Ocean Grove residents welcome new seat

A NEW seat in Ocean Grove inspired by 30 vibrant paintings created by community members has officially been launched.

The new five-metre curved bench seat is located at Ocean Grove Park was officially launched on Monday (May 29) thanks to a collaboration between genU, the Ocean Grove Park Committee and local arts program ‘art’sKool’.

The “Welcome Seat” as it is known, is located on the corner of Presidents Avenue and The Avenue, forming part of genU and art’sKool’s ‘Art in the Park’ project aimed to bring community members together promoting and celebrating community, inclusion and diversity through art installation creations at Ocean Grove Park.

genU executive director of service development and partnerships Natasha Williams said there were a series of community art workshops that took place by genU Bellarine Connections participants to produce several art pieces, which would inspire the final design of the chair.

“Projects such as these are important to community life, to community inclusion and to creating opportunities where community can come together to achieve great things,” she said.

“The Ocean Grove Park Committee has been incredibly welcoming and generous to genU Bellarine Connections. “This is a great way to highlight the wonderful ability of our participants and the amazing things that community can do when they come together as one.”

Over 70 members including adults, teens, and genU artists living with a disability attended the launch event.

The event was hosted by genU, the Ocean Grove Park Committee and art’sKool.

The official welcome ribbon was cut by Member for Bellarine Alison Marchant and Matthew Hassett, with Ryan Schmidkte the first to test out the new wheelchair space.