Geelong’s newest landmark ready for its debut

Deputy prime minister Richard Males has declared Geelong’s long-awaited convention centre the “missing piece” in the city’s transformation into one of Australia’s great gathering places.

That piece officially fell into place on Sunday with the ceremonial opening of the $449 million Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention and Event Centre.

The centre features a 1,000-seat theatre, exhibition halls, meeting rooms and flexible event spaces, alongside the adjoining 200-room Crowne Plaza hotel.

Speaking at the waterfront venue, Marles said the convention centre would help introduce Geelong to a national audience and cement its place as a destination for major events.

“If we were doing nothing other than opening a space where we could gather to acknowledge our most significant moments, that alone would make this a hugely significant milestone in our town’s history,” he said.

 

 

“But, of course, the convention centre is so much more than that.

“Nyaal Banyul means open your eyes the hills — a nod to the You Yangs and the hills that surround Geelong — but actually, I think for all of us we’re saying to the rest of Australia open your eyes to Geelong.

“The opening of this convention centre is the missing piece in Geelong becoming one of the great gathering places of our nation.”

In just 12 days, the convention centre will welcome its first major crowd, with 850 guests expected to attend the Barwon Health Foundation Gala Ball on 3 July.

The event is one of 80 already booked in at the venue.

The convention centre is expected to employ more than 240 people, with more than 50 local businesses already engaged to help deliver events, supply equipment and showcase regional food and wine.

 

 

Construction of the precinct created about 1,400 jobs, including more than 150,000 hours of training completed by 250 apprentices.

Designed in partnership with Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation, the centre incorporates Wadawurrung culture and knowledge throughout the precinct.

Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation co-chief executive Rebekah Devlin said the project demonstrated what could be achieved when true co-design is prioritised from the very inception of a project.

“It is more than a building,” she said of the convention centre.

“It is a living expression of culture and connection, shaped through genuine, respectful collaboration, and grounding in Wadawurrung and First Nations knowledge, which has been gently and meaningfully woven into every facet of this space.”

The wider community will get its first opportunity to experience the landmark venue during a free open day on 11 July.