Mural set to add colour to Portarlington’s walls

ARTWORK will soon add welcome colour to a Portarlington laneway in a bid to attract more locals and tourists to the seaside town.

Members of the Portarlington Community Association (PCA) and Portarlington Business Development Association (PBDA) hope the coming mural between Hive and Portarlington Community Bank will be the first of many.

PCA vice-president Diane Kolomeitz, who is passionate about public art, is the instigator of this initiative.

Ms Kolomeitz first became interested in the idea of furthering public art in Portarlington after seeing what Bellarine Bayside had achieved in a makeover of the W.G Little Reserve playground.

The space has attracted increased numbers of local families and visitors alike, with not only its playground equipment but the artwork it contains, from the chainsaw art of Rob Bast to the iconic ‘mussel poles’ designed by Glen Romanis and Mark Trinham.

Ms Kolomeitz has spent more than 12 months as a representative of the PCA, searching and applying for grant money to facilitate the furthering of public art for Portarlington, and her enthusiasm and persistence has paid off.

Through a generous donation from the City of Greater Geelong and its public art department, as well as a possible further grant from MP Libby Coker’s office, Portarlington is about to benefit from its first laneway mural.

PBDA President John Rae said he was delighted with the laneway mural opportunity.

“Diane has so much passion and drive for the laneways project, and I am excited that the first laneway chosen is between Hive and Portarlington Community Bank,” Mr Rae said.

Due process was undertaken as approval had to be given by the owners for mural painting to proceed.

Owners Vincent Micallef (bank building) and Elaine Rae (Hive) did not hesitate to give their permission and the proposal was agreed to within two days by them, and also by the tenants of both buildings.

Ms Kolomeitz then steered this through council, and the services of a well-known local mural artist has been obtained.

Both Ms Kolomeitz and Mr Rae hope there will be more of many such laneway murals, which will be of benefit to the Portarlington community.

Mr Rae said they will add colour to building walls and areas that would otherwise go unnoticed, attracting both locals and tourists, creating conversation and enhancing opportunities for local businesses.