Geelong is a port city located on Corio Bay and the Barwon River, and is Victoria’s second largest city. Geelong was named in 1827, with the name derived from the local Wathaurong Aboriginal name for the region, Jillong, which means ‘a place of the seabird over the white cliffs’. Greater Geelong is regarded as Australia’s fastest growing region with predictions of over 30% population growth over the next 15 years. Geelong City is also known as the ‘Gateway City’ due to its central location to surrounding Victorian regional centres like Ballarat in the north west, Torquay, Great Ocean Road, and Warrnambool in the southwest, Hamilton, Colac, and Winchelsea to the west, and the state capital of Melbourne in the north east. It is also known for being home to Geelong Football Club, the second oldest club in the Australian Football League.
During the gold rush, Geelong experienced a brief boom as the main port to the rich goldfields of the Ballarat district. The city then diversified into manufacturing in the 1860s, becoming one of the largest manufacturing centres in Australia with its wool mills, ropeworks, and paper mills. It was proclaimed a city in 1910, with industrial growth until the 1960s, establishing the city as a manufacturing centre for the state.
The Neighbours
The 2017 Estimated Resident Population for the City of Greater Geelong is 245,751. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics’ 2016 Census of Population and Housing, parents and homebuilders aged 35 to 49, form the vast majority of the population in Geelong at 21.1 percent, followed by the young workforce aged 25 to 34 at 16.3 percent. Preschoolers, primary and secondary schoolers aged between of up to 17 form 21.6 percent of the City of Greater Geelong’s population, with 19 percent aged 60 and over. Geelong has seen an increase in the percent of elderly and retired individuals over the previous census, whereas, it has observed a fall in the number of parents, homebuilders, and pre-retirees.
The Commute
The City of Greater Geelong is located in south-western Victoria, about 75 kilometres south-west of the Melbourne CBD. From Melbourne, take a V-line train from Southern Cross Station, arrive in Geelong in less than an hour. Geelong is also easily accessible by bus, whilst the nearest airports are Melbourne Avalon and Tullamarine airports.
Shopping for the family
With an array of supermarkets like Coles, Woolworths and Aldi, among other local brands, present around the city, grocery shopping is a breeze. Geelong also enjoys a number of shopping centres such as Westfield Geelong, which is situated in the heart of the city, one street away from the bay foreshore, boasting around 180 stores. Waurn Ponds Shopping Centre is the largest shopping centre outside of inner Geelong, located in the south-western suburbs. It features two supermarkets, eateries, over 100 speciality shops and a cinema complex.
The school run
Geelong is served by a number of public and private institutions. A survey by Better Education has named St. Patrick’s School, St. John’s Lutheran School and St. Mary’s Primary School the top private primary schools, whereas, Tate Street Primary School, Ashby Primary School, and Manifold Heights Primary School are the ranking government primary schools. The secondary schools in Geelong are The Geelong College, Saint Ignatius College, Christian College Geelong and a number of other institutes. For tertiary education, Geelong is home to Deakin University (Waurn Ponds & Geelong), Gordon Institute of TAFE, Geelong Waterfront Campus, and Marcus Oldham College.
What’s going on?
Geelong is a bustling suburb, hosting many events and festivals. The Australian International Airshow, the region’s biggest event, happens every second year at Avalon airport and is an amazing display of aircraft and aerospace technology. Bringing the country to the city for four days each year, the Royal Geelong Show has been running for over 150 years. This annual country fair features equestrian events, machinery displays, art, food stalls, and fireworks. There are many other events in Geelong worth considering such as the Pako festa, the Geelong Cup and the National Celtic festival.
Geelong has something for everyone. Art lovers can enjoy Geelong Gallery and Metropolis Gallery, both of which display paintings, sculptures and decorative arts. Bellarine Rail Trail, You Yangs Regional Park and Geelong Botanic Gardens are all gems for nature lovers, either to cycle, trek or just spend a day with family. Bored over the weekend? Head to GMHBA Stadium to enjoy a sports game or the Geelong Performing Arts Centre to watch theatre.
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