Show us an ‘icon’

A HUGE cash prize will drive a competition to design an “icon” for Geelong, organisers have announced.
Geelong Professionals Alliance Network chairman Andrew Senia said GPAN was facilitating the competition to encourage development of a new landmark for the city.
The Icon for Geelong competition would be open to anyone with a concept or design to lift the city’s profile around Australia and overseas, he said.
“We all know Geelong is a great place to work and live. Now we need an iconic landmark or symbol to help promote our city to the world,” Mr Senia said.
“We need something that symbolises who we are and where we are going, both to ourselves and the outside world.
“This initiative is all about developing a beautiful, viable and inspiring feature to help increase Geelong’s prosperity through the 21st Century.
“Many cities in Australia and overseas are recognised by such an icon, for example the Opera House in Sydney and the Statue of Liberty in New York.”
Mr Senia said $7000 was already committed to the prize pool but he was in discussions with other individuals and organisations to boost the total potentially beyond $25,000.
Mr Senia said the competition would officially begin in February and run for six months.
GPAN, an organisation comprising eight professional businesses operating in the city with the support of Westpac, would appoint a judging panel to choose the first-prize winner.
The judging panel would comprise Mr Senia, the principal of Senia Lawyers as chairman and, representatives of: City of Greater Geelong, Geelong Otway Tourism, Geelong Tourism, state and federal governments, Wathaurong Aboriginal Coopera-tive, Deakin University’s School of Architecture, and Building and Geelong Art Gallery
Mr Senia said prospective entrants should keep an open mind about what constitutes an “icon”.
“It could be a design for Geelong’s proposed convention centre, a public artwork of striking prominence or a stylised image that symbolises Geelong – maybe it’s something already under our noses that just needs a makeover.
“The possibilities are limited only by the imaginations of entrants.”
Mr Senia said the competition would also include a junior prize for the best submission from a competitor aged 25 and under.
“I urge everyone with ideas or dreams for a Geelong icon to put on their thinking caps and start working on their entries.”
Geelong Mayor John Mitchell praised the competition.
“It’s a great idea,” he said.
“Who knows what might come out of a competition such as this.”
The Independent will announce the official opening of Icon for Geelong in January, with details about how to enter and other information.
Managing editor Tony Galpin said the paper would provide regular updates and stories on entries and competition supporters.
“Icon for Geelong will be the most exciting public competition in the region for years. GPAN deserves full credit for such a positive initiative,” Mr Galpin said.
“We look forward to seeing what the community can come up with and showing readers some of the ideas and entries in the New Year.”