Bay locals paddle out in protest

LOCALS at one of the nation’s most famous holiday spots have organised a “paddle out” in protest over a Netflix documentary about influencers.

Byron Bay residents will paddle out at Main Beach to “formally request Netflix cancel the show (Byron Baes) immediately”.

Resident Mark shared a post to Facebook urging the community to get behind the event and to help “protect the town from continual vampires sucking the life out of our small community”. The post has been inundated with messages of praise.

“If you live here, please show you care and send a strong message to all media that this type of proposed show does not focus on the real way of life in Byron Bay and the challenges we face day to day,” one person wrote.

Ben Gordon, an antiByron Baes spokesman, said it was a “very serious” issue for the community.

“There was absolutely no consultation whatsoever,” he told the Today show.

Netflix has teamed up with Eureka productions to create the reality series Byron Baes that will explore “fights, flings and heartbreak” among influencers based in the town.

ADULT VOCAL GROUP — RAISE THE BAR:

For those who love to sing and perform music in a range of styles and levels of difficulty. Thursdays at 7.30pm in Highton. Details: 0414 806 228 or geelongyouthchoir@ymail.com

ADVENTURE KIDS AUSTRALIA: Boys Adventure Group — Geelong is holding an open day on Wednesday, April 21, from 7pm-8.30pm, at Manifold Heights Hall, corner Shannon Avenue and Volum Street. Free entry. Games, competitions, prizes, ultimate tag. Details: 0414 538 131.

BALLROOM DANCING at Leopold Hall, 805-809 Bellarine Highway, on Saturday, April 24, from 8pm11.30pm. Music by four-piece band. Entry $10, includes light supper. Details: 0400 500 402.

BALLROOM DANCING at the hall on the corner of Carey Street and

Bayview Parade, Hamlyn Heights, on Wednesdays: 6pm-7pm for beginners; 6.30pm-7.30pm intermediates; and 7.30pm-8pm advanced. Followed by a social dance from 8pm-9.30pm. Entry $10, supper provided. Details: 0414 942 079.

BELMONT COMBINED PROBUS CLUB meets at 10.15am on first Monday of the month. New members and visitors welcome. Friendship, speakers, lunch after meetings, dineouts, mahjong, outings. Details: 5243 4042.

CARPET BOWLS at Leopold Hall, 805-809 Bellarine Highway, on Wednesday and Friday each week from 12.45pm-3pm. Admission $4, includes afternoon tea. Details: 0400 500 402.

CHILWELL TOWN CLUB meets Wednesday, 9am-10.30am, at

Geelong Cement Bowls Club, 200 McCurdy Road, Herne Hill.

CHRISTIAN SERVICE: Geelong Evangelical Fellowship meets on the first and third Sundays of the month at 6.30pm at Belmont Baptist Church Fellowship Room, 43 Mt Pleasant Road. Details: 0429 094 372.

CLUB ITALIA is resuming bingo on Thursday, April 22. Tickets on sale at 11am, eyes down at noon. Threecourse Mother’s Day lunch on May 9 from noon. Family discos also return on Saturday, May 22. $20 for adults, $12 for children. 6pm-10pm, at 515 Bellarine Highway, Moolap. Details: 5250 2349.

COBRADAH SENIORS CLUB is looking for new members. This friendly multicultural club meets at Pettitt Park, Beaufort Avenue, Bell Post Hill, every Monday and enjoys activities such as bingo, carpet bowls, cards and bus trips. Details: 0415 733 546.

COUNTRY WOMEN’S ASSOCIATION: CWA Galena branch meets on the second Monday of the month from 1pm at the CWA clubrooms, 174 Boundary Road, East Geelong. New members welcome. Details: Margaret 5278 5845

DANCERS CLUB GEELONG: Ballroom dancing every Wednesday 7.30pm10.30pm at Leopold Hall 805-809 Bellarine Highway. Admission $6 includes light supper. Old time, new vogue, Latin. Visitors welcome. Details Russ 5250 1937

EAST GEELONG SENIORS CLUB is looking for new members. The friendly and active club, at 2B Godfrey Street, Thomson, enjoys activities including Nordic walking, no-falls strength exercises, line dancing, cards, bingo and bus trips. Details: 5221 7741.

EASTERN HUB CRAFT MARKET at

Eastern Hub, 285a McKillop Street (on the corner of Humble Street) on the first Saturday of the month (except January and April) from 9am-1pm. Plus food swap in the courtyard, on the first Saturday of the month from 9.30am-11am. Details: Janet on 0458 935 276.

ENGLISH CONVERSATION

CORNER has returned on Thursday at 5pm during school term at St Paul’s Anglican Church, 171-177 La Trobe Terrace, Geelong. People from all backgrounds who struggle with the English language or wish to improve their proficiency are welcome to attend this free weekly event with a group of accredited and friendly volunteers.

GEELONG SOROPTIMIST INTERNATIONAL: This service club for women and girls meets at 6pm on the second Tuesday of the month at Capri Receptions, 258 Pakington Street, Geelong West. Meetings are followed by dinner. New members are welcome. Details: 0455 835 691 or sigeelong@siswp.org

ENCORE — YOUNG ADULTS VOCAL ENSEMBLE: Advanced singing group for senior secondary students through to 26 years. Thursday 6pm in Belmont. Details: 0414 806 228.

GEELONG BALLROOM DANCE CLUB: All welcome to dance every Saturday at the Ballroom in Carey Street, Hamlyn Heights, from 7.30pm-10pm. Entry is $10. BYO nibbles and drinks. Details: 0417 552 506.

GEELONG BOTTLE & COLLECTABLES CLUB

meets on the fourth Monday of the month from 7.30pm at the Belmont Park Pavilion, 162 Barrabool Road. All collectors welcome. Details: 0419 434 306.

GEELONG BRIDGE CLUB plays each Thursday, 12.30pm-4pm. Clubrooms are at 148-152 Portarlington Road, Newcomb. Contact Marion at gbcsecretary1@gmail.com or call 0407 336 250.

GEELONG HANDWEAVERS AND SPINNERS GUILD meets every Tuesday between 10am and 2pm at the Guide Hall, Patern Street, Highton. New members welcome.

GEELONG MEMORIAL BRASS BAND is looking for new members. Free tuition and a variety of instruments supplied. No joining fee. Lessons are Tuesday nights and band rehearsals are Wednesdays from 7.30pm at Centenary Hall, Norlane. Details: 0427 958 946 or call into Centenary Hall at rehearsals.

GEELONG PHILATELIC SOCIETY INC: Collect stamps? New members welcome. Meetings on the first Saturday of the month from 7pm, at Virginia Todd Community Hall, 9-15 Clarence Street, Geelong West. Also meets on the third Monday of the month from 1pm, at the Belmont Library, 163 High Street, Belmont. Details: 0438 270 549.

GEELONG PROSTATE SUPPORT GROUP meets at Belmont Park Pavilion, 162 Barrabool Road, on the last Friday of the month, 10am-noon.

For those seeking information on prostate cancer and treatments. Partners welcome. Details:

0414 524 155.

GEELONG SPIRITUALIST CHURCH holds a service every Sunday from 10am-noon, followed by afternoon tea. Meet at the VRI Hall at the corner of Gordon Avenue and La Trobe Terrace, Geelong. Psychic/ mediumship development class, Tuesday’s, 7-9.30pm. $10 per class.

All welcome.

GEELONG YOUTH CHOIR: Learn to sing, develop musicianship skills and have fun performing. Thursday afternoons in Highton and Belmont. Times vary by age group. Details: 0414 806 228

GROVEDALE EAST LADIES

PROBUS CLUB meets at 10am on the fourth Monday of the month. New members welcome. Details: Pam 0418 522 346.

GROVEDALE MARSHALL PROBUS CLUB meets at 10am on the second Thursday of the month. New members and visitors welcome. Fun and friendship, guest speakers, lunch after meetings, dine-outs, outings. Details: 5261 7747.

GROVEDALE SENIOR CITIZENS CLUB is at the Community Hub, 45 Heyers Road, Grovedale. Activities include carpet bowls, gentle exercise, cards, bingo and entertainment. Details: 0419 549 521.

HAMLYN HEIGHTS PROBUS CLUB meets at 10am on the second Tuesday of each month. New members and visitors welcome. Details: Noel on 0425 706 339.

LARA GOLF CLUB - LADIES run a social nine-hole game every Thursday at 9.45am followed by morning tea. All ladies are welcome to join in at the course located on Elcho Road, Lara.

LAUGHTER CLUB GEELONG is looking for new participants. Every Saturday at 9am in front of the wading pool at Eastern Beach. A free laughter yoga session takes place for 30 minutes. Details: 0418 521 265

LIFE ACTIVITIES CLUB GEELONG: Wednesday coffee and a chat from 9am at the Belmont Pavilion,

Barrabool Road. Details: 0409 233 430. Arvo tea dance every Thursday, 2.30pm-4.30pm. Entry is $5, all welcome. Details: 5251 3529.

MAINLY MUSIC is a music, movement and morning tea for babies, preschoolers, grandparents, parents and carers. The group meets on Tuesdays from 10-11am, $2.50 per family. All welcome at St Albans Uniting Church, 276-282 Wilsons

Road. Details: Ann on 0417 252832.

ME/CFS, FIBROMYALGIA SUPPORT GROUP meets on the first Tuesday of every month, 1pm-4pm, in Newtown. Details: Sue on 0438 010 990.

NORLANE BOWLING CLUB: Social bowls every Tuesday at 1pm, no experience required, free coaching available. For details, call the secretary on 0478 768 598 or register by 12.30pm. All welcome.

OCEAN GROVE DAY VIEW CLUB holds a monthly meeting on the second Wednesday of the month. The club fundraises for the Smith Family and supports the education of disadvantaged students. New members welcome. Details: oceangroveday.view@gmail.com

PROBUS CLUB OF BARWON VALLEY BELMONT meets on the first Thursday of every month at 9.45am. A vibrant and active social club which has a strong focus on fun, friendship and fellowship. The club has a wide range of activities and interest groups which are scheduled regularly, and is currently in a position to welcome new members. Contact the membership officer on 0407 333 263 for more details.

ROSTRUM PUBLIC SPEAKING: Find your voice and lift your speaking and meeting skills at friendly meetings held on the first and third Mondays of each month at the South Barwon Community Centre. Details: rostrum.com.au or 0408 369 446.

SING OUT SESSIONS led by

Ceridwyn Gordon every second Monday, 7.30pm-9pm, at the Geelong West Community Hub, 89 Autumn Street. Details: singoutgeelong.com.au

TENPIN BOWLING LEAGUE: Friday mornings at 10am. This is a small and very friendly competition which does not take games too seriously. Beginners are welcome. Contact Bob on 0407 333 263 for more details.

TENPIN BOWLING LEAGUE: Middle to mature-aged players for league needed, but not too serious,

Thursdays at 1pm. Details: Shirley on 0407 334 175.

THE LAB NETWORK is a dedicated tech club for young people with autism. Geelong sessions on Wednesday and Friday from 5pm-7pm and Saturday from 9.30am-11.30am and 11.30am-1.30pm. Leopold session is on Wednesday from 5pm-7pm. Torquay session is on Monday from 4.30pm-6.30pm. Register online at thelab.org.au