Landmark Reinforces Bells Sense of Place
Monday 13 August 2012
Surf Coast Shire has installed a new sandstone entrance sign at the Bells Beach Surfing Reserve as the final legacy from celebrations of 50 years of pro-surfing at Bells.
The new sign, designed locally by Fluid Design in consultation with Council, the Bells Beach Community Advisory Committee (BBCAC), representatives from the local indigenous community and reserve users, reflects the natural environment of the reserve using site specific material.
Produced by Colac-based stonemason Kevin Bartlett, whose local work includes the ANZAC Memorial at Pt Danger in Torquay, the sign is a landmark piece that replaces an old aluminium sign that had previously marked the entrance to the reserve.
Surf Coast Shire Councillor and BBCAC Member, Cr Libby Coker, said the sign had been designed to reflect Bells’ sense of place.
“In line with feedback from stakeholders including reserve users, the new entrance sign has been designed to fit into the reserve’s landscape and to reflect the natural elements of this special place,” Cr Coker said.
“There is an imperative with this project to help develop an entrance to Bells that reflects the social, cultural and environmental significance of the reserve. The result is a locally-designed and produced statement that the community can be proud of.
“The sign’s design has had a lot of input and positive responses from reserve users and I thank all who have been involved in the project.
“We are pleased to have unveiled the sign in the presence of dignitaries including Wadawurrung Elder Albert Fagan, representatives from Surfing Victoria, Fluid Design staff involved in the design and Mr Bartlett, who crafted this landmark.”
The sign cost $22,000 and was partly funded through a $40,000 Regional Development Victoria grant to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of pro-surfing at Bells Beach in 2011.
The grant and supporting Council funding also funded a number of other projects including the Bells Gold exhibition at Surf World Museum in Torquay, which is due to finish shortly.