JANUARY 2021
A look back at the year that was.
After the year from hell, Bellarine Peninsula businesses are reaping the rewards of a bumper summer season.
Holidaymakers from across the state have flocked to the peninsula, some for the first time, according to the Sharp Group’s Lyndsay Sharp.
The Sharp Group manages venues such as Flying Brick Cider Co, Leura Park Estate, Curlewis Golf Club, Jack Rabbit and Yes Said the Seal.
“Particularly exciting is the fact that so many patrons are new to the Bellarine – they are either visiting for the first time or else have had a covid epiphany and moved to the region,” Ms Sharp said.
Ms Sharp said the summer so far had been the “best ever in the context of patron density quotients”.
“Across the board at all venues, on a lot of days, we are turning people away, a concept that was in our wildest dreams only a couple of months’ ago,” she said.
“It’s exciting and we are all sincerely grateful for people’s support of regional hospitality.
“It’s probably pretty fair to say that people have missed going out with friends and family and are now making up for lost time.”
Zebra Bar’s Caron Zillwood said her Ocean Grove restaurant had been well frequented.
“We have been extremely busy,” she said.
“We’re loving seeing our Melbourne customers enjoying spending time together after their lockdown.”
Meanwhile, police are investigating a stabbing in Ocean Grove on New Year’s Eve.
Investigators were told the victim, a 16-year-old boy from Point Lonsdale, was in the vicinity of the beach shower facilities near Bonnyvale Road, when he was approached by a group of males about 10pm.
A verbal altercation took place and the teenager was stabbed to the upper body.
He was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
The offenders fled on foot and police arrested two males nearby.
A 17-year-old and 18-year-old, both from Geelong, were interviewed and released pending further enquiries.
The other offenders are yet to be identified. Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime report at crimestoppersvic.com.au
