Geelong Major Events (GME) is a Section 63 Delegated Committee of the City of Greater Geelong which has been created to support the attraction, assistance and funding of major events.

GME meetings

Ordinary meetings of Geelong Major Events are held bi-monthly on the third Monday of every second month.

The Next GME Ordinary Meeting

2 March 2026 at 6:45pm 
Wurriki Nyal Civic Precinct Wadawurrung Country
137-149 Mercer St, Geelong VIC 3220
 

GME Ordinary meeting agenda:

Geelong Major Events Committee Meeting - Ordinary Meeting Papers, 2 March 2026 (PDF [ PDF, 376.54 KB] [ PDF, 376.54 KB] )

Questions at GME Committee meetings

Questions should be submitted to GME by noon on the Friday before the GME meeting. Questions can be sent to [email protected]

Meeting minutes and recordings

Minutes of the recent GME meeting are in draft form only and have no status until they are confirmed by Council.

Geelong Major Events Committee Ordinary Meeting Papers - March 2026 [ PDF, 376.54 KB] [ PDF, 376.54 KB]

Geelong Major Events Committee Ordinary Meeting Papers - January 2026 [ PDF, 414.11 KB] [ PDF, 414.11 KB]

Geelong Major Events Committee Ordinary Meeting Papers - November 2025 [ PDF, 457.78 KB] [ PDF, 457.78 KB]

Geelong Major Events Committee Ordinary Meeting Minutes - November 2025 [ PDF, 98.59 KB] [ PDF, 98.59 KB]

Geelong Major Events Committee Ordinary Meeting Papers - October 2025 [ PDF, 474.63 KB] [ PDF, 474.63 KB]

Geelong Major Events Committee Ordinary Meeting Minutes - October 2025 [ PDF, 99.47 KB] [ PDF, 99.47 KB]

Geelong Major Events Committee Ordinary Meeting Papers - September 2025 [ PDF, 566.99 KB] [ PDF, 566.99 KB]

Geelong Major Events Committee Ordinary Meeting Minutes - September 2025 [ PDF, 101.03 KB] [ PDF, 101.03 KB]

Geelong Major Events Committee Ordinary Meeting Papers - July 2025 [ PDF, 551.81 KB] [ PDF, 551.81 KB]

Geelong Major Events Committee Ordinary Meeting Minutes - July 2025 [ PDF, 143.88 KB] [ PDF, 143.88 KB]

Geelong Major Events Committee Ordinary Meeting Papers - May 2025 [ PDF, 743.26 KB] [ PDF, 743.26 KB]

Geelong Major Events Committee Ordinary Meeting Minutes - May 2025 [ PDF, 127.75 KB] [ PDF, 127.75 KB]

If the meeting recording you are seeking is not available when you click on the link above, please contact [email protected] 

GME membership from August 2025

• Representatives of Council: Andrew Katos, Eddy Kontelj, Trent Sullivan and Elise Wilkinson
• The Chief Executive Officer of the City of Greater Geelong: Ali Wastie 
• The Executive Director of Tourism Greater Geelong and The Bellarine: Tracy Carter
• External representatives of the community: Robyn Birrell, Shannan Gove, Kent Boorman, Peter Hertan, Marcus Gale and Deirdre McGuane
• Also in attendance at meetings for advisory purposes are:
• Executive Officer to Geelong Major Events: Ragen Haythorpe
• Other relevant City of Greater Geelong officers as determined by the monthly agenda

Geelong Major Events Strategy

The Geelong Major Events Committee aims to strategically plan and coordinate significant events to maximise their positive impact on the region. It seeks to attract events aligned with community values, enhance Geelong’s reputation, stimulate economic growth, and promote social cohesion.

The Geelong Major Events Strategy 2024-29 aims to establish Geelong as Australia’s premier regional destination for events, where major events deliver exceptional outcomes for Geelong that elevate the region’s reputation on the national stage.

Read the Geelong Major Events Strategy 2024-29(PDF).

Through discussions with the GME Executive Officer, it can be determined whether your event fits the event classifications and funding criteria set out in the GME Strategy 2024-29. Events outside the scope of GME include community events that may receive advisory and regulatory support from the City of Greater Geelong and may be eligible for financial support through other areas of Council.

The decision for an event to progress to stage two of the assessment process (application), is based on numerous factors, primarily:

• does the event fit one of the event classifications.
• the ability of the event to deliver on the identity pillars, strategic priorities, and major event outcomes.
• the availability of funds.
• venue and location availability to support the delivery of the event.
• demonstration that the event has rigorous and comprehensive event plans

More information on the application and assessment framework is contained within the Geelong Major Events Investment Framework.

Geelong Major Events meetings are generally held the third Monday of each second month. On most occasions you would receive a response to your application within 2-3 months of submitting the completed forms.

GME meetings, like Council meetings, are open to the general public.

If GME does provide funding for an event, this does not mean that the City of Greater Geelong has approved the conduct of the event (where it is necessary to do so).

This approval is coordinated by the Event Services Unit and is subject to a separate process requiring the event organiser to, as a minimum:

• provide evidence of public liability insurance demonstrating a minimum cover of $20 million and providing a principal’s indemnity to the City of Greater Geelong.t
• submit all relevant plans, including emergency management plans and risk assessments.
• participate in the Events Multi-Agency Working Group process, which is an advisory group ensuring the safe and appropriate conduct of events in the region.

Regardless of the outcome of your GME funding application, you may be required to complete and lodge the City’s Event Application form also.

What will GME not fund?

GME will not provide funding to:

• community events
• organisations which do not have an Australian Business Number (ABN)
• capital or infrastructure works
• events of a charitable nature – GME does not provide donations
• religious, political or racial events
• events that are not open to the general public
• events not held in the municipality.

GME cannot provide in-kind services such as traffic management, road closure advertising, waste management and site reinstatement free of charge.