It’s all happening here

CHRISTMAS is over for another year and I sincerely hope everybody across the Greater Geelong region enjoyed a safe and memorable time with family, friends and loved ones.

It really is a wonderful time of year and here in Geelong we have a full Christmas program that runs from mid-November through until 7 January.

I want to acknowledge our City staff for solidifying our reputation as the Christmas capital of Australia and commend them on ensuring there were activities for people of all ages.

Last year was challenging on many fronts but I am looking forward to an exciting 2024.

The event calendar is filling up for our region and there is surely no better place to be in summer than Geelong.

We are blessed to have such a world class location like our waterfront to host major events, and to have a unique offering like this to welcome visitors from across the world is something other cities could only dream about.

Two of the key events I look forward to every year are the Festival of Sails and Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race.

The Festival of Sails was first held in 1844, and consistently draws the highest calibre of sailing craft and crew to Geelong.

This event, which is hosted by the Royal Geelong Yacht Club, attracts over 100,000 visitors to the region each January, providing an important economic boost.

Many people don’t know that the Melbourne to Geelong Passage Race, held as part of the festival, is the oldest sporting event in the Southern Hemisphere, which is another reason to get along and support this spectacular event.

There is also much happening away from the waterfront too.

The Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race grows in status each year and organisers should be applauded for the work they have done in putting Geelong on the international cycling map.

The event has been embraced by locals and those around the world, which is testament to our region and the people of Geelong who continue to support it.

Along the Bellarine, the Portarlington Mussel Festival is once again set to draw a big crowd of visitors looking for a sample of some of our region’s renowned fresh seafood.

This event encapsulates the best of the Bellarine with local produce and stalls showcasing why we continue to draw huge numbers of visitors every year.

And finally, The Great Australian Beer Festival will be held in Johnstone Park in January as well, with the event returning to a one-day format.

The local craft brewing scene continues to go from strength to strength, so I am sure there will be many people keen to try some of the new options available, as well as listen to some top local and visiting artists.

We punch above our weight division when it comes to tourism and major events, and the sector is so crucial to our region’s economic performance and capacity.

This is just a small sample size of what is to come in 2024, but I encourage you to get along to one of these – or another that takes your fancy – as the year unfolds.

Cr Peter Murrihy

Brownbill Ward,

City of Greater Geelong