Geelong, Australia

City of Greater Geelong
Geography
State:	Victoria
Region:
Area:	1,240 km²
Council seat:
List of suburbs or localities
Demographics
Population: - Density	191,000 / km²
Born in Australia:	%
Aboriginal/ Torres Strait Islander origin:	%
Government
Mayor:	Shane Dowling
Federal electorate:
State electorate:

Geelong is a port city of 200,067 people (2003 census) located on Corio Bay. The city is located 75 kilometres south-west of Melbourne in Victoria, Australia. Geelong is covered by the municipality of The City of Greater Geelong, and is Victoria's largest regional city. Along the coastline to the west is the Great Ocean Road. Avalon Airport is several kilometres to the north-east.

Geography

Geelong is located on Corio Bay. It is surrounded by many kilometres of farmlands, as is noted for it's many wineries and nearby world famous popular surfing beaches.

Despite its proximity to Melbourne and connection with a three-lane freeway, Geelong remains physically and psychologically separated by many kilometres of undeveloped farmland from its much larger neighbour.

Economy and culture

The town's major industries include a Shell oil refinery in Corio, an Alcoa aluminium smelter at Point Henry, and a Ford Motor Company engine plant in Norlane. The nearby town of Torquay is the location of many surfing equipment and clothing manufacturers, notably Rip Curl, as well as some of Australia's finest surf beaches. Geelong has also given birth to a number of major Australian bands, such as Magic Dirt and Warped.

Media

Residents have their own independent local newspapers, the Geelong Advertiser, the Geelong Independent, and the Geelong News, as well as smaller newspapers serving the Bellarine Peninsula area. Local radio stations are K-Rock and Bay FM. Geelong does not have its' own television broadcasting facilities and relies on broadcasts from Melbourne for television reception.

Sport

Geelong is home to the AFL club, the Geelong Football Club and basketball team, The Geelong Supercats. Geelong also boasts many golf courses, ovals and playing fields, and facilities for water skiing, rowing, fishing, hiking, greyhound racing, trots and horse racing. The Eastern Beach foreshore and nearby Eastern Gardens area is often used to host internationally televised triathlon events. Corio Bay is home to many sailing and yachting events.

History

• Main article: History of Geelong
• See also: Timeline of Geelong history

The area of Geelong was originally occupied by Aboriginal tribes, notabily the Wathawurung people. Lieutenant John Murray was the first European visitor in 1802.

Landmarks and tourism

• Avalon Raceway
• Eastern Beach - waterfront featuring a promenade walkway and an enclosed swimmming pool
• HM Prison Geelong - historical prison closed in 1991
• Geelong Botantic Gardens
• Great Ocean Road - scenic world class tourist drive
• Skilled Stadium - Home ground to the Geelong Football Club
• You Yangs - granite peak near Lara

Geelong in film

Geelong has been used as a filming location for several feature films and television series:

• Mad Max (1979)
• Ned Kelly (2003)
• One Perfect Day (2004)
• Teardrops (2001)
• The Lighthorsemen (1987)

• SeaChange (1998 - 2002)

Notable people from Geelong

• Kate Allen, triathlete
• Felicity Andersen, actress
• Arthur Coles, (1892 - 1982), businessman and philanthropist
• Barry Crocker, singer and actor
• Nathan Deakes, Olympic walker
• Joey Didulica, soccer goalkeeper
• Robert Doyle, politician
• Trish Fallon, Womens Basketballer
• Bev Francis, powerlifting world champion athlete
• Helen Garner, novelist and journalist
• James Harrison, (1816 - 1893), engineer
• Lindsay Hassett, (1913 - 1993), Australian Cricketer
• Robert Ingpen, author and illustrator
• Jeff Lang, musician
• Graeme Lloyd, MLB baseball player
• Russell Mockridge, (1928 - 1958), cyclist
• Craig Mottram, Olympic athlete
• Andrew Olexander, politician
• Francis Ormond, pastoralist and philanthropist
• Guy Pearce, actor
• Portia de Rossi, actress
• Daryl Somers, television personality
• Arthur Streeton, artist
• Alexander Thomson, pioneer, settler and mayor
• Lee Troop, Olympic marathon runner
• Denis Walter, television personality

Public transport

Geelong is serviced by local bus routes covering most of the city and surrounding suburbs, and also a regular V/Line train service to Melbourne and Warrnambool operating from the Geelong railway station. Taxi services are also available. Geelong was served by an electric tramway service until 1956.

A ring road is in planning to bypass the City of Geelong. The bypass will begin near Lara and exit near Waurn Ponds.

Airports

• Avalon Airport
• Geelong Airport