Geelong, Victoria
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Geelong is a port city of 184,332 people (2001 census) on Corio Bay, 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.
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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. 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:
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
- Portia de Rossi, actress
- 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
- 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
See also
Sister cities
Geelong has a number of sister cities. They are:
- Lianyungang, China
- Izumiotsu, Japan
External links
- Geelong News and Information (http://www.geelong.com/)
- Intown - Geelong City Guide (http://www.intown.com.au/)
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