Recognising our inspiring youth

YOUNG people make an outstanding contribution across Greater Geelong.

They do this in many ways, and in many different areas of interest and work.

It was great to see some of these contributions recognised recently at the annual Geelong Youth Awards.

The City of Greater Geelong presented awards in nine categories at the ceremony, which highlighted the efforts of young people aged between 12 and 25 years who live, work, learn or play in Greater Geelong.

The awards are an ideal platform to showcase the importance of investing in youth services and the ways in which people can give back to their community.

Award winners were recognised in various categories, including leadership, innovation, cultural awareness, community work, sport, arts, music and youth development.

The City’s Youth Council members were highly involved in the Youth Awards and developed the Unsung Hero Award category.

Youth Council continues to do amazing work for their peers across the region.

Council’s commitment to establishing the Geelong Youth Hub actually stems from the collaborative approach we took with the Youth Council during the development of the Geelong Youth Hub Feasibility Study back in 2022.

I mention this because the City of Greater Geelong is now calling for ideas to name the youth hub, which is set to open in central Geelong in early 2025.So, if you’re 12-25 years old and live in Greater Geelong, we want to hear your ideas on what you think this hub should be called and why.

The hub will be a fun, welcoming and inclusive space for young people to hang out, enjoy meals, access programs, and connect with support services, and I look forward to seeing what names get suggested through this process.

Head to the City of Greater Geelong website for further information.

Moorpanyal Park

At our monthly meeting in June, Council adopted the Moorpanyal Park Master Plan and acknowledged the Greater Geelong community for its contribution following multiple rounds of engagement.

The park is a district level foreshore reserve to the north of Corio Quay and is an area of cultural and environmental significance.

The reserve is managed by the City and extends around 1.4km along the coastline at North Shore.

Since 2004 the City of Greater Geelong, in conjunction with the North Shore Residents Group, has undertaken extensive rehabilitation and revegetation works at the site, and the 2024/2025 budget included an allocation of $600,000 that will help deliver items as identified in the master plan.

Further work, including consultation with relevant Council departments and key stakeholders, will now inform how this funding will be allocated across masterplan projects.

As a Council we are committed to continuing working alongside the local residents’ group to implement this master plan.

Identified projects within the plan have an estimated cost of $4.5 million and Council will be exploring opportunities to identify and apply for federal and state government grants to help this process.

We will also pursue opportunities with local businesses who would like to contribute to upgrades of the park, so that the community continues to benefit from this special place.

Cr Sarah Hathway

Windermere Ward, City of Greater Geelong