The magic of theatre

EARLY last month, only days after being sworn in as a councillor, I attended the launch of the Potato Shed’s 2025 season.

It was a privilege to be asked to make some opening remarks but challenging to take the stage straight after inspiring cabaret artist Geraldine Quinn.

I am very much looking forward to seeing her performance of The Passion of St. Nicholas in July 2025. Geraldine’s description of the background of this piece was intriguing.

There is much more to enjoy and be challenged by at The Potato Shed – from Mozart’s Opera The Abduction from the Seraglio to the songs of The Beatles.

I have always enjoyed live theatre. The ability of writers, actors, musicians, set and lighting designers and crew to conjure up an entirely different world is remarkable.

Once they have performed their magic, we, the audience, can live in that world for a while.

I enjoy film too, but live theatre is something else. With theatre, and other performances, the immediacy of creation is thrilling.

The Potato Shed is a multi-purpose arts and cultural centre that is well integrated into the Bellarine community, from schools to seniors.

This centre is a true community venue – it brings captivating theatre and music to the Bellarine while offering a stage for local artists and performers to shine.

So I am thrilled to serve as Potato Shed committee chair during my term as a councillor.

Another area of interest for me is how the City of Greater Geelong is involved with health.

My experience in my former life was a blend of private practice and public health as the head of a surgical unit at a tertiary teaching hospital in Melbourne.

I have also worked regularly as a visiting surgeon at a hospital in Vietnam.

I’m interested in how the disadvantaged, disabled and elderly can live their best lives and how we can help with that endeavour.

As a Council, we can achieve this by making our green spaces and sporting facilities more accessible, often with help from state and federal governments.

One great example of this is the upcoming construction of the Wallington all-abilities pavilion here in Murradoc ward.

Council committed $3.25 million toward the project in its 2024-25 budget, with the Victorian Government last July announcing another $1 million via its All Abilities Infrastructure fund.

This project, now in the design phase, will be vital for Wallington Cricket Club and Bellarine Bears Baseball Club as they seek to expand their sports offerings to even more people in our community.

Other organisations are also doing great work on the Bellarine to help keep locals active and connected with nature.

It has been very pleasing to see Murrk Ngubitj Yarram Yaluk (formerly Bellarine Basin) receive $650,000 in state funding to regenerate this important natural and Indigenous resource.

Barwon Water has also contributed $650,000 to this project, which it is guiding in collaboration with Wadawurrung Traditional Owners.

I look forward to advocating for similar projects that encourage more people to enjoy sport and the great outdoors in our beautiful region.

Cr Rowan Story

Murradoc Ward, City of Greater Geelong