General News
13 June, 2025
Get creative and have your say
FROM our region’s original innovators the Maar Nations Peoples, through to Hollywood blockbusters, global music hits, iconic TV shows, fashion runways and more, people from Warrnambool have made their mark on the world stage.
The draft Creative Warrnambool Strategy, which is currently out for public feedback, plots a course for how council can work with a wide-range of stakeholders to help encourage the creative industries at all levels to support more success stories at a local and global level.
Warrnambool mayor Cr Ben Blain said that Warrnambool “punches well above its weight” when it comes to creative achievements and innovation across the breadth of creative industries.
“Archie Roach, Shane Howard, Airbourne, Fletcher Jones, Lisa Gorman, Paul Jennings the list goes on,” he said.
“Then there are some lesser known stories, like how the tune for Waltzing Matilda was composed in Warrnambool, or how Albert Namatjira was taught to paint by Warrnambool artists John Gardner and Rex Battarbee.
“Warrnambool creativity is everywhere.”
Cr Blain said that the aim of the Creative Warrnambool Strategy was to help strengthen connections within the community to nurture an environment where creativity can flourish.
“Too many of these achievements fly under the radar, and part of this strategy is about celebrating these success stories to help inspire others, who can then go on to succeed and inspire even more people, creating a snowball of creative energy,” he said.
“With that being the case, you don’t need to take on the world to see the benefits of tapping into your creative side.
“There are well-evidenced economic, health, social and civic benefits that result from a flourishing cultural landscape.
“We know that seven per cent of Australians are employed in the creative industries and in Warrnambool, that figure is 3.1 per cent, so this strategy also looks at what can be done to develop local creative industries and grow jobs.
“It’s not something council can do alone – we need feedback from the artists, musicians, performers and makers, but also audiences and people from all walks of life to help shape this strategy.”
To read the draft strategy and share your thoughts visit www.yoursaywarrnambool.com.au by June 24.
