ARENA Shopping Centre celebrated its first birthday on Sunday, and everyone was invited.
The free event featured face painting, balloons, show bags, prizes and giveaways.
Visitors met Richmond Football Club players, checked out SES and CFA exhibitions, and cuddled up to cute creatures in the animal farm.
Owner Andrew Facey launched the birthday celebrations with a cake for shoppers and traders from Arena’s Ferguson Plarre Bakehouse.
“The Arena area has become a real hub and I think it’s absolutely fantastic,” he said.
“We wish you all the success in future years.”
Cardinia Shire mayor Graeme Moore cut the cake and said the event was “a wonderful occasion”.
“I like cake. They call me mayor creampuff – I don’t know why,” he said.
Centre manager Georgina Meredith said she was very proud of the centre.
“It’s a place for the community to come to. It’s a community-based centre,” she said.
“We want everyone in the community to enjoy themselves – not just on Sunday, but on every day that they come here.”
Arena Shopping Centre is on the corner of Princes Highway and Cardinia Road, Officer.
Shops include Woolworths, BWS and The Reject Shop and there’ll soon be a 500 square metre medical centre in the mix.
There are more than 15 specialty stores and a strong focus on fresh food and a healthy lifestyle.
