DEC 20 – JAN 21
COMMUNITY UPDATE
HERE COMES SANTA! This year’s sound and light show at the floating Christmas Tree is sensational.
IN THIS EDITION
A trip into Central Geelong at Christmas time is a delightful, festive-wonderland experience. There are nearly 20 locations on this year’s Central Geelong Christmas Trail, starting at Geelong’s stunning 25-metre floating Christmas tree which dazzles from Corio Bay. Enjoy the trail stops while staying COVID-safe, join in festive activities or pop in to support local businesses and tick off your Christmas shopping list, grab lunch or a coffee and show our cafes and restaurants some love. A trip into Central Geelong provides the perfect opportunity to support local businesses in our own backyard while enjoying the magic of Christmas. And the best thing is - you’re likely to be greeted by some joyous elves! We are also calling all adventurers to join the new Greater Geelong Christmas Adventure which includes 24 special
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2 MAYOR’S MESSAGE 4 MEET YOUR NEW COUNCIL Central Geelong’s Christmas Elves will spread even more special Christmas cheer this December.
Christmas locations to discover while looking for clues to solve a very festive puzzle. If you are looking for some great ideas to celebrate at home, our website has Christmas recipes, craft and decorating ideas, song sheets, kids’ activities, tips for a sustainable festive season and more. It also includes an interactive map with locations for the Greater Geelong Christmas Adventure.
At the end of an extremely challenging year, we wish everyone a happy festive season and hope that you find opportunities to connect with family, friends and community. To learn more about all the Christmas festivities in Geelong, head to www. geelongaustralia.com.au/christmas.
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5 COMMUNITY
7 EVENTS 8 CENTRAL GEELONG CHRISTMAS TRAIL
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CONTACT INFORMATION
CITY OF GREATER GEELONG PO Box 104, Geelong VIC 3220 P: 5272 5272 E: contactus@geelongcity.vic.gov.au www.geelongaustralia.com.au CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTRE 100 Brougham Street, Geelong
NATIONAL RELAY SERVICE TTY VOICE: 133 677 SPEAK AND LISTEN: 1300 555 727 ISSN 2208-4991
MAYOR’S MESSAGE It’s such an honour to have been re-elected to Council by the Bellarine community and then voted by my fellow councillors to continue leading our beautiful region as Mayor. I’m also thrilled to be working alongside our new Deputy Mayor – and fellow Bellarine Ward representitive – Councillor Trent Sullivan, who’s passionate, switched on and works hard to get things done for the community. Your new council group is excited to jump straight into action. There is a lot of enthusiasm around the table and we are optimistic about where Greater Geelong can go over the next four years.
Community Update is part of the City’s ongoing commitment to give our residents indepth news and information about initiatives and services happening across our region
It goes without saying that 2020 has been nothing short of a rollercoaster ride, but as we always do in this community during tough times, we’ve supported each other throughout.
Some pictures in this publication were taken prior to compulsory face covering directions.
Now, with restrictions easing, the weather warming up and Christmas approaching, there is a distinct sense of positivity. Morale is on the rise.
COUNCIL MEETINGS
WATCH COUNCIL MEETINGS LIVE Council meetings are continuing in line with COVID-19 health advice and social distancing guidelines. However, for the safety of the community, as well as our councillors and employees, meetings will only be accessible to the public online. The next Council meetings for 2020 are 1 December and 15 December and accessible via live stream at www.geelongaustralia.com.au/ meetings. You can also view the archive of previous meetings.
Summer is the perfect time to make the most of our stunning natural environment, with 133 kilometres of coastline, 90 square kilometres of open space and 334 parks to explore. We’re encouraging residents and visitors alike to ‘Embrace the Space’ by getting away from the crowds and finding a less crowded spot off the beaten track. This way, we can all stay COVID-safe. Geelong’s Christmas program is also in full swing now, including the famous floating tree on Corio Bay. The program is a little different this year, but there’s a lot to see and do, both in person and online. Visit www.geelongaustralia.com. au/christmas to find out what’s on offer and get into the festive spirit with your friends and family. Stay well everyone.
This year has highlighted just how incredibly lucky (or clever?) we all are to live in this amazing part of the world. It’s worth reminding ourselves that millions of people choose to visit this region every year – and we get to enjoy it every day.
Cr Stephanie Asher Mayor, City of Greater Geelong
YOUR COUNCILLORS
YOUR COUNCILLORS For more information visit geelongaustralia. com.au/councillors CR STEPHANIE ASHER Mayor Bellarine Ward 0413 369 719 sasher@geelongcity.vic.gov.au
CR TRENT SULLIVAN Deputy Mayor Bellarine Ward 0434 307 050 tsullivan@geelongcity.vic.gov.au
CR ANTHONY AITKEN Windermere Ward 0434 307 044 aaitken@geelongcity.vic.gov.au
CR KYLIE GRZYBEK Windermere Ward 0434 307 043 kgrzybek@geelongcity.vic.gov.au
CR BRUCE HARWOOD Kardinia Ward 0434 307 042 bharwood@geelongcity.vic.gov.au
CR EDDY KONTELJ Brownbill Ward 0455 532 006 ekontelj@geelongcity.vic.gov.au
CR SARAH MANSFIELD Brownbill Ward 0436 343 642 smansfield@geelongcity.vic.gov.au
CR JIM MASON AM Bellarine Ward 0434 307 048 jmason@geelongcity.vic.gov.au
CR BELINDA MOLONEY Kardinia Ward 0434 307 033 bmoloney@geelongcity.vic.gov.au
CR PETER MURRIHY Brownbill Ward 0434 307 045 pmurrihy@geelongcity.vic.gov.au
CR RON NELSON Kardinia Ward 0429 531 875 rnelson@geelongcity.vic.gov.au
HAVE YOUR SAY Community feedback helps our plans and projects to best reflect community needs and aspirations While we have temporarily paused face-to-face consultation sessions to comply with COVID-19 restrictions, there are still plenty of opportunities for you to have you say online We’re currently seeking your views on: • Two Way Fire Safety project in Anakie & Breamlea • Engagement Policy 2021 To find out more about these and other community engagements, please visit www.yoursay. geelongaustralia.com.au
CORONAVIRUS SUPPORT
Keep up-to-date with current health advice, service changes, available support and campaigns to continue driving our recovery at www. geelongaustralia.com.au/covid19
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NEWS ...it’s been a tough year
South-west Victorian chalk
so let’s reconnect with
artist Jimmi Buscombe’s
loved ones by sending
works appear in the
them an invitation to visit.
Greater Geelong Christmas Adventure.
IS THERE ANYTHING GREATER THAN CATCHING UP WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY? We’re blessed with so much to see, do and experience across the region. Use it as the setting for those long-awaited hugs and chats. There’s a postcard which you’ll find enclosed with your 2021 City of Greater Geelong calendar. Send it to someone you’ve missed this year and invite them to spend time with you here in Geelong and the Bellarine. Take them somewhere for an alfresco lunch, shop up a storm in a COVID-safe way, head out on a tour or share some
of our fabulous wine. There’s so much to do they might need to pack a bag for a longer stay! The most important tourist attraction in Geelong is the people who live here. Reconnecting with your loved ones now that Victorian travel restrictions have ended will be wonderful; doing it nearby also supports local businesses who are in very challenging circumstances because of COVID-19. So, invite people over and enjoy yourselves – it’s Greater Than them staying at home! For inspiration check out visitgeelongbellarine.com.au
EVER WONDERED ABOUT FESTIVE LOGISTICS? A lot goes on behind the scenes to make Christmas so special in Geelong. Have you ever wondered how the floating Christmas Tree appears and where it goes for the rest of the year? We are very fortunate to have terrific support from Geelong Port to store the 25-metre tree between festive seasons and to have a place to reassemble it annually – think of getting your tree out of storage and working out where all the bits go and then multiply the complexity by 100! Once assembled on a pontoon appropriate for its weight and height, the tree is slowly towed into its position between Cunningham Pier and the Carousel. The final step is to ensure the tree lines up with the Catenary star at the Moorabool
and Malop street intersection. The alignment can only be judged from the intersection so someone in position there phones the people towing the tree to advise whether it needs to go a little to the right or a little to the left! If you head out to see the sites on the new Greater Geelong Christmas Adventure, you will see some awesome 3D chalk art by south-west Victorian artist Jimmi Buscombe who specialises in highly detailed, life-like murals. Jimmi has incorporated his love of native flora and fauna into our Christmas-themed pieces throughout Greater Geelong. Jump on the interactive map for a list of locations for Jimmi’s chalk art and our other Adventure locations: www.geelongaustralia.com.au/ christmas.
SUPPORTING LOCAL BUSINESSES TO BOUNCE BACK This year has been tough for local businesses navigating unforeseen hardships through the COVID-19 pandemic. The Geelong Business Support Program has now helped more than 500 local businesses with expert advice, mentoring and training to help them during COVID-19. The program connects local business people with free expert marketing, finance, legal, human resources, occupational health and safety, and grant writing advice, delivered by experienced local service providers.
YOU KNOW? DID
It also offers professional small business mentoring, wellbeing support and workplace training, with more than two hundred local employees completing COVID-19 workplace training through the program. Geelong Business Support is part of the City’s wider business support package that includes COVID-19 Business Recovery Grants, support for setting up and expanding outdoor dining areas, permit fee waivers and free parking in central Geelong until the end of 2020. Find out more about Geelong Business Support and apply for free expert help at geelongbusinesssupport.com.au
The star at the top of the floating Christmas Tree is four metres wide.
Jodie Brown, Hip Pocket Work Wear
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YOUR COUNCIL
2020 Youth Council member Logan Chandler.
REPRESENTING GEELONG’S YOUNG PEOPLE
The new Council was elected in October and will serve a four year term. L-R, Stephanie Asher (Mayor), Jim Mason AM, Belinda Moloney, Sarah Mansfield, Ron Nelson, Trent Sullivan (Deputy Mayor), Kylie Grzybek, Anthony Aitken, Bruce Harwood and Peter Murrihy. Absent - Eddy Kontelj
MEET YOUR NEW COUNCIL
Congratulations to the 11 councillors who have been voted in by the community. Ten of the councillors were part of the previous council, and there are four female and seven male councillors. The 11 councillors have been voted in from a pool of 39 candidates across four wards: Brownbill, Kardinia, Bellarine and Windermere. A big thanks and acknowledgment to outgoing councillor Pat Murnane for his
service in the Kardinia ward over the last three years. Bellarine ward councillor Stephanie Asher will continue as Greater Geelong’s Mayor, after she was re-elected unopposed by her councillor colleagues during a special meeting at City Hall on 12 November. Cr Asher said she was humbled, grateful and excited to continue as Mayor. “I feel incredibly privileged and honoured to be given the chance to lead this beautiful region once again,” Cr Asher said.
L-R, new Access and Inclusion Advisory Committee members Simon Morris, Rachael Thompson,
Our third Geelong Youth Council has been elected and will represent young people and provide a youth perspective in the decisions made by Council.
Fellow Bellarine Ward councillor Trent Sullivan was elected unopposed as the Deputy Mayor. “Now our four-year term begins and we launch straight back into the fray of fighting for our community,” Cr Sullivan said. The Council is looking forward to working with the Greater Geelong community over the next four years to continue to deliver a vision and strategies to drive the future prosperity and liveability of Geelong and the Bellarine.
A big thank you goes to the 12 young people who represented their peers in 2020 and in particular to our outgoing Junior Mayor, Farzana Hussaini, and Junior Deputy Mayor Ashley Delaney. Elections for the new Junior Mayor and Junior Deputy Mayor will be held in January 2021. To find out more about your Youth Council visit www.geelongaustralia.com. au/youthcouncil.
Volunteering Award winner Jake Anderson participating in a video for Geelong Awards for People with a Disability.
Professor Richard Tucker, Alex Holland and Ainslee Hooper.
NEW RECRUITS TO ADVISE ON ACCESS AND INCLUSION Five new members have been appointed to the City’s Access and Inclusion Advisory Committee. New members Alex Holland, Ainslee Hooper, Dr. Simon Morris, Rachael Thompson and Professor Richard Tucker join other committee members to support the City’s implementation of the Access and Inclusion Action Plan 2018-2022 which addresses access, inclusion and participation, employment and inclusive attitudes as priority areas. These new members bring a wealth of knowledge and lived experience to the committee. Their collective
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expertise includes corporate law, anthropology, psychology, advocacy and universal design. We thank departing members Richard Colman AM, Roger Napthine, Terry Osborn and Liz Spurdle for their commitment and work towards shaping access and inclusion in Greater Geelong. We also congratulate existing committee members, Robert Kuebler and Oliver Lynch, who have successfully renewed their terms for another two years.
CELEBRATING OUTSTANDING WORK FROM PEOPLE LIVING WITH A DISABILITY The four winners of the annual Geelong Awards for People with a Disability were announced during Inclusion Week in November and include Ainslee Hooper (Employment Award), Michael Chan (Achievement Award), Tegan Whitten (Leadership and Advocacy Award) and Jake Anderson (Volunteering Award).
judges found to be of a very high quality. Congratulations to the winners and nominees for participating and shining a light on the exceptional talent that exists locally. Scan the QR code to discover videos about each winner.
The awards, which are presented in partnership with genu, VALiD, Barwon Disability Resource Council and Leisure Networks, celebrate local people living with a disability who are doing outstanding work in the four categories. Once again, there was an extremely strong field of nominees whom the
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COMMUNITY
BUILDING GREAT CITIES
Ever wondered how great cities are built? What makes them inspiring, fun, versatile, health-promoting, welcoming and friendly?
It’s this intriguing topic which forms the basis of a new Designing Geelong webinar series being presented by Revitalising Central Geelong, a partnership delivering an ambitious infrastructure program in Central Geelong to create and attract new jobs and support sustainable growth. The series will feature conversations with experts in a number of fields and include examples of exceptional urban design from around the world. Learn about what makes cities great, ask questions, contribute suggestions and get in the mood to provide feedback on all the infrastructure projects to be delivered by Revitalising Central Geelong over the next few years. Revitalising Central Geelong is a partnership between the City and the Victorian Government. To learn more about the partnership and the webinar series, visit www. revitalisingcentralgeelong.vic.gov.au or follow @revitalisingcentralgeelong on Facebook.
ARE YOU PREPARED FOR FIRE?
DIVERSE PERSPECTIVES MAKE GOOD DECISIONS We’re developing a new Engagement Policy 2021 to outline the most meaningful ways to plan, deliver, and report on our community engagement activities, as well as how to effectively consider and use feedback to inform Council’s decision-making processes. Engagement is a term to describe conversation and consultation, an exchange of views and ideas and the inclusion of various perspectives. Listening to and considering the needs and priorities of our community before making decisions is important to Council and the City. We believe it is critical that decisions which shape our region’s liveability and prosperity are informed and influenced by the people who call it home and that robust discussion makes for stronger decisions.
DID YOU KNOW?
We will shortly be seeking your feedback on the way we engage you in decisionmaking and the way we approach future community engagements. The Greater Geelong region has a proud history of community-inspired decision-making. The participation of everyone in our community is encouraged, welcomed and valued. To provide feedback, visit www. yoursay.geelongaustralia.com.au.
With the devastating bush fires that plagued Victoria and other parts of the country last summer, we’re all acutely aware of the tragedy that fire brings. Preparing a Fire Plan is an important step in preparing yourself for the possibility of fire. Contact your local CFA for help or follow the steps on www.cfa.vic.gov.au. Remember to share your plan with your family, neighbours and friends. We also recommend taking the Fire Ready Quiz at www.cfa.vic.gov.au/planprepare/fireready-quiz. When making your emergency plan, we recommend that you consider the context of COVID-19 restrictions and how they may impact your plans.
There are practical measures that you can take to prepare yourself, your family and your home in case of fire this fire season: • Clean up around your property and remove potential fire hazards including long, dead grass, debris and flammable items (the City’s fire inspections are now underway); • Download the VicEmergency app for emergency information and warnings; • Know your area’s daily fire danger rating by visiting cfa.vic.gov.au or calling 1800 226 226; and • If you’re camping or visiting Parks Victoria land, check their website for restrictions on open fires.
Geelong is growing faster than Australia’s five largest capital cities and our population of 260,000 is forecast to top 350,000 in 2035.
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COMMUNITY
How do we enjoy the great outdoors while staying COVID-safe this summer? We embrace the space! Our region is filled with beautiful parks and reserves so why not embrace the space and enjoy the stunning locations on offer. Plan a picnic, visit a quiet beach, set out on a bush walk or unplug and unwind in a park. While the region is well-known for its iconic locations including Eastern Beach and Geelong Waterfront, Barwon River Parklands and the You Yangs, there is also an abundance of hidden gems. With 133km of coastline and 90 sq km of open space including protected natural habitat and wetlands as well as 334 parks, there is plenty to see and do. If you’re not sure where to start, head to our website for information that can help you find the perfect space for your next picnic, walk, bike ride, swim or rock-pool ramble.
Bec Widd, Annie’s Provedore
SUPPORTING Local MATTERS!
SUPPORTING l a c Lo MATTERS!
STAY SAFE IN THE SUN
Infants and young children are particularly at risk around water so proper supervision is imperative at all times. Here are some tips for keeping you and your loved ones safe:
IT’S OUR BACKYARD
With local businesses hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, we can show some support by shopping local when seeking supplies and services. When embracing the space this summer, it is the perfect time to support our own backyard by shopping for our picnics at local provedores, delis and cafes and sourcing the perfect beach umbrella or picnic blanket from a local homewares store. Buy the perfect hat, sunglasses and hiking boots right here in our backyard.
In the home:
At the beach/river:
• Always actively supervise children in and around water;
• Never swim alone;
• Check the weather and tide conditions and check for hazards or closures on Life Saving Victoria’s website and the VicEmergency app;
• Check that safety barriers are in place and make sure they’re working; and • Make sure gates and doors remain closed.
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• Keep children within arm’s reach;
• All spas and swimming pools (even inflatable ones) containing water higher than 30cm must have a compliant safety barrier;
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• Avoid swimming near boats and ramps and always check the depth of the water before diving in.
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© Arshdeep Singh
UPCOMING EVENTS
Treetop douc - Arshdeep Singh, India
BREATHTAKING PHOTOGRAPHY FROM THE NATURAL WORLD The Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition has returned to the National Wool Museum and features the best photography from the annual competition run by the Natural History Museum, London. For 56 years the Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition has been providing a global platform that showcases the natural world’s most astonishing sights. Launched in 1965 with 361 entries, this year’s competition attracted more than 49,000 entries from around the world.
Cr Trent Sullivan enjoying the 1990’s themed Christmas projections.
CONTINUE THE CHRISTMAS JOURNEY THROUGH TIME
This year’s winner, The Embrace, by Sergey Gorshkov, captures a rare glimpse of the magnificent Amur tiger marking a tree in its forest home.
Flashback to Christmas in the 1970s at City Hall.
A further 25 memorable shots from this year’s entries have been shortlisted by the Natural History Museum, for the People’s Choice Award. Have your say at nhm.ac.uk/peopleschoice.
Projections have returned to City Hall for Christmas with local artist Matt Bonner continuing his Christmas journey through time in this year’s artwork.
The Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition will be on display at the National Wool Museum until 2 May 2021.
Last year our animated Christmas elf led us back through a nostalgic journey from the 1920s to the 1960s while this year the time-machine clock is set for 1970 through to the current decade.
Keep up-to-date on the latest from the museum by following @NationalWoolMuseumGeelong on Facebook.
See the Christmas projections daily from 8.30pm to 11.30pm until 7 January.
GET THE LATEST INFORMATION ON EVENTS THIS SUMMER
Street artist, Rone’s installation Empire at Burnham Beeches. 2019
The COVID-19 pandemic has had an impact on our summer events schedule with many of our favourites being cancelled this year.
RONE. Photographer: Peter Tarasiuk
UNPREDICTABLE! Geelong Design Week is back in 2021 and its exciting theme is ‘Unpredictable’. Drawing inspiration from the events of 2021, the theme is all about resourceful adaptation that transforms challenges into opportunities resulting in new and exciting products, services, art, food, technology and much more.
DID YOU KNOW?
Deputy Mayor,
Geelong Design Week 2021 will include exhibitions, webinars, workshops, tours and popup spaces delivered in accordance with COVID-19 requirements. Geelong Design Week will run from 18 to 28 March 2021 with bookings opening in January at www.geelongdesignweek.com.au
Tetris was launched in 1985, no doubt top of many Christmas lists that year.
Festival of Sails, Toast to the Coast, Geelong Revival Motoring Festival are amongst the events that have unfortunately been impacted this season, but there are lots of events which have also transitioned online. As the COVID-19 situation will continue to be dynamic, we encourage you to keep up-to-date on all the latest on events at Events Geelong.
NEVER MISS AN EVENT! Geelong’s best destination for events:
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Floating Christmas Tree & Light Show
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Free Personalised Santa Letters
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Christmas At The Carousel
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Giant 3D Artwork - Globe
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Waterfront Activities
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Christmas Waterfront Geelong Makers & Growers Market
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Ferris Wheel
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Giant 3D Artwork – In The Tree
15 Christmas Elves
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Catenary Lighting & Star
16 Christmas Windows
10 Santa Photos At Westfield
17 Shorts Place Projections
11 Nativity Scene
18 Free Personalised Santa Letters
12 Santa Photos at Market Square
19 Creative Christmas Activity
13 School Christmas Trees
20 City Hall Projections
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Giant 3D Artwork – Decorate The Tree
21 School Christmas Trees 22 Christmas Tree
Christmas in Central Geelong Augmented Reality
PARTNERS
3D Christmas Wall Art
Tree Lights
#GEELONGCHRISTMAS LoveCentralGeelong
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PRESENTED BY:
For all other Greater Geelong Christmas activities, visit www.geelongaustralia.com.au/christmas
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