After all the hard work to upgrade the Slipway in Lakes Entrance it was time to celebrate last Wednesday with the official opening of the versatile precinct of art, food and events.
Dignitaries from all levels of government and departments attended along with those who assisted the Slipway Collective to redevelop this area into what it is today and what it will be in the future.
State MP Tom McIntosh congratulated all on bringing an old site of industry back to a new site of local community, tourism and economic activity.
Mayor of East Gippsland Shire Council, Cr Tom Crook spoke of the collaboration of all to bring this project together. He gave credit to all involved and particularly wanted to thank council staff and community groups for all their hard work.
He said half a million visitors come to Lakes Entrance each year and the Slipway will enhance their visit.
Mayor Cr Tom Crook said the project highlights the strong partnership between all levels of government.
“Our work supports investment, recovery, resilience, and growth. Through our 10-year Economic Development Strategy, we foster innovation and economic sustainability, as we are seeing here at the Slipway.
This project is also an example of how to create a thriving economy through collaboration between community, government, and business stakeholders,” Cr Crook said.
“This redevelopment was a priority action in the Lakes Entrance Foreshore Management Plan 2012 and reinvigorates a key piece of infrastructure. It provides a public asset for the next 20 to 30 years; an inviting public open space in an idyllic waterfront location that enhances our community and attracts visitors.”
The old Slipway had been vacant since Gippsland Ports relocated to Bullock Island and a lot of work had to be done to reinvent the area.
The installation of the tiered deck over the existing concrete slipway to create a waterfront public space took place, while new roofing was installed to the historic winch sheds.
Other parts of the redevelopment works included construction of public access amenities, re-surfacing of the existing bitumen hardstand area and upgrade of onsite power among other renovations.
The concept for this redevelopment was included in and approved through an Expression of Interest (EOI) process advertised nationally in 2018 by the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP). The successful proponents of the EOI were ‘The Slipway Collective’. The design of the redevelopment is in keeping with the Slipway Collective’s activation proposal for the site.
THE SLIPWAY COLLECTIVE
One of the representatives of the Slipway Collective, Sallie Jones, spoke on their behalf and introduced the members of the collective. Those members include chef Sam Mahlook who at the time of the Slipway conversations owned Miriam’s restaurant. She would look across the road wishing for years that she could make use of the empty Slipway.
“With the family winery, Wyanga Park, and close ties to the Aboriginal community and fishing community, Sam brings something unique and local at the old slipway site,” Sallie said.
“Her shack is called The Minotaur which is the name of her late husband’s fishing boat.
“Andrea Lane is one of the amazing faces behind FLOAT who brings the art to The Slipway Collective team. After 20 years of creating East Gippsland’s most iconic arts events, FLOAT knows the things that make places buzz.
FLOAT brings the culture to the Slipway sheds.
“Gabrielle Moore from Sailors Grave, who have really put far East Gippsland on the map over these past years. Collaboration is in their blood and the Slipway makes for the most picturesque beer garden setting for their bar.”
Sallie is from Gippsland Jersey.
She was born and bred in Lakes Entrance on the family dairy farm spending most of her upbringing and early adulthood in the iconic Riviera Ice Cream Parlour.
Gippsland Jersey was created in 2016 off the back of the dairy crisis and the devastating loss of her dad. It’s been an honour project for her she is also proud to say it is Australia’s best milk that is proudly made in Lakes Entrance.
In June 2019 a group of Gippslanders travelled to Holland as part of a study tour to investigate Smart Specialisation strategies, which is fundamentally about getting industry to work collaboratively for greater outcomes.
On the trip Sallie and Ben Gerbert happened to stumble upon a precinct called @foodhallen in Arnhem, Netherlands, which was an old brick building with various food offerings in an artistic environment with a great vibe that was hustling with people.
Ben said: “Wouldn’t this concept be awesome for Gippsland”.
“Ben is now the CEO of Food & Fibre Gippsland and I acknowledge his efforts and time given in those early days to help ‘broker’ the project and our partnership and continued support,” Sallie said.
“We also need to acknowledge Joe Rettino who was mayor of East Gippsland Shire at the time, who really championed this project. He had a motto: ‘GSD’ get sh** done, which is a mindset that I really appreciate.”
The Collective had eight weeks to get all the paperwork done and shacks created so they could open for the 2020 summer.
“Some would think we were crazy, then along came Stephen Angus like a saviour,” Sallie said.
“We affectionately called him our Slipway ‘cat herder’. Stephen had only recently returned to East Gippsland and was keen to get involved in a local project. He volunteered many hours of his time to navigate lots of parts of this project.”
Sallie thanked all who had been involved and made special mention to locals Mike Anketell and Bruce Hurley who are part of Lakes Entrance Action and Development Association (LEADA) and really encouraged this project and supported it.
“Nobody knew too much about the site as it had been locked up for many years and a big thank you to East Gippsland Shire for getting stuck into it all. We were also navigating COVID restrictions and uncertainty,” Sallie said.
“Dan (Andrews) let everyone out for Christmas which meant we could open up. We bumped in on Christmas Eve and traded until Easter. Slipway Collective proved that the concept worked and it was time to apply for grants.
“Gab is a landscape architect so lots of work went into this by her. We were successful in the grant process and council actioned the building works.”
In September 2023 they regrouped and got set to open Version 2 of the Slipway.
“There was lots of hairy moments as we tried to get permits sorted. Thanks to East Gippsland Shire, who again worked with us regarding permits,” she said.
“We opened on December 27, 2024, and had a wonderful start to the summer.”
Since Christmas Slipway has hosted farmers market pop-ups, yoga on the deck, deck dinners, weaving, Sunday sessions in the sheds – ukulele workshops, DJ on the decks, FLOAT fete, open mic nights, seafood chowder, the Winter Festival program including lantern making, winter dips, the opening celebrations, clay workshops, mental health movie screenings, winter school holiday workshops.
