By NOEL MURPHY
KNOCK on some of Geelong’s bronzed and estimable doors and you never known what you might find behind them.
Rarely does the public get the chance to peer inside such portals, let alone city institutions, hallowed edifices or historical architecture.
But this month’s Open House Geelong, pencilled in for 25 October, will spring the locks on a lengthy catalogue of the city’s finest, including the T&G Building, Customs House, Christ church, Osbourne House and Simonds Stadium.
“The T&G Building was the most requested building to be added to our program, in feedback from the pilot in 2012,” Open House Geelong president Beth King said.
“You’ll be able to look around the ground floor, including the art deco entrance and hallway, and take a sneak peek at level two from the stairwell.
“Higher floors are in disrepair and can’t be opened to the public at this stage. However, (owner) Deakin will have a display of its proposed redevelopment plans.”
All up, 17 buildings will be open for visitors to go behind the scenes and discover the secret gems within some of Geelong’s most significant buildings.
Other venues will include Geelong Performing Arts Centre, Courthouse Arts, Deakin Waterfront, Geelong City Hall, Peace Memorial, Transport Accident Commission, Barwon Water, Geelong Maritime Museum, Vietnam Veterans Association, Geelong Law Courts, National Wool Museum and the City of Greater Geelong offices at 100 Brougham St.
The global Open House concept was born in London and has been strongly supported in Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide. Geelong was the first regional city in the world to host such an event, two years ago.
More information is available at openhousegeelong.org.au.
