Geelong Attractions - The Bollard Trail

For those unfamiliar with Geelong and thethe Bollard Trail had begun. It took four years -
surrounding regions of The Bellarine, The Surffrom 1995-1999 to create the trail which is seen
Coast, and The Otways, hearing the wordtoday.
"bollard" may produce imagines of a sturdy wharfThe bollards are made from recycled pier pilings
post or similar, possibly emblazoned withand their creator Jan Mitchell was arguably one of
advertising propaganda, as many city basedthe most influential artists in the region. Jan spent
bollards tend to be.approximately one year thoroughly researching
However, Geelong is different. Geelong has whatGeelong's history in order to accurately depict the
is referred to as the "Bollard Trail", a series ofcharacter portrayed, right down to such intricate
over 100 brightly painted bollards depictingdetails including correct instruments featured and
individuals from Geelong's history such as explorercorrect uniform badges worn. Thus the bollards,
Matthew Flinders, who first ventured into Coriowhile serving as wonderful testaments to the
Bay in 1802, former Geelong mayor Robert Deartist's ability, are also accurate historical
Bruce Johnstone, and founder of the Geelongrepresentations for the Geelong region.
Advertiser, James Harrison. Additionally other,The walk itself traverses the picturesque Geelong
more lighthearted characters such as a group ofwaterfront adjacent to Corio Bay. Undertaking
bathing beauties, a volunteer rifle band - completethe entire walk to see all the waterfront bollards
with instruments, uniforms and music - grace thetakes approximately one hour or thereabouts.
trail as well.Dogs on leads are welcome, and often entire
Indeed, the AFL football player who standsfamilies can be seen taking the historic walk
proudly near Transvaal Square, which in daystogether, enjoying the atmosphere and reliving
gone by was actually a paddock in which the localhistory in the fun manner the bollard trail provides.
football players trained, was constructed as partThe information kiosk at the waterfront even
of a program with artists in schools.sells Bollard Trail brochures should visitors wish to
Taken to the Geelong Council by local artist Janlearn more.
Mitchell, (who sadly, succumbed to cancer severalWith ample grassy areas along the waterfront
years ago aged 68) the bollard was first seen atthere are many great locations for a picnic, either
Barwon Heads in 1994. The following year it wasat the start or the end of the walk or even
approved as part of a funded project to behalfway along. History has never been more
located along the waterfront and first stages ofenjoyable!