Community projects

Geelong Community Telco supports a wide range of local community projects. After all, we're a part of the community and we want to contribute to its ongoing prosperity.

Youth project making a difference    

Youth Foundations Victoria is a joint partnership between the Bendigo Bank and The Office For Youth, targeting young people in disadvantaged areas of Victoria. The project offers young people a chance to have a say in improving their communities, with the opportunity to develop new skills and abilities along the way.

A committee of young people, known as the Young People’s Action Committee (YPAC), is given access to small grants that are then offered to youth led projects that will make a positive impact on their local community.

This committee is supported by a group of adults, including a professional facilitator and a Local Partnership Group (LPG). Committee members are encouraged to participate in training packages to help them achieve personal goals whilst supporting their communities.

The LPG is made up of local organisations and businesses who have offered their support to the program and the facilitator. These organisations include: Jolt Training Group, Bethany Family Support, BacLinks, BATFORCE, Leisure Networks, Newcomb Secondary College, City of Greater Geelong, Glastonbury Child & Family Services, and St. Augustines.

Grants have already been made to the following organisations:

Barwon Adolescent Task Force Inc for their On Two Wheels Program to train young people in bicycle maintenance and repair, prior to donating the refurbished bicycles to underprivileged children in the region.

Barwon Adolescent Task Force Inc for their Feature Film Project which has produced a feature film with the combined talents of local youth. The film addresses the community and the impacts it has on local youth, which has showcased its incredible residents and their talents.

Bellarine Living and Learning Centre Inc for their 3219 Girls Project that provides activities for young girls to participate in a safe and secure environment, including art and craft, dancing, and health education. It has been designed to enhance the participants' self esteem, confidence and awareness, providing a positive influence and developing constructive relationships between young people and role models.

Bellarine Living and Learning Centre Inc for their 3219 Mothers Group (Aged 14 Upwards). This project supports, educates and provides activities for young mothers. The group will participate in parenting and social skills workshops, receive mentoring, and take part in activities such as netball and social events. The group promotes positive self-esteem, confidence, education and friendship in a fun and engaging way.

Girl Guides Victoria for their Cook up a Storm Project to improve the facilities where Girl Guides hold their meetings and events. By providing more essential facilities like a usable kitchen, etc. the girls will be able to develop new skills and run more events. This will foster the girls' leadership skills and provide the ability to include people with disabilities, cultural differences and socio-economic disadvantage in their activities. The project encourages community togetherness by involving them with the upgrade and the events they will be able to run.

Newcomb Secondary College for their Tori’s Bullying Forum. This program will facilitate a forum about bullying from a young person's personal experience. The aim is to publish a story that can be used throughout schools and organisations to enlighten people about the effect bullying can have on young people. The project will nurture leadership and inclusion for those involved, and will have far reaching educational benefits for other young people in the community.

Glastonbury Child & Family Services for their Youth Holiday
and Skate Trip Program that enables a group of young people
supported by a team of adults to plan and implement group skate
activities, trips to local parks, etc. It addresses the lack of activities
for young people in the community while teaching leadership and
planning skills to the young people involved. It also encourages
positive networks and support groups.

The programs above are real examples of the tangible benefits provided by the philanthropic activities of the Geelong Community Telco. These programs produce wide ranging, positive outcomes for many of our youth in underprivileged areas. Another great advantage of engaging Geelong Community Telco.

Profit sharing with Anam Cara House

An agreement with Anam Cara House has been set up to share 2.5 percent of Geelong Community Telco’s profit from participating businesses to assist in creating a sustainable income for Anam Cara House.

Anam Cara House provides end of life care and short term respite
within a home like environment for Geelong's older residents.
The hospice also offers support for carers and family members.

Anam Cara House was established with generous support from the community. Geelong Community Telco has provided the opportunity for businesses to receive competitive telecommunications services whilst supporting this hospice's ongoing operation.

Please note: businesses wishing to support this initiative need to associate their telecommunications account with Anam Cara House via Geelong Community Telco.