Located Portarlington Highway. Hilarious

The Market Square exodus shows no sign of slowing down, as a retailer with an almost 17-year history in the centre prepares to close its doors. 

Faull’s Shoes’ more than three decade presence in Geelong will come to an end shortly when its ground floor outlet closes, an outcome that followed an extensive review of its operations in the region. 

The business closed its first floor Market Square store in late 2024, opting to consolidate its operations in a move director Ben Faull hoped would avoid a complete exit from the once thriving shopping hub.

“We could have made the decision to leave (Market Square) at that point, but we genuinely wanted to find a way of maintaining our presence in Geelong,” Mr Faull said.

“We have tried different formats, reduced our footprint and consolidated our operations in an effort to remain in Geelong, but ultimately there comes a point where you have to make a commercial decision.

“We believe closing the Geelong store is now the right commercial decision for our business, but that certainly doesn’t make it an easy one.”

Mr Faull said Market Square offered a far different retail experience than what was available almost 17 years ago when Faull’s moved from Moorabool St in October 2009.

The business has in recent years been operating on a month-by-month lease and while the decision to close factored in structural challenges facing traditional retail, Mr Faull said Market Square’s low occupancy rate and lack of foot traffic was impossible to ignore. 

Attempts to clarify the future of the centre with management were mostly ignored, he added. 

“Not getting those answers is also a bit of a vote of what we’re doing to some degree as well,” Mr Faull said. 

“But ultimately we just haven’t seen any change in the last few years, I don’t know whether they’re expecting unrealistic rents or they’re not focusing on leasing it out or what it is, but it’s really not for me to speculate on that.”

Mr Faull said the Market Square closure would have no impact on Faull’s Bridge Mall store in Ballarat, where it has been based for more than a century. 

A closing down sale in Geelong would offer significant reductions, with no specific closing date announced yet. 

“We’ve been part of Geelong retail for more than 30 years, so there is inevitably some sadness in bringing that chapter to an end,” Mr Faull said. 

“But rather than focus entirely on the closure, we’d like the next period to be a celebration of the customers, staff and community who have supported Faull’s throughout our time in Geelong.”

Hi there,

I have a client that loves to go to rippleside and walk along to the water front on that track. She’s terrified of lizards and snakes. We’ve been fine through winter, but coming into spring and warmer days, has any one seen any lizards big or small or snakes in that area? If so where.. just so I know where to steer clear or distract her near that area.

Thanks in advance.

I work with an RTO in Melbourne that delivers security training, and we regularly speak with people who are interested in getting into the industry but aren’t sure where to start.
Rather than promoting a particular course, I thought it might be useful to share a few things I’d suggest checking before paying any training provider.
1. Check the RTO first
Search the provider and qualification on training.gov.au and make sure the provider is actually registered to deliver the qualification.
2. Training and licensing aren’t the same thing
Completing your training doesn’t automatically give you a security licence. Victoria Police is responsible for security licensing in Victoria, and applicants still need to meet the relevant licensing requirements.
3. Don’t compare providers only by price
If one provider is $800 and another is $1,200, don’t automatically assume cheaper or more expensive means better.
Ask what you’re actually getting:
How is the course delivered?
What practical training is involved?
What is the attendance requirement?
What assessments are required?
What support is available?
Are there additional costs?
4. Understand the job before doing the course
Security isn’t just one type of job. Depending on your licence and employer, work can involve different environments and responsibilities.
It’s worth understanding what kind of security work you actually want to pursue before enrolling.
5. Be cautious of unrealistic promises
I’d be careful with anyone promising an extremely easy qualification, guaranteed licence or guaranteed employment.
A training provider provides training and assessment. Licensing decisions are made by the relevant licensing authority, and employment decisions are made by employers.
6. Ask questions before paying
A legitimate training provider should be comfortable explaining its course, fees, delivery arrangements and enrolment requirements before taking your money.
For transparency: I’m associated with ALIT College in Melbourne (RTO 45156), alit.edu.au which delivers security training. I’m not posting this pretending to be an independent student or customer.
I’m interested in making this useful rather than promotional.
If you’re considering getting into security in Victoria, what part of the process are you most confused about?
Happy to answer questions where I can.

Hi all

Just moved here in April, in Newton area but was wondering where are some good and trustworthy mechanics that people have been dealing with for a long time? I drive an older Triton so generally prefer a private mechanic.
Happy for any suggestions from good experiences

Hey gang, long time no post. Looking for recommendations for skateboard shops, my kid has taken an interest and is currently learning on twenty five dollars of kmarts finest, which is fine for now but hes starting to ask about upgrades and parts. Can anyone recommend a good shop that I could take him to where the staff are knowledgeable and can talk him through how to choose board/trucks/wheels but at the same time wont take advantage of my dumb ass (and my wallet)?

After getting hung up on several times around 10pm after only asking what time their dining room closes we got verbally abused by who I assume is the manager (bigger lady in gray shirt).

We got verbally abused and also insulted because I went to open the dining room door (after the dining room closed so it’s a button inside) and I went to step outside to say hi to someone.

She yelled at me and insulted me even after I said I wasn’t even letting anyone in and then rudely called out everyone better leave within 15 minutes.

She also told one of the employees to cancel someone’s order (two Big Macs) because “you don’t have to make those”.

Why bother having Big Macs if you’re gonna cancel the order when someone buys them.