By Natalee Kerr
Geelong’s famous waterfront bollards have “come to life” through a new interactive smartphone app that launched last weekend.
The $100,000 State Government-funded project features across six bollards locations on Geelong’s waterfront, including the “yacht club lady” and “bathing beauties”.
Each bollard site is fitted with an augmented reality activator that when pointed at by a phone triggers a different animated experience such as singing, moving and dancing.
The app reveals “accurate information and creative stories” giving people the opportunity to learn more about the local history, according to Tourism Greater Geelong and the Bellarine.
The waterfront precinct is home to more than 100 bollards created by Melbourne artist Jan Mitchell in 1995 and have since become an icon of the city for more than 20 years.
The Activate Geelong app was created through a partnership between Tourism Greater Geelong and the Bellarine, Marc-O-Matic and Virtualex.
Geelong MP Christine Couzens said the project was a welcomed asset to the community.
“(It) will breathe new life into the already popular Baywalk Bollards, attracting a new generation of visitors to the region and reminding people to take a second look at a beloved local attraction,” she said.
