By Luke Voogt
A boating gala on Geelong’s waterfront will be the first of its kind in the city, according to a Victorian industry boss.
“We hope it’s the first of many,” said Irene Hoe, president of the Boating Industry Association of Victoria (BIAV).
Ms Hoe joined BIAV chief executive Steven Potts at Steampacket Gardens on Wednesday to announce the Life’s Better With a Boat festival.
Mr Potts said he hoped the festival, which comes to the waterfront in October, would promote Geelong as a “great boating destination”.
“What we are trying to do is show what Geelong has to offer,” he said.
Geelong was the fourth most popular boating destination in Victoria behind locations such as the Mornington Peninsula and Lakes Entrance, Mr Potts said.
“We want to see Geelong elevated up that list.”
Geelong had the highest per capita boat ownership in Victoria, Mr Potts said.
“We see Geelong as boating capital of Port Phillip bay. Geelong and the Bellarine are fantastic boating areas.”
The festival will begin at Steampacket Gardens on 8 October after a gala dinner at Torquay.
The marine industry could provide jobs in tourism and boat manufacturing to help Geelong provide employment as its population doubled over the next 30 years, Mr Potts said.
Boating could even provide transitional marine mechanic jobs for workers who are leaving the shrinking local manufacturing industry, he added.
Mr Potts said the festival would showcase the latest boats and equipment, with activities for children including fishing basics, marine biology and water safety.
Geelong administrator Kathy Alexander, herself a boating enthusiast, said the council supported any festival which promoted the city.
“I think this is an amazing opportunity for Geelong which has such fabulous waters and boating facilities.”
