It’s almost time to meet the candidates

POINT Lonsdale will host the first of several “Meet the Candidates” forums across the Bellarine next week as the state election approaches on November 24.

The first forum, organised by the Point Lonsdale Civic Association Inc, Queenscliffe Community Association Inc and Combined Bellarine Community Associations (CBCA), will be held at Point Lonsdale Primary School Hall on Friday October 12 and include representatives of the Legislative Council and Legislative Assembly.

Attendees will have the chance to ask candidates a range of questions about state and local issues.

Candidates presenting at the forum include sitting member for Western Victoria Gayle Tierney, sitting member for Western Victoria Joshua Morris (Liberal), and Candidate for Western Victoria Tim Gooden from the Victorian Socialists Party.

Sitting Member for Bellarine Lisa Neville, Liberal candidate for Bellarine Brian McKiterick, Animal Justice Party candidate for Bellarine Naomi Adams and Rachel Semmens from the Greens will also be there.

The CBCA, which has been working together since mid-2017 to identify common concerns across the Bellarine and to communicate effectively with elected representatives, has planned the more debates. Ther will be one at Portarlington on October 25 at Parks Hall, one at Leopold on November 7 at the Memorial Reserve Pavilion, and one at Ocean Grove on November 14 at the Ocean Grove Bowling Club. Attendees at the first forum at Point Lonsdale Primary School Hall, Bowen Road, should get there at 6.45pm for 7pm start. The CBCA’s mission statement is “Communities working together to achieve the best future for the Bellarine”. It is made up of community-based groups in Portarlington, St Leonards, Ocean Grove, Barwon Heads, Point Lonsdale, Drysdale and Clifton Springs, Breamlea and Indented Head (who all form part of the City of Greater Geelong), plus Queenscliff.

Contact the CBCA via comb.bellarine. [email protected].