For lovers of major events – especially of the sporting kind – this weekend is one of the most exciting on the Greater Geelong calendar.

Not one but two of our biggest events are in town, creating a terrific buzz around the place for Australia Day.

The Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race kicks off today (Thursday) with criterium races around the Albert Park Grand Prix circuit in elbourne.

But it’s when the action moves to Geelong, the Bellarine and Surf Coast that this event will really come alive.

There’s the family ride on Friday night, then the people’s ride on Saturday morning followed by the women’s elite road race, and then the whole thing wraps up with the elite men’s road race on Sunday.

It’s a great program, mixing top level sport with the opportunity for people of all abilities and ages to get involved

I’m riding in the people’s ride, and I’m really looking forward to experiencing the scenery, especially the trip around 13th Beach Road
heading out of Barwon Heads.

I’m not so much looking forward to tackling the Challambra Climb in Highton

In the elite races we’ll see some of the world’s top athletes going head-to-head, and there are great vantage points all around the course for spectators.

Both the women’s and men’s races  region that the aerial shots of our spectacular coastline as the chopper follows the cyclists on their journey.

It’s great for building our profile as a tourism destination, adding further to the already huge economic impact generated by participants and spectators.

The other major event running at the same time is the Festival of Sails.

This is the largest keel boat regatta in the Southern Hemisphere, and one of Australia’s oldest sporting events (it started back in 1844)

Corio Bay will be a spectacular sight with the colour and movement of hundreds of yachts, while the Geelong waterfront comes alive with
a festival of food, music and entertainment.

Events such as the Festival of Sails and the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race are part of what makes our region such a special place to live. As a Council, we’re proud to support them via Geelong Major Events funding.

For cricket lovers, this week has also seen Greater Geelong hosting the National Cricket Inclusion Championships for the third year in a row.

These matches feature Australia’s best players who are blind or vision impaired, deaf or hard of hearing, or have an intellectual disability. The standard is very impressive and the players represent their states with incredible passion.

A tournament such as this   a chance for us to showcase our beautiful cricket grounds to visitors from all over Australia.

We believe our local grounds are some othe best in the state. Beyond this weekend, the sporting events will continue into February when 13th Beach
hosts the Vic Open golf tournament.

ed to 13th in 2013 has been extraordinary, to the point that it’s now the richest tournament in Australian golf with a total prize pool of $3 million.

It’s a favourite with the players, helped by the stunning location and the unique format – which sees women and men playing side-byside for equal prize money.

Now part of the European Tour on the men’s side, the field this year will be the strongest ever, and well worth a watch for golf fans.
Major winner Geoff Ogilvy is one of the confirmed starters.

So there is a lot to look forward to over the coming days and beyond. Happy Australia Day veryone, and if there’s a Council matter you’d like to discuss, please get in touch.