PCA Achievements

The list of achievements since inception has including many written submissions, meetings and feedback on various issues including 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

1982	Promote the Rotunda as an information centre
1983	Submissions to Council: open drains on The Esplanade, upkeep of roads
1991	– Represented on health centre group to choose a site for an elderly citizens home (resulted in Ann Nichol House, which opened in 2002) – Underwrote publication of The Port Report (became a separate entity in 2001)
1992	Started lobbying for supply of natural gas (completed 2001)
1993	– A ferry service sub-committee formed (again an association sub-committee since 2011). – Application for $160,000 to develop Point Richards Flora and Fauna Park (proclaimed a reserve in 1858)
1994	– Successful Family Fiesta – $500 donation to start new Trader’s Group
1995	Petition to maintain police residence
1998	– Launch first annual Portarlington Community Directory – Set up a fighting fund to establish a community bank (Bendigo Community Bank opened in 1999) – Underwrites the first Line Dancing Weekend (still an annual event)
2000	– Organised the successful Back to Portarlington weekend – Represented on the Safe Harbour Reference Group
2003	Underwrote the inaugural National Celtic Festival in Portarlington (now managed by an independent organisation) Successful petition to retain and reinstate a full-time Customer Service Centre in Drysdale
2004	Coordinated first Biggest Afternoon Tea in aid of Cancer Council Victoria research
2005	– Initiated the formation of Craft Unlimited hobby group – Hosted the first Meet the Candidates forum – New bike racks and seats installed following a PCA request – Initiated the Bellarine Police Community Support Register (now an independent organisation)
2008	Initiated the first Positive Ageing Expo (now a Staying in Port event)
2010	– Coordination of the town’s Community Group Email Tree – New parking bay line marking in Newcombe Street following a PCA request – Started a Portarlington Welcome Kit for new residents that is regularly updated
2011	Initiated a Bulk Energy Saving project – over 300 households take it up to reduce electricity and gas bills
2014	– Co-sponsored a town rally to save Ann Nichol House from being privatised – Coordinated and delivered a petition to Hon Lisa Neville, MP, with over 1,300 signatures to save Ann Nichol House – Coordinated a Save our Police Station petition to retain a local police presence
2015	– Successful grant application to the City of Greater Geelong for a Community Information Centre at Portarlington’s Rotunda – Successful grant application to the City of Greater Geelong to print brochures to help visitors know how to walk or ride to the Portarlington Mussel Festival
2016	Actively promoted and negotiated continuation of the Portarlington swimming pool
2017	– Participation with CoGG re HUB proposal – Successfully advocates for change of date for Gatorade Triathalon – Deregistration of GST obligations – Participates in GoGG “Our Future Forum” and “Social Infrastructure Plan” – Successful grant application to Health & Wellbeing Fund to undertake communications connectivity project. – Liaison with joint community associations to host a series of “Meet the Candidate” Forums for the CoGG elections
2018	– [To be inserted]
2019	– [To be inserted]
2020	– The PCA conducted a survey with the community seeking their feedback on public art in the town.
2021	– Lobbying and petitioning to Council about a proposed mixed use development at 49 Newcombe Street. The 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. – Installation of mural art, the Weedy Seadragons, in the laneway between The Hive and the Bendigo and Adelaide Bank. The mural was painted by local street artist, Sai Neoh. This was funded by the City of Greater Geelong, a Federal Government Stronger Communities Grant and a donation by the PCA.
2022	– Installation of mural art, Bellarine Vines, in the laneway adjacent to Portovino. The mural was also painted by local street artist, Sai Neoh, and was funded by a grant from Victorian Health. The launch was celebrated at Portovino with representatives from local, State and Federal politics. – Provided a PCA member to the North Bellarine Advisory Committee (NBAC) Advocacy Group who became the Chair. – Collaboration with other local community group (Portarlington Neighbourhood House and Port Arts) resulted in two further murals for the town.
2023	– Lobbying for the acquisition of land at 49 Newcombe Street by Federal, State or local governments – Installation of two bronze cast pelicans on the foreshore near the pier. This was achieved by a Federal Government Strong Communities Grant, supplemented by PCA fundraising and the assistance of Bellarine Bayside – Five members of the NBAC Advocacy Group appointed by the City of Greater Geelong to the North Bellarine Aquatic Centre Advisory Group. – Collaboration with and donation to the Senior Citizens’ Club resulting in a further mural for the town.