A CITIZENS' report card on the Civic Hall suggests we look at the four old wool stores near the Geelong wharf.
Dating back to the 1870s, they appear to be drab box-shaped from outside, but inside all have been amazingly refurbished, tastefully refitted and a credit to the council, which obviously made good decisions and acted and can look back with pride in achievements, along with citizens.
Its uses are Deakin Uni, the Wool Museum, Old Mill Antiques and Westfield shopping.
Bonuses filling the insides are restaurants, gift and book shops, computer terminals, a library, historic displays and lecture rooms.
This is a harmonious and successful working blend of state government, local council and private enterprise.
What do we have? Overcomeable obstacles that are allowed to fester into stumbling blocks.
Are the ratepaying local citizens the defacto owners of our public buildings, with a transient council entrusted as custodian caretakers?
I would like to see a Pinarc Toy Library and Tourism Information on the intersection.
COLIN HOLMES
Ballarat