Last week the Geelong Football Club recognised three incredible organisations; Wombat's Wish, Daisy Chain Support Services & The Good Neighbourhood Project, for their remarkable impact on the local community.
Representatives and volunteers from the organisation had the opportunity to attend Saturday's match against Essendon, sitting in the specially designated GMHBA Community Bay.
The GMHBA Community Bay has been established to provide local community groups, families and individuals the opportunity to attend a Geelong Cats home game.
During Saturday's match, the organisations were also recognised at quarter time with an on-field introduction, along with a video explaining the fantastic work they do.
Find out a little bit more about all three of the organisation's below.
Wombat's Wish
We are proud to shine a light on Wombat's Wish, a Victorian charity that has been changing the lives of bereaved children and families for over 21 years.
Every year, around one in every 20 Australian children will experience the death of a parent before they turn 18. Behind every statistic is a child whose world has changed forever. Wombat's Wish exists to ensure those children and their families don't have to face that journey alone.
Based on the Bellarine Peninsula and supporting families across Victoria, Wombat's Wish provides specialist grief support to children and young people aged 5-17 years and their surviving parent or caregiver. Their programs are designed to help children understand their grief, build resilience, develop healthy coping strategies, and connect with others who truly understand what they're going through.
One of the most powerful moments at every Weekend Grief Program is watching children realise they are no longer the only one. Many arrive feeling isolated, believing no one else understands what life is like after the death of a parent. By the end of the weekend, they leave with new friendships, renewed confidence and the comforting knowledge that they are part of a community that will continue to walk beside them.
Despite supporting hundreds of Victorian families every year, Wombat's Wish receives no ongoing government funding. Every camp, counselling session and family day is made possible through the generosity of donors, community groups, grants, corporate partners and dedicated volunteers.
Wombat's Wish provides:
- Free Weekend Grief Programs for children and their surviving parent or caregiver.
- One-to-one counselling with experienced psychologists and mental health clinicians.
- Youth Camps for teenagers.
- Family connection days throughout the year.
- Grief resources and support for schools and communities across Victoria.
How you can help:
- Make a donation—every dollar helps ensure another child can access free grief support.
- Become a regular monthly giver.
- Sponsor a child or contribute towards the cost of a Weekend Grief Program or counselling sessions.
- Volunteer your time or professional skills.
- Introduce Wombat's Wish to your workplace, sporting club or community group as a potential fundraising or corporate partner.
- Register for or support the annual Wombat's Wish Walk, the organisation's largest fundraising event held each October.
Need support?
If you know a child or young person aged 5–17 who has experienced the death of a parent or primary caregiver, Wombat's Wish is here to help.
Referrals can be made by:
- Parents and caregivers
- Schools and wellbeing staff
- General Practitioners and health professionals
- Hospitals and palliative care services
- Community organisations
- Or families can self-refer directly.
To make a referral, learn more about the services available, volunteer or make a donation, simply visit www.wombatswish.org.au or speak with one of the Wombat's Wish team today.
Together, we can ensure that no child has to grieve alone.
Daisy Chain Support Services
Daisy Chain Support Services is a family-friendly, registered NDIS provider based in Lara, Victoria.
We believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to live a fulfilling life, build meaningful connections, and be an active part of their community.
Our dedicated and compassionate team works closely with participants and their families to provide personalised supports that promote independence, inclusion, confidence, wellbeing, loads of fun and friendships.
At Daisy Chain, we pride ourselves on creating genuine relationships and delivering supports that feel like an extension of family, helping participants achieve their goals while remaining connected to the people and activities that matter most to them.
The Good Neighbourhood Project
The Good Neighbourhood Project (TGNP) is a place-based community development organisation working alongside overlooked neighbourhoods to build stronger, healthier and more connected communities.
For more than 15 years we have worked in Norlane, Geelong, believing that lasting change happens when local people are supported to build relationships, shape their neighbourhood and create solutions together. Rather than delivering services to communities, we work with neighbours to unlock the strengths, leadership and potential that already exist within every place.
Our mission is to empower neighbourhoods through the transformative power of relationships.
Our long-term vision is to see a movement of neighbours working together to transform their own communities, while sharing what we learn to inspire and support place-based community development across Australia.
During the week you'll find us at one of our three neighbourhood commons sites in Norlane - Robin Ave, Spruhan Ave and Labuan Square. Our cafes, activities and initiatives are open throughout the week. All are welcome.
Please support our work by booking your next catering with us through The Aviary Cafe (https://www.theaviary.org.au).
