Events are back on the calendar

AFTER a long and quiet winter, summer on the Bellarine looks set to explode with music and lifestyle events roaring back to life.

And no one is more excited than Tourism Greater Geelong and The Bellarine executive director, Brett Ince, who felt there was increased opportunity with swelling population and decreasing restrictions.

“There is big opportunity at the moment with heaps of Melburnians coming down and either holidaying in the region, catching up with family and friends or making that move,” he said.

“A lot of coastal homes have become principal residences. A big part of that for us is really leveraging and capitalising on the increased population in the region.”

Mr Ince believes Queenscliff’s Pelican Bar, presented by the Queenscliff Music Festival following their cancelled November event is an example of a local business adapting to their environment.

Their website describes it as ‘An exciting new outdoor COVID-Safe dining and live entertainment venue on the shores of Swan Bay.’ Impressive names are gracing the stage like The Black Sorrows, Carus Thompson, Bob Evans, Tim Rogers, Ali Barter and Hayley Mary.

“They have set up a marquee which ensures there is airflow through the marquee, which provides for the 1.5sq metre outdoor event framework,” Mr Ince said.

“Adventure Park in Geelong is another one – they have managed to reopen and do their Christmas night of lights and get ready for the Summer Season.”

Other Bellarine events like the Flying Brick Bellarine Sunset Run and Wreck2Reef ocean swim are going ahead and registration is open with both events set for February 2021. Due to COVID, The

Sunset Run will be a medal free event with 500-person cap on registrations. Likewise, the Wreck2Reef will separate contestants with strict scheduling.

Unfortunately it isn’t all good news on the Bellarine with the 33rd Rip View Swim Classic in Point Lonsdale making the difficult decision to cancel this year’s event. Likewise, the Blues Train in

Queenscliff will remain shut for the time being. Founder Hugo Armstrong said he is hoping to reopen in February or March 2021, close to 12 months since they last called ‘all aboard’.

“No one designs a business model based on shutting of a year with zero income. After 26 years, we are still working out how we restart,” he said.