Cunningham Pier

Lyons Construction has a long history of “building excellence” in and around Geelong. One of the most iconic would be the building (which I still call Smorgy’s…I’m showing my age) at the end of Cunningham Pier.

The venue has come a long way since people flocked to Smorgy’s restaurant in their droves for the “all you can eat” smorgasbord with the kids squealing in delight at the Animatronic floor show, featuring Salty the Seal and Neptune resplendent in a Geelong footy jumper.

The restaurants currently occupying the building at the end of Cunningham Pier are a lot more refined. The Pier offers what I believe is one of the best views in town and you can’t beat Wah Wah Gee for great tasting food in a hip and funky atmosphere. The building has definitely stood the test of time; it perches resplendent on the end of the pier.

My favourite view of it is when I round the bend from Rippleside and it is bathed in late afternoon sun. In 1998 Norm Lyons won an Australian Institute of Building, Professional Excellence in Building, award for overseeing the building of “Smorgy’s”.

This award, accepted on behalf of all who worked on “Smorgy’s”, was in recognition of the high level of expertise and skill required to complete the project, particularly in such challenging surroundings, situated on the end of a pier with water on three sides. It’s testament to the Lyons Construction staff and subcontractors that the building has weathered the years and still stands proudly overlooking Corio Bay.