Music entertains in Port as association works to bring back business

HUNDREDS of people gathered along Portarlington’s foreshore at the weekend to enjoy free rock and roll music, which is part of an initiative to attract more business to the seaside town.

The Portarlington Business Development Association was behind Rock @ the Rotunda, after it received a $10,000 grant from Business Victoria – applicable to Business Chambers and Traders Group program – to help “Revive and Recover the Northern Bellarine”.

Pleasure Town, which relives the cool rock classics from the 60s and beyond, kicked off the first weekend, with another five weekends of music to follow.

“Saturday was our first day and it was fabulous, people on Facebook were saying what a great day it was and they want to keep seeing it in Port,” PBDA president John Rae said.

“For the next five weeks at Portarlington we will be running promotions, music and we have some plans working with the ferry bringing people here and giving them some discounted products.”

Mr Rae said the initiative aimed to bring business back to the town after two major events were cancelled due to COVID-19.

“As we know everyone in business has struggled, however a couple of special things to impact on Port was the Portarlington Mussel Festival being cancelled, where usually we have 23,000 people come to the town and we raise about $28,000, which goes back to the community,” he said.

“However, none of that occurred and the shopkeepers did not receive the business from the thousands who visit.

“The other one that was cancelled in June last year was the National Celtic Festival, which is a vital fundraiser for businesses at the start of winter.

“The combined attendance figure from both festivals is 45,000.”

The summer festival of music takes place in the rotunda in the centre of Portarlington and is aimed at attracting tourists from existing caravan parks and encouraging them to support local businesses.

“That is why we have launched the Support Port program,” Mr Rae said.

“We look forward to seeing you at the music event and enjoy the talent of the band Pleasure Drive, which includes Les Oldman on drums and vocals, Peter Lamburd on bass and vocals, and Zoran Bilogrevic on guitars and vocals.”