I have been greatly impressed during my short time on council by the many people of all backgrounds who are actively involved in their local community.
These people are making a positive contribution and the passion, commitment and diversity of residents is what makes the City of Greater Geelong such an incredible place to live.
It is always interesting to meet people who are putting their talents to use and there are plenty of those people living and working along the Bellarine and across Greater Geelong.
One of my passions is the arts, and I often call upon my creativity to help address challenges in my personal and professional life more.
I believe in the transformative power of storytelling and marvel at the capacity for artists to explore human experience and to bring people together.
The arts sector is one that Council continues to support in various forms, including the provision of grants for local organisations.
Recently, the Barwon Heads Arts Council was the recipient of a $10,000 grant for its Bellarine Arts Trail initiative.
I had the great pleasure of attending the Barwon Heads Community Hub for the launch of this event and the Tastes of the Trail exhibition.
The artwork is truly spectacular, and the Taste certainly left all who attended excited for the main event.
The Bellarine Arts Trail will take place across four participating towns – Barwon Heads, Ocean Grove, Point Lonsdale and Queenscliff – and will host 45 venues and more than 80 artists.
I look forward to seeing people out and about at these locations and gaining a greater appreciation for the work that artists in our region do.
The Barwon Heads Community Hub will be the central meeting point of the event, and this facility is another example of the funding Council provides to the arts sector.
The City of Greater Geelong provided the land and $427,000 for the Barwon Heads Arts Hub project, which was aided by a $1million Victorian Government grant to complete the works.
This now serves as a home for Barwon Heads Arts Council, who should be commended for the work they have done in developing the Bellarine Arts Trail.
The Bellarine Arts Trail will be held across both days this weekend, and further information can be found at the Barwon Heads Arts Council website.
If you would like to contact me for council related matters, please reach out via Elise.Wilkinson@geelongcity.vic.gov.au
