Drysdale’s newest gathering place officially opens

TRADITIONAL owners and local government members have officially opened the new $9.15m Boronggook Drysdale Library.

The May 5 opening of ‘Boronggook’, which means ‘turf’ in Wadawurrung language, included Geelong Mayor Trent Sullivan, Member for Bellarine Alison Marchant MP and included a special Wadawurrung Traditional Owner Welcome to Country and Smoking and Didgeridoo ceremony.

Featuring an innovative circular design, a planted roofscape with 4,300 plants (including 18 native species) and an ampitheatre, the new two-storey building references Aboriginal and masonry history in Drysdale, and showcases a contemporary interpretation of the town.

Mayor Trent Sullivan said the new library would be loved by people of all ages.

“I am certain our new Boronggook Drysdale Library will bring people together for lifelong learning for years and years to come. It’s an inspiring building with a unique design,” Mayor Sullivan said.

“Continuous learning is so important as it helps to innovate new ideas.

“Spaces like this help our community to thrive because they foster a culture of learning.”

On top of the communal multi-purpose spaces, quiet study areas and internal courtyard garden, the facility also includes a curved abstract sculpture by artist Sanné Mestrom at the entrance of the library.

‘The Secret’ as the sculpture is referred to, is a curved black concrete artwork of a woman reclining in the grass and has been designed to capture the imaginations of community members of all ages and encourage them to play and discover.

“Libraries are a welcoming space for all and I’m so proud we could help deliver the Boronggook Drysdale Library for the community,” Bellarine MP Alison Marchant said.

“The Living Libraries Infrastructure Program enables councils and regional library corporations to deliver new and renewed library infrastructure – strengthening communities and bringing people together.”

Geelong Regional Library Corporation CEO Vanessa Schernickau said the new library had already become a gathering place for the local community.

“We’ve had thousands of people through the doors in the first weeks.

“Public libraries are so much more than books – libraries are a safe, warm place that welcome everyone, libraries can serve as a space to work from home or start a new business, or for children to gather to learn a love of literacy and stories.

“We can’t wait to see more people through the doors in coming months.”

The Boronggook Drysdale Library recieve $8,156m from the City of Greater Geelong Council and a further $1 million from the Victorian Government.