Our Impact
We exist to improve local lives. And we do this because of customers banking with Bendigo Bank and choosing us as their charity partner.
Creativity Australia – With One Voice Geelong.
Creativity Australia, With One Voice (WOV) Geelong choir will perform with and for, Geelong aged care residential facilities.
This initiative will aim to bring the social and wellbeing benefits of the With One Voice program to the residents of Aged Care centres in Geelong.
They will partner with Aged Care centres to provide free, regular With One Voice choir sessions to residents, with the aim to improve the wellbeing and mental health of older people living in these facilities.
With One Voice Geelong members will perform a set of songs, then invite residents to join in the singing in a pressure-free, inclusive singalong environment.
Geelong West Neighbourhood House – Community Kitchen West
A Community Kitchen will be established, which will operate from the Geelong West Neighbourhood House.
Community Kitchens are an evidenced-based initiative that connect, develop, educate and strengthen communities.
As a local community-based organisation, Geelong West Neighbourhood House are partnering with other organisations such as Barwon Health, the Geelong West Community Garden and Murnong Community Garden to establish this valuable community initiative in Geelong West.
A group of people will meet regularly to make friends, socialise, have fun, and cook and eat fresh and nutritious meals together in a supportive environment. Each group will decide how their kitchen will run. They will choose when they meet and what food they will cook.
Leisure Networks – Power 2 Pedal
The Power 2 Pedal program was designed in 2019 by Leisure Networks to encourage children and young people on the Autism Spectrum to learn how to ride a bike in a safe, controlled and fun environment.
Power 2 Pedal not only provides participants with an opportunity to learn a lifelong skill whilst undertaking a physical activity, but it also creates a social network for families where they can share experiences to assist them in becoming more connected within their community.
The project aims to run 20 cycling sessions over term 4 (2024) and term 1 (2025) The sessions run for 45 minutes each, located at the Geelong Cycling Clubs Belmont track.
Norlane Community Initiatives – Labuan Square Commons Op-Shop
The work at Labuan Square aims to address the community needs of high levels of social and economic disadvantage in Norlane including unemployment, poverty, food insecurity, health issues and social isolation.
NCI have identified the need for welcoming and accessible public spaces in key locations within Norlane which help residents access services, develop relationships and build community participation.
The funds from Benefit Geelong will go towards the fit-out of their new Op-Shop at Labuan Square. The shop represents the next phase in their plan to activate this beloved community space.
Riding for the Disabled – Barwon
Riding for the Disabled-Barwon has been running a therapeutic riding program for forty-six years. Through this program, RDA Barwon endeavours to improve young riders’ communication skills, self-confidence and social skills.
RDAA’s mission statement reflects their goals “to enable children with a disability to experience the enjoyment, challenge and sense of achievement through participation in equestrian activities to improve their quality of life, attain personal goals and develop life skills.”
RDA Barwon offers thirty-six young, disabled children a fortnightly, a one-hour riding session taught by RDAA accredited coaches.
There is no cost involved for the families.
The Outpost Inc – Security Upgrade
The Outpost Inc is a 32-year-old charity feeding the homeless, food insecure and those most in need in the Geelong Region. The Outpost is more than this, it is a place to be really seen and for social connection.
There is a real and urgent need to upgrade the security system which is aged and debunked.
This poses a security risk for both those attending our service 365 days per year, in the days and evening and to our 67 volunteers.
The grant from Benefit Geelong will be able to upgrade the camera system, monitors, and distress alarming.
Northern Geelong Rental Housing
The Northern Geelong Rental Housing Co-op is a Community Housing organisation that manages 58 properties on behalf of DFFH.
Their main source of income is the rent from these properties which has to cover all the maintenance and upkeep on all of their managed properties.
The grant from Benefit Geelong will help purchasing some office equipment to help provide effective communication with their members.
Northern Geelong Rental Housing Co-op hold regular committee meetings with their members who volunteer their time, and some members require the ability to attend these remotely.
Geelong Area Multiple Birth Association – Transitioning to Life with Multiples
Transitioning to Life with Multiples (TLM) provides a new and innovative initiative, which compliments existing supports, and meets the unique needs of families of multiples to enhance health and well-being outcomes. New and expectant parents of multiples (pregnancy through to 6 months post-partum) will be provided with group sessions to offer pregnancy, birth and parenting psychoeducation which facilitates healthy attachment with their babies.
All the education sessions target multiple birth education to improve health outcomes and wellbeing. Through education, families can be prepared and empowered to make informed choices throughout the pregnancy and early months post birth. These sessions will be facilitated either in person or online (pending participant preferences), which furthermore provides the opportunity for participants to connect with others who can understand the unique challenges of being a family with multiples and offer peer support for years to come.
Geelong Food Relief Centre – Repair of Cool Room
Geelong Food Relief was established in 1990 and assist those in need of Emergency Food Relief within the Greater Geelong community.
GFRC provides food assistance to clients who are suffering from food insecurity. Clients are referred by agencies through a food voucher system, with food voucher redemption occurring at GFRC mini-marts in Geelong.
Every year, more than 14,500 families use the centres, equating to more than 36,000 adults and children.
In 2023, one of the cooler units in the large cool room that can hold over 30+ pallets of food was not working. This caused enormous strain on the single unit and meant that GFRC had to reduce and monitor the amount of food they could store in the cool room.
The Empowerment Challenge – Music Program
The Empowerment Challenge provide younger mums with a safe space to feel empowered, connected, respected and valued. Offering long term accessibility to services providing mental health and well-being support, mentorship and community connection.
The music program will be a specialist session for younger mums and their children to create a nurturing and inclusive environment.
Rosewall Community Centre – Pottery for All
Rosewall Community Centre run several hand-pottery classes, however learner demand is strong for wheel-pottery classes, where participants can throw wares (e.g. crockery, sculptures, jewellery) to a standard high enough that they’re able to be sold in a small business capacity.
Buy purchasing 2 pottery wheels with their Benefit Geelong grant, they will be able to reduce the price of classes and lengthy waitlists.
