The importance of heritage

HERITAGE defines who we are – it’s the legacy we inherit, cherish today and strive to protect for future generations.

Heritage encompasses both tangible elements, such as buildings and artifacts, and intangible aspects like traditions and cultural beliefs.

Council is updating its Heritage Strategy, and your input is crucial. We want to hear which elements of our rich heritage you value most.

The new Geelong Heritage Strategy 2025-35 will have a broader vision than the previous version, which came into effect in 2017.

The updated strategy will integrate First Nations values, celebrate diversity and prioritise sustainability making it inclusive, forward-thinking and reflective of all facets of our community’s heritage.

It will also guide policies and actions over the next decade, ensuring Geelong’s rich history remains integral to its future growth and development.

We invite you to shape the heritage strategy by completing our brief survey, sharing your favourite heritage sites or attending one of our drop-in sessions to connect with our Heritage team.

The Have Your Say survey is open until September 16, at yoursay.geelongaustralia.com.au/heritagestrategy

We’re also holding ‘Come Chat to Us’ sessions at Waurn Ponds Library – 5pm-7pm on Monday, August 19; and Boronggook Drysdale Library – 10am-12 noon on Wednesday, September 11.

As chair of the Geelong Heritage Advisory Committee, I am proud of Council’s progress in developing the Geelong Heritage Strategy and we have had many successes to date.

These successes include the establishment of an annual heritage grants program, which provides financial support to property owners and community groups for the conservation of heritage places.

Together, by recognising what matters most to our diverse community, we can continue this progress and deliver a comprehensive roadmap for Greater Geelong’s heritage priorities.

Geelong Small Business Festival

The 14th annual Geelong Small Business Festival wraps up today with the NEXUS Clean Economy Showcase, following a fantastic series of events over the past fortnight.

The showcase, running 11am-6pm at the Wurriki Nyal Civic Precinct, will celebrate the past decade of clean economy action and ponder what is to come the next 10 years.

The event features:

· Policy and strategy drivers at state and federal government;

· Organisations and companies contributing to the clean economy;

· Local small- and medium-sized enterprises in the clean economy; and

· Local councils delivering clean economy initiatives.

For more information, head to gsbf.com.au/events

The showcase is a fitting end for the Geelong Small Business Festival, which featured more than 50 events aimed at empowering our region’s small business operators.

Small businesses make up approximately 97 per cent of all enterprises in Greater Geelong and are the backbone of our economy.

During the 12 months to June 2023, the City of Greater Geelong led Victoria in business growth, adding 301 new enterprises, bringing the total in our region to 22,090.

We must continue to make Greater Geelong an attractive region for small businesses, which provide crucial employment opportunities to local residents.

The Geelong Small Business Festival is just one of the ways council supports our local business community.

As always, I enjoy hearing your thoughts and suggestions, please feel free to contact me at [email protected]

Cr Jim Mason

Bellarine Ward, City of Greater Geelong