After more than a decade of being overlooked, Queenscliff’s Cultural Hub will finally become a reality. 

The Victorian Government has announced a further $1.2 million for the project, which includes the redevelopment of the Queenscliff Historical Museum, library and Visitor Information Centre. 

The new funding, granted under the state’s Community Support Fund, takes to more than $4 million the government’s pledged support. 

It comes on top of $2.5 million - recently re-directed from the Borough of Queenscliffe's Destination Queenscliff Project - and $450,000 already provided through the Living Libraries Fund. 

Welcoming the announcement, Museum President Gary Spry said the redevelopment would deliver a bigger facility to showcase its many artefacts and improve research capabilities. 

“It’s brought a smiles to the faces of all of our people. We’re happy to know that after 14 long years, since we first raised the issue of over-crowding, there’s finally a breakthrough,” he said.

“There’s a revitalised group of people running the museum who have a determination to move into the future with interactive stuff that will make our history relevant to a whole new generation of Australians. 

“We regard this, the hub, as Destination Queenscliff. This is at the heart of it and I think the project is even more relevant now than when we started.  

“In terms of recognising what history’s all about -  the fact that it gives you an opportunity to have some continuity in your own life, to look back on the past and see what’s coming in the future - it’s terribly important, not only to the local community but to all Australians,” Mr Spry said.

Bellarine MP Lisa Neville, who will chair a hub community project control group, stressed the new funding was not an election commitment and not contingent on her government being re-elected next month. 

The allocation was enough to immediately commence initial design works, she said. 

“Every conversation I’ve had about the the historical society and getting this Hub done has come with lots of passion from lots of different people. I do know how widely supported it is.
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“The original project was more in the $3 million  but I think the aspirations, particularly for the Historical Society, are greater than that. But I think we can absolutely move forward now and lock down those designs.”

The Queenscliff Football Netball Club trophy cabinet is sporting three new premiership cups, after wins to three of its junior teams. 

The U/17 netballers clinched the BFL's Division One Grand Final against a fast-finishing Barwon Heads by just three goals. 
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After a goal-for-goal first quarter, the Coutas opened up a four-goal buffer heading into the final quarter. The Seagulls drew within one goal in the dying minutes of the game before a stunning intercept by Defender Millie O’Shea broke their momentum. The turn-over resulted in two quick Couta goals.  
Kaitlin Gladman, with an almost faultless 28-goal shooting performance, was named Player of the Match.
The club's U/15 footballers - coached by Col Baker -  turned on a last quarter goal spree to win the Division 2 Grand Final against Drysdale. Jhye Clark was named man of the match after booting five goals. 

And the Coutas' U/17 Division 3 side - coached by Luke Orvis -  snared a back-to-back premiership, defeating Anglesea by just four points. Patrick Tucci was named man of the match. 

The talents of revered cartoonist and former Queenscliff resident Ron Tanberg will be showcased with the addition of a new artist board to the municipality’s Arts Trail.

The Board, to be launched on Sunday 21 October, will be placed on the boardwalk stretching between the Queenscliff ferry terminal and pier.
“Ron Tandberg was a much-loved and admired member of our community,” said Mayor Susan Salter. 

“His work made a huge contribution to our nation’s culture.” 
The Arts Trail runs between Queenscliff and Point Lonsdale and celebrates the works of artists and photographers who have visited and captured the local landscape. 
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 An  exhibition of Mr Tanberg’s  work, including a series of short videos of him discussing the creation of his famous caricatures, will be on display in the Queenscliff Library from Friday 5th until  Saturday 27th October.

Upwards of 20 artists from Queenscliff and Point Lonsdale will showcase their talents over the Melbourne Cup long weekend as part of the annual Bellarine Arts Trail. 

The popular two day event will include a total of 33 galleries and venues and more than 75 artists from across the Bellarine.

Hosted by the Barwon Heads Arts Council, the Trail gives visitors an opportunity to met and talk to the people who make our local art scene vibrant, in some cases, in the very space they work from. 

A highlight this year is the inclusion of world renowned sculptor Rod Dudley, who will open his Queenscliff studio to visitors, displaying sculptures in wood and bronze created in his Italian studio - where he spends six months of the year.  Rod will also exhibit at the Queenscliff Council Hall his Empire Day group sculpture of 1981, first shown at the Adelaide Festival. 
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Tussock Upstairs Gallery will host November Spaces 18 – paintings, prints, jewellery and ceramics by local and regional artists, Salt Gallery will be holding an exhibition titled Creatures Great and Small and Soula Mantalvanos will open her personal Queenscliff Gallery and Workshop studio, welcoming conversations about latest works.
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