Tidy town success

I FEEL blessed to live on the Bellarine, for a multitude of reasons.

We have incredible natural beauty right on our doorstep, amazing beaches, world-class wineries and restaurants, and of course some of the friendliest people you’d ever care to meet.

We are also fortunate that people from the Bellarine care deeply about where they live, ensuring the environment is protected and that the natural beauty we all adore is kept clean.

That is why I was not surprised to hear of a local project being successful at the Keep Australia Beautiful Victoria Tidy Towns & Cities – Sustainability Awards.

These awards are in recognition of the contributions projects make towards a more sustainable and resilient region, and celebrate the environmental achievements and community spirit of councils, community groups, educational institutions and businesses across Victoria.

There were three projects from Greater Geelong that won awards, including the Farm My School project.

Farm My School is a program that turned a disused soccer field at Bellarine Secondary College into a community-built 1.5-acre market garden, supplying food to locals and promoting healthy eating, ecological stewardship, and connection.

A further three local projects were also selected as finalists at the annual awards, with one of those being the Bellarine Rail Trail Environmental Restoration.

This is a project I have seen up close, where every year the Friends of the Bellarine Rail Trail plant approximately 7,000 plants and contribute hundreds of voluntary hours of work to enhance and maintain the 35-kilometre trail.

This community group’s efforts have helped create a vibrant ecosystem that attracts thousands of visitors each year and we should all be grateful for their contribution to the region’s ecotourism and preservation of our natural landscape.

Leopold Tennis Club update

It isn’t be too long now until we turn our attention to the world’s best tennis players, who will be in Melbourne for the annual Australian Open.

Every year during this two-week tournament, and even during the lead up to it, I see many people at their local tennis court attempting to emulate the deeds of champions such as Roger Federer and Ash Barty.

This week saw the commencement of the Leopold Tennis Pavilion Redevelopment project, which is set to transform the precinct.

This upgrade ensures the pavilion meets community needs, offering enhanced amenities, modernised infrastructure, and an elevated experience for players and spectators alike.

The upgrade was made possible thanks to a $720,000 contribution from Council and $1million from the Victorian Government.

Key highlights of the redevelopment project include a social space, kiosk/kitchen, internal and external storage, female-friendly club amenities including showers, toilets and accessible public toilet.

An accessible car bay will also be constructed.

In addition to this, a new playground will be built in mid-February next year.

This project marks a significant milestone in the ongoing commitment to promote and support grassroots sports and recreational activities within the region.

I have no doubt that the enhancements in store for the Leopold Tennis Pavilion will elevate it to a prominent sporting facility, dedicated to serving our community’s sporting aspiration for generations to come.

Cr Jim Mason

Bellarine Ward, City of Greater Geelong