ACT T 2014 - YMCA · YMCA Life Member BOUNCE FOR A CURE Bounce for a Cure came alive at Newtown Stadium in May 2014. The smell of bbq, and the sound of basketballs bouncing throughout

COMMUNITY IMPACT REPORT2014

YMCA Geelong Inc. & GEELONG

AND DISTRICT YMCA YOUTH

SERVICES

CONTENTS

4 Presidents Report

5 Looking Forward

6 Building a strong YMCA

8 Shaping futures, Recognition & Leadership

9 YMCA Basketball Club

10 Community programs - YMCA School Holiday program

12 Brenda’s story

14 Gymnastics Programs - Preschool - Recreation - Competitive Gymnastics - Competitive Trampolining - YMCA Rubies Cheerleaders

18 Camp Wyuna - A greener YMCA

21 YMCA Bannockburn

22 Delivery on a community need

23 Inclusion is the key

24 The Treehouse Geelong

25 YMCA Judo Club

26 Y Service Club of Geelong

29 Geelong Ladies Y Service Club

30 Acknowledgements and Thanks

Building healthier, happier

communities

4 YMCA Geelong Community Impact Report 2014

EMPOWERING OUR COMMUNITY

As President this is my third report for YMCA Geelong Inc. and Geelong and District YMCA Youth Services. Wow what a year! Time certainly flies when you’re having fun. The Board had chartered a course 18 months ago to look at how we offer programs that engage the community and enlisted leadership and expertise that could bring about positive outcomes for the community through sustainable operations.

This year I’m pleased to reflect that this journey has begun, and not without some sacrifices and hard work by our dedicated team of staff and volunteers. As we finish this financial year we are operating viable and sustainable businesses that deliver on the YMCA Mission. The board acknowledges the work of our past CEO Colin Hunt who departed our YMCA in October 2013 and the work and commitment he had given to the YMCA in his five years at the helm. There had been many difficult decisions, the effects of which no doubt caused some pain to some at YMCA Geelong.

I also acknowledge the commitment of my fellow Board members who, while a small group are extremely dedicated to the cause. We have had several board members resign due to personal travel and work commitments and I thank Margot Stork, Tim Savage and Mark Wilkin for the expertise they provided the Board in their tenure. The governance of the YMCA is something our Board holds as a priority and the legacy that each Board Member seeks to leave is that our stewardship places the YMCA as a community organisation that truly makes the community healthier, happier and connected.

YMCA Geelong significant advances would not have been possible without the extended hand of friendship from fellow YMCA Associations especially that of YMCA Victoria in Peter Burns CEO and Anthea Hancock Chair. Their support both in kind and personal has been invaluable, the secondment of Shona Eland at short notice, for her leadership and support to staff as we searched for a replacement to the CEO position.

I acknowledge the support and commitment of the Y Service Club of Geelong who celebrated 60 years of service to the community and support of YMCA Geelong. Thank-you.

A MESSAGE FROM OUR PRESIDENT

Our governance now sees YMCA Geelong with an updated constitution to reflect legislative changes and we have developed a strong governance framework of policy, strategy, accountability and support that will provide direction for the coming years.

The community impact report is a reflection on the lives our people have touched and the benefits the YMCA brings to the community through the people, places and programs we offer.

John WeiglYMCA Geelong Inc. and Geelong and District YMCA Youth Services Board President

YMCA Geelong Board Members - Sharon Jones, John Weigl, Mark Wilkin, Bengt Carlson, and Kate Nelson

5YMCA Geelong Community Impact Report 2014

LOOKING FORWARD

We have laughed, we have cried, had a party to celebrate 61 years of service, celebrated new beginnings and even changed our look but most importantly the YMCA has provided communities in the Barwon region with a place to belong and be active.

It has been an immensely rewarding experience to be able to support the community with a dedicated team of people at the YMCA.

Since coming on board in an acting role in November 2013 the focus has been on a few key areas;

• Ensuring good governance and developing policy and procedures that provide staff with clear guidance for decision making,

• Developing robust systems that support the operations and service delivery for the community,

• Implementing a business model that is efficient and effective to program service delivery,

• And ensuring our programs provide a benefit to the community and deliver a social impact.

I have met some extremely dedicated parents in my time at YMCA Geelong and nothing more wonderful sticks in my mind than a comment from a mum who reflected on her 11 year old daughters’ gymnastic ability saying she may not reach the pinnacle of the sport but she just loves it. The coaches have mentored her and provided positive adult relationships and she is already talking about being a junior coach.

What we do at the Y is more than teach kids to ride a bike, learn to canoe, how to tumble, catch and throw. Our staff do what they do to make a difference to every person’s life. To know their name, to build self-esteem, to create friendships and to provide a safe environment to be your best.

The Y is privileged to be able to impact lives and I hope you enjoy reading this report which outlines just some of the many ways the YMCA seeks to help make a difference in our community.

Shona ElandChief Executive OfficerYMCA Geelong Inc. and Geelong and District YMCA Youth Services

“What we do at the Y is more than teach kids to

ride a bike, learn to canoe, how to tumble, catch

and throw. Our staff do what they do to make a

difference to every person’s life.”


BUILDING A STRONG YMCA

Newtown Stadium

Building on a base of great programs and services, great people and community partnerships is the key to a sustainable YMCA.Following a detailed and thorough review and the instigation of numerous changes across all operations, the resulting surplus is a much improved profit of $103,431.

KEY POINTSKey points to notes in the operating performance of YMCA Geelong Inc. and Geelong and District YMCA Youth Services were;

• Improved participation in all programs.

• Increased revenue across all venues has increased by $146,138(5%). Expenses were contained to $28,097 (1%) increase compared to the previous year.

• Camp Wyuna continues to achieve performance forecasts and add to the bottom line, justifying the $2.5 million investment to redevelop the facilities five years ago. Its continued success will be reliant on maintaining, upgrading and expanding facilities to ensure we can continue to meet the growing demands of camp users.

• A change in operational structure in February 2014 provided efficiencies and effective service delivery which resulted in the consolidated operations of Newtown and North Geelong. This ensured that systematic improvements be achieved across both locations.

• Bannockburn Recreation Centre operations have been reviewed and significant changes have been put in place to increase the service delivery to the community as the community grows.

• Our community programs currently operate at a deficit-$11,427 which continues to be a focus of management. The challenge of ensuring our service is inclusive of children with additional needs with the increase staffing required to support their needs and provide a safe enjoyable environment is difficult. Additional funding models and fundraising will be required to ensure the sustainability of the program.

• Our governance has been significantly bolstered with a complete review of policy and procedures throughout the organisation, improved risk management strategies and a commitment to health and safety of staff and patrons. Increasing compliance and governance costs will be a challenge for the YMCA if long term growth is not achieved and the increased legislative compliance continues.

• The financial position of YMCA Geelong remains strong with net assets of $2,946.815. As a YMCA with much of our capital invested in fixed assets, this affords us some peace of mind of our permanence and long term stability but also presents some challenges as we seek to grow across the region.

• YMCA Geelong Inc. are now in the financial position to repay existing business loans taken out several years ago for the camp completion and the renovation of the Newtown Stadium mezzanine area.

• A five year strategic plan is under development which will see YMCA Geelong delivery to more communities with strengthened partnerships to ensure we can make a difference and have an impact on the health, happiness and connection of children and families in our communities.

• The major capital project for this year was the re-development of the carpark and driveway at Newtown Stadium to provide a safer environment for our patrons. This project had been in the pipeline since 2008 and with the financial support from the Y Service Club of Geelong, Transport Accident Commission and the City of Greater Geelong the project was completed in February 2014.

• We also had the generous support of the Y Service Club of Geelong Inc. for the $12,000 contribution toward the refitting of lights in the Gymnastics hall at Newtown to environmentally friendly LED globes.

• Given the pleasing result and significant turnaround, we go into 2014/2015, with clear commitment to our core business and the tools to create further change. Coming years will focus on growing our program base and geographical coverage while ensuring our systems and processes are well developed to ensure sustainable and financially sound businesses, led by capable staff and guided strategically by the Board.

Sharon JonesTreasurer




YMCA Geelong Gymnastics International Development program

Jake Bensted Judo - Commonwealth Games

Bronze medallist 2014

YMCA Geelong Winners of Inclusive

Initiative of the Year

Gymnastics Victoria Technical Committee awarded talented 16 year old Emily Ramsay as a finalist National Stream Gymnast of the Year, long time YMCA Gymnastics Coach Rachel Crawford finalist in the National Stream Coach of the Year for levels 7 - 10 and high performance YMCA gymnastics coach Brenda Kent finalists in the National Stream Coach of the Year for levels 4 - 6.

YMCA Geelong were also finalists in the Large Club of the Year, YMCA Geelong Gymnastics, Elly Bayes & Emily Ramsay -Female Gymnast of the Year.

The YMCA was honored for Inclusive Initiative of the Year. The Y has worked with Leisure Networks and Gymnastics Victoria through the leadership of Kerri MacDonald and Ingrid Howell to ensure staff are trained and supported to actively engage all abilities in gymnastics.

Other Awards

• Asian Pacific YMCA Alliance (APAY) Green Award 2013

• Brad Neurath - Centre Co-ordinator Bannockburn Recreation Centre finalist in the Golden Plains Shire Council Youth Awards 2014

YMCA Geelong has many dedicated families that support their children to live their dreams of maybe one day stepping into the international stage as gymnasts, judo competitors or basketballers.

Through the YMCA’s pathway programs from fun skills to competitive programs in a range of sports we can contribute to make a difference to young people’s lives.

This year Gymnasts Elly Bayes, Mila Blyth and Rose Blackhall were selected for the May International Development Clinic in Canberra based on their superior scores for ideal skills testing.Elly Bayes has been named in the Team Future squad and offered a place at the Victorian Women’s High Performance Centre at IDP level 10. Elly Bayes, Mila Blyth, Rose Blackhall and Miriana Perkins were selected for the “Team Future” camp in Canberra in November 2014 again based on their ideal skills testing scores.

Jake Bensted has captivated the Judo world with his commitment and dedication to his sport. In 2014, Jake represented Australia at the Commonwealth Games and brought home a bronze medal. Jake and his family coach the junior judo program at the YMCA. Jake gives back to the community that assisted him in building his sporting career.

RECOGNITION AND LEADERSHIP

SHAPING FUTURES

Gymnastics Victoria Technical Committee awards 2013


Ron Dawson YMCA Life Member

BOUNCE FOR A CUREBounce for a Cure came alive at Newtown Stadium in May 2014. The smell of bbq, and the sound of basketballs bouncing throughout the courts provided a great sense of pride for Ron Dawson who was well enough to pay a short visit on the day. Sport provides enormous opportunities to make lifelong friendships, provide mutual support when things get tough and acts as an outlet to life. Young people in our community are given the opportunity to lead, be innovative and be passionate at the Y.

When courage was handed out talented YMCA Under 18 basketballer Sarah Rainbow was at the front of the queue. Sarah is the granddaughter of YMCA Life Member Ron Dawson who sadly passed away in June 2014 from a brain tumour. Sarah, a Sacred Heart College student was not going to let this disease go down without a fight and rallied friends, family and the YMCA Basketball Club to get together to conduct a community event that raised awareness about brain cancers and raised valuable funds to aid a Cure for Cancer.

YMCA BASKETBALL CLUB


communities


COMMUNITY PROGRAMS

The YMCA additional needs school holiday program for teenage children commenced some years ago. Activities were run separately from the mainstream kids programs with a limited number of participants. Somewhere along the way we decided to combine the two teenage programs, both mainstream and additional needs children. It had its struggles in the beginning – the mainstream kids not understanding or feeling comfortable around the additional needs children, and likewise the additional needs children felt the same. As the program built so too did the culture of our service. The reaction of the younger Prep to Grade 5 group was to be afraid and upset by their presence. The lack of interaction and awareness of additional needs children in our community was vastly obvious.

Where once we would see young children not knowing how to respond to children with additional needs, we now have an inclusive culture in all of our school holiday programs. We regularly witness children interacting and assisting each other at every opportunity. Likewise, the environment we have created at the YMCA has assisted additional needs children in understanding tolerance and acceptance of things they would once not cope with.

A 9 year old girl attended our program for three years. When an additional needs, non-verbal boy began attending our program her first reaction was to avoid him as so many other children did. However it wasn’t long before she was following him around and wanting to help the staff who were supporting him. Before we knew it we would watch her fill most of her days playing with him, talking to him and helping him in any way she could. The young girl hasn’t attended the program for some time since the death of a family member. On seeing her recently the first thing she told our Community Program Co-ordinator was that she missed our program and missed spending time with the boy she had made friends with and how much she loved spending time with him.

It is a privilege for all the staff who work in the school holiday program, they are mentors, educators and dedicated to developing young people in their care. “It has most definitely been a privilege; to witness the change in culture and awareness of additional needs children within our YMCA community, the impact that our program and it’s inclusiveness has had and continues to have. I only hope that it is able to be transferred to the wider community and continue throughout these children’s lives, helping them to choose their career paths and to shape their own futures, and to become someone they themselves would be proud of.” - Kimberley Maher: Community Programs Co-ordinator

YMCASCHOOL HOLIDAY PROGRAM

YMCA Geelong School Holiday Program


communities


Our friends at Fuso Geelong generously donated a bus throughout the school holiday program for the Out and About program for teens….proudly supporting YMCA Geelong!

YMCA Geelong School Holiday Program



“It has been wonderful to return to where it all began and I feel grateful that YMCA Geelong brought happiness and hope during a very dark time in my life.”

Brenda is an extraordinary women who is committed to the values and the mission of the YMCA. Brenda has been a valued member of our YMCA team for several years and is currently Head Coach of the Gymnastics International Development Program, but it is her memories as a child that best demonstrates the impact the YMCA has on a child’s life. Brenda’s journey with the YMCA began as an 11year old after suffering a family trauma. Her father and sister had been killed in a car accident (hit by a drunk driver) whilst travelling home to Camperdown from a camping weekend at Lake Eppalock speed boat races. “My brother and I were sent to Camp Wyuna with the assistance of Bethany for the school holidays. To be honest I can remember not wanting to go as I had become quite introverted. However the memories are wonderful; it was jammed packed with activity after activity from dawn to dusk bringing back a spark in my life which was much needed”, Brenda recalls. One of the activities was gymnastics. She immediately fell in love with the sport. I continued Gymnastics at the Yarra Street YMCA under the guidance of Terry Cliff. Gradually the program

BRENDA’S STORY

increased and I volunteered six days a week for several years as an assistant to the new coach from Sydney, Joanne Holmes, whereby we set up classes all over Geelong”. After leaving YMCA Geelong Brenda then moved to Ballarat and coached gymnastics for five years at Ballarat YMCA. “My passion for the sport kept growing and I had developed a desire to coach at an elite level which I did at both the Western Australian Institute of Sport and MLC in Melbourne”. In total Brenda coached in the elite stream for three Olympic cycles. After a break from the sport Brenda was keen to return and made her way back to YMCA Geelong where she has been since 2010. “It has been wonderful to return to where it all began and I feel grateful that YMCA Geelong brought happiness and hope during a very dark time in my life. This experience also helped pave a career path which would have been unlikely given the circumstances. I enjoy being part of the YMCA Geelong community and thoroughly enjoy watching other children grow as I did from the support of the YMCA.”

Brenda KentHead Coach: Gymnastics International Delevelopment Program


Y Service Club helping landscape the

carpark at Newtown Stadium.

Y SERVICE CLUB OF GEELONG



communities

PRESCHOOL PROGRAMS YMCA preschool programs remain consistently successful with the preschool program team proactive in attending community events, creating community awareness of YMCA programs and dynamic in seeking out new ideas and opportunities.

Specific highlights within the year have included:

• Children’s week: The Preschool Program team was successful in obtaining a Children’s Week Grant to provide 6 extra free classes of EdGym and Little EdGym classes to specific organisations in the community servicing marginalised families.

• National Playgroup Week Launch: The Preschool Programs team attended and participated in the National Playgroup week Launch at the SteamPacket Gardens by providing a mini gymnastics circuit and supplying potential new clients with promotional materials.

RECREATION PROGRAMS The recreation stream of gymnastics provides children of all ages and abilities with the opportunity to develop fundamental movement skills. Classes range from 1- 1.5 hr and are structured to provide progression and skill development across gymnastics, cheerleading and trampolining.

YMCA actively fundraises to support families that are experiencing hardship to participate in our programs through YMCA open doors funding.

YMCAGYMNASTICS PROGRAMS


GYMNASTICS PROGRAMS

Some of the highlights include:

• Over 22 gymnasts qualified for and competed at the Victorian Championships over the Queen’s Birthday long weekend, 6-9 June.

• Gymnasts competed in the Men’s gymnastics, Women’s gymnastics and Trampolining gymsports.

• YMCA Geelong received outstanding results with our participants receiving the following awards at the Victorian Championships:

TRAMPOLINING

Level 2 Men:

• DÁrtagnan Reed Broekman - Gold Tramp and Silver on Double Mini Tramp

• Jason Langeder - Gold on Tramp

• Sam Van Uijtert - Gold on Double Mini Tramp

Level 3 Women:

• Neesha Burmeister - Gold on Double Mini tramp

• Chantel Glogolja - Gold on Tramp

• Miyah Daglas - Bronze on Tramp and Silver on Tumbling

Under 11 Men:

• Kyle Anderson - Silver Tramp and Double Mini tramp

COMPETITIVE GYMNASTICS

The competitive program is an integral part of YMCA Geelong, catering for those capable and interested in further developing their gymnastics potential whilst also providing inspiration for those new to the sport. The competitive program allows us an avenue to recruit and train junior coaches with many of the older gymnasts wishing to pursue a career in coaching.’YMCA is experiencing great success within the Victorian competitive community and subsequently greater recognition for Geelong YMCA gymnastics as a result.

YMCA Geelong Tramp team after a stellar performance at the Gymnastics and Gym Sports Victorian Championships

Kyle Anderson Under 11 Men: Silver medallist on Trampoline

and Double Mini tramp


YMCA Geelong Level 4 Open team and coaches

Victorian Championships 2014

YMCA Rubies Cheerleading team

WOMEN GYMNASTICS National 6

• Sachi Degiacomi - Silver on Vault and Uneven Bars

National 8

• Jessica MacDonald - Gold on Vault

MEN’S GYMNASTICS Level 4 open

• Clancy Hehir - Silver on Parallel Bars

The development of a Cheer program at the YMCA has been the hard work of a dedicated team of staff, Allison Murphy and Eleanor Crick. From a vision of participation the program has grown to one that has seen the YMCA enter its first competition. A fantastic demonstration of program innovation being led by the staff team at YMCA Geelong.

YMCA RUBIES SHINE

National Level 8 GymnastsEmma Lundin and Jessica MacDonald


The reputation of our facility has built since re-opening in 2008, and is continuing to build, ensuring that fresh enquiries are steady, and return customers are ample.

Not only have we cemented a reputation as being a premier destination for school students of all ages, we have firmly forged ties with several elite sporting organisations, who continue to return year after year because of the location and service we have to offer. These groups include the Calder Cannons, Eastern Ranges and Northern Knights AFL development squads, and the Victorian triathlon group Tri-Alliance. We have stepped up our pitch for a slice of the corporate conference and staff team-building market. There has been a designated corporate flier produced recently, and we are in the process of disseminating it to relevant groups/bodies.

In the past 12 months we have continued to work hard to forge strong ties with local businesses and tourism providers. The YMCA is a long-term resident of Queenscliff. We believe it is vitally important that we are regarded as a good community citizen. To this end, our programming staff have developed exceptional working relationships with key tourism providers, including the Queenscliff Marine Discovery Centre, Fort of Queenscliff, local museums and other tourist operators. Indeed we believe we are the biggest provider of visitors to some of these operators.

A consultation process is currently underway to determine future tourism opportunities at the Fort of Queenscliff. This provides, further opportunities for our camp. To this end, we have recently submitted a feedback form to TRC Tourism, the company charged with drafting a Master Plan for that site.

Our Community Open Day was amongst our highlights this year. The event attracted more than 300 local people through the gates. Most had either never been to the Camp before or had visited pre-redevelopment and were very complimentary of the facilities and the role Camp Wyuna plays in the local community. We have stamped ourselves as a “Green” or sustainable camp and we continue to work hard through our relationship with the SPARK Program, our student education and other initiatives to cement this reputation. A camp highlight is our “Nature’s Pizza Oven,” whereby students can source ingredients from our on-site vegie patches to make their own wood-fired pizzas – learning as they go about recycling, composting and reusing.

The arrival of eight chickens into a newly-built coop have provided another highlight for visiting children. The materials and construction of what we proudly regard as the “best hen house on the coast,” were supplied by Bunnings Hardware in Waurn Ponds & Torquay and we thank them for their generosity. Another major site improvement was provided via our close links with Melbourne-based White Friars College. Students undertaking Year 10 Outdoor Landscaping and Carpentry courses (VCAL) used our camp to deliver a special construction project. This year’s offering incorporated landscaping and the development of a stepped walking path leading up to one of the most breath-taking lookouts in this region – a true hidden gem and enormous asset for our camp.

Andrew KiddCentre ManagerYMCA Camp Wyuna

YMCACAMP WYUNA


YMCA Camp Wyuna team building and sporting activities

“After the Spark training in early 2013 the

Camp’s electricity usage dropped by 3%

compared to the same time in 2012.”


A GREENER YMCA

Spark is an energy efficiency literacy program led by the Australian Conservation Foundation in partnership with YMCA. The program aims to improve literacy around energy efficiency for YMCA staff and many of the 2.5 million Australians who use YMCA facilities.

YMCA Camp Wyuna is located on 5 acres of natural dune scape on the Bellarine Peninsula in Victoria’s south west coast line. The camp was one of seven sites to participate in the first round of the Spark program in 2013. This redeveloped camp hosts over 7000 visitors per year. With multiple buildings and activities happening seven days a week the camp uses a lot of energy – at a cost of over $20,000 annually. Before joining the Spark program, the camp already had a strong focus on sustainability. A 5 kW solar system and use of ceiling fans instead of air-conditioners made the camp far more energy efficient than many comparative facilities and saved thousands of dollars, but there were still improvements to be made.

One year on…

One year on, Camp Wyuna is actively incorporating energy efficiency into their day-to-day work. Andrew Kidd, Camp Manager, encourages his staff to ‘listen’ to the site. To keep an ear out for fans and heaters running throughout the day, and to walk through the site to see if lights or devices have been left on unnecessarily.

SPARK ENERGY PROGRAM

To keep their visitors on the ball, students who arrive at the camp are given an induction on energy efficiency, and ‘green leaders’ are nominated to keep check on the electricity use of their class whilst at the camp. After the Spark training in early 2013 the Camp’s electricity usage dropped by 3% compared to the same time in 2012.

Where to from here?

Since joining the Spark program, Camp Wyuna have taken great ownership of their energy use – and it shows! Camp manager, Andrew Kidd, has been so thrilled with the savings that he is now seeking funding for more solar panels, with the aim of one day becoming carbon neutral. Andrew is also a keen mentor to many staff at other Spark sites, providing his insights, expertise and inspiration to other YMCA sites who are ready to start saving energy.

Andrew Kidd Centre Manager: YMCA Camp Wyuna


The YMCA aims to make a difference to individuals by providing a place to enjoy the company of others and feel connected to the community. Sport and recreation participation is one of the tools to connect communities.

Bannockburn is a growing community at the southern end of the Golden Plains Shire. It has a demographic profile of young families moving to the area and the Y is aiming to provide opportunities to meet others and participate in programs that promote health, happiness and connection.

Developing people is a key component of supporting the personal development of others. The Y has been committed to the development of referees and junior referees to help develop skills and capacity to provide programs in the local community. We do this by providing opportunities for young people who are interested in refereeing basketball to be mentored by a senior referee.

The Y has also helped our junior referees and senior referees to receive their entry level badges or higher levels.

The referees who have achieved these referee qualificationsare:

• Brandon Dawber – has received his Level 1B badge moving up from level 1C

• Jye Spicer – has obtained his level 1C badge

• Michael Flannery – has obtained his level 1C badge

• Di Hickey – has obtained her level 1C badge

• Nick Connors – has obtained his level 1C badge

The Y established a Girls only basketball competition to allow girls who may have felt intimidated in joining a mixed competition to play basketball in a fun social setting without any pressure.

Brad NeurathCentre CoordinatorYMCA Bannockburn

Girls Basketball YMCA Bannockburn

YMCABANNOCKBURN



Miriana Perkins, Lhonegan Foxman, Rose Blackhall, Mila Blyth and Mia Batchelor

IDP 5 team YMCA Geelong

YMCA Geelong has been delivering gymnastics programs for the Geelong community for more than 50 years through Ed Gym, recreational and competitive programs that cater for all ages and abilities. The coaching team has been developed from within the ranks and the skilled professionals guide, mentor and utilise the development assets framework to underpin building resilient young people.

The coaching team identified that several young athletes were bound for greatness and their skills would reach the pinnacle of their sport with additional high performance support. Several girls had been ear marked for positions at the Victoria Institute Sport High Performance Centre in Melbourne from our YMCA Geelong programs however due to family commitments, travel costs and the potential of breaking up the family unit many families made the difficult decision to not pursue the High Performance Centre. The YMCA Gymnastics team explored opportunities, partnerships and commenced discussions with the HPC to establish a model that would allow the gymnasts to pursue the International Development Program stream without having to relocate children from families, schools and their communities. The program commenced in March 2014 with 4 athletes and has grown to 8 now undertaking the IDP stream.

Athletes travel up to one and half hours from as far as Hamilton to YMCA Geelong to train up to 26 hours a week. With the support of local allied health and sport medicine providers the Y has been able to develop a high performance gymnastics model that is based in regional Victoria. The program began as a pilot in Term 1 2014 and has grown to attract athletes to the YMCA gymnastics program because of the IDP stream. Brenda Kent is the head coach and has mentored the athletes and worked with the High Performance coaches to develop a high quality program that is funded by parents.

The YMCA is actively seeking sponsorship and grants to support the families costs and provide access to funding opportunities for the families. The success of the program has been recognised by Gymnastics Australia with an invitation to the top 100 gymnastics athletes in Australia to attend the Australian Institute of Sport Gymnastics Clinic in November 2014. YMCA Geelong will have four athletes in attendance.

DELIVERY ON A COMMUNITY NEED

The program was born from a desire to see family bonds stay connected and not torn apart due to training and travel as well as the demand for high performance opportunities to be delivered outside capital cities. YMCA Geelong is extremely proud that through the vision of Rhian Jamieson and Brenda Kent that this opportunity has been afforded to young gymnasts in our community. The program model is sustainable with a ratio of 1- 6 and the pathway for competitive gymnasts in our program have opened up with the expansion of pathway programs.

The athletes range from 10 -13 years of age and outputs have been fantastic in terms of social support, friendships and a sense of belonging and commitment.

This program while focusing on talented young people also demonstrates the commitment of the YMCA to ensure that families remain the centre point of our service delivery which is very much a reflection on the YMCA Mission and values.


Move, Adapt and Play (MAP) is a gymnastic program that has been the vision of Kerri MacDonald, a gymnastic coach whose passion is to ensure inclusion is at the forefront of the program offering at YMCA Geelong.

YMCA Geelong’s MAP Programs (Move, Adapt and Play) is designed specifically to engage child and adults with auditory, sensory or learning difficulties to participate in gymnastics circuits. The coaches have undertaken professional development sessions to enhance their understanding and support of people with disabilities in other Gymnastics classes.

“As parents we actively try to get our children to engage in active lifestyle choices and the very basics; moving more, playing with others and learning new skills and to build self confidence, It’s fantastic that people of all ages are seeing the benefits gymnastics has to offer” says Kerri.

The program has been operating for little over 12 months and has been developed to specifically cater for the needs of children and adults that would have found it difficult to participant in gymnastics classes in the current structure with ratios of 1:10+.

INCLUSION IS THE KEY

Geelong community is a pilot site for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) implementation phase and it was identified that gymnastics has an incredible impact on a child with disability in the early intervention strategies that it fosters. The program operates for participants with low support needs through to high support needs and is viable with the support of volunteer coaches who support the lead coach that conducts the class.

Staff from within the YMCA volunteer an hour of their time to ensure that all people in our community have access to participation in the program. This is beyond the cost of the class, it’s about having access to one on one support to assist and participate in the activities.

This is an example of a Mission driven program that emulates the values of the YMCA. The development model is based around access for all and the social impacts of health, happiness and connection are direct outcomes for the program participants.

The program has been promoted throughout the community and is growing in demand due to the outcomes it provides.



Sharon and John Demopoulos have been volunteers with YMCA Geelong since 2008 & a committed advocate of the work we do in the community. Sharon and John are delightful, energetic fun people to be around, their enthusiasm for making communities happier, healthier and connected. Sharon is better known to some as the voice of “Hello and welcome to YMCA Geelong” on the end of the telephone as she fulfill’s her part time role as Customer Service Co-ordinator, but it is after her work day is done that is her passion.

Sharon and her husband John contribute more than 15 hours a week to volunteer as the driving force behind the Treehouse program. The Treehouse is a support and friendship group that offers social networks & activities to families living with Autism. It is a passion, a calling that both Sharon and John have committed to on a personal & professional level. Sharon and John’s youngest child Sammy (11) has Autism. In 2008, while Sharon was in her customer service coordinator role had an idea for a community response to the lack of support for families living with Autism. She approached the CEO and Centre Manager at YMCA Geelong and her dream started to take shape.

ASPYRE was born.Aspyre is a social group for Teens attending mainstream secondary school who have an Autism Spectrum Disorder. YMCA Geelong has been proud supporters of this program since its inception 6 years ago.

Aspyre has become a great success over the years bringing teens and their families together and providing much needed support and friendship. However once these teens turned 18 and started leaving school it was clear they had nowhere to go to continue with their social needs so Young Adults was created, a social group for those ages 18-25. Aspyre teens transition into Young Adults during their last year at secondary school. After the success of Aspyre and Young Adults, there was a need to cater for many other Geelong ASD families so other new social groups have been created such as Clubhouse and Pink Musketeers, for Primary school aged children, Lego Club, Chess Club, Aspiwoman, a group for adult woman with Aspergers and a Dads monthly

THE TREEHOUSE GEELONG

The Treehouse is a support and friendship group that offers social networks & activities to families living with Autism.

Sharon Demopoulos Founder of the Treehouse program

support group. Many other fun days and events are put on throughout the year. All these groups have been brought together under the umbrella name ‘The Treehouse Geelong’, this group is auspiced by the YMCA making it possible to succeed as a well known and respected support service receiving constant referrals from Geelong’s own disability support services, doctors, youth workers and others in the field. The Treehouse is also included in the City of Greater Geelong’s International Day of people with Disability and Poppykettle Days.

The Treehouse was very fortunate to have been provided with free office space by the Bendigo Bank Ryrie Street which is used for weekly open house support and playgroups and as a base for the social groups. The Treehouse is extremely appreciative of the support of the YMCA and all the men and woman of the service clubs over the years.

“What an amazing Support Service The Treehouse

is. The first place in 18yrs for us that supports not

only young kids with ASD but teenagers AND parents!

I only wish we had a place like this when our son

was diagnosed, but I am very happy that families in

Geelong have one now!”

- One appreciative mum


This has been an exciting year for the judo club with Jake Bensted winning a bronze medal at the Commonwealth Games and also winning a scholarship with the Sports Australia Hall of Fame. He is now focused on making the 2016 Olympic games. Jake is a great role model for our juniors and loves to teach the kids on Friday nights. Jake also attended local primary schools in Victoria. Jake spoke to the students about his journey to the Commonwealth Games. He outlined the importance of exercise, healthy living/eating and setting goals at a young age. Jake also provided valuable insight to individuals about how they can maintain a stable and healthy lifestyle. Jake’s visit has shown that both on and off the mat, he is a true ambassador for the sport of Judo and a member of the YMCA.

YMCA JUDO CLUB

“Jake is a great role model for our juniors and

loves to teach the kids on Friday nights”

Jake Bensted Judo Bronze medallist

Commonweatlh Games 2014


YMCA Fundraising BBQ at Bunnings Waurn Ponds


“The Y has given me so much opportunity to grow personally, through friendships I’ve created and to learn from others that are older and wiser then me” Jaryd said

Jaryd has the YMCA in his DNA, as a young child Jaryd was thrust in the YMCA activities through the leadership and guidance of his father Theo De Beer (a past Board Member of YMCA Geelong).

Ever imagined being 27 years old and leading a group of dedicated community minded people to assist a community organisation? Well that’s exactly what Jaryd De Beer does.

27 year old Jaryd De Beer is the essence of youth empowerment. A seemingly shy builder from Geelong who has been elected as the President of the Y Service Club of Geelong for another term.

Y SERVICE CLUB OFGEELONG

JARYD DE BEER


communities



Mark Wilkin, Board Member of YMCA Geelong and Jaryd De Beer President Y Service Club

of Geelong sign the principles of partnership

agreement.

Geelong Y Service Club President Jaryd DeBeer holding one of the old stadium lamps and electrician Noel Junk holding one of the new LED lamps installed in the Newtown Gymnastics Centre at a cost of almost $12,000 donated by the Y Service Club.

The Y Service Club of Geelong has been around for 60 years and is part of an international movement of service clubs that’s primary purpose for being is to deliver the mission of the YMCA through projects and partnerships both in our local community and overseas.

Involvement in service clubs like Rotary, Lions, Apex and Y Service Club are solely reliant on volunteers, people with time and talent to lend a hand to make communities a better place. They aren’t traditionally the place you find a 27 year old. But Jaryd is no ordinary young person. While studying a building diploma he and his loyal team have set about to increase membership of the Y Service Club, to contribute to projects that assist YMCA Geelong deliver programs to the community and engage young people in community life and conduct the 50th Annual Christmas Carols in Johnston Park this December.

He is also the youngest President of any Y Service Club Internationally.

At the installation of office bearers luncheon Mark Wilkin Board Member of YMCA Geelong and Jaryd signed the Principles of Partnership Agreement which creates a lasting relationship across the YMCA movement.

Jaryd spent time in India with the Y Service Club International congress where he met with other Y Service Clubs to discuss and strengthen the work of the Y globally.

THE YMCA GOES WHEREVER YOUNG PEOPLE GO

29

GEELONG LADIES Y SERVICE CLUB

YMCA Geelong Community Impact Report 2014

Our Club was chartered on 4th Nov 1967 and although we do not have any active charter members in the Club now, we do have two members who have given almost 45 years of service each, Val Clark and Helen Lewis.

That is a long time. We have been part of the Geelong Combined Charities Card Shop Inc since its inception in 1970 and are one of only two original charities still there.

Nancy Ward is the Card Shop representative for our Club. She has been involved since the beginning of the card shop, firstly with another charity and now for the past 30 years or more with the YMCA. Our members volunteer their time to choose cards for the YMCA (which is what we sell), pack them and be part of the team selling the cards. This is our biggest fund raiser.

MAKING A DIFFERENCE THROUGH SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY

We also hold a Biggest Morning/Afternoon Tea for the Cancer Council each year in August at the Y to raise funds for this very worthwhile cause, so if you see us there late on a Wednesday afternoon in August come buy our home made goodies and support a wonderful event.

We meet on the third Wednesday of each month with a social function one month and a meeting at the Y the next. Our membership is at 9 with an average attendance of six.

Ladies Y Service Club members Val Clark and Joan Robertson on

duty in the Card Shop at Wesley

Uniting Church.


ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS AND THANKS

• Lance Illingworth

• Ken Carr

• Denis Esam

• Geoff Everett

• Noel Hooper

• Ken Grinter

• Tony Curtain

• Trevor Bruhn

• Joyce McIntyre

• Jack Terrill

• Jim Urquhart

• John Weigl – President

• Kate Nelson – Vice President

• Sharon Jones- Treasurer

• Bengt Carlson- Board Member

• Margot Stork – Resigned November 2013

• Tim Savage- Resigned April 2014

• Mark Wilkin- Resigned August 2014

• Colin Hunt - CEO resigned October 2013

• Shona Eland - Acting CEO from October 2013

• Tamara Allan - Corporate Services Manager - resigned October 2014

• Rhian Jamieson - Centre Manager Newtown / North Geelong - Maternity leave April 2014

• Renae Mawson - Centre Manager Newtown / North Geelong May 2014

• Andrew Kidd - Manager Camp Wyuna

• Kimberley Maher - Communtity Program Manager

• Brad Neurath - Centre Coordinator Bannockburn

• Rod Ashcroft

• Phil Bainbridge

• Chris Benning

• Murray Box

• Trevor Bruhn

• George and Val Buller

• Ken Carr A.M

• Terry Cliff

• Laurie Cooke

• John Corrrigan

• Bill Coyte

• Tony Curtain

• Ed Davies

• Ron Dawson

• Dennis Esam

• Geoff Everett

• Frank Gerardi

• Sheryl Gray

• Jo-anne Ho-Me

• Ken Grinter

• Cindy Henderson

• Craig Herbert

• Noel Hooper

• Lance Illingworth

• Mardi Kingston

• Dr. Roy Lang

• Eddie Leoni

• Daryl Lewis

• Joyce McIntyre

• Heather Mitchelhill

• Bruce Peake O.A.M

• Eric Plumridge

• Lindsay Plumridge

• John & Brenda Richards

LIFE MEMBERS

BOARD MEMBERS

MANAGEMENT TEAM

YMCA OF GEELONG HALL OF FAME• Maria Urquhart

• Terry Cliff

• Rob Ashcroft

• Phil Bainbridge

• Bruce Peake

• Michael Stafford

• Keith Roderick

• Vicki Gilbert

• Stephen McKay

• Craig Herbert

• Graeme Riches

• Hayden Shell

• Kevin Soulsby

• Michael Stafford

• John Stubbings

• Gordon Tarbett

• Jack Terrill

• Joyce Terrill

• Elaine Thompson

• Jim Urquhart

• Maria Urquhart

• Gordon Walker

• Geoff Wallace

• Phil Wards

• Geoff Williams

• Joan Williams

• Nancy ward

• Helen Lewis

• Keith Roderick

• Steven Mackay

• Vicky Gilbert

• Helen Herbert

• Greg Bensted

• Craig Herbert- President

• Adam Lamont- Vice President

• Craig Barnes- Treasurer

• Sam Buckby- Junior Girls Co-ordinator

• Anna Van Parraren- Age Level Co-ordinator

• Ash McDonald- Junior Boys Co-ordinator

• Jodie Reid- Uniform Co-ordinator

• Jaryd De Beer- President

• Alvys England – Vice President

• Phillip Bainbridge- Treasurer

• Alan Knolt - Secretary

• Glenda O’Dwyer – President

• Joan Robertson - Vice President

• Helen Lewis - Secretary

We thank and acknowledge those that have helped the YMCA deliver on our vision for a healthier, happier and connected community;

• Y Service Club of Geelong • Geelong Ladies Y Service Club• Transport Accident Commission• City of Greater Geelong• Golden Plains Shire Council• Give Where You Live• Department of Social Services- Australian Government• Shell Refinery Community Grants• Geelong Community Enterprise • YMCA Victoria• YMCA Australia• Fuso Geelong• Juicy Boy Citrus • Australian Conservation Foundation – SPARK program• Leisure Networks• Knight Frank• SC Technology• Getch Gearson Costume Hire• Nicole Rosbegen Artist Photographer• Adventure Park Geelong• Gordan TAFE• Andrew Mauder Studios• Newtown Physiotheraphy and Pilates• Faggs Mitre 10• Sports Medicine Massage• Comminty Care Chemist• Market Square• Westfield • Queenscliff Farm Foods• Rip Curl• Rapid Clean• Mercedes• Six Foot Six Winery• Fun Farm 2 U• Viatek• Sea All Dolphins• Host Plus Super• Bunnings Waurn Ponds and Torquay• Bendigo Bank• YMCA Geelong volunteers and parents who have

supported the Gymnastics events throughout the year.

YMCA BASKETBALL CLUB EXECUTIVE


GEELONG LADIES Y SERVICE CLUB

YMCA GEELONG

25 Riversdale Rd, Newtown, VIC 3220

(03) 5223 2714

[email protected]

www.geelong.ymca.org.au

facebook.com/YmcaGeelong

How You Can Help

Give your time, talent or treasure? Every bit helps the Y deliver our Mission

to ensure all people are provided the opportunity to participate in body,

mind and spirit. Volunteers are instrumental to assisting the YMCA deliver

services from programs and governance. YMCA actively fundraises to

assist those less fortunate to participate in a healthy, happy, connected

community. Donations enable more young people to benefit from our

camping and recreation programs.

YMCA GEELONG INC.ABN: 29 064 925 688A0025471J

GEELONG AND DISTRICT YMCA YOUTH SERVICESABN: 21 991 500 535

Documents

ACT T 2014 - YMCA · YMCA Life Member BOUNCE FOR A CURE Bounce for a Cure came alive at Newtown Stadium in May 2014. The smell of bbq, and the sound of basketballs bouncing throughout