Sharing the stories of the Bellarine

TWO local authors have teamed up to tell the stories of 12 men living on the Bellarine.

Bellarine Blokes: The Providers is a joint companion book by Diane Kolomeitz and Lorraine Stokes, exploring the local men’s value in the community and a willingness to provide for others.

Some of the men within the book have lived on the Bellarine for years, while some of them descend from generations.

Kolomeitz said after interviewing the men, she saw a common theme among them.

“All these men have contributed to their community, not only through effort and activity to their own family life, but by going the extra mile in providing a service integral to the lives of others.”

As part of the process, Kolomeitz was invited into the homes of the men, conducting the interviews over a six-month period.

Stokes then put the book together, using her knowledge of local families and a love for the history of the Bellarine.

“It has been a great joy and privilege for me to have been invited into the homes of these men and to share in their stories of looking after the land and its people, and of providing goods and services to the community,” Kolomeitz said

“This book is dedicated to these men, their families, and the memories of times and places, past and present.”

The book was officially launched at the Portarlington Senior Citizens Club and was attended by eight of the twelve men and their families.

Bellarine Blokes: The Providers can be purchased from the Portarlington Post Office and the Drysdale Courthouse Museum. Proceeds will be donated to the Bellarine Historical Society.