Bairnsdale resident Bella Scolyer has called for a major rethink of the town’s entertainment options, urging the community and decision-makers to consider fresh ideas aimed at supporting young people and revitalising local recreation.
Scolyer, 22, currently works full-time as a carer therapist at Bupa in Eastwood, assisting residents with exercise and allied health support. She is also studying justice and criminology online through Swinburne University, hoping to build a future career in the justice sector.
Her interest in youth engagement and prevention stems from both her work and her studies.
She said the lack of activities for families and young people in Bairnsdale has become impossible to ignore.
“I have a bone to pick — what in the world is going on in the entertainment scheme of things in this town? I’ll tell you: crickets… absolute crickets,” she said.
She believes the current offerings fall short of what a growing town needs.
“The town is not short of cafés, fast food, restaurants, pubs, walking trails and the couple of old-time parks. We need more,” she said.
“Not more to feast on with our mouths, but more to engage our hands and minds, free us from boredom and give us something to do.”
Ms Scolyer said she is motivated by a desire to steer young people away from trouble by giving them meaningful ways to spend their time.
“I have a vision to upscale the engagement of entertainment and overall help youth be able to apply themselves in better ways out of mischief,” she said.
She believes that under-used buildings in the town centre, including the former Dahlsens and Woolworths sites, hold enormous potential.
“They aren’t being utilised for the true potential they hold,” she said.
One of her ideas, which she calls “Tattle-Tale Bairnsdale”, includes transforming a large vacant site into a family-friendly entertainment hub.
“Envision a giant indoor bowling alley, glow-in-the-dark themed, followed by arcade games and the impressive outdoor putt-putt and seating area,” she said.
While acknowledging that such projects come with significant costs, Scolyer argues the long-term benefits outweigh the challenges.
“Weigh up the money spent on ‘young criminals’ and people’s possessions — you may find your pockets feeling a bit heavier as a result of giving them something else to distract their minds,” she said.
She believes improvements could boost tourism, support the local economy and reduce youth crime.
“There would be so many benefits — engagement from tourists, potential big earnings, mental health improvements, less crime and the chance to say the town of Bairnsdale has it all,” she said.
Ms Scolyer also raised the possibility of reviving past community favourites.
“I know way back when, before my time, there was an indoor rollerskating rink,” she said.
“The old Woolworths on Nicholson Street would be a perfect fit for that — a big open lot that could be captivating to many.”
She hopes her ideas spark wider discussion about the future of recreation in Bairnsdale.
