Councillor Column: Trent Sullivan from the City of Greater Geelong, July 23

Grants now open
With everything our community has gone through these past months, there’s no doubt we are in need of a bit of a morale boost.
I reckon I’ve got just the ticket – applications are open for the expanded 2020-21 Community Grants program, worth a massive $4.33 million plus.
Earlier this month, we as a council group resolved to expand the overall pool of funding by $400,000 (compared to last year’s total) with two new grant streams, after a review looked into how we could best support the community through the pandemic.
We’ve got $250,000 in COVID-19 Quick Response Grants, to give community groups the leg up they need to reactivate their venues and programs, following a shutdown period due to lockdown.
There are also the COVID-19 Arts, Culture and Heritage Recovery grants, worth $150,000 in total, to support those working in the creative sector who are doing it tough as a result of coronavirus. This includes supporting artists to keep creating art.
As chair of the Arts, Culture and Heritage portfolio, I’m particularly excited by this funding because I’ve heard first-hand from Bellarine creators that their income has been completely wiped out.
It would be a tragedy if the region lost its unique arts scene, which is informed by our distinctive perspective on life and is proudly individual from Melbourne’s offerings.
These two streams are on top of the pre-existing grants for community infrastructure, Central Geelong heritage, community events, community projects and equipment, arts projects and festivals and environmental sustainability.
If you’re part of a community group, club or organisation, check out geelongaustralia.com.au/grants to find out more.
To give you an idea of the broad range of projects that have been successful in the last year, we’ve announced grants for the Portarlington Community Carols, to purchase pickleball nets and stands for the Ocean Grove Pickleball Club and Life Activities Club and for the Indented Head Yacht Club to buy a beach trolley to move boats.
As they say, there’s something in there for everyone!
Further support
The two new grant streams are part of council’s latest $5.2 million COVID-19 support package, aimed at supporting community groups, small business and the arts sectors.
Those Arts, Culture and Heritage Recovery grants fall within a $490,000 package of initiatives recommended by the Geelong COVID-19 Arts Recovery (G-CAR) panel, including skills and training and employment opportunities in creative industries.
There’s been a great take-up of the Small Business Expert Support Program, more than 300 businesses have joined, so we’re continuing the free expert advice and industry-specific mentoring.
The COVID-19 Financial Hardship Policy is also sticking around, offering the opportunity for businesses and individuals to defer rates, fees and charges owing to the City. Call 5272 5272 or email [email protected] to discuss your options.
Head to geelongaustralia.com.au/covid19 to find out more about this package, as well as the previous three packages from earlier this year.
Doing our bit
I know it will take a bit of getting used to, but I encourage the Bellarine community to embrace face masks as the new norm.
The Premier has advised those living in regional areas to wear masks where it’s not possible to physically distance.
This is just another way we can all do our bit to slow the spread of coronavirus, in addition to keeping your distance and practicing good hygiene.
It’s pleasing to see the state government is establishing a new 10-person contract tracing team at Barwon Health, which will work to identify new cases.
As always, if you have the sniffles or aren’t feeling quite right, make sure to stay home and get tested. With so many asymptomatic cases in Victoria, we can’t be too careful.
Extreme arts
We’re asking the community to share their thoughts on the region’s award-winning 80km Mountain to Mouth Arts Walk from the You Yangs to Barwon Heads.
It’s been 10-years since the inaugural two-day arts and nature journey and we’re keen to know which elements resonated with the community, as the City reviews the event to make sure it remains responsive to the needs and desires of the community.
To have your say on Mountain to Mouth’s future, please visit yoursay.geelongaustralia.com.au.

Cr Trent Sullivan
Bellarine Ward, City of Greater Geelong