COMMUNITY UPDATE SPRING 2021
WELCOME TO COMMUNITY UPDATE This publication is for and about the residents of Geelong and focuses on the caring and creative individuals and groups throughout the region who contribute to making Geelong such a vibrant and thriving community.
MAYOR’S MESSAGE We are so fortunate to live in a special pocket of the world that’s surrounded by natural beauty. With our north-facing bay, the You Yangs, world-class beaches, wetlands of significance and bushland at our fingertips, we really are spoilt for choice.
This draft plan commits the municipality to 80 ambitious but achievable actions around emissions reduction and managing climate change impacts.
These landscapes are a major factor behind why many of us decided to move to Greater Geelong in the first place and it’s also the reason why locals have chosen to stay put for life.
Proposed targets include:
The importance of protecting these environmental assets, and our people, from the effects of climate change can’t be overstated and requires a whole community approach to create significant results. The Draft Climate Change Response Plan is a guide for the City of Greater Geelong and the community on how to urgently tackle climate change issues and impacts. 2 | geelongaustralia.com.au
• Net zero emissions across all City of Greater Geelong operations by 2025; • Net zero emissions across Greater Geelong by 2035; • 100 per cent renewable electricity supply used for all City-owned and operated buildings, and streetlights by 2021; and
Residents, community groups, the Council’s new Sustainability Advisory Committee, government agencies and other stakeholders helped to shape the framework and I thank everyone who gave feedback in the latest round of consultation. Soon, the plan will come to the Council for final endorsement and then it’s straight onto ‘walking the talk’. Please join us in taking concrete action on climate change, so that our beautiful region can be protected and enhanced for future generations.
• 95 per cent of Drysdale Landfill methane gas emissions recovered and used for energy production by 2025. You can read the draft plan in-depth here: geelongaustralia.com.au
Cr Stephanie Asher Mayor, City of Greater Geelong
PG 10: ALL ABOARD FOR THE BELLARINE RAILWAY’S NEXT ADVENTURE!
PG 6: KICKING GOALS AT ARMSTRONG CREEK EAST PAVILION
IN THIS ISSUE OF COMMUNITY UPDATE
PG 5: A SPECIAL CONNECTION
Please note: Some pictures in this publication were taken prior to compulsory face covering directions.
YOUR COUNCILLORS For more information visit geelongaustralia.com.au/ councillors
CR STEPHANIE ASHER Mayor, Bellarine Ward 0417 033 856 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 0435 219 198 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
COMMUNITY UPDATE SPRING 2021 | 3
WURRIKI NYAL: A SUSTAINABLE CIVIC PRECINCT FOR GEELONG TO BE PROUD OF This time next year you’ll be able to walk into Wurriki Nyal – Greater Geelong’s new civic precinct and one of Australia’s most sustainable buildings. Designed based on community feedback in 2019 and in collaboration with Wadawurrung Traditional Owners, the 6 Star Green Star customer service centre and open space will carry 99kW of solar panels, water recycling systems, and a unique timber structure to keep carbon out of our air and realise our community’s hopes for a sustainable future. Find out more at geelongaustralia.com.au/ civicprecinct
WE’RE MAKING IT HAPPEN IN THE NORTH! The Northern Aquatic & Community Hub is progressing, with the tender process underway and contractors due to be onsite in the first half of 2022. The landmark community facility – which will be located in Norlane where Waterworld Leisure Centre and Centenary Hall are currently located, will feature world class facilities and services designed to help people of all ages improve their physical and mental health, create social connections and experience better overall wellbeing. The hub will be jointly funded by the City ($44.84 million), the Victorian Government ($8.5 million) and the Australian Government ($8.26 million). 4 | geelongaustralia.com.au
OUR LOCAL COMMUNITY NEWS LOOKING AFTER OUR MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLBEING Mental Health Week (7-17 October) marks an important time to bring awareness to mental health and wellbeing.
ACKNOWLEDGING WADAWURRUNG COUNTRY We’ve started recognising traditional place names in written addresses to acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land on which we live, work and play on. The inclusion of Wadawurrung Country in addresses is intended to encourage people to learn more about the Traditional Owners, the Wadawurrung People, and the land and waterways they have cared for over thousands of years. Next time you post something, consider adding the traditional place name after the recipient’s name and before the street address – you can even add it to your driver’s licence!
During this time of uncertainty we want to encourage everyone to look after their mental health, check in with friends and family, and seek professional support if needed. We’ve developed some Healthy at Home mental health and wellbeing tools which have a variety of tips and resources to help support your mental health and wellbeing in the home. Visit geelongaustralia.com.au/ healthygeelong to view the tools. For professional support you can contact the local Barwon Health Mental Health team at barwonhealth.org.au, Beyond Blue at 1300 22 46 36 or beyondblue. org.au, headspace Geelong at 52226690 or headspace.org.au, or Lifeline 24/7 on 13 11 14.
A SPECIAL CONNECTION TO LARA AQUATIC CENTRE
Pictured: Margaret often enjoys swimming with short fin flippers
To fellow Lara locals and regulars of the Lara Aquatic Centre, chances are Margaret Rawlings will be a familiar face. An avid swimmer, Margaret swims at the Lara facility, also known as the Abe and Jean McClelland Pool, at least four times a week – COVID-19 restrictions permitting. First learning to swim at Eastern Beach through a school program, it wasn’t until later in life competing in the 2013 Masters Games in Geelong when Margaret rekindled her love for swimming. Though Margaret has another interesting connection to her swimming at the Lara facility. “I am the grandniece of Abe McClelland, a former councillor, and Jean McClelland who donated the land to build the Lara pool in 1963,” Margaret said. Those who have visited the Lara Aquatic Centre would be familiar with a sign with the words ‘Abe and Jean McLelland Pool’ which sits proudly on the exterior of the building acknowledging the McClelland’s significant contribution to the facility – which is the oldest pool in Geelong.
Following the facility’s opening in the ‘60s, five pools have followed suit with the Kardinia Aquatic Centre, Waterworld Leisure Centre, Splashdown Leisure Centre, Leisurelink Aquatic & Recreation Centre and Bellarine Aquatic & Sports Centre all facilities managed by the City. Unsurprisingly, the Lara-based pool still remains Margaret’s favourite.
“I LOVE THAT THE POOL IS NOT CROWDED, I FIND IT VERY RELAXING,” MARGARET SAID. “The social aspect at the pool is great, the people that come to Lara pool are generally very friendly and I love the social connections I make with the Lara Swim Club.”
Outside of the pool, Margaret is a former teacher specialising in arts and crafts and has used her creative skills in the local girl guides group and in creating works for the Royal Geelong Agricultural Show – something she has been involved in for 78 years in the home crafts and floral arts sections. Margaret is looking forward to organising the alpaca section at the show with her daughter and granddaughter in 2022. The Lara Aquatic Centre will have an early season opening in October 2021 thanks to additional funding allocated in Council’s Budget 2021-22. For updates on bookings and opening times visit geelongaustralia.com.au/ laraaquatic or follow the Lara Aquatic Centre on Facebook.
COMMUNITY UPDATE SPRING 2021 | 5
Pictured: Armstrong United Football Club Vice President Moses Machao (left), and President Michael Parker (right)
Pictured: Armstrong United Football Club President Michael Parker
“THE CULTURE AT OUR CLUB IS FANTASTIC AND WE WELCOME ANY COMMUNITY SPORT OR VOLUNTEERING,”
6 | geelongaustralia.com.au
Pictured: Armstrong United Football Club Vice President Moses Machao
KICKING GOALS AT ARMSTRONG CREEK EAST PAVILION Amidst the challenges of the past 18 months, Armstrong Creek quietly welcomed its first public sporting facility – the Armstrong Creek East Pavilion. Located at Central Boulevard in Armstrong Creek, the facility is home to the newly formed clubs of Armstrong Creek Sharks Football & Netball Club, the Armstrong Creek Cricket Club and Armstrong United Football Club. While serving as a much-needed home base for the three sporting clubs, it’s also allowed residents to pursue their sporting passions closer to home and foster a culture of active living in the community. As a lover of soccer for around 25 years, Armstrong United Football Club Vice President and forward player, Moses Machao is one of many locals able to enjoy the new facility. “It has made it easier for me to enjoy my sport closer to home,” Moses said. “It has also helped increase my connection with others within my local community.” Armstrong United Football Club President Michael Parker said that prior to the opening of the facility their teams were training “all over the place” with players travelling as far out as Eastern Gardens in central Geelong and Leisuretime Sports Precinct in Norlane to train. “It’s given us a home base, somewhere that all age groups can come together to play and train,” Michael said. “[The Armstrong Creek East Pavilion is an] amazing facility. With three clubs sharing the facility it had to be flexible and big enough to hold us all which it is currently. Our players love the modern facilities and we get quite a few comments from opposing teams when they play here.”
Made possible with a major community infrastructure investment of $3.18 million from the City along with $500,000 in funding from the Victorian Government, the Armstrong Creek facility boasts four changing rooms, umpires’ rooms, a first aid room, a time-keeper’s room, a community meeting space and a social room with kitchen. When asked what his favourite feature was of the new building, Moses said: “The social space – which unfortunately we haven’t had a chance to take full advantage of yet – would be my favourite element. Overall, I also like how the pavilion blends well within the neighbourhood.” The recent addition of the Armstrong Creek East Pavilion is one of many community infrastructure projects in the works for the vibrant and highly sought-after suburb. A record $209 million is allocated in Council’s Budget 2021-22 to deliver the region’s largest ever capital works program, which includes $225,000 for the Armstrong Creek Town Centre Library & Learning Hub design, $200,000 for playing fields and bowling greens at Bloinks Reserve and $500,000 for footpath works along Burvilles Road. Council has committed $728 million over four years in investment for community facilities such as shared trails, aquatic and sporting facilities, community centres and public open space – which includes a number of Armstrong Creek projects.
With three clubs sharing the Armstrong Creek East Pavilion, training during the week and playing on weekends, COVID-19 restrictions permitting, the facility’s popularity is unquestionable. Factor in the many community members walking their dogs, running and enjoying the two public sporting ovals and it’s a well-loved addition to facilities available in Armstrong Creek. “We have players aged from four years old all the way up to senior men’s and women’s teams as well fielding a men’s master’s team in the Summer competition last year. The culture at our club is fantastic and we welcome any community support or volunteering,” Michael said. And if soccer isn’t your forte, Australian rules football, netball and cricket are also played at the Armstrong Creek East Pavilion. To get in touch with the Armstrong United Football Club email contact. armstrongunitedfc@gmail. com, for the Armstrong Creek Sharks Football & Netball Club email admin@ armstrongcreekfc.com.au and to contact the Armstrong Creek Cricket Club email contact@ armstrongcreekcricketclub.com. All clubs can also be contacted on Facebook. Scan the QR code to find out more about what the Budget 2021-22 includes for your area.
COMMUNITY UPDATE SPRING 2021 | 7
MAKING DIGITAL CONNECTIONS AT GEELONG SENIORS FESTIVAL
Pictured: Jenny Hall doing some gardening
As we continue to embrace the digital world, it’s opened up possibilities to learn a new skill, explore different hobbies and connect with others no matter where we are in the world. Last year the Geelong Seniors Festival presented a diverse program with its largest offering of digital events, helping connect Greater Geelong residents aged 55 and over from Anakie through to Indented Head. This year, the event returns in October with another program full of online events. The month-long digital festival is the largest community celebration for seniors in regional Victoria and a major partner of the statewide Victorian Seniors Festival. More than 60 online events are on offer as part of the diverse mix of programming in this year’s Geelong Seniors Festival, with each activity presented by a local community group, business or organisation. The celebration for seniors first started in 1995, but it was only last year when we welcomed virtual events into the program in response to COVID-19 restrictions. Jenny Hall attended Geelong Seniors Festival for the first time in 2020 and was surprised at the activities on offer virtually. “It opened my eyes up to the 8 | geelongaustralia.com.au
activities and experiences which were online,” Jenny said. “It was easier to access from home than I thought it would be. There were more choices than I expected also.” Attending the walk through the Geelong Botanic Gardens, a virtual jazz concert and a session on keeping passwords safe, Jenny found she took away something different from each activity. Similar events are once again planned for the 2021 program with a rich mix of activities from enjoying a free cookbook celebrating multicultural cuisines through to attending an hour of virtual musical entertainment. For the history buffs, there’s a chance to hear and learn the stories behind some of the amazing items in the Geelong Heritage Centre’s archive – the tip of the iceberg of a huge repository of objects, items and records housed in 4.2 kilometres of repository shelving. With activities scheduled throughout October, there’s ‘something to get everyone up and moving, discovering
something new and to connecting with like-minded individuals – all from the comfort of home and at low or no cost.
“IT GIVES ME SOMETHING TO LOOK FORWARD TO AND IF I CAN ENCOURAGE SOME FRIENDS TO WATCH IT AS WELL, WE CAN THEN HAVE PHONE CONVERSATIONS AS TO WHAT WE HAVE SEEN,” JENNY SAID. “It would be a change from COVID-19 conversations.” Community members aged 55 years and over are encouraged to take part in the many virtual events and activities on offer. Residents are asked to reach out to friends and loved ones who may be interested and encourage them to take part. For the full program and to book an event visitgeelongaustralia.com.au/ seniorsfestival. Events may change in line with COVID-19 restrictions, please check the program closer to the date.
TIME TO GET OUT IN NATURE For Children’s Week this year we’re encouraging young children and their families to get out into their local neighbourhood, connect with nature and get their hands dirty collecting fallen leaves, branches and feathers to make a self-portrait out of found items.
Pictured: A natural face portrait
The nature portraits may be just a face or a whole body, it’s up to each child’s creativity to decide and part of the fun! Submitted photographs of the portraits will be publicly voted on and the winning submissions made into a digital nature faces quilt to be shared online for everyone to enjoy.
Pictured: Boy walking under trees. Taken by Gabby Clarke, Third Eye Imagery
This activity is one of over 25 virtual and in-person activities planned for this year’s Children’s Week celebrations, which takes place between 24 to 31 October. Activities presented by local businesses and community groups will bring fun to families in the region, get children out in nature and provide opportunities for our littlest community members to thrive with their peers. In-person events are subject to COVID-19 restrictions. Please visit the website closer to the date for updated information. Scan the QR code for information on the nature faces quilt activity and to see the full program.
Pictured: Girl walking along a log, enjoying playing in natural surrounding
COMMUNITY UPDATE SPRING 2021 | 9
Pictured left to right: Steam train pulls into the station; volunteer Steve Dalton at the controls; historic Drysdale station.
ALL ABOARD FOR THE BELLARINE RAILWAY’S NEXT ADVENTURE! The historic Bellarine Railway which winds its way from Drysdale to Queenscliff through scenic rural landscape with views of Swan Bay is one of the region’s top tourist attractions. Whether you’re having a jolly time with toddlers and Sir Topham Hatt onboard Thomas, enjoying dining or music experiences on the Q Train or the Blues Train or simply hopping onboard the heritage service or travelling one way and cycling the rail trail the other, there really is something for everyone! With major investment in the railway set to open up even more experiences, we caught up with two long-term volunteers, Jan and Steve, who have dedicated their free time over decades to managing and operating the railway. Jan Tribe says that she and her family joined the Bellarine Railway team way back when her children – twin boys, Scott and Dale – were four years old. Now, with the family still heavily involved, her sons are 45. While Jan worked in the shop initially, her husband Doug joined the maintenance crew and her boys followed people around and learnt the ropes. 10 | geelongaustralia.com.au
Fast forward and Jan’s sons are now employed by the railway to do painting, maintenance and trackwork as well as driving the trains. She said that doesn’t stop them volunteering on the railway on weekends. ‘I’m very proud of them. It makes me very happy that they enjoy it so much. They loved it as soon as we joined,’ said Jan. Jan met Steve Dalton in the early days before he disappeared for a time to pursue education, work and family. She lost track a little bit but four years ago her boys said that someone at the railway was asking after her. She finally realised who it was. Steve’s mum would drop him off at the railway when he was a child and Jan would keep an eye on him.
returned to the Bellarine Railway in early 2017 with 30+ years of railway experience. He became the President and Chairman in 2019 and can be seen working around the railway most weekends. Steve says he has always had a soft spot for the railway: ‘A couple of the members – Jan and also Col Jackson (dec) – used to look after me as a teenager, got me involved and took me under their wing,’ said Steve. ‘Jan has been with the railway from day one. In fact to call it her railway would not be an overstatement.’
‘He tells everyone I’m his second mum. It’s pretty special,’ she said.
Jan talks about how they used to run pancake trains in the 1980s which she says were hugely popular and great fun. After starting with making pancakes available for sale on the platform, they moved to serving them on board.
Steve, who stayed in touch with founding members of the railway and has dedicated his life to railways,
When asked what they love about their association with the railway, Steve and Jan both said it is the people.
‘It’s a fantastic bunch of people down there. One of the best ever organisations I’ve come across. There’s a really good vibe,’ said Steve. ‘The volunteers come from all sorts of backgrounds - professional railway people, doctors – lots of great characters all the time. We’ve built up wonderful friendships over the years,’ said Jan. Steve, who volunteers with his wife Sheena and their dog Casper – a Jack Russell who sports his own duty manager’s vest – says that the volunteers work in a variety of roles including carpentry, welding and boiler-making, leatherwork and gardening. Asked about the best views from the train, Jan says: ‘From Suma park looking back at Queenscliff – you can see Swan Bay and right around the coast on a nice day.’ The railway’s humble beginnings come from the Belmont Common days in Geelong with the formation of the Geelong Steam Preservation Society (GSPS). The aim was and is to restore the original Fyansford collection. When the Victorian railways abandoned the South Geelong to Queenscliff branch
Pictured: Train pulling up to the station
line in 1976 the GSPS were able to take over a portion of the line from Drysdale to Queenscliff. The original track was used to cart supplies to Fort Queenscliff and shell grit from the area, as well as weekend beach goers to and from. The railway line was Victorian gauge and the GSPS members were focused on the Fyansford collection so they had to change it to narrow gauge - one of many changes over the years. This resulted in obtaining and purchasing trains from all over Australia including some of the original Tasman Limited and the locomotive that hauled the very last prestige Tasman Limited service.
Earlier this year, the Bellarine Railway received a $3.53 million investment from the Victorian Government. Stage one includes the development of the turntable paddock at Drysdale Railway Station and improvements to community access. Stage two is an upgrade of 16.5 kilometres of track between Drysdale and Queenscliff that will benefit The Blues Train, Q Train, Day Out with Thomas events, heritage services and train driver experiences as well as group charters, family and special events.
‘That means the track will be mainline standard and we will be able to run bigger trains and run quicker and more often,’ said Steve.
Tourism Greater Geelong and the Bellarine, in collaboration with the volunteers who manage the heritage line as well as businesses which use it, are guiding the exploration of new and innovative tourism opportunities for the Bellarine Railway to build on the already much-loved experiences on offer.
Steve says that the group welcomes new members and offers on-the-job training. So if you’ve every fancied yourself as a train driver or crew member or working behind the scenes, you would be made very welcome.
To learn more about becoming a volunteer and joining the Bellarine Railway community, visit bellarinerailway.com.au/volunteers or contact the administration office on 5258 2069 during business hours.
Steve says that the recent infrastructure funding means they can lay new sleepers and ballast:
Pictured: Jan with her husband, Doug and son, Dale.
COMMUNITY UPDATE SPRING 2021 | 11
ESCAPE TO A WILDERNESS RETREAT…IN CENTRAL GEELONG! Nestled in Eastern Park, just a short distance from the centre of Geelong, is one of the region’s favourite places. Established in 1851, the Geelong Botanic Gardens are a testament to the hard work and dedication of horticulturalists over several generations and offer a truly serene landscape for visitors who are looking to unplug and unwind, surrounded by the natural world. We start our visit on a winding path surrounded by Rhododendrons in a variety of colours as Geelong Botanic Gardens Coordinator Ashley Filipovski points out the new visitor centre, completed in 2020. Ashley explains that the centre will provide a space for education programs as well as entertainment including music and cinema with visitors enjoying the shows from the lush lawn in front of the centre. Next stop is the original Furphy (water container), 101 years old, which used to be carried in the back of a horse-drawn cart to water the gardens. It has been beautifully restored and acts as a hydration station for visitors and their four-legged friends. The strange markings, Ashley explains, are Pitman’s shorthand which, translated, say: “God gave you water, the devil gave you beer, so drink water.” The corridor of Peppercorn trees guides us through the Pacific Rim collection of endangered plants from the Pacific Region and we talk about the role of Botanic Gardens in protecting and increasing populations of rare and vulnerable plants.
12 | geelongaustralia.com.au
Ashley talks about the original Menagerie (animal enclosure) and says that the Blackbird was released from here:
“AFTER THE AVIARY FELL INTO DISREPAIR, THEY HAD A CEREMONY AND RELEASED THE BIRDS. AND THEY’VE PLAGUED US EVER SINCE!” ASHLEY SAID. As we walk towards big lawns, shady trees and colourful garden beds, Ashley explains that they try to respect the heritage of the gardens while also adding some more modern elements like the big rocks which children love to walk along. He commends the staff who he says do a fantastic job. We enter the Conservatory which is like entering a tropical wonderland filled with hanging baskets, great towering plants, running water and vibrant splashes of colour. After fleeing the tropical heat, next stop is the giant Sequoia tree which will hopefully become one of the biggest trees in the gardens. Planted in 1873, this one is a relative baby but is capable of living thousands of years.
Ashley talks about the enormous contribution of the Friends group - including the garden guides, the botanical Illustrators, the growers, the rose garden ladies and the perennial garden volunteers. He says they are a fabulous community and it is humbling to observe their passion and dedication which has enabled many of the projects in the gardens to progress. We end our walk at the Customs House which has been painstakingly restored. Ashley talks about the influence that every curator has had and how during hard times, like the Great Depression, they really struggled. “If you read the notes of the directors during those times, you’ll see that their main goal was to keep things surviving. It was due to their hard work that we’re still here,” Ashley said. Geelong Botanic Gardens are open daily from 8am to 5pm (and 7pm during Daylight Savings hours). The gardens are located at the corner of Eastern Park Circuit and Podbury Drive East Geelong. For more information visit geelongaustralia.com.au/gbg.
Pictured: The gate to the Geelong Botanic Gardens. Taken by Amy Lee Carlon Photography
“THE FRIENDS GROUP ARE A FABULOUS COMMUNITY AND IT IS HUMBLING TO OBSERVE THEIR PASSION AND DEDICATION.”
Pictured: Visitors enjoy the greenhouse in the Geelong Botanic Gardens. Taken by Amy Lee Carlon Photography.
Pictured: A bulbine bulbosa flower in the gardens
Pictured: Geelong Botanic Gardens Coordinator, Ashley COMMUNITY UPDATE SPRING 2021 | 13 Filipovski, in Customs House, the oldest building in Geelong.
CROSSING THE ROAD WITH GLENYS
Pictured: Glenys Smith at her school crossing on South Valley Road, Highton.
For almost 50 years school crossing supervisor Glenys Smith has been helping students safely cross South Valley Road in Highton as they make their way to Bellaire Primary School. Glenys Smith remembers clearly when she started: it was St Patrick’s Day in 1975 and she was among some of the first school crossing supervisors employed in the region. There are now around 180 school crossing supervisors in the region helping pedestrians every morning and afternoon. Recently celebrating her 80th birthday, students surprised Glenys with decorations and treats at her regular post on South Valley Road, with Glenys admitting it was “a real surprise”. “[It was great] to see all of their happy faces. One of the older kids had a sign that was asking cars to beep their horns and even the adults were laughing and smiling and it was something nice to take their minds off everything,” Glenys said. 14 | geelongaustralia.com.au
What made you want to become a school crossing supervisor? Glenys: When I started there my daughter had left Bellaire Primary School to go to high school and my son was in Grade 5. At that stage you could pick where you wanted to go and because there weren’t many crossings left, I said ‘I’ll go at South Barwon Valley Road’. They said ‘alright’ and I’ve been there ever since. What’s the most rewarding part of your role? I think it’s sort of making friends with all the people that live all around and getting to know the kids. You see some of them from babies and kinder right through to Year 12 or when they’re going to university – so you sort of see them all their school life.
Every now and then they’ll come by and say, ‘Are you still here!?’. I did have a couple of families that were second generation using the crossing. With decades of experience, Glenys’ biggest tips for motorists is to be aware of the school zones, obey the 40km/h signs and pay close attention to instructions by crossing supervisors.
FOR THE LATEST EVENT INFORMATION PLEASE VISIT EVENTSGEELONG.COM.AU
UPCOMING EVENTS IN YOUR LOCAL AREA
Uncertainty around COVID-19 restrictions means that event schedules are changing regularly. The latest updates on whether your favourite events are scheduled, postponed or reimagined can be found on the City’s Events Geelong website.
BE THE PERSON WHO HEARS IT FIRST!
Sign up today to receive our newsletter at eventsgeelong.com.au
TOGETHER WE CAN ALL Support Local! Let’s continue showing our support for local businesses which have been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic by shopping in person or online for local goods and services.
WHY DID YOU GET VACCINATED? “I got vaccinated because I have a rare form of leukemia which weakens my immune system. I also want to see kids playing in our parks again.” Ben, Arborist
WHAT’S YOUR WHY?
barwonhealth.org.au/coronavirus COMMUNITY UPDATE SPRING 2021 | 15
CITY OF GREATER GEELONG Wadawurrung Country PO Box 104, Geelong VIC 3220 P: 5272 5272 E: contact@geelongcity.vic.gov.au W: geelongaustralia.com.au
GET MORE GREAT STORIES STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX. Did you like this edition? Sign up to receive our eNewsletter for extra content and the chance to win one of 10 $100 VISA gift cards. T&C’s apply. Visit geelong.link/communityupdate
WANT TO KEEP GETTING COMMUNITY UPDATE DELIVERED TO YOUR HOME? From 2022 we will change the way we deliver the print edition of Community Update. Register to receive the printed version in your letterbox. Visit geelong.link/communityupdate or call 5272 5272. Pick it up from a number of new public places. Check our website for locations near you. Alternatively, read the online version at geelong.link/communityupdate.
We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land, the Wadawurrung People. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present. We also acknowledge all other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People who are part of the Greater Geelong community, Elders in our community and our emerging leaders. Cover image: Bellarine Railway Volunteer Steve Dalton and his dog, Casper. Read about his work on page 10.
Community update is printed on recycled paper. Help protect our environment and recycle your copy responsibly.