NO STOPPING THE ARTISTIC DRIVE

A FREE chalk mandala workshop for families will aim to liven up driveways around the Surf Coast Shire this winter and provide muchneeded art relief during a challenging time for many residents.

Part of the Driveway Creations initiative, the workshop will be held via PORTAL, Surf Coast Shire’s online arts festival and gathering space, and delivered by Torquay artist and art therapist Caz Rieniets, with people encouraged to brighten up their driveways during July and August.

“There’s a link between making art and improving health,” said Rieniets, who runs intuitive and expressive art workshops throughout the year.

“It’s about teaching people how to create freely and joyfully, quieting the inner critic. Art-making is all about self-expression.”

She said the lovely thing about creating with family or friends was that it assisted with bonding, and drawing a mandala was a particularly meditative art because of its repetitive nature.

Alongside the chalk mandalas on driveways, residents are also encouraged to paint their wheelie bins to engage people walking past and even to cheer up the rubbish collectors, who have continued their driveway duties throughout the coronavirus pandemic.

The workshop is happening on July 15 at 7.30-8.30pm.

More information is available at www.surfcoastartstrail.com.au

Register at eventbrite.com.au/e/ chalk-mandala-workshop-with-cazartsea-tickets-109595009624

The 229 FRV officers seconded to the CFA will also run the CFA’s operations, despite a promise the organisation would be restored to a fully volunteer service.

Mr Barnett said anger had boiled over because of a repeated lack of consultation.

He said volunteers were also left frustrated by Government moves to expand the number of integrated stations from 35 to 38 in what he dubbed a “cheap land grab”.

“Nobody wants a return to the bitter and acrimonious