Achievements
The list of notable achievements since the PCA’s inception has included many written submissions, grant applications, meetings and feedback on various issues including public art and streetscape, urban design framework, Portarlington Structure Plan, Safe Harbour Master Plan, Bellarine Strategic Plan, infrastructure upgrades and many more matters relevant to the community of Portarlington.
2026 | Collaboration with PNH and The Muso's Den: delivering music events such as the BlazeAid fundraiser - see https://www.facebook.com/share/v/18qTzA21Tg/ for more details Donation to Portarlington Football Netball Club: for new carpet in the clubrooms. Donation to Portarlington Community Bus: to assist in transporting residents - for more information on the Community Bus, see https://www.facebook.com/p/Portarlington-Community-Bus-61554692327192/ Portarlington Identity Project (PIP): PIP research report submitted. Portarlington's Identity: Community Participatory Action Research Report Food Assist 3223: Continued support during 2026, where members supported Food Assist 3223 through canned and packaged food items donated at each General Meeting and delivered to Food Assist the next day. - for more information on Food Assist 3223, see https://www.facebook.com/FoodAssist3223/ Raffles: selling of community raffles at Portarlington Golf Club. |
2025 | Portarlington Identity Project (PIP): Building on the 2024 literature review, the PCA PIP sub-committee conducted a comprehensive survey presenting statements that described the town’s identity and its ten most valued features. Visitors, holiday makers and locals were asked whether they felt those statements accurately represented Portarlington. With 1,092 responses, the survey informed the PIP report, resulting in a clear agreed statement about who and what we are in Portarlington. https://portarlington.asn.au/portarlington-identity-project/ Community Battery: PCA formed a Community Battery Working Group to explore the feasibility of a community battery for Portarlington. In February 2025, the Working Group presented the Community Battery Project Report, giving an excellent review of opportunities and potential strategies for renewal energy in Portarlington. Donations to Food Assist 3223: Continuing in 2025, PCA continued the initiative among its members to support Food Assist 3223, through canned and packeted food items donated at each General Meeting and delivered to Food Assist the next day. Fundraising - conducted fundraising sausage sizzles at Leopold Bunnings to support project contributions. |
2024 | Portarlington Identity Project (PIP): The PCA PIP sub-committee worked throughout 2024 to compile an extensive literature review on material dealing with our Portarlington, and compiled a survey that was tested on our members and will be conducted with the public early 2025, with the view to establishing an agreed identity statement for the town that can be used in promotions and advocacy. https://portarlington.asn.au/portarlington-identity-project/ Donations to Food Assist 3223: In 2024, the PCA committee instigated an initiative among its members to support Food Assist 3223, through canned and packeted food items donated at each General Meeting and delivered to Food Assist the next day. Beanie Tree: Instigated by the PCA in collaboration with the Community Bank Bellarine, ‘Yarn Me Calm’ textile studio and the Bellarine Women’s Network. Hand-made beanies from the tree in 2024 were donated after Christmas to the 'Hope in a Suitcase' initiative for foster families. Purchase of Big Red Bows (Salvation Army): For the second year, festive dressing of shopfronts in the shopping strip during the month of December, funded by PCA collaboration with the Community Bank Bellarine. |
2023 | Safety bollard lighting from the pier area to Newcombe Street past the public toilets were installed by council on request of PCA. The 49ers: The 49 Newcombe Street Sub-committee was formed and continued to advocate for an appropriate resolution for the development proposal at 49 Newcombe Street. This proposal again went to VCAT, with the development proposal again being rejected. 49 Newcombe Street: Lobbying continues to Federal, State and Local Governments to acquire the land for public use. Successful Grant Application: PCA to Federal Government Stronger Communities. Successful Grant Application: PCA to Libby Coker’s Volunteer’s Grant. Public Art Sculpture: Installation of two bronze cast pelicans by Will Wilson on the foreshore near the pier. This was achieved by a Federal Government Strong Communities Grant, supplemented by PCA fundraising, and the in-kind assistance of Bellarine Bayside. North Bellarine Aquatic Centre Advisory Group: Five members of the NBAC Advocacy Group appointed by the City of Greater Geelong. The North Bellarine Aquatics Centre opened to the public on 1st November 2023. Mural Art (4): Collaboration with and donation to the Senior Citizens’ Club resulted in a further mural, ‘The Fish Thieves’, (local artist Heather Duff) for the town. Purchase of Big Red Bows (Salvation Army): Festive dressing of trees in the shopping strip during the month of December, funded by PCA collaboration with the Community Bank Bellarine and the in-kind assistance of SES Bellarine. Beanie Tree: Instigated by the PCA in collaboration with the Community Bank Bellarine, ‘Yarn Me Calm’ textile studio and the Bellarine Women’s Network. Hand-made beanies from the tree donated after Christmas to the Andrew Love Cancer Centre Geelong. |
2022 | Successful Grant Application: PCA to VicHealth. Laneway mural art 2: ‘Bellarine Vines’, painted by local street artist, Sai Neoh. Funded by a grant from VicHealth. The launch was celebrated at Portovino with representatives from all levels of government. North Bellarine Advisory Committee (NBAC) Advocacy Group: Provided PCA member who became the Chair. This led to representation on the NBAC Advisory Panel to CoGG. Mural 3: Collaboration with Portarlington Neighbourhood House resulted in ‘Rainbow Lorikeet at PNH, funded by a CoGG Healthy & Connected Communities Grant. Community Hub: Submissions from sub-committee to CoGG for their Scoping Survey for a Community Hub and the use of Parks Hall. |
2021 | Mixed use development at 49 Newcombe Street: Lobbying and petitioning to Council about proposal; PCA was represented at the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal by Hardwood Andrews on a pro bono basis. This resulted in the Minister calling the matter in. Successful Grant Application: PCA to Federal Government Stronger Communities. Laneway mural art 1: ‘Weedy Seadragons’, painted by local street artist, Sai Neoh. Co-funded by the City of Greater Geelong, the Federal Government Stronger Communities Grant and the PCA. |
2020 | PCA survey on Public Art: sought feedback from the community on ideas for public art in the town – a Report was written and circulated to relevant organisations, and a working relationship with the public art department in CoGG was established. |
2019 | PCA Planning sub-committee formed: Creates policy for its active engagement in Planning Applications and Proposed Planning Scheme Amendments that directly affect or impact our town or community as a whole. State Government’s Distinctive Areas and Landscape Legislation: PCA began its input. |
2018 | PCA Facebook Page: Set up PCA profile on Facebook. Communication & Connectivity Project: Successful grant application to Health & Wellbeing Fund – printed PCA information brochures and membership forms. Playground WG Little Reserve: Letter of support from PCA to Bellarine Bayside - to lobby CoGG for funding to replace playground at Little Reserve |