Tuesday, 2 December 2025

 Chris COUZENS (Geelong) (14:57): I recently attended the Geelong Arts Centre’s 2026 program launch alongside the CEO Rhys Holden, and I am excited to share what is in store for the upcoming season. We are all very proud of the state government’s support for the redevelopment of the Geelong Arts Centre. It has become a vibrant showcase for Geelong’s artistic talent, attracting world-class performances and enhancing the quality of entertainment we provide to our community. The Geelong Arts Centre is more than a cultural landmark, it is an economic powerhouse for our region. It attracts visitors from across Victoria and beyond, creating jobs and driving growth for local businesses. The Geelong Arts Centre is essential to our community, offering opportunities for local and emerging artists to perform in a world-class setting. I look forward to the 2026 season, which will feature 32 shows, some of which we had a sneak peek at at the spectacular season launch, which was MCed by Gillian Cosgriff, with Casey Donovan, Tim Campbell and Sheridan Harbridge featuring in cameo performances on the evening. We can all be very proud of the Geelong Arts Centre’s role in the city’s creative and artistic communities. I do want to thank Rhys and his team for the work that they are doing in engaging First Nations creatives, making sure that children and young people, no matter where they live, have access to the arts and making sure there is something for everyone.