Geelong Connected Communities

09/06/2026

With just over six months till Christmas, this is a lovely reminder of how Geelong Connected Communities grants support our community all year round including the YMCA Geelong Inc. annual Carols by Candlelight.

"Staging the event cost $40,000 per year, without the support of the donations and sponsors the event simply would not run...4,500 people attended the 2025 event to celebrate the talented artists and come together to celebrate Christmas in our brilliant, beautiful city. In a cost of living crisis, we are proud that with the support of the sponsors like GGC we have been able to continue the tradition of offering a free community event." Shona Casey-Eland, CEO YMCA Geelong Inc.

You or your business can join us in supporting our community in a thousand different ways - www.geelongconnectedcommunities.com.au

28/05/2026

"With the purchase of additional surfboards made possible through the support of the Geelong Connected Communities', Health and Wellbeing Pillar, Ocean Minds has been able to offer more young people opportunities to participate in our surf therapy programs during 2026.

Through participating in these programs young people realise benefits including increasing social connections, developing personal and social skills and capacities, and improving emotional, mental and physical health and wellbeing.

Thank you for supporting Ocean Mind and enabling more young people from our region to connect to their community." Ben, Ocean Mind - Therapeutic Surfing

Another fantastic example of the organisations we support, and the impact our grants have. 🙌🏼

www.geelongconnectedcommunities.com.au

14/05/2026

"Last season was our best season yet in regard to junior numbers and we couldn’t have done it without your support" Dylan Fairchild, Little River Cricket Club

The CGG grant awarded to the Little River Cricket Club ensured that amid the cost of living crisis, juniors could play free resulting in junior registrations "explode". The remainder of the grant went to purchasing equipment for the junior players because thanks to the increased numbers, they didn't have enough equipment in stock to cater for all the new teams. A great problem to have!

How good does it feel to know that when you support Geelong Connected Communities you could be supporting kids develop a lifelong love of cricket and, who knows...there might just be tomorrow's 'Ellyse Perry' or 'Pat Cummins' amongst them!

www.geelongconnectedcommunities.com.au

04/05/2026

When we get this kind of feedback we know that the money we steward for our partners is having impacts in ways we may never realise...

Yes, this grant supports young women to play footy, we didn't realise that it would also support our next generation of leaders...

"Thanks to the generous support of Geelong Connected Communities, we successfully rolled out the Prep to Play program with our U17 Peninsula Sharks Female Football team. This initiative focused on physical preparation and injury prevention, while also developing leadership capacity within our players.

"A key component of the program was empowering a select group of players, identified for their leadership potential, to take ownership of warm-ups. With guidance and support, they led structured sessions—building confidence in communication, organisation, and leading their teammates. These are important foundations for identifying and developing future leaders including coaches within our club. We are already seeing a noticeable shift, with previously hesitant players beginning to speak up, take initiative, and use their voice on the field.

"This approach has strengthened both the wellbeing and personal development of our players, while helping to build a sustainable pathway for girls and women in football—on and off the field." Nicole Wood, Peninsula Sharks

Just imagine the impact you could have! Jump on our website and see how you can join us in supporting Geelong's community. www.geelongconnectedcommunities.com.au

10/04/2026

On the first Sunday in March Geelong's Eastern Gardens came alive with pooches, their people and all things 'doggy fun' for the 2026 Geelong Animal Welfare SocietyAnimal Welfare Society's PAWS for GAWS Charity Dog Walk. 🐕 🦮 🐕‍🦺 🐩

We know that our grants often have a broader impact than even we expect and this was perfectly explained in this message from Tam Davis at GAWS...

"In addition, the grant allowed us to strengthen the community experience by engaging local businesses to contribute to our events and activities. This not only improved the quality of our community initiatives but also supported small businesses and reinforced our commitment to giving back locally."

Giving, supporting, sharing = building strong and connected communities! 🙌

💻: www.geelongconnectedcommunities.com.au

06/03/2026

It may surprise you some of the things GCC will support - essentially, if you're a community group or organisation in our region we'll hopefully be able to support you. This is just one example from Geelong's Olfactive Society:

"As a newly established not-for-profit incorporated association, support from the Geelong Connected Communities grant was essential in helping us build strong foundations for growth. The grant enabled us to cover key start-up and operational costs, including branding and website development, accounting and design software, and public liability insurance.

"Getting to the stage where we can go live with the EOIs for the Geelong Fragrance Fair - there are some incredible independent perfumers from across Australia that are planning on attending in September." Erin Adams - Olfactive Society

Stay tuned for their Fragrance Fair in September! 👃 😁

03/03/2026

On behalf of the board and all the Geelong Connected Communities supporters and recipients, we'd like to send a big congratulations to one of our directors and head of Barwon Sports Academy, Cameron Loftus and his newly minted bride, Sharryn.

The couple tied the knot this past weekend. ♥️

19/02/2026

Another great example of how our community comes together to support an incredible organisation, Read The Play Inc.

Our grants can be used for so many different things, with Read the Play we contributed to the fantastic branded apparel.

When you support Geelong Connected Communities you're supporting community organisations from across our region, big and small, for the things that may otherwise not be possible. Strong communities are connected communities!

Another great example of how our community comes together to support an incredible organisation, Read the Play.

Our grants can be used for so many different things, with Read the Play we contributed to the fantastic branded apparel.

When you support Geelong Connected Communities you're supporting community organisations from across our region, big and small, for the things that may otherwise not be possible. Strong communities are connected communities!

About Read the Play. Our histroy, what we do and why having conversations about mental health and wellbeing is important to us.

07/01/2026

One thing we always ask grant recipients to explain is what the GCC grant enable them to achieve, knowing this allows us to understand the impact our grants have.

This feedback from Volunteering Geelong is such a great example of this...

"The challenge of attracting and retaining volunteers is common feedback we receive from the orgnisations we support.

Acknowledging the contribution made by volunteers shows that their organisation or group appreciates their input and commitment... ensuring they feel valued and that they have an impact in the community is very important.

Holding the Geelong Volunteer Awards on an annual basis recognises the contribution of volunteers, highlights the work of the organisations who make submissions and also promotes volunteering through greater awareness and therefore, hopefully encouraging more people to volunteer."

We're so glad the Awards were such a great success and we're so proud to have supported Volunteering Geelong acknowledge the people and organisations who give our community so much!

This is the impact you can have by supporting us! www.geelongconnectedcommunities.com.au

Thanks to the Geelong Times for their great coverage too!

19/12/2025

Exciting times at Geelong Connected Communities with a 'Changing of the Guard...' as detailed recently in the Geelong Times.

At the 2025 AGM our inaugural Chair, Roger Grant along with Founding-Director, Cameron Loftus retired after 12 phenomenal years on our Board.

Current Chair, Paul Gray announced the retirements, "It is impossible to replace Directors of (this) calibre...(with) highly established business and community credentials.", before introducing new Directors, Cameron Murnane (Beyond Bank) and Tim Gleeson (Preston Rowe Paterson Geelong, "...both highly talented and emerging leaders within the Geelong business community."

We send a huge THANK YOU to Roger and Cam for their leadership and contribution over the past dozen years and welcome Cam (Murnane) and Tim, who are already both very familiar with GCC and share our passion for supporting our grassroots Geelong community!