It is by Ryan Reynolds and dated June 10th, 2010

A RADICAL new golf tournament is set to bring thousands of tourists and millions of dollars to the Surf Coast.

The Surf Coast Knockout, likened to golf’s version of Twenty20 cricket, will be played at The Sands Torquay from January 20-23 next year.

The hybrid tournament will take on a traditional format during the opening three days, before 32 qualifiers are thrust into a series of cut-throat six-hole matches.

“It really doesn’t get any better then this,” he said. “Geelong is the sporting capital of the world. It is hard to quantify just how much money the tournament brings in, but it will be in the millions. People who follow the golf tours generally stay for a while and spend money. This tournament will be huge for the area.”

Tournament director Andrew Langford-Jones said the tour was like a travelling circus.

“I don’t think anyone has the full appreciation of just how big this will be economically in all areas,” he said.

“The tour is a travelling circus there are 130-odd players, 130-odd caddies, wives, kids, spectators, and television crews. It is good all round for the region.”

The Torquay area will be exposed to a worldwide audience, with OneHD showing the tournament live in prime time as well as beaming coverage into Korea, China, India, Pakistan, Indonesia, Britain and Ireland.

Torquay Commerce and Tourism Association president Martin Duke said the event would become one of the major attractions in the area.

“We hope to see this as a long-term event,” he said. “It is a really good pick-up.

“We have to open our doors up and say, ‘Welcome, come to the start of the Great Ocean Road and have a look at what we have got’.”

He said the tournament would drive a lot of golf tourists to the Surf Coast.

“We believe that it will bring people back after the tournament is finished,” he said.

South Barwon MP Michael Crutchfield said the tournament would create full and part-time jobs.

“They will be staying at hotels and they employ people, the golf courses employ people … greater activity around those areas means more jobs,” he said.

Come and enjoy

Cheers

Tim

Look at the original at http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/article/2010/06/10/180861_echo_news.html

Sculpture by the sea

I am looking forward to viewing work of artists along the way by using the Self Guided Sculpture Trail kit available on site but you can attend conversations with artists or take a booked guided tour. To discover more about this thoroughly enjoyable artistic event go to

http://www.lornesculpture.com

Melbourne Cup weekend (31st October to Cup day 3rd November this year) is our traditional date to visit Lorne and the sculpture exhibition. See you there. And for our previous visit  see this link

http://greatoceanroad-torquay.com.au/blog/art-on-the-great-ocean-road

Images

Organised through a consortium of three of Torquay’s highly respected galleries – Bell Street Gallery & Printworks, Watermarks Gallery and Tigerfish – the exhibition will be officially opened by Surf Coast Shire Mayor Libby Mears and Julie Dyer, Surf Coast Shire Arts Development Officer, at a special preview on Friday April 3 at 6.30 pm.

On display, will be images by some of Australia’s leading surf, ocean and beachscape photographers, including Steve Ryan, Scott Wintle, pioneer surf photographer Barrie Sutherland and award-winning photographer Matthew Stevenson. The exhibition comprises images of surf, sand and sea by many renowned photographers who will each exhibit two works and all images are for sale.

The photographers are (in alphabetical order), Alison Aprhys, Bill Beath, Tom Caddaye Darryl Fowler, Cormac Hanrahan, Eric Holt, Rodney Hyett, Peter Kirkhouse , Wendy Mitchell, Darren Noyes-Brown, Steve Ryan, Kyle Simpson, Matthew Stevenson, Barrie Sutherland, Kevan Way and Scott Wintle.

The Great Ocean Road Photography Exhibition represents a great opportunity for those who love this part of the world to view and obtain works by some of the best photographers the Geelong Region and Surf Coast has to offer. The Surf Coast Photographers provides a forum for showcasing existing and emerging photographers from the Victorian West Coast & Geelong regions.

Details
· Exhibition open between April 3rd – 20th, 2009
· Opening night – Free event, 6 pm for 6.30 pm Friday April 3, 2009
· Venue – Crowne Plaza, The Esplanade, Torquay
· RSVP – Matthew Stevenson at Bell Street Gallery & Print Works on 5264 7199
· The exhibition is free and will be open daily throughout the Easter and School holidays.

For more information contact either:
· Matthew Stevenson at Bell Street Gallery & Print Works on 5264 7199, or
· Barrie Sutherland at WaterMarks Photo Gallery on 5264 7232.

Rip View Classic – Saturday 3rd January 2009

Pub to Pier- it’s so popular that entries are now closed, pity about that.

Danger 1000 – Saturday 17th of January 2009

Queenscliff Blue Water Challenge – 31 st of January 2009

So if you have missed out on the pub to  pier – don’t despair, swim for your life a those three events above.

Here is background on the swims

My friends Michael and Jan hope you will join them in the water.

If you are thinking of enjoying a true summer beach holiday now is the time to book a place to stay. Surfers know that the whole of the Surf Coast along the Great Ocean Road provides some of the best beaches and surf breaks in the world. If you want quieter waters then the main beaches at Lorne and Torquay are good for paddling in gentle surf in between building sand castles. Anglesea has the benefit of both river and beach for different activities. Airey’s Inlet is a favourite spot for family holidays with the Split Point Light House as a beacon over this small village.

If you are considering abandoning the kitchen this Christmas you could consider a wonderful meal out including all drinks, visit by Santa with gifts for kids and traditional buffet at Hanner’s Restaurant at The Sands at $130 for adults, $64 under 15 and only $25 for under 7 year olds.

New Year – you might be considering the sensational Falls Festival near Lorne (now fully booked) for continuous bands in a bush setting or  if you have missed out on tickets this year you can take part in the activity on the foreshore at Lorne beach.

The popular Torquay Pub will have DJ’s from Melbourne until after the midnight hour, and $40 will get you entry to this event. The Rose Restaurant on the hill with spectacular views over Torquay is hosting a private function but if you want to really splash out on the night you might try Hanner’s at The Sands – a Peppers Hotel- with a $130 per person event including all food and drinks, door prizes and the Melbourne band Blush.

Fireworks are traditionally held on the beach at midnight in Torquay.

Accommodation is filling quickly for this special time.

When we hear of other events we will add to this blog for your information.

The Superb Blue Wren and his wives, the rare Rufus Bristlebird, the New World Honey Eaters and their offspring, Wattle Birds and Crimson Rosellas are some of the birds met this morning. The kangaroos were happily grazing on the sweet new grass in the paddock across the road too.

Having returned from a trip to Brisbane last week where the effects of severe drought are evident everywhere in a place I remember as tropical green, it is easy to appreciate our fresh green hills and light air.

This is a perfect time of year to come to the Great Ocean Road and Torquay. Everything is fresh and clean and there are often accommodation offers that make a short trip away affordable.

Torquay was one of a limited number of events that Jodi attended in Victoria, so there was a real buzz in having an internationally known writer in our midst. Attending with a bunch of book group friends meant we were all talking books, along with a glass of wine and food. We enjoyed the time nattering over lunch before Jodi took the stage.
After an introduction by Rosemary Featherston of Torquay Books Jodi did a short reading from Change of Heart and then answered questions before settling to signing over 300 books and generously accommodating photographs.

It was a lovely day with sunshine and wonderful views to the sea over Torquay. What more could we ask for! And if your interest is books and writing then the Surf Coast has a number of great opportunities coming up. Torquay is hosting a mid-winter writers and readers festival called Froth and Bubble over the weekend of June 21-22. Aireys Inlet has the Festival of the Word from 15th to 17th August (contact Nicole on 0419 110 097 or nicole@greatescapebooks.com.au) and a 3-day Freefall Writing workshop will be held in Jan Juc – October -16th to 19th. We look forward to seeing you along the coast soon.

Torquay to Birregurra is a pleasant country drive along quiet back roads where the bite of the drought shows with dry grass and few stock. We are at the end of summer and this part of Victoria has had more rain than other areas of Victoria but is still dry. We pass through Birregurra – a little oasis with its eclectic range of shops – quality clothing, bookshop, amazing handbags and gifts and good coffee shop – on our way to the hidden gem of Sunnybrae. A nondescript farmhouse set in dry paddocks surrounded by scrubby trees and dry gardens. We arrive in time to view “the cattery” – the art studio of Diane co-owner of Sunnybrae and inspired artist. The studio is employed today as a second dining room. Diane is a talented collage artist whose works often with witty cats as subject add to the charm and quirkiness of Sunnybrae. The cook books from around the world lining the walls adds to the warm feeling of being at home with George and Dianne – place where food and the good life is central.

George Biron – owner/chef is passionate about local, seasonal produce. He grows much of the produce we eat today in the dry ground of his property carefully watered by large dams sunk to create a sustainable garden. To come to Sunnybrae is a pilgrimage to the earth and its produce.

The hand printed set menu is explained by the young waitress and we quickly start with the snapper on a bed of unusual green succulents rock samphire (spiky) and purslane (round leaves). Crisp greens complimenting the fresh white fish. The Gosling Riesling provides a flinty contrast.

The dining room buzzes with delighted diners ready to add to their memories of splendid country meals.
Panir a home-made cheese with wilted cucumber, the tiny taste of eel in its salty sauce are the light tastes opening the taste buds to the deeper flavours of the confit with fruit and the soothing haricot bean salad. The local pink wine spells summer in a glass marrying well with all tastes.

Slow cooked braised meats are a rare treat in these time poor days. This version with the orange sofrito creating a fresh zing over the soft gelatinous flesh joined by simple potatoes and fresh garden tomatoes satisfies both tongue and stomach. So much so that we need a walk in the fruit and vegie garden to refresh our palate before dessert.

These gardens display the drying remains of summer crops of carrots, parsnips, celery, lettuce, and the final tomatoes ripening. The new locquat tree looks a bit like an avocado tree to my son-in-law, the asparagus ferns rising high above the beds that will later produce for spring are a feathery mystery to my daughter; young fruit trees planted in lines include pomegranate, nectarine, plum, apricot, peach, pear, quince, walnut, and almond. Future harvests and meals will be come from this bounty.

Small full-flavoured, lightly poached fruit from the trees outside the windows on the plate with cool white buttermilk bavarois slippery like childhood junket with a truly adult glass of muddled peach and champagne – simple uncommon pleasures. Oh bliss!

Replete – our tea and coffee served in pots with the same generosity as every other part of the meal ends a day in the countryside just a few kilometres off the Great Ocean Road. Sunday lunches will be starting again this autumn – see George’s blog.

The Menu for Sunday 24 February 2008:
First starter- Portarlington Snapper with fennel, rock samphire and purslane
Accompanied by Gosling Creek Riesling
Shared starters -
Panir with cucumber, perilla and pepper
Wild rabbit and Western Plains Pork confit with spiced Morello cherries
Skipton Smoked Eel with Anchoide de Croze
Haricot Bean salad with a smokey mustard dressing
Accompanied by Farr Saignee 2006 Bannockburn

Main Course:
Grass-grazed yearling beef braised with red wine and orange sofrito.
Garlic potatoes
Tomato and Ruchetta salad
Accompanied by Innisfail Cabernet Merlot or Farr Rising Shiraz 2005

Dessert:
Buttermilk Bavarois with poached white nectarines and plums
Accompanied by a glass of Birillini
Finished by a Slice of Spice with Timor Coffee

Around twenty years ago Michael first jumped into an early “Lorne Pier to Pub” event open to amateur swimmers who like ocean swims of around 1 kilometre. Many years later he moved to the Surfcoast to live and his friend Jan, a twenty-plus veteran of the event, inspired him to dive in again.

I see Michael quite often at the Peppers Gym in Torquay, swimming, swimming, and more swimming. Last night before settling down to a relaxing game of Bridge I asked Michael about his programme for this summer.

First on the list is the Rip View Swim Classic, a 1.4 km swim with up to 1500 swimmers on 29 December 2007. Point Lonsdale SLSC is the sponsor and beneficiary of the event.

He will be in Lorne on 5 January to swim the 1200 m from Pier to Pub, the largest open water swim on the planet with a capacity of 4300 swimmers. This year’s entries are closed but keep it in mind for next year.

Closer to home for him at Jan Juc are:

	Danger 1000 Ocean Swim The Danger 1000 ocean swim will be held at the Torquay Front Beach (Cosy Corner) on Saturday, 12 January 2008. Entries now open.
	Bells Bash Cliff Run The Bells Bash 8km cliff run between Jan Juc and Bells Beach will be held on the eve of the Danger 1000 Ocean Swim on Friday, 11 January 2008. Entries now open.

Michael will give the run a miss. The swim will take care of 12 January.

A week later, on 19 January, he’s off to Anglesea for the 1200 m Rock 2 Ramp event.

Australia Day, 26 January, has Michael back on the Bellarine for the Queenscliff Blue Water Challenge. Will he make it back on time for rehearsal in the Geelong Repertory play in which he is a cast member?

Will Michael participate in the 2008 Great Ocean Swim? Will he be swum out by 9 February and give Apollo Bay a miss?

Above all, Michael makes a great contribution to surf life-saving in Victoria through his entry fees – fees that support the clubs, clubs that perform a valued community service. A vital contribution is his presence, for without him and the thousands of other Michaels and Maudes, there wouldn’t be any events.

What does he get out of it? Only his health, bragging rights, groovy tee’s and the satisfaction of making a difference!

The event was held over 2 weeks, including the long weekend of the Melbourne Cup which is on the first Tuesday in November.

Strolling in bright sunlight beside the water to enjoy the wonderful creativity and variety of shapes – shiny aluminium “car and caravan”, round dry stone “keep”, fibreglass figures hanging on a clothesline, shaped pieces of rusted steel – is hard to beat.

The open air bayside exhibition is the brainchild of Graeme Wilkie of Qdos Gallery, which itself is worth a visit as it is set amidst tall mountain ash and is a delightful venue for weddings, parties, and anything with a touch of modern art.

We turned our trip into a full day by next visiting the Fisherman’s Co-op to order fresh fish for dinner, and then strolling from the pier to the Surf Club for a brilliant seafood lunch at the iconic Lorne Pub overlooking the horseshoe-shaped bay.

The food and service is always good here, so we knew the scallops would be fresh and the fish local. On a fine day you can see all the way to the Split Point lighthouse as well as watching young surfers below practising in the short waves. Today was unusual in that there was a sea mist that hovered for most of the day, suffusing the air with mystery.

Further down the road on the same day a special event gave a large number of Porsche car drivers the freedom to drive the gorgeous winding road without traffic for three hours. What a treat! After the race they would enjoy a big night out in a huge marquee on the foreshore near the Surf Club.

I’d certainly recommend building this event into your itinerary for next year.