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Concept designs are now complete for a new outdoor performance space in Victoria’s Surf Coast Shire’s Jan Juc Bob Pettitt Reserve.

The space will be a permanent structure within a natural amphitheatre, designed to complement its surroundings and allow the community to hold small, local performances.

The project has been fully funded by the Australian Government and is being delivered in partnership with the Jan Juc community and the Surf Coast Shire Council.

Surf Coast Shire Mayor Rose Hodge notes “this has very much been a community-led project, initiated by Jan Juc Live, a group of locals involved in creative and musical arts and I thank them for their work.

“Our much-loved Bob Pettitt Reserve is a big part of community life. It’s a special place that brings people from all walks of life together. The new outdoor performance space is designed to allow our community to make more use of the reserve, while maintaining everything locals love about it, especially its natural beauty.

“At a time when we’re yearning to be together, this project brings us hope that we will once again gather for Christmas carols and other smaller events like acoustic performances and kinder concerts against the backdrop of those wonderful Yellow Gums.”

Jan Juc Live member and project champion Paul Thompson is pleased to see the project progressing adding “after singing Christmas Carols in the Reserve with the Bonnie Upwelling Choir for some years and seeing the crowd grow to well over a hundred, I could see there was a need for better facilities, both for the performers and the audience.

“So a small working group called Jan Juc Live was born with skill sets including the creative arts, community development and environmental design.

“We approached the Surf Coast Council with our plan to build a permanent outdoor stage in the reserve. Now I’m happy to say that with a lot of hard work and a grant from the Australian Government, we are getting close to seeing our dream come true.

“This project has come from the community for the community that will see controlled family events and health and wellbeing activities enjoyed in the park for generations to come.”

Surf Coast Shire Council acknowledges the full project funding received from the Australian Government through the Community Development Grants Program ($140,000).

The designs for the Bob Pettitt Reserve Outdoor Performance Space and Under The Yellow Gums stage can be viewed here. Questions or comments can be submitted to Council by 22nd May via the website.

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