GENERATIONS: Cats Fans. Then, Now, Always. Celebrates the Heartbeat of Geelong Football Club at Geelong Sports Museum

At the heart of every great sporting story is a community of people who believe, remember, celebrate and belong.

GENERATIONS: Cats Fans. Then, Now, Always., the newest exhibition at Geelong Sports Museum, celebrates the deep connection between the Geelong Football Club and the generations of supporters who have stood by the Cats through every season, every milestone and every unforgettable moment.

Located within the Joel Selwood Stand at GMHBA Stadium, the exhibition explores what it truly means to be a Geelong fan — the traditions passed down through families, the memories created at the football, and the sense of belonging that comes from wearing the blue and white hoops. As a co-presentation between Geelong Sports Museum and the Bob Gartland Collection, this is one that Geelong fans will want to visit.

GENERATIONS: Cats Fans. Then, Now, Always

Where: Geelong Sports Museum

When: Open Thursday – Saturday, 10am – 2pm

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Following the Cats is about more than attending a game. It is the colours you grew up in, the scarf you treasure, the rituals you repeat every week and the moments you revisit long after the final siren. It is the stories shared between parents and children, friendships built in the stands and the memories that become part of a lifetime. It’s painting the town blue and white during finals, it’s the parade down Moorabool Street during grand final wins, and it’s the local touch that comes from having players integrated into our culture. Bumping into a player on Pako, siting them on Mad Monday at the Cremorne or Wharf Shed, and genuinely feeling like the club is part of something bigger than the game itself.

GENERATIONS: Cats Fans. Then, Now, Always. brings together a collection of treasured items from Geelong supporters, showcasing the personal stories behind the passion. Badges, record books, handmade signs, scarves and other cherished memorabilia reveal the many ways fans have celebrated, supported and connected with the club over the years.

Visitors can discover the game day rituals that bring supporters together, explore the objects that hold special meaning for Cats fans and relive legendary moments from Geelong matches through carefully selected footage. Guests can also take a seat in an armchair and revisit iconic in-game moments, or contribute to a giant woven Cats scarf that grows with every visitor who adds their mark. It’s not only a symbol of the game, but the threads that bind fans together. The exhibition is a celebration of the supporters who fill the stands, create the atmosphere and help shape the story of the Geelong Football Club. Their passion, dedication and traditions are at the centre of the Cats’ history.

Set within the home of the Cats, Geelong Sports Museum provides a unique setting for this celebration of fandom. Positioned in the heart of the Kardinia Park Precinct, the Museum invites visitors to experience the sporting stories that have shaped Geelong through exhibitions, films, artefacts and interactive experiences.

Sport is a way of life in Geelong. From grassroots clubs to elite competition, sporting achievements have played a defining role in the identity and growth of the region. Geelong Sports Museum celebrates every kick, shot, point, kilometre and catch along the way, bringing visitors closer to the people, moments and innovations that have made an impact on Australia’s sporting landscape.

 

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Established as part of the $140 million Stage 5 redevelopment of GMHBA Stadium, delivered by the Kardinia Park Stadium Trust in partnership with the Victorian Government, Geelong Sports Museum is a place where communities can gather, learn and celebrate the role sport plays in everyday life.

The exhibition continues the Museum’s storytelling journey as an addition to Soaring Eagles, Roaring Thunder: Geelong’s BMX Story, whilst connecting with the permanent themes of Origins, Collections, Game Changers and Community.

From Djilang, the land of the Wadawurrung people and a place of gathering for generations, to the modern sporting stage, Geelong’s sporting stories are built on connection. The Museum honours the athletes, innovators, clubs and supporters who have helped shape the region’s sporting identity.

GENERATIONS: Cats Fans. Then, Now, Always. celebrates the people behind the passion — the fans who have carried the colours, shared the moments and kept the spirit of the Cats alive across generations.

Visit the exhibition on game day on Thursday 16 July, or any time during the Geelong Sports Museum’s opening hours of Thursday – Saturday, 10am – 2pm.

Find out more here.