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<\/p>\nANOTHER State of Wellness Women\u2019s Summit is on the cards in early-2022 thanks primarily to recent funding acquired from the City of Greater Geelong.<\/p>\n
The City announced on August 20 that 11 community groups, clubs and organisations would share in $35,000 of allocated funds as part of the 2020-21 Community Events Grants program.<\/p>\n
The funding comes as COVID-19 lockdowns and restrictions continue to challenge the events industry, and these successful events were found to have community benefits in the past which would again boost local economy and attract visitors to the region.<\/p>\n
Notable recipients of the latest round of grants include the Geelong Baseball Association, which received a $5,000 grant to hold a Victorian Masters Baseball Carnival for players aged over 35.<\/p>\n
Championship Pool Tables received $6,000 to run the inaugural Slate Invitational Challenge over three days, with more than 250 players signed up.<\/p>\n
A $3,000 grant to the Friends of Geelong Botanic Gardens will support an \u2018Inspired by Nature 7\u2019 art exhibition, showcasing the works of 40 local artists and their tutors and featuring plants from the gardens.<\/p>\n
And the Portarlington Community Information Booth will use a $3,000 grant for its Australia Day community celebrations planned for next year.<\/p>\n
Wellness facilitator and educator, Jo Surkitt, was another person who sought out funds to help recreate a successful past event after holding a State of Wellness Women\u2019s Summit back in 2019 at GMHBA Stadium.<\/p>\n
She is again now able to conduct another summit scheduled for March 2022 after she acquired $2,000 in the latest round of community events grants.<\/p>\n
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\u201cThe grants are fantastic because the event that we run is based on women\u2019s wellbeing and especially now with the pandemic it\u2019s very important that we create that space for other women to connect and collaborate,\u201d Ms Surkitt said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe will now be able to offer free tickets to women that will need them, extra PR, printing the programs and running the audio\/video for the day.\u201d<\/p>\n
Next year\u2019s summit will be held at the Novotel on Geelong\u2019s waterfront.<\/p>\n
Councillor Anthony Aitken, chair of the Finance portfolio said the events industry has suffered a massive blow over the last year-and-a-half.<\/p>\n