Lara, Victoria, Australia - News from 2005

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Serendip Sanctuary Development

The Serendip Sanctuary is creating new habitats through direct seeding of indigenous shrubs and trees in extensive areas, transforming pastoral land back into grassy woodlands providing a suitable habitat for wildlife. The new area will be an attraction for birdwatchers and offer walking tracks for visitors. [ Geelong News, Wed 7 Dec 2005, page 22 ]

7 December 2005

Lara Secondary School Outgrows Buildings

Due to a greater number of enrolments than planned, the Lara Secondary College has already outgrown its new facilities and plans to cater for senior classes in portables. The school has met with concerned parents to discuss the problem, whilst the school will work with the regional office of the education department to work around the shortage of space. [ Geelong News, Wed 7 Dec 2005, page 21 ]

7 December 2005

Lara Primary School Students Win National Multimedia Award

Grade 6 students Philip Neivandt, Jake Barby, Mitchel Molenaar and James Cogan won the title of Best Junior Multimedia production at the Australian Teachers of Media Awards for their short film "All About Ants". This is the fourth time Lara Primary School has won the award. [ Geelong News, Wed 2 Nov 2005, page 30 ]

5 November 2005

Street Recycle Bins

New public recycling bins have been installed in Lara around shopping precincts. [ Geelong News, Wed 2 Nov 2005, page 19 ]

5 November 2005

Tidy Towns Success

Lara won an astounding 12 out of 15 Keep Australia Beautiful awards for the South West region in the section for towns with a population of less than 8000. Awards included:

  • EcoRecycle Victoria Young Legends Award
  • Media Award
  • EPA Victoria's Protection of the Environment Award

Lara will now compete at the state level for the Victoria's Tidiest Town award to be announced on October 29. Judges were impressed with Lara's corridors of open space and recent tree planting initiatives. [ Geelong News, Wed 5 Oct 2005, page 21 ]

5 October 2005

Leos Club Launched By Lara Lions

The Lions Club of Lara have launched a Leos Club for those between 12 and 28 years of age, offering regular meetings, service projects and social functions. The first public meeting will be held at 7pm on Tuesday 8 November at the Lara Secondary College. [ Geelong News, Wed 5 Oct 2005, page 22 ]

5 October 2005

Dedicated Field Announced for Lara Soccer Club

The Lara Soccer Club is soon to receive their own full-sized soccer ground, the oval at the back of the Lara Primary School. The City of Greater Geelong will spend $60,000 to irrigate the oval. The soccer club has experienced tremendous growth in players in recent years, with twelve teams competing in local competition. [ Geelong News, Wed 5 Oct 2005, page 34 ]

5 October 2005

New Prison Named

The new prison located on the fringe of the Lara area has been named "Marngoneet", a word from the local Wathaurong language meaning "to make new". The facility will accommodate up to 300 inmates and will begin to take prisoners in early 2006. It will focus on rehabilitation for those with drug, alcohol and sex offence issues. [ Geelong News, Wed 5 Oct 2005, page 22 ]

5 October 2005

Patron Announced for 2006 Heritage Festival

Mrs Theresa McManus has been named as patron of the 2006 Lara Heritage Festival. Mrs McManus has been a Lara resident for over 40 years, has been involved in numerous community groups and in running the first real estate agency, Kevin McManus and Associates, in Lara. [ Geelong News, Wed 7 Sep 2005, page 18 ]

7 September 2005

Survey Supports Roof for Lara Pool

A survey of Lara residents by the Lions Club revealed 98.5% of respondents support the construction of a roof over the Lara Pool. The Geelong City Council is investigating the proposal. [ Geelong News, Wed 7 Sep 2005, page 18 ]

7 September 2005

Wilton's Lara Quality Meats Wins Award

Congratulations to Wilton's Meats for winning first prize for their strasbourg and kabana in a competition conducted by the Australian Meat Industry Council for the south west region of Victoria.

6 August 2005

Lara Sporting Club Renovations

Plans have been announced to build new change rooms, coaches' boxes, female umpire facilities, a meeting room and a store room. Oval two will also be irrigated. [ Geelong News, Wed 3 Aug 2005, page 20 ]

3 August 2005

Lara Lake Community Pre-School Opened

The new kindergarten costing $850,000 has been officially opened, catering for 75 families per year. [ Geelong News, Wed 3 Aug 2005, page 20 ]

3 August 2005

Lara Lake Primary School Upgrade Complete

Construction is complete for an upgrade to Lara Lake Primary School worth more than $2 million dollars, including seven new classrooms and new amenities blocks, with two existing classrooms, the library, IT centre and administration area also refurbished. [ Geelong News, Wed 3 Aug 2005, page 20 ]

3 August 2005

Improved Road Safety

The State Government has announced $398,000 in funding to improve roads in the Lara area. Works are planned for the intersection of Geelong-Bacchus Marsh Rd and Little River-Ripley Road, and Forrest Road. [ Geelong News, Wed 3 Aug 2005, page 17 ]

3 August 2005

Drug Raids in Lara

Police have raided two homes in the Lara area seizing approximately $100,000 in illegal drugs, with two people charged with cultivating and possession of cannabis. [ Geelong News, Wed 3 Aug 2005, page 17 ]

3 August 2005

Roof for Lara Pool

The City of Greater Geelong is expected to allocate $75,000 in the next budget for plans for the construction of a roof over the Lara Pool. Councillor Tony Ansett suggested the redevelopment of the new aquatic centre would take around three years. [ Geelong News, Wed 1 Jun 2005, page 21 ]

1 June 2005

Mother of the Year from Lara

Kim Conway of Lara, Geelong was named the finalist from Victoria for the Barnardos Australia Mother of the Year, nominated by her step-son Jonathan Conway.

14 April 2005

Lara Swimming Club 24 Hour Swim

The Lara Swimming Club completed 1754 laps or 87.7 kilometres over a 24 hour period, involving swimmers of all age groups from under 8s to seniors. A total of over $2350 will be donated to the Lara Secondary College library from sponsorships, donations and club member contributions.

16 April 2005

Lara Fruit Supply Named Regional Retailer of the Year

Lara Fruit Supply was awarded the Regional Retailer of the Year award, competing against over 600 retailers for the title. [ Geelong News, Wed 6 Apr 2005, page 25 ]

6 April 2005

Local Wins Geelong Cricket Association Most Valuable Player

Danny Hughes of Lara has won the Geelong Cricket Association's Most Valuable Player Award for the second year running. [ Geelong News, Wed 6 Apr 2005, page 25 ]

6 April 2005

Youths Recognised by Lions Club

Alistair Lee of Lara received the Lions Young Leaders in Service Award for coaching grade five and six basketball and for his fundraising work with a number of charities. Ben Adams won the annual Lara Lions Youth of the Year award on the basis of academic achievement, community involvement, current affairs knowledge and public speaking. [ Geelong News, Wed 6 Apr 2005, page 23 ]

6 April 2005

New Centre for Vocational Training and Education

The Victorian government has announced a $100,000 grant to redevelop an existing aged care facility in Lara to establish a new centre for vocational training and education programs. The centre will help young people with disabilities maximise their opportunities. [ Geelong Independent, Fri 4 Mar 2005, page 3 ]

4 March 2005

Storms Flood Lara and Close Flinders Avenue

Local flooding was experience throughout the Lara region following storms on Wednesday 2 February. Rising flood water in Hovells Creek cut off Flinders Avenue and left many local roads covered with water.

7 February 2005

Tsunami Appeal

Through the generosity of the Lara community, the Lions Club of Lara raised over $5,000 for the Tsunami Appeal held at the Centreway shopping centre in early January, with the club donating $2,000.

22 January 2005