Category: Community

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:

Pet project to build resources

Norlane Community Centre is helping to create links between under-resourced pet owners and services that can help them care for their animals.

The Paws for Wellbeing project received funding from the City of Greater Geelong to help pet owners plan for caring for their animals, including regular vet checks and de-sexing for cats and dogs. It will include informal meetings with owners to determine what they know, what they need to know and where they can go to get help.

Norlane Community Centre Co-ordinator Esther Koning-Oakes said the need to help pet owners became clear when the centre hosted a free vet check and de-sexing day in conjunction with the RSPCA.

“The swift uptake of bookings and the many inquiries we received showed just how much help some pet owners need,” Esther said. “We were then driven to come up with a plan to hold another event that will reduce the barriers, including cost, of healthcare for pets.”

“We know how important pets are to their owners and the role they play in well-being and mental health. Our project is also aimed at creating a network for owners in our community who can work together to come up with solutions to accessing resources for their pets.”

More information about the dates and times of activities will be promoted by Norlane Community Centre through its Facebook page in early 2025. For more information call the centre, phone 5275-8124.

Help spread Christmas joy for families

Uniting Emergency Relief provides disadvantaged Geelong families with emergency food and other useful support at its Norlane and Grovedale centres.

Emergency Relief Co-ordinator at Uniting Barwon, Karen Mather, said “we know the impact of cost-of-living pressures has stretched many budgets beyond breaking point. Whether it’s the cost of rent, gas and electricity or putting fuel in the car, we know people are really struggling to get by. 

“With Christmas approaching, this is adding extra pressure on many families. Christmas should be a special time for food, fun and memories to last a lifetime. 

“But sadly, for many families, as rising cost of living pressures continue to bite, it will be so much tougher to afford gifts for their children.”

Ms Mather said Uniting’s Gifts for Families Appeal provides toys and gifts generously donated by the community for children in need at Christmas.

“Gifts For Families is one of the highlights of every year for us. For our volunteers, putting smiles on the faces of families and providing gifts to deserving children and young people is so rewarding,” she said. 

“We hope you, your group, school, workplace or family can support Gifts For Families in some way and help us make sure there are gifts under every Christmas tree in our community.”

Anyone able to help is asked to contact Uniting Barwon on [email protected] or phone (03) 5278-8492.

Northern Futures and Meli join forces

Northern Futures, the grassroots program dedicated to supporting disadvantaged communities in Geelong’s north, has joined community services organisation Meli. 

Northern Futures CEO, Andrew Palmer, said the decision reflected a mutual respect between the two not-for-profit organisations and a shared commitment to better address barriers to employment in Corio and Norlane. 

“The success of Northern Futures’ model is the strength of trusted partnerships and the effectiveness of our bespoke support to clients,” Mr Palmer said.

Northern Futures Board Chair, Rob Birch, said stakeholders and existing funders had unanimously confirmed their support of Northern Futures at Meli. “The ongoing success, sustainability and growth of Northern Futures is our highest priority, and we believe that joining Meli is the key to this success,” Mr Birch said. 

Meli CEO Grant Boyd said bringing Northern Futures into Meli would build on the positive outcomes already achieved and provide a foundation for better outcomes going forward. He confirmed the expert team at Northern Futures would continue at the current location in Station Street, Norlane, and existing clients would experience no disruption to their service. 

Northern Futures provides critical wrap-around support to help clients navigate employment barriers to help them into sustainable employment as a bridge out of instability. Data shows that 78 per cent of clients who undertook Northern Futures training in 2022-2023 found employment, and both their training completion and employment outcomes consistently exceeded national outcomes for previously unemployed people.

Victoria In Bloom 2023 garden competition

Each year, Victoria in Bloom recognises and rewards the great work of gardening enthusiasts living in public or community housing.

Renters can enter all types of gardens – from balconies, to back yards and community gardens. No garden is too big or small.

Nominations for the 2024-25 Victoria in Bloom Garden competition are open from Monday, August 26 and close on November 22. To enter, once nominations are open, you need to register your garden in one of the following ways call (03) 8633-4357 or email: [email protected] 

For more information and to be inspired by previous winners, visit: https://www.housing.vic.gov.au/victoria-bloom-garden-competition

Community kitchen helpers

Barwon Health Community Kitchens program is calling for new volunteers to facilitate weekly cooking sessions in locations throughout Geelong and the Bellarine region.

Community Kitchen Facilitators people who are able to relate well to people from all walks of life, and able to organise the kitchen program, which is held at a local community kitchen during school terms. They should love cooking and enjoy sharing meals with a small, friendly group for three to four hours per week.

Volunteer Facilitators are matched to a local Community Kitchen group. They receive free recipe resource packs and facilitator training, as well as food handling, kitchen safety and budgeting and healthier menu planning certification.

Volunteer Facilitator Marg runs the Rosewall Community Kitchen, where she cooks with up to 24 people each week. She was introduced to Community Kitchens when she went along with a friend, in Highton, 11 years ago and has been involved ever since.

“While you’re the facilitator, you’re also a member of the group like everyone else,” Marg said. “You run the group with friendship and compassion.”

For more information or to register,  contact the Community Kitchens Co-ordinator by email [email protected];  phone (03) 4215-3476 or visit the website www.barwonhealth.org.au and search for community kitchens.

Concession calculator gas bills

Are you eligible for a winter gas concession? Discounts on gas bills are available for eligible concession card holders to help ease the cost of living during the winter months. 

You may be eligible if you have a Pensioner Concession, Health Care or Veteran’s Affairs Gold Card.  Use the Concessions Eligibility Calculator to find concessions, benefits and other assistance that you may be eligible for at https://services.dffh.vic.gov.au/concessions-and-benefits or by calling the Concessions information line on 1800-658-521.

Do you have a concession card but not sure about the available services?

Concessions are available to low-income Victorians having trouble in paying their council rates, water, gas and electricity bills. Discounts are available on essential services to ease the financial burden for low-income Victorians. Eligibility applies to each type of concession. 

Concessions programs are designed to ensure eligible cardholders have access to essential services. You can go the website below and check the full list of available concessions and services for your concession card. https://services.dffh.vic.gov.au/concessions-eligibility-calculator

Free legal help at Cloverdale

Do you have a legal problem or legal question? Deakin Law Clinic will be available to help in weekly sessions at the Cloverdale Community Centre starting in July.

Deakin Law Clinic is a free, community legal service and teaching clinic where Deakin Law School students are supervised by Clinical Solicitors. They will be at the Cloverdale Community Centre on a weekly basis from Thursday, July 11 until Thursday, September 26 and available by appointment.

The services will provide an initial consultation and will then let you know if they can assist you with your legal problem, and what assistance they can provide.  To book an appointment, email [email protected].

Happy to be helping others

Helping others has always been part of Rowley Bone’s life – through his sporting, social and community affiliations. Today it’s more important than ever, and something he does because he wants to give other people the same opportunities he has had.

Rowley grew up in Corio and attended the former Corio Technical School before embarking on a 44-year career in the auto industry, which took him all over the world.

Rowley has a long association with the North Shore Football Netball Club – as a player, coach, administrator, team manager and supporter. He is a Hall of Fame Member and Life Member and is particularly proud of the role he played on the Board of Management of the recreation club when it made the decision to remove poker machines from the venue.

A passion for North Shore and the broader community sees Rowley also involved with the Windsor Park Working Committee. The group’s membership includes Member for Corio Richard Marles, Member for Lara Ella George, Windermere Ward councillors Anthony Aitken and Sarah Hathway, and representatives of Norlane Community Centre, North Shore Football Netball Club, North Shore Cricket Club and the community. It meets quarterly to discuss the Master Plan for the precinct and seek funding opportunities to bring it to reality.

After retiring from work, Rowley spent five years as a Red Cross patient transport volunteer. He transported patients to appointments all over Geelong and Melbourne and “loved every minute of it”.

More recently, Rowley has joined the volunteer team at Norlane Community Centre, where he spends one day a week at the centre and another at its opportunity shop in Wendover Avenue, including the food relief program.

Rowley said he volunteers because he wants to help give others the opportunities he had growing up in the area – through sport and school.

“I see the value of that and want it to continue and grow,” he said. “It’s about looking at how we can help make the area better.”