Bellarine Times
  • News
  • Sport
  • Living
  • Real Estate
  • Print Editions

Bellarine Times

Bellarine Times
  • News
  • Sport
  • Living
  • Real Estate
  • Print Editions

COUNCILLOR COLUMN August 09, 2018

written by James Taylor 08/08/2018
COUNCILLOR COLUMN August 09, 2018
Bruce Harwood Mayor, City of Greater Geelong

A giving community I’m constantly impressed by the selflessness and generosity of so many people in Greater Geelong.

Recently I met with Tony McManus, development manager for the Geelong Community Foundation.

This organisation relies on donations from community members, and runs almost entirely on volunteer time and effort – only one per cent of income goes towards administration costs.

And they’re making a huge difference right across our region.

In 2018 alone, the foundation is delivering community grants to the value of $932,500 through 46 diverse programs – ranging from aged care, education, health, heritage and arts, to training and research, youth and families.

Your council will continue to look at avenues to support the foundation in its community work.

I encourage everyone to visit www. geelongfoundation.org to learn about the valuable work being done, and considerdonating if you’re able.

Deserving reward
On 26 July I was honoured to speak at a civic reception at the Geelong Gallery recognising our region’s Order of Australia awards recipients for 2018.

This is an event the City puts on every year in partnership with the local branch of the Order of Australia Association.

It was another example of the incredible effort people in our region make to help the community.

Greater Geelong residents from the Bellarine were well represented among the 21 people recognised.

Therese McKenney OAM recently moved to Portarlington after giving many years’ service to community organisations in Altona and Newport. She has wasted no time getting involved in our region, helping to start the Bellarine Community Council.

Wallington’s Peter Tanner AM chaired the Reach Foundation for a decade, and also dedicated his time to a range of other not-forprofit organisations.

Ocean Grove’s Blanche Mulligan OAM helped start the Ocean Grove Barwon Heads Hospice during the 1970s, and has been a passionate refugee advocate. She’s given service to Oxfam Ocean Grove and Rural Australians for Refugees among several other organisations.

It was a pleasure to recognise Therese, Blanche and Peter, and all of the other award recipients.

Another civic occasion I love attending is our monthly citizenship ceremony at City Hall.

At our most recent event, we welcomed 58 residents as Australian citizens.

The joy and pride on show at these ceremonies is great to see, and perhaps a little reminder to all of us of just how lucky we are to live in this country, and in our beautiful region in particular.

Have your say
The ‘Building Better Bike Connections’ project is a big one for Geelong, and will see the creation of two cycling corridors into the CBD from the west and south of the city.

It’s being funded with a $4.7 million grant from the TAC, with the aim of helping people feel safe when riding to work, shops, services and other places.

This will be important in achieving our longterm goal of having 50 per cent of journeys to work made via public transport, walking or riding.

For those in Armstrong Creek, the southern link will give you a connection from Waurn Ponds and Grovedale all the way into the CBD.

We are running community consultation on the design of the High Street, Belmont section of this route, and we want everyone to have their say on the four potential design options.

Visit geelongaustralia.com.au/betterbikeconnections.

previous post
Funding helps athletes ride waves to gold
next post
Bellarine community forum to highlight local issues

Related Articles

Bellarine Rail Trail friends sought honour for volunteer

13/02/2019

GRAPEVINE Good times with old vines

13/02/2019

Stink bug makes Port

13/02/2019

Farmers can seek compensation from banks

13/02/2019

Pig virus detection highlights biosecurity risks

13/02/2019

LIQUID GOLD arrives to GEELONG RACECOURSE

13/02/2019

Fishing charter fined for breaching shipwreck zone

13/02/2019

Changes proposed to bike connections project

13/02/2019

Free TAFE pumps up enrolments at The Gordon

13/02/2019

Petition ignites discussion about Geelong’s mall

13/02/2019

Henderson hits out at Labor’s franking credits plan

13/02/2019

Accessibility improvements to roll out in central Geelong

13/02/2019

Visitor info centre volunteers celebrate 15 years of...

13/02/2019

Campaign launched to stop reckless fires

13/02/2019

Community invited to Barwon Downs borefield session

13/02/2019

Thousands roll up to see Torquay Rotary Motor...

13/02/2019

Greens call on local community to fight for...

13/02/2019

Sweet business raises money for air-con

13/02/2019

Even Par program tees off towards equality

13/02/2019

Celebrate day of love on the Bellarine

13/02/2019

Email Signup

Latest News

  • Local couples say humour the key to decades of happiness

    14/02/2019
  • Bellarine Rail Trail friends sought honour for volunteer

    13/02/2019
  • Country feel with coastal appeal in Torquay

    13/02/2019
  • CONTEMPORARY MASTERPIECE, PERFECTLY POSITIONED WITH EXCEPTIONAL VIEWS

    13/02/2019
  • MY BIG CATCH WITH GARRY KERR – FISHING REPORT

    13/02/2019

Get In Touch

  • Advertise with us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Get in touch
  • Publisher
Footer Logo
  • Advertise with us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Get in touch
  • Publisher

Copyright @2017. All Right Reserved.Powered by Digital News Media