Keep the momentum going

Geelong should be proud, but not content.

For decades, Geelong's fortunes were tied to major employers like Ford and Alcoa. They weren't just large businesses. They provided secure jobs, supported local families and helped shape the identity of this city.

When those industries declined, there was genuine uncertainty about what came next. The easy option would have been to dwell on what had been lost. Instead, Geelong got on with the job of reinventing itself.

The transformation hasn't happened overnight. It has taken years of effort from businesses, community organisations, educational institutions and governments of all levels. But the results are hard to ignore.

Today, Geelong has a much more diverse economy than it once did. Growth in advanced manufacturing, health, education, tourism, defence and major events has helped create new opportunities and attract investment. Increasingly, people are talking about Geelong as a city with momentum rather than a city recovering from setbacks.

Organisations such as the Committee for Geelong have played an important part in that story by helping keep attention focused on the region's long-term future. The Committee’s role as Voice of Future Geelong is particularly valuable because it also brings younger people into the conversation. The decisions being made today will shape the city they inherit, so their perspectives matter.

There is every reason for Geelong to feel proud of how far it has come. Few regional cities have managed economic change on this scale while retaining such a strong sense of community and identity.

At the same time, success shouldn't lead to complacency. Not everyone experiences growth in the same way. Many families continue to face cost-of-living pressures. Young people still need clearer pathways into training and employment. Social isolation remains a challenge for many older residents. There are communities across the region that continue to need support and investment.

The next chapter of Geelong's success should not be judged only by cranes on the skyline, new developments or positive headlines. Those things matter, but they are not the whole story. The real test is whether more people have access to opportunity, feel connected to their community and can share in the benefits of the region's growth.

Geelong has already shown it can adapt and thrive. The challenge now is to make sure prosperity reaches as many people as possible.