Author: pixeld

Joel’s journey from participant to mentor

At just 19, Joel Smith is already making a meaningful impact in his community.

The Corio local knows how important it is to have positive role models in your life – especially when you’re young and finding your way. For Joel, that guiding presence came through the youth programs at Rosewall Community Centre. Now, he’s paying it forward.

Joel’s story with Rosewall began in early childhood. “I went to playgroup and three-year-old kinder here,” he recalled with a smile. “Even then, it was a place where I felt safe and part of something.” That sense of belonging stuck with him, and years later, he returned as a teenager to join the Rosewall Youth Group.

During his two years as a participant, Joel built friendships, explored creative outlets and received support that helped shape his confidence and outlook. “The mentors I had there made a big difference,” he says. “They gave me someone to talk to and encouraged me to try new things.”

Recently, while undertaking job search activities, Joel reconnected with Rosewall and heard about an opportunity to volunteer with the youth group. He didn’t hesitate. “It’s like a second home to me,” he says. “It really feels like I’ve come home again.”

In his new role, Joel supports the facilitator and acts as a connector for the group. He knows many of the young people from his own time in the program and helps them feel welcome and involved. 

“I encourage them to get into the activities – whether it’s cooking, art, music, or just chatting. I want them to get the same support I did.”

Joel’s journey from participant to peer mentor has been one of growth. Volunteering has strengthened his communication and leadership skills, boosted his self-confidence, and expanded his sense of purpose. “You’re giving back to the community,” he says, “but you’re gaining a lot too.”

Joel is also taking part in other Rosewall programs, including the café skills course, where he’s learning the basics of hospitality. “I’ve really enjoyed it,” he says. “I’m thinking about looking for work in a café soon.”

He encourages other young people to get involved, either as participants or volunteers. “It’s a great way to build your confidence, learn new things, and make connections,” he says.

The Youth Group at Rosewall runs every Wednesday from 3.30pm to 5.30pm and is open to 12 to 18-year-olds. The sessions are free, youth-led, supervised, and always come with a snack.

For Joel, it’s more than just a weekly group – it’s a space that’s helped shape who he is. “Rosewall gave me something to believe in,” he says. “Now, I get to do that for someone else.”

Food security in spotlight

A Norlane Community Centre project is aiming to better understand the food security needs of the Norlane community over the next 12 months.

The centre received a Department of Families, Fairness and Housing grant to help it engage a Food Security Project Manager to analyse data and see if programs need changing or if new programs are required. They will also work to identify gaps and risks areas in the community around food security and start to inform food literacy in the area.

The Food Security Project Officer, Marcia Medley, will also research funding and sponsorship pathways to help continue to deliver the centre’s free community meal, currently held every Tuesday afternoon at 1pm.

Marcia is also networking and strengthening existing partnerships and forming new ones to support the centre’s weekly food share program, held every Thursday from 1pm. She is hoping to set up a seed bank/library for the community. Marcia said: “We are also looking more into culturally appropriate food and education, given the large range of cultures we have accessing our centre.”

Community garden group thriving

A northern suburbs community garden group is working hard to grow its impact, at the same time giving members a place to learn and produce their own food.

Murnong Community Garden officially opened in late 2023 and, thanks to a City of Greater Geelong infrastructure grant, now boasts a steel storage shed with a large adjoining weather and work shelter, as well as newly built fences, compost bins, soil receival and storage pits, and extensive wheelchair-accessible gravel paths.

These resources have allowed the community group to expand their capacity to grow and share produce, and now the members have introduced a monthly workshop and crop swap and are planning for future events on-site.

The group’s president Caitlin Dow said the 35 garden beds produced successful summer crops. The garden group hosts regular working bees and encourages members and friends to pop in at any time that suits them, to barrow a few loads of soil to the new beds, do some gardening, and when ready, pick some of the veggies.

Caitlin said: “There are no individual plots; all beds are for the local community to share. We welcome newcomers and there is no gardening experience necessary to join in on the fun.”

Murnong Community Garden is located at 138 Weddell Road, North Geelong. For more information, email [email protected] or call Wendy, 0427-849-566.

Ali’s positive impact rewarded

Northern Bay College student Ali Agha Walizada is being celebrated after winning the Victorian Multicultural Commission’s 2024 Youth Leadership Award.

Ali, who is the College captain in 2025, was nominated for the Youth Leadership Award for his exceptional contributions to multiculturalism and youth empowerment. Ali has led Harmony Day celebrations across five campuses of the college, promoting unity among students from 42 cultural backgrounds.

As a 2024 youth councillor for the City of Greater Geelong, Ali advocated for culturally diverse youth in decision-making processes. His international impact included fundraising for Tabbosom School in Kabul, Afghanistan, enhancing educational opportunities in conflict-affected regions.

Locally, Ali’s work with organisations like the Geelong Lions Club and Cultura focuses on mental health awareness, especially for newly arrived CALD communities. He also fosters interfaith dialogue by organising events that promote understanding between different cultural and religious groups.

Ali’s efforts have made a lasting impact, strengthening community connections and inspiring others to promote inclusivity and global solidarity.

Funding announced for a new hall

Norlane West Scout Group is celebrating news that it will receive government funding for a new hall.

Deputy Prime Minister and Member for Corio Richard Marles, Minister for Infrastructure and Member for Ballarat Catherine King, and State Member for Lara Ella George were recent special visitors to the group, alongside several state representatives from Scouts Vic and members from the community.

Their visit was to announce the group’s successful application to the Growing Regions Fund, resulting in a grant of just over $660,000 towards a new hall build.

Committee of management member Kim said: “This is amazing news for the group who have spent countless advocating for and applying for grants and fundraising opportunities for a new hall.

“The current facility is over 70 years old and was originally temporarily housing for workers building the Shell refinery. Around 60 years ago it was moved to its current location on Donnybrook Road in Norlane where it has seen many adventurous Scouts go through its doors. However, it is currently at end of life.”

The new Norlane West Scout and Community Activity Centre will offer Scouts and their families plus people and businesses in the wider northern community a modern, accessible, safe and inclusive activity space. It will have meeting rooms, an industrial kitchen, storage, internal toilets and shower, onsite disabled parking, proper drive-through access and onsite bike parking.

For more information about Norlane West Scouts, email: [email protected]

Back to Back’s new film shot in north

The northern suburbs of Geelong became the set for CARDBOARD, a groundbreaking short film by the award-winning Back to Back Theatre. Commissioned by Rachel Griffiths and ACMI, the project brought together a diverse cast and crew to tell a uniquely imaginative story.

Set in a fulfilment centre, CARDBOARD follows a group of workers who re-enact the legendary Battle of Agincourt, complete with medieval-style cardboard armour. Inspired by Shakespeare’s Henry V, the film explores themes of community, resilience, and creativity in the most unexpected of settings.

As part of its inclusive approach, Back to Back Theatre conducted a call-out for actors, extras, and crew members, encouraging applications from people living in Geelong’s northern suburbs, particularly those with intellectual disabilities or who are neurodiverse.

Participants were invited to take part in a workshop and screen test in November, where they also had the chance to design and create their own cardboard costumes.

The film’s production involved approximately 70 people, with and without disabilities, working together over four intensive days to bring this project to life. CARDBOARD is set to premiere at ACMI in mid-2025, offering audiences a glimpse into a world where cardboard becomes armour, workplaces become battlefields, and ordinary people become extraordinary heroes.

This project underscores Back to Back Theatre’s ongoing commitment to inclusive storytelling, showcasing the talent and creativity of neurodiverse individuals while engaging the local community in meaningful ways.

CARDBOARD is supported by the Restart Investment to Sustain and Expand (RISE) Fund–an Australian Government initiative, the TAC, and was developed with support from Creative Partnerships Australia through its Plus1 Initiative.

Back to Back Theatre is supported by the Australian Government through Creative Australia, its principal arts investment and advisory body, the Victorian Government through Creative Victoria, the City of Greater Geelong and the Anthony Costa Foundation.

JP service is now at shopping centre

Justice of the Peace volunteers have expanded their service in Corio and are now available for weekly sessions at Corio Village.

Justice of the Peace (JPs) are volunteers playing an important role in the Justice system and are available to the community. They are appointed in accordance with the Honorary Justices Act 2014 and have the power to witness a range of legal documents.

Corio-based JP Pam Clark is one of four who volunteer at Corio Police Station and are now also available at Corio Village. She has been a JP since 2004 and enjoys helping the community in her role.

A Justice of the Peace can help with:

• Certifying copies of original documents – you need to take both with you.
• Statutory Declarations.
• Witness your signature on documents, including Affidavits – don’t sign the document before you get there.
• Setting up a Power of Attorney.

The JP service at Corio Village is available from 9.30am until 1pm on Thursdays, near Prouds. It is also available at Corio Police Station from 9.30am until 1pm on Monday, Tuesday and Friday. Additional volunteers are available at Geelong Police Station every Monday to Saturday from 9.30am until 1pm and Waurn Ponds Shopping Centre, Monday to Friday from 10am until 2pm.

JPs can also be found out of hours via the Department of Justice website: