Geelong Community Foundation News
Creative community conversations
“What makes your cells sing?” It’s a question that Jules Haddock, Art of the Minds President and & genU Training Mental Health Educator, often asks people. “What makes you really happy, like every cell is dancing in your body? Those things are really important to our mental health,” she says. Arts of the Minds is...
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Maryanne’s mentoring experience with Geelong Youth Engagement
Adroit Insurance & Risk, one of our community partners, has a long culture of supporting and engaging with the local community. Maryanne Cleasby, Head of Business Improvement and IT at Adroit Insurance & Risk, is a volunteer mentor on Geelong Youth Engagement’s (the recipient of last year’s P500 grant) Kokoda Youth Program. Maryanne has experienced...
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Volunteering Geelong’s new pilot program offers financial education
People living in the Geelong region experiencing financial difficulty are now able to receive assistance on how to manage their money and avoid reaching a crisis point, thanks to Volunteering Geelong’s pilot Financial Literacy Program. Volunteering Geelong is an independent not-for-profit organisation that is committed to enhancing the quality of life within the community sector...
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Geelong Youth Engagement STRIVE training session
On Thursday 14th July, P500 Committee members joined a training session for Geelong Youth Engagement’s new STRIVE program. STRIVE is funded by the Geelong Community Foundation’s $68,000 P500 grant from 2021. The program supports disadvantaged young people who miss out on a place in Geelong Youth Engagement’s renowned Geelong Kokoda Youth Program. The 20-week program...
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Students Strive for a bright future
Peter Raidme believes in young people. As the Head of Student Wellbeing at Surf Coast Secondary College, he sees students challenge themselves, grow and become role models to others every year. But Peter knows that support, connection, and a sense of achievement are essential for teens to thrive, which is why he is a proud...
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Supporters of P500 since inception – Nick Carter & Tamara Carman
Geelong husband and wife Nick Carter and Tamara Carman used to face a common dilemma when trying to decide how best to give back to their community—they were overwhelmed by choice. They wondered how to make the biggest difference with the money they had to donate. “There are so many amazing charitable organisations that...
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Media release: Community Foundation announces record grants total
Local community organisations are set to benefit from a record $1.26 million in grants awarded on May 26th by the Geelong Community Foundation. The CEO, Gail Rodgers was pleased with this year’s results. “Our record total has been distributed to 61 organisations, who are doing some amazing work in our community. This brings the total...
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The magic of Ditto
For many children in the Geelong region, Ditto – a loveable lion cub from Bravehearts Foundation – is the catalyst for their development of lifelong skills surrounding personal safety. Teaching young people how to increase their resilience and decrease their vulnerability is at the heart of Bravehearts’ Ditto’s Keep Safe Adventure personal safety program. Bravehearts...
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Media release: $102,000 for children and families needing a hand
Students and families across the region who need help with the material costs of attending school will be provided with support through the Geelong Community Foundation’s partnership with the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR). The FRRR Back to School Program has been delivered in the region by the Geelong Community Foundation for many...
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Media release: New partnership between South Western Golf Association and Geelong Community Foundation
Not only does golf bring people together, it’s also a catalyst for giving back. This philosophy is at the core of the new partnership between the South Western Golf Association (SWGA) and Geelong Community Foundation (the Foundation). A chance meeting at the Barwon Heads Golf Club between Hayden Torney, the Foundation’s former Chairperson and Graeme...
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19th Adroit Insurance & Risk Charity Golf Day raises $104,000
The Adroit Insurance & Risk Charity Golf Day, of which the Foundation is a community partner, is one of the largest events in the Geelong fundraising calendar. Since its inception, the annual event has raised more than $1 million for local causes, and will have far-reaching benefits in our community for many years to come....
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Schools in Philanthropy Program returns in 2022
We are delighted to see our Schools in Philanthropy Program return in 2022. Established by the Foundation in 2011, the program allows VCAL students predominantly in Year 12 to work with community organisations that have applied for grants while learning about philanthropy, social awareness and community leadership. The program aims to inspire young people to...
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