In true Better Block style Geelong received not one but two co-founders as part of the Innate Ecology Sustainable Living Series in Geelong. Jason Roberts, prerecorded a special message for Geelong residents followed by co-founder Andrew Howard, who provided the local audience with inspiring ideas and outcomes from The Better Block community projects across the USA.
Local City of Greater Geelong councillor Andy Richards welcomed the community, with many council officers as well as community participating in the workshop. While the evening lecture attendees at the Percy Baxter Theatre, Deakin University enjoyed local wines and food, talking about the ways to activate community, the morning workshop attendees, at the Courthouse Arts, enjoyed LaMadre sweets and refreshments while gathering support and empowering the community to be the change.
An impromptu charette in Little Malop street focussed our intentions on how we might regenerate the city centre with people designed green spaces.
However now the international speakers have gone home, what are we left with? Who will contribute to activating the community? How do we bring the goodwill and passion back in to the room to create a trial activation – a Better Block Geelong?
With Jason Roberts scheduled to speak at the 6th Making Cities Liveable Conference in Melbourne, June 15-17, will Geelong will pull together to create a Better Block city centre activation worth talking about?
Innate Ecology 