Lighthouse

Community News


November 2024

From the Executive Officer


This year marks ten years of Lighthouse delivering a place-based, collective impact approach to support better outcomes for our region’s young people and families. Reflecting on the past decade, we acknowledge the invaluable contributions of changemakers, thought leaders, and innovators who laid the foundation and worked tirelessly to build an organisation that brings new, impactful solutions to our community’s challenges.


In this edition of our Lighthouse Community Newsletter, we celebrate those who have been part of our journey through our “10 Years of Milestones” feature. We are deeply grateful to everyone who has helped shape and grow our organisation. Special thanks also to the many board members, staff, volunteers, funders, partner organisations, and supporters who have, in true collective impact style, created an organisation that is well-positioned, respected, and responsive, with a proven record of delivering positive outcomes for our region’s young people, families, and community. Our region truly has so much to offer, and we’re proud to stand alongside the many businesses, organisations, and community groups contributing to a bright future.


Throughout our ten-year journey, we’ve learned that even small gestures can have a powerful impact. To mark our tenth anniversary, we remain focused on supporting the community through our 10 for 10 campaign. We invite our supporters to join us in making a difference by donating just $10 in honor of our ten years. Every contribution, will help us continue delivering better outcomes for young people in our community.


We’re delighted to have the Goulburn Murray Credit Union (GMCU) partnering with us for our 10 for 10 campaign. For the next week, until November 20, GMCU will double every donation! That means if you donate $10, GMCU will match it, turning your $10 donation into $20. Thank you, GMCU, for your amazing support! Thanks also to another long term partner Southern Cross Austereo (SCA) for their ongoing support with promoting our work at Lighthouse and this campaign.


Of course, our newsletter is full of inspiring stories and examples of how Lighthouse is working to support our community, along with those who are assisting us in our work. I hope you enjoy reading the stories in this edition of Lighthouse Community News.

Regards


Amy Robinson,

Executive Officer,

Greater Shepparton Lighthouse Project

arobinson@gslp.com.au

Celebrating 10 Years of Lighthouse


The Greater Shepparton Lighthouse Project was established in 2014 to ensure young people in our region have the support they need to reach their full potential and thrive. For the past ten years, we’ve been working to remove the barriers young people face. We’ve provided food, school shoes, and uniforms. We’ve helped cover travel expenses for medical appointments. Our Laptops with Love program provides refurbished laptops to students, while our Second Spin program delivers refurbished bikes. We also provide car seats and other essentials to young families. Our OLLY, Family Haven, and Pit Stop programs focus on creating pathways and opportunities for better outcomes.


Over these ten years, we’ve learned that even a small gesture can have a big impact. That’s why, for our tenth anniversary, we’re asking our community to donate a small amount so that, together, we can make a big difference. Donate $10 in honor of our ten-year anniversary and help us continue delivering better outcomes for young people in our community. All donations are tax-deductible.

Click here to DONATE $10 TODAY

Great news! Thanks to our funding partner Goulburn Murray Credit Union, you can double your donation from November 13-20! That means if you donate $10, GMCU will match it, turning your $10 donation into $20. All donations will stay in our region and help provide families and young people with what they need, when they need it. 

10 Years of Milestones

In celebrating 10 years we have the opportunity to acknowledge those who have been instrumental in founding the ambitious initiative that is the Greater Shepparton Lighthouse Project.


Reflecting on key milestones enables us to realise the impact of our work to date and stay the course into the next decade of the project.

READ MORE...

A new partnership delivers free laundry service

We have launched! On Tuesday, October 15, Orange Sky Australia, together with Lighthouse, St Alban's Anglican Church Mooroopna and Gouge launched a brand new laundry pod, providing free laundry services for people experiencing homelessness and hardship.

READ MORE...

A weekend with Reach

In August, Greater Shepparton Lighthouse Project staff member Amy De Paola had the unique opportunity to attend the Reach, 1000 Faces Camp, a transformative three-day experience designed to inspire and challenge both young people and adults. Organised by Reach, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering young Australians, the camp pairs young people from diverse backgrounds with adults from various professional sectors, creating an environment where growth, resilience, and self-discovery take center stage.

  READ MORE...  

Thanks for the support

Thanks to the Lions Club of Tallygaroopna for their recent $500 donation to our Family Haven program. The Club's donation will directly contribute to supporting families struggling with the cost of living pressures and our Family Haven Coordinator, Courtney Wilson, will ensure it reaches those who need it most. Lighthouse acknowledges that many service clubs such as Lions tirelessly fundraise to support organisations such as ours and we are enormously grateful for their support.

Pictured: Ron Jones from Tallygaroopna Lions with Family Haven Coordinator Courtney Wilson.

Lighthouse volunteer feature, meet Rosey

Rosey is a recent addition to the Lighthouse Crew having commenced volunteering earlier this year at both the Family Haven and in the kitchen at Mooroopna Park Primary School.


At the Family Haven, Rosey assists with a variety of tasks, including greeting families as they arrive and helping watch over babies and children, allowing parents and caregivers to enjoy their lunch in a relaxed environment.


"I really enjoy getting to know the children and interacting with their parents and grandparents at the Family Haven," Rosey shared. "It truly is a safe place for families to unwind and chat. Seeing the support that Courtney provides to these families is heartwarming. I feel so welcomed and appreciated, and it goes both ways—I’m gaining so much just by being able to brighten someone’s day."


Rosey’s involvement at Mooroopna Park Primary focuses on helping with the school’s Healthy Eating Program. She assists in the kitchen alongside Nina, preparing meals that fuel each student’s day.


"At Mooroopna Park Cafe, I see firsthand the difference that healthy food makes in each student’s day," said Rosey. "Nina prepares every meal with love, and I especially enjoy seeing a student's eager face at the window asking, 'What’s for lunch today?' Their faces light up when they hear what's on the menu."


Reflecting on her experience, Rosey expressed her gratitude: "I’m thankful for the opportunity to help and make a difference, simply by being myself and nothing more."



To learn more about Lighthouse's volunteering opportunities, visit www.gslp.com.au. Alternatively, contact our Primary Projects & Education Officer, Belinda Senini at 0417 011 695 or our Volunteer Coordinator Kathy Fuller at 0404 091 758.



10,000 plus books for our community

In August, the Lighthouse team joined in on the Bookweek fun at Verney Road School. Thanks to 123Read2Me who donated 10,000 books to share with our community, each Verney Road School student headed home with a bookbag filled with 5 books of their choice. Any community groups or schools interested in accessing books donated by 123Read2Me are welcome to contact us at info@gslp.com.au

Connecting with culture

Earlier this year the Lighthouse team headed to Rumbalara Aboriginal Co-Operative in Mooroopna to participate in their Cultural Tour. Led by Uncle Lance James and Aunty Cheryl Bourke, the tour provided the opportunity to learn about the history and traditions of local First Nations People.

READ MORE...

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