A year of cultural performances, arts and creative education was highlighted in the Bellarine Arts Centre Annual Report 2024-25 tabled at the December council meeting on Tuesday.
Better known to locals as "The Potato Shed", this cultural venue has continued to make a big impact in the Bellarine Community.
The report provided a clear snapshot of how the Potato Shed has advocated for arts on the Bellarine, showcasing local talent and attracting touring acts to the region. By the numbers, the Potato Shed:
- Staged 70 performances
- Hosted 125 rehearsals and workshops
- Sold 9,200 tickets and made $175,000 in box office sales.
Operated by City of Greater Geelong under a joint use agreement with Bellarine Secondary College and St. Ignatius College Geelong, the Potato Shed hosts more than 1,000 hours of music, dance and dramas classes each year. In 2024-25 the venue hosted:
- 875 secondary school classes
- 20,000 secondary student visits
- 5,900 community participant visits from local music, dance and community theatre groups
- 13,500 outside hours student visits across 450 outside hours care sessions.
Council endorsed a redevelopment business case and master plan in May 2025, and fundraising will commence in 2025-26. The plan makes provisions for a second larger theatre, improved technical facilities and additional learning spaces, projected to cost $36 million.
Councillor Rowan Story AM, RFD
Since 2001, the Bellarine Arts Centre has served as a landmark venue, bringing the best in arts and culture to the Bellarine Peninsula.The Potato Shed has not only attracted wonderful and award-winning acts to the region, but it also continues to foster creative talent in the youth of the region.
I had the pleasure of attending some terrific shows at the Potato Shed this year. The calibre of the 2024-25 program demonstrates the pull this venue has, drawing significant touring acts from across the country.
As it stands, the Potato Shed is fully utilised. The Committee welcomes the Redevelopment Business Case and Master Plan, which will realise a bright future for this important venue and education space.
