Glynn Harvey has been recognised for his exemplary service to the Geelong Football Club, awarded the Carter/Costa Service Award at the Club's Annual General Meeting on Thursday night.
Named in honour of two of the Club's long-serving Directors, Colin Carter and Frank Costa, the Award recognises exceptional voluntary service to the Geelong Football Club. Both Carter and Costa were able to celebrate premierships while they were Presidents of the Club.
The chosen award winner demonstrates outstanding personal values and exceptional service at Club or Community level within the Geelong region, and is presented at the Annual General Meeting or other appropriate event.
Glynn Harvey has been an extraordinary servant in and around the Geelong community for an extensive period of time, with his selfless contributions changing the lives of many people in the region.
Harvey opened a fruit and vegetable ship in Corio Village Shopping Centre many years ago, becoming aware that there were children at a local school who had not eaten breakfast, and some had no lunch. Glynn belived that no children should go without food, especially fresh fruit and started providing fruit at no cost.
This is when and where Glynn’s philanthropy started.
Among the long list of places Glynn has served is the Geelong Football Club, Geelong Falcons, St Albans Football Club, Queenscliff Community Sports Club, Geelong Cricket Club, Geelong Foodshare, Anam Cara Geelong, St John of God Hospital Auxiliary, Geelong Art Gallery Grasshoppers Group, Mercy Family Care and Mercy Angels, Geelong Hospital (now known as Baron Health University Hospital), Cottage by the Sea and Numerous Schools and other local causes.
The support to many of the above, continues today. Glynn is the “silent type” who is not comfortable in the limelight, preferring to roll up his sleeves in the background. He keeps a low public profile and does not seek recognition for his deeds.
Glynn served as a Board Director at the Geelong Football Club from 1997 to 2004. He is highly regarded for his integrity, generosity and deep commitment to the Club and broader community. Throughout his tenure on the board, including during the Club’s challenging period between 1999 and 2005 Glynn led with honesty, loyalty, confidentiality and a strong team-first ethos.
He was a valued member of project groups over the years including the Amalgamation of Social Club into the Geelong Football Club, a Member of the 2012 Superscreen Working Party, and he also helped secure employment opportunities for young players and contributed significantly to fundraising initiatives, including the record-breaking 2005 No. 1 Ticket Holders Dinner.
Take a look at some other projects that Glynn Harvey has been involved in over the journey.
Geelong Falcons
Former long-time Geelong Falcons regional manager, Michael Turner, collected fresh fruit from Glynn Harvey every Monday for the players to eat at training and on game day for many years. This included apples, bananas and oranges, plus other fruit in season, at no cost to the Geelong Falcons. Twenty-plus years on Glynn, is still donating the fresh fruit at no cost. His ongoing donation is both a financial benefit to the Geelong Falcons and a re-enforcement of healthy eating to young footballers.
St Albans Football Club
Glynn and his late wife Shirley owned the milk bar opposite the St Albans Football Club in the mid-1970s. He provided the club with fresh fruit on a weekly basis as well as vouchers to the Club for their annual Trivia nights and other functions. The support continues today. In addition to the provision of food, Glynn was President of the Club when they won back-to-back Premierships in 1987 and 1988.
Queenscliff Community Sports Club
An extension of Glynn’s support in Queenscliff, most notably impacting Cottage by the Sea, the Queenscliff Community Sports Club is the umbrella organisation that provides the venue and facilities for a number of sporting clubs in the town. The completion of the Monahan Centre (changing rooms, other facilities for the coaching etc, function venue) is the crowning glory of 10 years of fundraising and from key people involved in community support, Glynn’s role is notable within that.
Geelong Cricket Club
David Kelly OAM said, “The achievement of the aforementioned is a demonstration of the value of selfless people who assume responsibility to carry out duties/chores at the level commensurate with the Club's Policy to be ‘The Best Club’. Among those who came to the fore, there is a standout - Glynn Harvey - fruit and vegetable supplier”.
Glynn has from 1993 to now (July 2025) provided without cost, all weekly and additional Club orders free of charge. The total financial benefit to the Geelong Cricket Club is incalculable. Over 31 seasons since 1993 there has been 400 home and away games multiplied by 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th XI plus finals – he never once reneged on a delivery. In addition to the above, Glynn also supplied fruit and vegetables for Special Match Day lunches and practice nights every Thursday during the season. Geelong Cricket Club refers to Glynn Harvey is “one of our city’s quietest and greatest contributors to those in need”.
Anam Cara Geelong
Glynn has been a major and valued supporter of Anam Cara House Geelong for over 15 years. Anam Cara is Geelong’s community palliative care hospital. It has been built by the community to care for people diagnosed with a life-limiting illness, are in a palliative condition or are at end of life. It provides choice for Geelong and regional residents who cannot or do not want to be at home to receive their care, but who may not wish to be in hospital or an aged care setting. Glynn has been an active contributor and donor to the new $22M Anam Cara Geelong facility which has been built at Deakin University, Waurn Ponds campus. In addition to his financial support, Glynn has generously supplied fresh fruit and vegetables to Anam Cara Geelong’s guests, staff and volunteers for many years. A vegetable garden in the form of an ‘H’ shape has been established at Anam Cara Geelong to acknowledge and thank Glynn and his late wife Shirley, for their outstanding contribution to people who are in need of this care. Glynn has been selfless in making these contributions and never wants any attention or thanks for what he does.
Geelong Foodshare
Geelong Food Relief now known as Geelong Foodshare is the heart of the emergency food system in the Greater Geelong region. The organisation sources and collects nutritious food that is shared with over 55 frontline charities and 2 mini-marts to feed people in need. Andrew Schauble, head of Geelong Foodshare commented “Glynn Harvey is an exceptional individual and he has done so much for Geelong Foodshare for many years. Without his help we would not be able to do what we do. I would absolutely be pleased to share and advocate for what Glynn does for the community.” Whilst highlighting Glynn’s reluctance to accept public acknowledgement, Andrew added “Glynn is an exceptional person and I have every confidence highlighting his work and generosity.“
Cottage by the Sea
For over 20 years, Glynn has donated fruit and vegetables for the Annual Fair, this Queenscliff institution’s major annual fundraiser.
Adam Wake, Cottage by the Sea, CEO, commented that “Glynn single-handedly rescued the Fair.”
Adam went on to mention that in addition, Glynn helps Cottage connect to other organisations who then assist Cottage in their fundraising and provision of goods and services that go to providing disadvantaged children with the best holiday experience possible. Glynn is one of an illustrious group of Cottage “Ambassadors” – many may have a higher profile but none have had a bigger long-term impact.
And Some Others!
The annual in-kind contribution over the years to other sporting clubs such as Bareena Bowls, Bell Park Cricket; Highton Bowls, North Geelong Cricket, Newtown Cricket, Christ Church Meals Program Christmas Day Lunch and other service providers in the greater Geelong region, is a powerful resource of community-driven philanthropy.
The Added-Ingredient – In-Kind Contribution
Glynn’s contributions, in-kind and volunteering, extend far beyond the traditional model of financial contribution. The nature of this support allows not-for-profits to redirect financial resources to their core purposes and activities. The benefits for not-for-profits are significant, encompassing cost-efficiency, expanded capacity and enhanced community engagement.
Glynn has been a model in this area and has no doubt encouraged others to involve themselves in community giving, particularly of labour, personal support and goods and services.
