set hearts at ease.
It appeared someone at the Sands or Sportscover had gotten confused with the finer policy detail.
“This is not correct,” Mackay said of the earlier advice that golfers would automatically be slugged the $1000 excess.
As long as the golfer did not act deliberately or negligently and reported the incident to club management, they would not be required to stump up the cash.
“This distinction was not made clear in our earlier advice, and we sincerely apologise for any confusion,” Mackay said.
Many a high handicapper are breathing a sign of relief.
HOME GROUND ADVANTAGE
Kardinia Park is a fortress.
Opposition teams shudder at the thought of coming down the highway to take on the almighty Cats – some so much they seem to flat-out refuse. (Cough, Collingwood, cough).
One particular moment of Cattery hospitality managed to get on the nerves of the visiting St Kilda fans at the weekend.
Early in the second quarter, Jeremy Cameron, who was six the last time the Saints won down here, booted a gorgeous goal in front of the Joel Selwood stand end, much to the delight of the home crowd.
It only took a minute for Saints forward Mitchito Owens to get one back.
The problem?
The scoreboard replay showed Cameron’s earlier goal, again, much to the delight of the home crowd.
Our sad and sorry St Kilda supporting WTF correspondent’s musings on the scenario are unfit for print, and we are obligated as a Geelong-based publication to tell him to toughen up.
Originally published as WTF: Hole lot of confusion, swingers mix-up, extra home ground advantage
Circus camel tramples stunt dog trainer
A Bannockburn stunt dog trainer was almost killed after being trampled by a camel at the circus in Queensland. Sim Hellebrand fears her career might be over after undergoing hip replacement.
12-year-old boy breaks neck and back in scary Bellarine bike smash
A single Bellarine mother has been left in a tight spot after her son received a suite of scary injuries while her other son recovers from luekemia.
AFL Barwon makes big BFNL GF change as finals venues locked in
The Bellarine grand final was held at a neutral venue last year, but the decider will return to a BFNL ground.
Corio man allegedly targets elderly in $250,000 scam
A Geelong man has been charged with dozens of offences after allegedly stealing $250,000 from seven elderly victims across Victoria and Western Australia.
Geelong Cat Jed Bews opens new CBD cafe
Geelong Cat Jed Bews has joined forces with the hospitality duo behind Newtown venue Blank Space to launch a new cafe in Geelong’s CBD.
Geelong ‘cult-like’ church sued over child sex abuse allegations
A Geelong church that has made headlines for the wrong reasons is being sued by a former member who alleges he was sexually abused as a child by two elders.