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News.com.au
4 days ago
- Lifestyle
- News.com.au
Inside Geelong Cats player Rhys Stanley's luxe Surf Coast farmhouse
Geelong Cats premiership ruckman Rhys Stanley racked up more than 1200 AFL hit-outs in the almost three years it took to build his family's forever farmhouse on the Surf Coast. But, much like on the footy field, he and wife Kirsten never took their eye off the prize as they inched ever closer to finishing their dream European-style home. The couple and its three children finally moved into 'Farmhouse Fields', about 15 minutes from Torquay, just before last Christmas. They searched long and hard to secure the right rural acreage property where they could embrace a working farm life and their love of wide, open spaces. 'When we first found the site, we drove to the top of the hill and knew instantly that this is where we want to build our family's forever home,' Stanley said. 'The project is something we can grow with and grow into; we're hoping the farmhouse is going to be something we can love for generations.' For their first new build, the couple turned to local interior architecture and design studio Studio Hallihan to bring together their love of combining old and new. The family lived in an existing two-bedroom cottage on the property during the home's construction. As well as oversized windows framing views across the countryside, the new house features high vaulted ceilings, exposed beams, textured oak timber floors and tactile limewashed walls. Outside, natural stone cladding reinforces the farmhouse vibe, while internally Gyprock products, including Flexible Plasterboard, help achieve soft feature curves. 'The designer had some fun with curves throughout the house and they have turned out better than we could have imagined,' Stanley said. The house has separate kids and parents' zones and a large open-plan living space anchored by an American inspired kitchen to satisfy the Stanley's love of entertaining. 'Built-in cabinetry ensures we can hide away the mess and enjoy the beauty of the space while entertaining,' Kirsten said. Custom cabinetry also features in the earthy-toned ensuite, which has a marble vanity and European-style brass tapware. Stanley said the length of the build, which started around the time of the Covid pandemic, was impacted by supply chain delays and lockdowns. 'A whole lot of blood, sweat and tears have gone into this project,' he said. 'Seeing it completed and looking so beautiful fills us with a lot of pride.'
News.com.au
10-07-2025
- Business
- News.com.au
Secluded Bells Beach hideaway with surf check tower hits market
A secluded Bells Beach hideaway owned by a succession of surf and skate industry heavyweights has hit the market on the Surf Coast. Former champion skateboarder and co-founder of Globe International Peter Hill is among those who have left their mark on the 4.13ha bushland sanctuary. He installed a skate ramp alongside the striking three-bedroom house that's topped with a surf check tower. Natural Real Estate, Torquay listing agent Shaun O'Callaghan said the viewing room was 'possibly the best home office on the coast'. But you don't need to venture up there to get a glimpse of the waves – it's also possible to do a surf check from the comfort of the main bedroom. Mr O'Callaghan has set a $5.25m to $5.5m price guide for the property at 225 Jarosite Rd, Bells Beach, which includes a teepee, self-contained studio and a natural amphitheatre that's played host to small concerts. He said it offered an incredible private oasis on the doorstep of the famous Bells Beach surf break, as well quieter Southside beach and the Ironbark Basin nature trail. 'The obvious standout is the location, with the proximity to Bells and the views to the northeast,' he said. 'It's rare you obtain a view of that significance and also remain sheltered and protected from some of the prevailing winds. 'Some properties see the ocean but then others, of course, get the breaking waves and full connection to the surf. 'It's not just a property for surfers but interestingly the historical ownership has always been surfers or people from the surf industry.' He declined to comment on current ownership of the property. Kangaroos are often spotted grazing outside the 1990s house, which is elevated atop repurposed telephone poles. High timber ceilings, extensive glazing and wraparound decks reinforce the connection to nature inside the open-plan living area. Even the spa bath in the main bedroom's ensuite has an ocean view. 'The original owner was a hardcore surfer and also connected to what was on offer there so didn't want to make a statement of the property itself,' Mr O'Callaghan said. 'The architecture is really quite subtle but there's a lot of personality that goes with it, without it being overstated.' He said a large shed included a games room and gym, and there was also scope for buyers to infill under the existing house.
News.com.au
04-07-2025
- Business
- News.com.au
Geelong: The best time to sell in your suburb revealed
New data blowing the myth that spring is the best time to sell your house reveals when homes in each Geelong suburb achieves top dollar. The Ray White research found a handful of major Geelong suburbs scored their best prices in the spring months of September, October and November. The research, analysing 10 years worth of residential property sales to detail the months with the highest and lowest median home prices for 77 localities across the Geelong region, reveals February, March and April were the best time to sell in many areas. Ray White chief economist Nerida Conisbee said while improving weather and a season where gardens can look their best made sense for many people, the research revealed the drawbacks of selling at the busiest time of the year. 'It makes sense. People traditionally like to sell in spring is because their homes look better and they want to get in before Christmas,' Ms Conisbee said. 'All these things lead to a higher level of activity in spring. 'But the reality is that trying to sell in a very busy market or a very well supplied market is a bit more challenging, so selling at other times can make sense.' The data revealed homes in Highton, central Geelong, Rippleside and St Albans Park scored their best results in spring. Among the 15 areas where the best prices were in spring were areas such as Lethbridge and Bannockburn, Curlewis and Charlemont and Fairhaven and Anglesea on the Surf Coast. January was the best month to sell in coastal areas such as Bellbrae, Breamlea and St Leonards, along with inner city Geelong West and South Geelong, the research revealed. February, March and April were the best months for 32 suburbs, including Lara, Corio and Bell Park in the north, to Grovedale, Newtown and Leopold and Torquay and Ocean Grove on the coast. Ray White Lara agent Matthew Wade-Taylor said sellers faced more competition for buyers in busier spring months. 'A lot of people do want to go to the market in spring. They think the weather's great, the plants, the garden, everything's looking perfect,' he said. 'Coming into spring, you've got a lot more competition you're working against. 'I'm seeing a little bit more of a spike in the cooler months. There's not a lot on the market, therefore, the competitions with the buyers.' But Mr Wade-Taylor said most buyers don't pay much attention to when they sell. 'I always say to my clients, the best time to go to the market is when you're ready.' While winter was the best time to sell in Armstrong Creek and Belmont, the research revealed the season was the slowest market for many suburbs, with 17 recording their lowest median sale prices in August, followed by 14 in August. Ray White Highton agent George Politis said quiet months such as June can be strong. 'People will go after that house that might be 90 per cent correct for them, rather than the 100 per cent, so they'll accommodate what's on the market at that time,' Mr Politis said. 'At spring, you've got an influx of homes, so the buyers' desires are a little bit more fluid because of instead of looking at say five properties, they are looking at 15 during the spring market.' THE BEST TIME TO SELL IN YOUR SUBURB Suburb High Price Month High Price Low Price Month Low Price Geelong West January $845,000 June $685,000 South Geelong January $882,500 March $575,000 Lara February $640,000 September $585,000 Waurn Ponds February $713,000 January $609,000 Barwon Heads March $1,330,000 July $945,000 Bell Post Hill March $590,000 June $485,000 Corio March $415,000 July $370,000 Grovedale March $599,000 September $510,000 Leopold March $595,000 June $526,000 Newcomb March $525,000 October $430,000 Ocean Grove March $850,000 August $735,000 Whittington March $480,000 December $360,000 Queenscliff March $1,320,500 December $805,000 Drysdale April $690,000 June $590,000 Hamlyn Heights April $645,000 August $547,000 Indented Head April $815,000 July $560,000 Newtown April $1,010,000 January $840,000 Torquay April $1,045,000 July $860,000 Manifold Heights April $940,000 August $760,000 Mount Duneed May $710,000 September $641,000 Lorne June $1,675,000 August $860,000 Armstrong Creek June $650,000 January $615,000 Belmont June $630,000 July $557,000 Aireys Inlet August $1,420,000 July $735,000 Apollo Bay September $825,000 July $565,000 St Albans Park September $505,000 January $442,000 Rippleside September $1,185,000 December $775,000 Fairhaven October $1,850,000 February $1,000,000 Bannockburn October $680,000 December $575,000 Curlewis October $650,000 January $581,000 Anglesea November $1,200,000 September $795,000 Geelong November $885,000 June $730,000 Highton November $767,000 August $715,000 Wandana Heights December $895,000 July $725,000 East Geelong December $710,000 April $620,000
News.com.au
13-06-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Chris Scott says Geelong star Bailey Smith did all the talking in meeting with AFL boss Andrew Dillon about behaviour
Geelong coach Chris Scott is confident star recruit Bailey Smith's 'low-key' meeting with AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon about his on and off-field behaviour won't curtail the brilliant start to his Cats career, adamant the Brownlow Medal fancy 'did most of the talking'. Smith, who will return for the Cats against Essendon on Saturday after a brief injury lay-off, was part of a meeting with Dillon, Scott, Geelong football boss Andrew Mackie and chief executive Steve Hocking at his Surf Coast property last Thursday. It came after Smith put himself in the spotlight when he alluded to recreational drug use on social media, having already twice been fined for an inappropriate gesture towards opposition fans. Smith, who crossed to Geelong from the Western Bulldogs, also became embroiled in a verbal stoush with his former club after playing in front of a packed MCG and declaring 'you don't get that at Ballarat' after a crowd below 10,000 attended a Dogs game in the regional centre. But Scott was loathe to 'overplay the importance of it' and Smith was even 'keen' to have the face-to-face meeting after Dillon had addressed the issues publicly on occasion. 'It was a very casual and low-key catch-up, as much as can be between peers when you've got a 23 or 24-year-old with the CEO of the Cats and the CEO of the AFL,' Scott said on Friday. 'I'm loathe to say too much because I don't want to speak on behalf of Andrew Dillon, but as a club we certainly appreciated the fact that he reached out. 'The takeaways would have been Bailey has a really good feel that he's got a lot of people supporting him. 'I think he recognised better post that meeting how much the AFL value what he can bring to the game and by extension to the AFL themselves. 'I don't think he's ever had any trouble with this, but it has been reinforced, the responsibility that he has to the game as well. Those things kind of go hand-in-glove. 'The more I talk about it, the more I get concerned that I give the impression that it was three or four people speaking at Bailey. It wasn't like that at all.' Scott said Smith, who has the support of the club and his teammates to continue to show his character, was in no way taken aback by the meeting and would continue to show his character. 'He actually did most of the talking – which is not unusual,' Scott said. 'It's been good fun to have him around the place. Players love him. Staff love him. 'We're on our toes, aren't we? ' 'It's exciting, but we've said for a long time we don't have any intention of trying to fill our list with the same sort of person. He is unique but in the most positive sense of the word.' Scott will notch a significant milestone on Saturday, coaching against his brother Brad, with the twins notching up a combined 1000 games as players and coaches.
ABC News
09-06-2025
- Climate
- ABC News
Rains bring relief and hope to farmers in drought-stricken Victoria
After months of blue skies and dwindling dams, the weekend finally brought rain to drought-stricken areas of Victoria. More than 25 millimetres of rain fell in many parts of the state, giving hope to rural communities. Ben Pohlner's farm outside Warrnambool in the state's south-west received more than 40 millimetres since Friday. With the rain turning dry soil to mud, he said the farm could get on with planting a long overdue strawberry crop. "We've got to get 45,000 plants in the ground and that's going to be exciting for us," Mr Pohlner said. At parched Edenhope in the state's west, Clayton Caldow has been hand feeding his flock for months. Since Friday, 44 millimetres of rain has fallen at his property. "Look, a month earlier would have been amazing, but it's going to really kick start a lot of pastures," he said. Inland from Victoria's Surf Coast, at Mount Moriac, drought has forced beef farmers Eliza Holt and Jim McKenna to move their cattle to another property. "For the first time ever we faced the reality in January this year that the dam had gone dry, and we just couldn't maintain the cattle here," Ms Holt said. "So we had to completely destock, which was a huge thing to do." Over the weekend they received more than 80 millimetres, topping up dry troughs and turning thirsty paddocks green. "We spent yesterday staring out the window like idiots just grinning our heads off like it was Christmas," Mr McKenna said. Mr McKenna said the stress and anxiety farmers have been feeling due to drought could not be underestimated. "From here to the border, western Victoria is just going to sleep a lot better after that rain," he said. While grateful for the rain, they say plenty more is needed. "[The rain] won't bring an end to the drought as such, but it's fantastic to have rain and water in the dams," Ms Holt said. "Let's hope for some sunshine and that the seed will actually grow that's been sown in many paddocks throughout Victoria in the past few weeks." The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) is forecasting more rain this week, but drought-breaking rains could still be some time off. "While this is very welcome rainfall and it's good to get some rain, many of these areas are hundreds of millimetres behind average and coming off the driest six, nine, 12 months in some places on record," BOM senior meteorologist Dean Narramore said. "So it's going to take a number of these systems to break the drought."
