COMMUNITY UPDATE WINTER 2021
WELCOME TO COMMUNITY UPDATE
MAYOR’S MESSAGE In a matter of days the Council will finalise two major documents that will set our course to supporting the Greater Geelong community over the next four years. Our new four-year strategic plan – ‘Our Community Plan 2021-25’ – and our 2021-22 Budget are due to be signed off in time for the start of the new financial year on 1 July. Draft versions of both documents were released for community feedback at the end of April, and we appreciate everyone who took the time to share their thoughts and ideas. All of your feedback has been considered as we work towards adopting final versions at our next meeting. ‘Our Community Plan 2021-25’ will be our key guide as we look to play our part in creating a healthy and happy Greater Geelong community. It will help us respond to the challenges and opportunities in front of us – such as continued population growth and the ongoing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic – while staying on course towards our long-term vision for a ‘clever and creative’ future.
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The draft plan was developed in close consultation with the community and detailed four clear priorities for the next four years: 1. A healthy, caring and inclusive community 2. Sustainable growth and environment 3. A strong local economy 4. A high-performing council and organisation The budget shows exactly how we’ll invest to achieve these priorities. In particular, we are planning record levels of investment over the next four years in new and upgraded facilities and public spaces such as shared trails, aquatic centres, community hubs, arts and culture, parks and playgrounds. We’ve also made a number of decisions aimed at helping the community recover from COVID – such as freezing a large number of our fees and charges at prepandemic levels.
Through Our Community Plan and our Budget, we aim to steer Greater Geelong towards a financially, socially and environmentally sustainable future. And finally, I hope that you enjoy this new format for Community Update. This publication is for and about the Geelong community and we wanted to focus more on our partnerships - with the individuals and groups in our region who contribute to making it such a special place. Together, we all play important roles in contributing to this vibrant and caring community.
Cr Stephanie Asher Mayor, City of Greater Geelong
PG 8: REDUCING PLASTICS ONE BOOMERANG BAG AT A TIME
PG 6: REGIONAL FOOD HUB READY TO SUPPORT MORE FAMILIES PG 12: FAVOURITE PLACES
IN THIS ISSUE OF COMMUNITY UPDATE 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 JUNE 2021 | 3
DO YOU WANT MUSIC WITH THAT? Roving street performers have hit the streets at six new locations in Belmont, Geelong, Highton, Lara, Newtown and Ocean Grove. Visitors will be entertained by musicians, jugglers, circus acts, magicians and bush poets amongst other things! Visit itsourbackyard.com.au for addresses and entertainment schedules. The initiative is part of the City’s It’s our Backyard campaign which aims to encourage residents to think local first when purchasing goods and services.
SUPPORTING THE ULURU STATEMENT FROM THE HEART The Ulura Statement from the Heart calls for the enshrining of a First Nations voice in the Australian Constitution and seeks to establish a process of agreement-making between governments and First Nations. This process would be supervised by a Makarrata Commission which would also oversee a process of truth-telling about Australia’s history and colonisation. In line with our commitment to support reconciliation, Council recently wrote to The Hon Scott Morrison, Prime Minister of Australia to express our support for the Uluru Statement from the Heart. We invite you to read more about the statement at ulurustatement.org 4 | geelongaustralia.com.au
OUR LOCAL COMMUNITY NEWS GEELONG’S A SMART CITY! We’re committed to using data and innovative technology to create a more liveable, sustainable and thriving Greater Geelong.
Artwork: Corio, Dr Jenny Murray-Jones
COMMUNITY EXPERTS HELPING US ADDRESS FUTURE CHALLENGES We’ve appointed twelve local experts to the City’s first Sustainability Advisory Committee. The new committee members are volunteering their expertise in environmental management, social and community planning and financial and risk analysis to advise and support us on addressing future challenges including climate change, population growth, infrastructure development and social equity. To find out more about the committee or the Sustainability Framework and Action Plan 202022 visit geelongaustralia.com.au/ sustainability
Technology includes soil sensors in our parks and gardens to support better water management, greener public places and enhanced biodiversity. It also includes streetlights which save precious resources by turning on in response to information about natural light levels and pedestrian movements rather than sticking to a set schedule. Find out what else we’re planning at geelongaustralia.com.au/ smartcity
THINKING OF... We’re thinking of the members of our lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex community for whom Pride Month in June is a time to celebrate diversity and reflect on struggles against discrimination and the fight for true equality and inclusion for LGBTIQA+ people everywhere.
LILY AND GEORGIE’S AWESOME FRIENDSHIP
Like most kids her age, 12-year-old Lily Duke loves going to the park to play with her friends. While she enjoys kicking a soccer ball or playing piggie in the middle, Lily was frustrated that her best friend Georgie was largely excluded from these activities at their local park, George Harvey Reserve. So, when she saw that the City of Greater Geelong was seeking ideas about how to upgrade the Manifold Heights play area last December, Lily jumped at the opportunity to contribute. “My best friend is in a wheelchair, so maybe could you add a wheelchair ramp? She has cerebral palsy. We need a ramp so we can have picnics together,” Lily wrote to the City via email. “…we come here daily. It’s just really hard to get her up! Thank you for your consideration!” Lily realised she had influenced the proposed redevelopment when she noticed some works being carried out on the playground recently. “I went and asked them what they were doing, and they said they
were adding a ramp because a little girl had asked for it.” After reviewing Lily’s email and 14 other public submissions, the City decided to improve access to the area, plant some shading trees and retain the see-saw.
“I AM SO HAPPY; I FEEL LIKE I’VE MADE A REAL CHANGE,” LILY SAID. Instead of being forced to remain on the footpath, 12-year-old Georgie is now able to access the reserve and join in all the fun. Mayor, Cr Stephanie Asher, commended Lily and Georgie on leading the way in creating a caring community. “I’m thrilled to see the impact which Lily has made in advocating for her friend and I congratulate
both girls on their caring and fun-loving friendship. This photo of the girls enjoying the new facilities is truly heart-warming,” Mayor Asher said. Along with George Harvey Reserve, playground renewals are being carried out in the first half of 2021 in Point Lonsdale, Newtown, Drysdale, Clifton Springs, St Helens and Herne Hill. Funding is also set aside in the Council Budget 2021-22 to build a flagship new inclusive playspace at Rippleside and playgrounds at Waurn Ponds, Burdoo Reserve and Province Boulevard. The City currently manages more than 300 public play spaces and 62 supervised early childhood centrebased play areas which play a pivotal role in delivering a healthy, caring and inclusive community in line with ‘Our Community Plan 2021-25’. COMMUNITY UPDATE JUNE 2021 | 5
Pictured: Geelong Food Relief Centre CEO Collin Peebles
“WE HAVE HAD TO PURCHASE MORE FOOD THAN EVER BEFORE IN OUR 30-YEAR HISTORY”
Pictured: Volunteer Dhilal Alarkee
Pictured: Volunteer Jemal Asad
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Pictured: Administration manager Helen Nihill
REGIONAL FOOD HUB READY TO SUPPORT MORE FAMILIES Soon after moving into a new building, staff and volunteers at the Geelong Food Relief Centre (GFRC) are busy serving in the mini-mart and packing food to be delivered as far away as Camperdown where isolated rural families are doing it tough. From 400 square metres to the new 2,500 square metre refurbished premises, the 90 dedicated volunteers and employees combatting food insecurity are enjoying the spacious packing area with drive-through delivery access, the large and inviting mini-mart where their customers shop for groceries and the kitchens where meals are prepared. The centre, which will look after 47,500 individuals or 23,500 families in the 21-22 financial year, is feeling the effects of the COVID pandemic. “Unfortunately, the donations aren’t as healthy as they were pre the COVID pandemic, so we have had to purchase more food than ever before in our 30-year history,” GFRC CEO Collin Peebles said. On top of the mini-marts at the new premises and at the Geelong waterfront, the GFRC looks after 60 smaller foodoriented agencies, driving around 1.5 million kg of food through the north Geelong hub for agencies like the Drysdale Food Bank, Torquay Food Aid and Anglesea Food Link. “Where there’s collaboration to be formed, we work beside anybody,” Collin said. As well as food, there is a big need for personal hygiene products
that don’t necessarily get donated and this year the centre will spend $350,000 on these. “To have their personal hygiene and their dignity is of paramount importance…to get their kids to school and not have them teased,” Collin said. The GFRC and other organisations combatting food insecurity are bracing themselves for the impacts of changes to JobKeeper and JobSeeker which will trickle through over coming months. Noting that 1.4 million Australians dipped into their superannuation savings last year, Collin expects to see people previously caught up in the welfare sector coming back plus people who they’ve never helped before. Collin talks about how quickly people’s circumstances can turn around and mentions recently supporting a pilot and his wife who lost their jobs during COVID. And there are the heart-warming stories of former customers giving back. A successful engineer, now in the UK, donated $5000 and sent a thank you note for the support he received when living and studying in Geelong. Collin says that donations big and small are gratefully received and their website is equipped with Paypal so people can make secure donations.
“The centre’s volunteers come from all backgrounds and at the end of the day, they are all trying to do their best to ensure that they are making some sort of contribution to those doing it tough,” he notes. “The volunteers sleep very well at night knowing that they’ve made a difference and it takes a very special volunteer to get out of bed at 6am, to hit the road and volunteer when the weather’s inclement,” Collin said. “It’s a form of men’s shed. We all know and support each other.” The $1.7 million renovation of the former fruit and vegetable wholesale site was made possible by a $1 million investment from the City of Greater Geelong and a $700,000 contribution made possible by GFRC, Geelongbased private donors and COVID-19 financial support from the Victorian Government. Operational costs are offset by financial support provided by the City of Greater Geelong and the Victorian Government and the GFRC also relies on philanthropic support and private donations. To make a donation, to inquire about volunteering or to find out about accessing support, head to their website at geelongfoodrelief.org.
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Pictured: Boomerang Bags team member Christine Maultby
REDUCING PLASTICS ONE BOOMERANG BAG AT A TIME Three years ago, Sue Bickerton saw a sign in her local community centre looking for volunteers who could sew. With a knack for sewing and seeking an activity to fill her spare time, Sue expressed her interest and was sent home with a bag full of fabric to work on – almost instantly she became hooked. Several years later and Sue now coordinates the group of 12 volunteers as part of the Leopold branch of the global Boomerang Bags initiative. Boomerang Bags was created in 2013 in response to the impact of single-use plastics on the planet with the aim to divert postconsumer materials into reusable bags to replace plastic bags. Since the statewide lightweight plastic bag ban came into effect in November 2019, the initiative has also helped people incorporate reusable bags into their daily lives. “It’s to stop the use of plastic bags, even the current ones at supermarkets,” Sue said. “You just have to ask the girls at 8 | geelongaustralia.com.au
the supermarket and they say they see our bags all the time – which is really good.” So far the group has given new life to old curtains, bed sheets and even old banners and flags donated by the City, turning them into bags that can be used again and again.
“THE CITY WAS VERY KIND AND GAVE US ALL OF THESE OLD FLAGS THAT THEY HAD, I THINK WE’VE MADE ABOUT 500 OR 600 BAGS FROM THEM,” SUE SAID. Every Tuesday and Thursday, the group meet at the City’s Leopold
Community Hub and get to work on their goal of creating two bags per Leopold household – which Sue worked out to be 10,000 bags. For a group of 12 volunteers sewing two days a week, it may seem like an unattainable goal, but it’s one well within grasp as the group has already created 6,300 bags. Sue credits this significant achievement to the time and dedication of each volunteer. “To me it’s the volunteers that do the work, it’s the volunteers that I am so grateful for that see the vision and they are the ones that need to be made the heroes. I’m just the coordinator. They sit there and they do the work,” Sue said.
Sue also thanks the Leopold Community Hub for its support, stating that without it Boomerang Bags “wouldn’t be where we are now.” As each bag is created it then makes its way back for free to the community, often dropped in the letterboxes of Leopold residents by Sue personally or by one of many volunteers. “The community is good enough to give us the fabric so we should be able to give back,” Sue said. To keep this sustainably-minded group busy and to help reach its goal, fabric donations are always welcome. Sue encourages donations of cottons, Manchester and linens with the group unable to use silky, sheer or stretchy fabrics. And if you’d like to volunteer your sewing skills for a cause that helps the planet by helping reduce waste, that’s something Sue welcomes as well. “It’s nice to get new faces come and join us...I’ll get more machines,” she said
Pictured: The Boomerang Bags team, back from left: Pauline Dwyer, Lyn Gregg, Kay Berryman and Lou Cuthill. Front from left: Christine Maultby, Coordinator Sue Bickerton and Edna Gasson
THE CITY IS PROUD TO SUPPORT THE VOLUNTEERS AND CONTRIBUTE TO A CIRCULAR ECONOMY BY DONATING OLD BANNERS AND FLAGS FOR UPCYCLING
For information on the Boomerang Bags initiative visit boomerangbags.org and to make fabric donations visit the Leopold Community Hub. Visit geelong.link/ communityupdate to subscribe to the digital edition of Community Update. The first ten subscribers will be posted a complimentary boomerang bag.
Scan the QR code to read the City’s Sustainability Framework and Action Plan which includes ‘supporting the community and the City to reduce waste’ as one of the key objectives.
Pictured: Team member Edna Gasson
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BADRIYAH EESO In her homeland of Iraq, Badriyah (pictured below) spent her days teaching physics and fostering knowledge in her community.
MUSTAFA AMIRI From a young age, Mustafa (pictured above) found ways to adapt to his environment and the challenges he was presented with:
“I AM PRETTY DETERMINED ABOUT WHAT I DO AND I FIND WAYS TO DO IT” Spending time as a child in an orphanage with his younger brother, Mustafa soon left Afghanistan with his mother due to threats against their lives. They found a new home in India, where, as a 12-year-old Mustafa worked long hours to help support his family. His family lived in New Delhi for eight years, until they were accepted into Australia. Arriving just before international borders closed due to COVID-19, Mustafa is now able to pursue his passion of acting and teaching other refugees English – one of four languages Mustafa speaks. What is your life like now in Geelong? Mustafa: Life is pretty busy, I’m doing my English classes and volunteering at St Vincent de Paul once a week. I used to volunteer in a street kitchen where we were serving people food on the street for free. I am now a full-time actor so when I get gigs I go to gigs.
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CELEBRATING REFUGEES IN OUR COMMUNITY During Refugee Week (14 – 20 June) we spoke to four members of our community who have experienced life as a refugee seeking asylum. This year’s theme, Unity – the way forward, highlights the importance of working together to create a thriving and welcoming community.
After many years of war, uncertainty and the dangers of ISIS in their community, Badriyah and her husband left all their belongings behind and joined two of their eight children in applying for asylum. On 5 July 2016 they landed in Melbourne to start their new life in Australia. What is something you would like people to understand about refugees? Badriyah: Refugees from my community, most of them are educated, they don’t come from nothing. Most of them have been to university and even some of them have not been to university but they have experience in working, making counters, painting – they have experiences. I know my community are very good, hardworking, positive people.
SALMA GUL Growing up in Afghanistan, Salma’s parents were constantly aware of the dangerous environment for their children caused by the Taliban – with her mother often shaving Salma’s hair and disguising her as a boy to prevent kidnapping.
MOO K’PHRU SAY Born in a refugee camp located on the Thai-Burma border, this was the only life Moo (pictured above) knew and understood for the first nine years of her life. She had no experience of her homeland aside from the stories of her parents’ lives before they fled persecution in Burma, which resulted in thousands of Karen and Karenni families having to leave their homes. After years of waiting, Moo and her family were accepted into Australia in 2009. In 2018, Moo visited the refugee camp where she was born and gained an appreciation for how hard their life truly was. “I can see now that it was a very hard life. You wouldn’t know that if that was the only life you were exposed to when you were born.”
As a young adult passionate about advocacy and women’s education, Salma (pictured below) was involved in organising a fashion show fundraising event with a group of friends and as members of the Young Women for Change organisation. Due to misleading and harmful reports by the local media, Salma Gul became a target with threats against her life. She then made her way to India and for seven years used her skills in making traditional Afghanistan embroidery to get by. After being accepted into Australia, Salma was on the last flight into Melbourne before international borders shut. What does a ‘united’ community look like? Salma: If you be united you can do anything, you can change many things but individually you cannot do anything. For me being united is really good for a society, for a country, for a city, for a town… It’s really positive way of living and staying together and supporting each other without judgement, without seeing the colour, without seeing the language, without seeing the background – we are all human and we have to support each other.
“WE ARE ALL HUMAN AND WE HAVE TO SUPPORT EACH OTHER” - SALMA GUL
Badriyah, Mustafa, Moo and Salma have all been supported by Diversitat, which is a notfor-profit charitable community service organisation that works with culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities, and people experiencing disadvantage and the vulnerable in the Barwon region. For more information visit diversitat.org.au. Under the Multicultural Action Plan 2018-22 the City is committed to creating a more inclusive, connected and vibrant community. We recently launched the Reducing Racism project in collaboration with the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission, building on our existing work to combat racism and support our multicultural and multifaith communities. Find out more at geelongaustralia.com.au/ multicultural. Scan the QR code to read their full stories online.
What is your life like now in Geelong? Moo: Awesome, I really appreciate Geelong. People tell me, ‘Would you move?’ and I say, ‘No, I want to live in Geelong forever if I can’.
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FAVOURITE PLACES - OCEAN GROVE BEACH In the first of our series on favourite places, find out how two groups of locals spend their time at Ocean Grove beach, giving back to their community through volunteering while enjoying the natural environment alongside swimmers, runners, dog walkers, hang-gliders and metal detectorists! Margot Busch is one of several volunteers who form Ocean Grove Coastcare and does amazing work caring for the local environment and inspiring others to treasure what we have on our doorstep. Tash Verspeek volunteers with Friends of the Hooded Plover, helping to protect the eggs and chicks of this vulnerable species. We spoke to Margot and Tash about their activities, what inspires them and why they love Ocean Grove beach.
MARGOT What types of activities do Coastcare get involved in? We have spent a lot of time in the past 10 years taking out plants in the dunes that have escaped from local gardens – things like the Bellarine Pea – to allow the natural bush to regenerate. We’ve helped that regeneration by putting in around 3000 native plants that are known to belong in that area and are of most use to the birds, reptiles and small mammals that call the dunes their home. Litter collection is something else our group often does – it’s mind-boggling how much plastic, aluminium, glass and cigarette butts people throw away even when bins are located nearby. And dog poo! What do you most enjoy about your involvement? Getting outside in our coastal bush and seeing the growing 12 | geelongaustralia.com.au
number of people who are keen to protect and enhance the natural bush we have left. What are some ways that people can help protect the beach when they visit? Easy-peasy! Keeping out of fenced areas – the job of the dunes is to protect the town. Erosion from climbing up them or boogie-boarding down makes that job hard. Taking notice of signs regarding dog walking areas and breeding areas of endangered species like the Hooded Plover. Putting all rubbish including cigarette butts in the bin. When you’re not volunteering – what’s your favourite beach activity? Snorkelling in summer, and dog walking all year round – in off-lead areas!
TASH Why do the Hooded Plovers need a Friends group? Hooded Plovers are the most threatened of all the beach nesting birds that inhabit our local beaches. The greatest threat to Hooded Plovers is disturbance from people visiting the beach and unfortunately this disturbance is intensified in spring/summer when Hoodies establish their nests and lay their eggs all coinciding with the peak period of recreational use by beach goers.
Has it been a successful breeding season this year? It has been successful with six fledglings this 2020-21 season on the Bellarine. The following stats put this into perspective. On the Bellarine there have been: 10 breeding pairs, 34 nests, 88 eggs, 18 chicks and 6 fledglings. What can beach visitors do to help these chicks to fledge? Beach visitors can observe the prominent signage on beach accesses alerting them of Hooded Plovers currently nesting on the beach and abide by the guidelines indicated on the signs. What do you most enjoy about your involvement in the group? Engaging with like-minded individuals who share a passion and contribute to the conservation of Hooded Plovers. Hoodies are special and it is always a joy to observe these beautiful birds when going to the beach. To see a chick through to fledging really is a big reward for all involved in their management and care. Finally, favourite place for a post-beach coffee or snack? Check out the Cheeky Cow Café in Collendina.
Scan the QR code to read the full interviews
Pictured: Ocean Grove Coastcare volunteers, Jenni Gray and Louise McLaren
Pictured: Friends of the Hooded Plover volunteers, Andrea Dennett and Tash Verspeek
OCEAN GROVE BEACH, FROM 7W AT COLLENDINA THROUGH TO 42W TO THE WEST OF 13TH BEACH, IS MANAGED BY THE BARWON COAST COMMITTEE OF MANAGEMENT. The City is responsible for enforcing local laws on the beach and we also work in partnership with Barwon Coast to educate visitors about preserving the precious natural environment and the native species that reside here.
Pictured: Friends of the Hooded Plover volunteer, Tash Verspeek
Pictured: Margot Busch, Ocean Grove Coastcare
Next time you visit the beach, we encourage you to leave it as you found it and enjoy it alongside other visitors whether they are there to boogie board, walk the dog, swim, surf or simply enjoy their fish and chips with the best view in town. COMMUNITY UPDATE JUNE 2021 | 13
WE LOVE FEEDBACK REALLY! Community feedback helps the Council make decisions based on a diversity of views so we regularly ask people to have their say on plans and projects. We recently asked what residents want to see included in the design of the new Armstrong Creek Library and Community Hub and the feedback is now informing the concept design. We received over 270 responses with calls for the new facility to be state of the art, environmentally sensitive, inclusive, innovative and inspiring. We will continue to work with the architects, Geelong Regional Library Corporation, Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation, schools, community organisations and local residents to ensure that we build a facility which meets aspirations and becomes an important space for residents to meet friends, learn new skills and 14 | geelongaustralia.com.au
pursue their interests. Expect to see flexible community spaces and modern technology in a five-star green facility.
THE ‘THIRD PLACE’ IS SOMEWHERE THAT WE GATHER VOLUNTARILY, INFORMALLY AND HAPPILY WITH OUR COMMUNITY AWAY FROM WORK OR HOME - A BIT LIKE A SECOND LIVING ROOM - ACCORDING TO SOCIOLOGIST RAY OLDENBURG. LIBRARIES ARE OFTEN TALKED ABOUT AS THE PERFECT ‘THIRD PLACE!
If you want to make your voice count on local matters, register to receive notifications of upcoming engagements and help us shape the future of Geelong. You can register by visiting the City’s online engagement platform at yoursay. geelongaustralia.com.au/
ON NOW! Until 10 July Winter Glow, Adventure Park Until 1 Aug Blanche Tilden — 25 Year Survey, Geelong Gallery
JULY 3-10 Li Nin U/19 National Badminton Championships, Geelong Arena 4 Growers and Makers Market, Steampacket Gardens
Pictured: White Night Geelong
GEELONG SMALL BUSINESS FESTIVAL The Geelong Small Business Festival will return this year from 18 August to 3 September, with a range of events designed to help your business refresh, reset and recover. Stay tuned to gsbf.com.au and facebook.com/EcoDevGeelong for event details and dates.
26-15 Aug Mangroves from the Water art exhibition, Gordon Gallery
UPCOMING EVENTS IN YOUR LOCAL AREA
AUGUST 1 Growers and Makers Market, Steampacket Gardens 6-8 Geelong Book Fair, Geelong West Town Hall
SEPTEMBER 5 Growers and Makers Market, Steampacket Gardens 17-22 Victorian Teachers’ Games, various locations
VICTORIAN TEACHERS’ GAMES
OCTOBER
19-22 September at various locations in Geelong
3 United Energy Around the Bay and Makers Market, various roads
Up to 3,000 teachers from across Victoria will descend on the Geelong region to take part in more than 40 sporting and social activities for the 25th anniversary of the Victorian Teachers’ Games. Geelong staged the first Victorian Teachers’ Games in 1996 and it returns to the region from 19 to 22 September.
WHITE NIGHT GEELONG 6 November at various locations in Central Geelong We’re so excited to welcome White Night back to Geelong in November. White Night will transform our city with stunning light installations and projections, exhibitions, live music, performances, street eats and more. White Night is a State Government of Victoria initiative that is owned and managed by Visit Victoria.
BE THE PERSON WHO HEARS IT FIRST!
3 Growers and Makers Market, Steampacket Gardens 8-9 Bloom Women’s Conference, OneHope Baptist Church 9-10 Relay For Life, St Albans Reserve Pictured: Geelong Revival Motoring Festival
GEELONG REVIVAL MOTORING FESTIVAL 26-28 November at the Geelong Waterfront Motoring enthusiasts unite as we take pole position for the Geelong Revival Motoring Festival. See the historic quarter-mile sprints as 300 classic and exotic cars and motorcycles sprint down Ritchie Boulevard at full throttle. Enjoy three action packed days with a huge motorshow, exhibits, entertainment, food trucks, personalities and more.
14-17 Royal Geelong Show, Geelong Showgrounds 16 Studebaker Car Display, Steampacket Gardens 20 Geelong Cup, Geelong Racecourse
NOVEMBER 6 White Night, various locations in Central Geelong 6-22 Feb Archie 100, Geelong Gallery 26-28 Geelong Revival Motoring Festival, Geelong Waterfront
DECEMBER 3-5 Australian International Airshow, Avalon Airport For more info on any of the events listed on this page (and many others), please visit eventsgeelong.com.au Please check our website for the latest event information prior to attending. Changes and cancellations may occur in line with COVID-19 restrictions. *Dates and ticketing info researched and presented with due care and attention.
Sign up today to receive our newsletter at eventsgeelong.com.au COMMUNITY UPDATE JUNE 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
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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: Members of the Friends of the Hooded Plover group on Ocean Grove beach. Read about their work on page 12.
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