Kids across the Bellarine Peninsula have been spoilt for choice for school holiday activities at a library close to home.
Many activities have been held across Geelong Regional Library Corporation’s (GRLC) hubs, including Barwon Heads, Drysdale, Leopold, Ocean Grove and Queenscliff’s libraries.
Voice photographer Ivan Kemp went along to one of these events at the Ocean Grove Library on October 1, where families were immersed in the reading of a book.
Other popular activities held across the region’s libraries included Story Dogs (listening to a story and interacting with a dog), Lego Self Portraits, Recycled Racers (making a race car out of recycled material), and Pet Portraits.
GRLC recently received $1,613,050 as part of its annual funding for the 2025/26 financial year through the Public Libraries Funding Program to promote education and innovation among young people across the state.
Minister for Local Government Nick Staikos said the program was established to provide annual funds and support a range of essential community activities and services delivered through libraries.
“We are supporting our terrific community libraries and the endless access to knowledge, social connection and entertainment they offer all Victorians,” he said.
“Our libraries offer so much more than books – they foster lifelong learning and contribute to the connections that strengthen and enrich Victorian communities.”
Victorian Public Library ambassador Andrea Rowe said libraries were no longer just a place for borrowing books as they provided a safe space for social interaction, digital connection and lifelong learning.
“With this funding, libraries can continue to inspire creativity and foster learning in communities right across Victoria,” she said.
The government has invested more than $498.5 million through the Public Libraries Funding Program, which has allowed GRLC to continue running activities like its school holidays programs.
Visit events.grlc.vic.gov.au/events for more events and activities following the end of GRLC’s school holiday program.
