The school gate just got a whole lot more colourful at St Leonards Primary School, with a vibrant new under-the-sea footpath mural inviting students to walk, ride, scoot and roll their way into the new year.
The ‘Ocean Water Way Mural’, co-designed by students and painted with artist Carla Gottgens, was completed before Christmas and features four playful sections inspired by life on the coast to encourage active journeys to the classroom.
The interactive mural is a highlight of the Walk, Ride, Scoot and Roll Geelong program, funded as part of a $110,000 grant from Sport and Recreation Victoria’s Kids Active Travel Program and $10,000 from the City of Greater Geelong. The program was rolled out across Geelong and the Bellarine in partnership with Bellarine Community Health, and support from Active Geelong.
As part of the program, creative active travel measures were introduced at St Leonards, Portarlington, Leopold and Newcomb primary schools in 2025, including wayfinding signage, route maps, drop-off points, bike sheds, a pilot bike bus and the footpath mural.
The Walk, Ride, Scoot and Roll schools on the Bellarine Peninsula are working with Bellarine Community Health to keep the momentum going this year, with active travel events coming up in Term 1 around National Ride 2 School Day.
Member for Bellarine Alison Marchant MP said the project showed the value of partnerships that support local families and communities.
“It’s fantastic to see Bellarine kids getting active on their way to school, whether that’s on foot, on a bike or on a scooter,” Ms Marchant said.
“Projects like this show how investment in active travel helps kids build healthy habits, strengthens school communities and delivers practical outcomes for families.”
Murradoc Ward Councillor Rowan Story AM, RFD said the project brought creativity and community together.
“By supporting active travel initiatives across our schools, we’re investing in healthier communities, safer journeys and more connected neighbourhoods,” Cr Story said.
“This is a marvellous example of creativity, collaboration and community pride, turning an everyday footpath into something that’s both fun and functional.”
Bellarine Community Health chief executive Kathy Russell said co-designing initiatives with students helped create spaces that children were excited to use.
“When active travel feels fun, safe and welcoming, children are more likely to participate,” Ms Russell said.
St Leonards Primary School principal Melissa Smith said the mural was a bright way to welcome students and the new year.
“Seeing our students so excited and actively involved in the project has been amazing,” Mrs Smith said.
“The mural captures our coastal environment and gives our students a real connection to place, while encouraging movement and imagination.”
Building on this success, the City of Greater Geelong has secured further funding for 2025–2027. This will expand the program to four Northern Bay P-12 College primary campuses and roll out a new Active Travel Toolkit to support up to 80 primary schools across the region.
