A Night of Connection and Impact in Golden Plains
A Night of Connection and Impact in Golden Plains
Last week, the Geelong Community Foundation was delighted to host its inaugural Golden Plains Impact Briefing at Austin’s Winery in the Moorabool Valley.
The evening brought together donors, friends, and community members to celebrate the generosity shaping Golden Plains. Guests enjoyed Austin’s renowned wines, cheeses, and hors d’oeuvres while connecting with one another and hearing stories of local impact.
Among them was a broad cross-section of the Golden Plains community — spanning local government, the farming and agriculture sector, local producers, the education sector, the Bannockburn Chamber of Commerce, the finance sector, and community organisations, to name a few. Though representing diverse backgrounds and perspectives, all shared a commitment to seeing Golden Plains thrive — a reflection of the strong spirit of connection and community that defines the region.
A Longstanding Commitment to Golden Plains
The Foundation’s connection to Golden Plains stretches back more than a decade. Since 2012, we have proudly supported local initiatives through grants to Hands of Change, Meredith Community Centre, Meredith Lions Club, and Hesse Rural Health.
Funding has also helped families through school voucher programs at Lethbridge Primary, Meredith Primary, and Bannockburn P–12 College—ensuring every child can start the school year with the essentials they need. Scholarships, such as the Tom & Irene Cleary Memorial Agricultural Scholarship, have supported young people like Ty Goodman to pursue her passion for agriculture and sheep farming.
As CEO Amy Waters shared:
“The Geelong Community Foundation is committed to supporting a connected, fair and thriving Golden Plains. As the population grows, it’s important that funding keeps pace—helping to strengthen local opportunities and services.”
Local Voices, Local Impact
The briefing also gave space to local leaders to share their perspectives:
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Linda Wong, Co-Founder and Director, Hands of Change
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Leah Phillips, Manager, Meredith Community Centre
They spoke candidly about challenges facing the region—from rural service gaps to rising costs of living, lower Year 12 completion rates, and increases in crime and family violence. At the same time, they highlighted the resilience of Golden Plains communities and the life-changing difference that local programs and philanthropy are making every day.
Celebrating 25 Years of Philanthropy
Michael Betts, Chair of the Board, reflected on his family’s ties to the region and celebrated the Foundation’s milestone of 25 years of giving. He thanked the Austin family for generously hosting the evening and acknowledged the donors, Directors, and partners in attendance.
Michael also shared highlights from a strong year for the Foundation: welcoming 20 new sub-funds, 278 P500 donors, and growing to $46.7 million in funds under management—which will enable close to $2 million in grants this year alone.
Launching the Golden Plains Fund
The highlight of the evening was the announcement of the Golden Plains Fund—a dedicated fund created to give local people a direct way to invest in their own community.
Donations will be pooled and invested, with the income distributed to local projects and services that respond to Golden Plains needs. As a proud resident, Amy Waters made the initial donation and warmly invited others to join as founding donors.
“Every contribution—big or small—helps build a more connected, fair and thriving Golden Plains.”
Strengthening Connection
The Golden Plains Impact Briefing was both a celebration of generosity and a reaffirmation of the Foundation’s enduring commitment to this community. It marked a moment of gratitude, connection, and shared vision for the future.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who joined us for this special evening.
If you are inspired to contribute, we warmly invite you to consider making a gift to the Golden Plains Fund. Every donation is an investment in local solutions that help Golden Plains thrive.
