GeelongPort and Give Where You Live Foundation to kickstart fundraising campaign for Northern Futures by matching donations

A community campaign to save a key northern suburbs service will see fellow not-for-profit Give Where You Live and GeelongPort match donations for the embattled organisation.

Call for help: Northern Futures’ Bryan Moore, Andrew Palmer and Elaine Carbines with Give Where You Live Foundation chief executive Bill Mithen and GeelongPort boss Brett Winter.

A community campaign to save to Norlane-based Northern Futures will see fellow not-for-profit Give Where You Live and GeelongPort match donations for the embattled organisation.

The trio have labelled Wednesday December 6 as “giving day” after Northern Futures made public its dire financial situation that could see it close its doors after the state government cut its funding.

An online fundraiser will run throughout December and for its launch day Give Where You Live Foundation and Geelong Port will combine to match donations up to $60,000.

A target of $120,000 has been set and all donations are tax deductible.

Give Where You Live chief executive Bill Mithen said access to education and quality employment opportunities helped improve their life outcomes.

“Unfortunately, there are still many people in our community who either don’t have access or have barriers to participation in education and employment,” he said.

“Northern Futures has a high success rate of supporting people into employment … their approach includes pre-employment training, foundational skills development, and mentoring.

Northern Futures put the call out for urgent financial assistance so it could continue to run its training and mentoring programs for residents of the 3214 postcode – Norlane, Corio and North Shore.

The organisation has operated since July using its limited cash reserves after the state Labor government did not renew contracts worth $1.5m in its 2023-24 budget.

GeelongPort chief Brett Winter said he had seen first-hand the meaningful impact Northern Futures had in what is the state’s most disadvantaged suburbs.

Northern Futures chief executive Andrew Palmer and board chair Rob Birch. Photo: Alison Wynd.

“GeelongPort has been part of the social fabric of North Geelong for more than 150 years, and we believe when the community calls for help, it’s important that local businesses step up to the plate to lend a hand,” he said.

The 10.1 per cent unemployment rate in Corio-Norlane is almost three times greater than the state figure.

Northern Futures chair Rob Birch thanked both organisations for their generosity and encouraged both corporate and community support for the campaign.

He hopes Northern Futures could find the required money in the short-term before funding was reinstated in the 2024-25 state budget.

Local MP Ella George Ms George described the organisation’s work as “life changing”.

“I am committed to advocating for Northern Futures,” she said.

Donations can be made here.

‘Deeply concerned’: Northern Futures faces closure

An organisation that plays a pivotal role in helping residents of Geelong’s most disadvantaged suburbs find work may be forced to close its doors after the state government cut its funding.

Norlane-based Northern Futures has put an urgent call out for financial assistance so it can continue to run its training and mentoring programs for residents of the 3214 postcode – Norlane, Corio and North Shore.

Board chair Rob Birch said $200,000 was needed for the programs to continue for the remainder of the financial year.

The organisation has operated since July using its limited cash reserves after the state Labor government did not renew contracts worth $1.5m in its 2023-24 budget.

“We have a proven track record in helping people transform their lives,” Mr Birch said.

“Our programs combine training and intensive mentoring to get people into jobs, but without immediate financial support we won’t be able to run our training programs in 2024.

“We’re exploring every avenue to continue our services, but without an immediate injection of funds we may be forced to close our doors.”

Northern Futures has gone public with its plight after unsuccessfully lobbying locals MPs to plug the funding gap.

It is understood local state MPs Ella George and Chris Couzens want to help but have been unsuccessful with their requests to Treasurer Tim Pallas.

Ms George described the organisation’s work as “life changing”.“I am committed to advocating for Northern Futures,” she said.

The most recent Census found Norlane was the most disadvantaged community in the state.

On average, households earned $926 per week, compared to Greater Geelong’s average of $1592.

The unemployment rate in Corio-Norlane of 10.1 per cent is almost three times greater than the state figure.

Northern Futures launched in 2008 and has provided one-on-one intensive support to more than 100 people each year, helping them to overcome multiple barriers to employment.

Almost 80 per cent of people who completed its training programs in 2022 found employment.

Northern Futures chair Rob Birch. Photo: Alan Barber.

“Northern Futures urgently calls on the state government to recognise the entrenched disadvantage in Corio-Norlane, and to reconsider its decision not to renew Northern Futures’ contracts,” Mr Birch said.

“We also appeal to local businesses and philanthropic organisations to lend their support and help bridge the funding gap, ensuring the continuity of Northern Futures’ vital programs and services.”

Asked whether emergency funding was being considered, a state government spokeswoman said it continued to partner with Northern Futures.

“The Victorian government has committed $35m over two years to deliver employment services to Victorians who need the most support, in the locations of highest need, including the Work and Learning Centre in Corio-Norlane that is run by Northern Futures,” the spokeswoman said.

Mr Birch said he hoped Northern Futures could find the required money in the short-term and then funding be reinstated in the 2024-25 budget.

Board member Elaine Carbines said she was “deeply concerned” about Northern Futures’ situation.

A survey of 56 Geelong business leaders earlier this year found that improving economic and educational outcomes for residents of Geelong’s most disadvantaged suburbs must be a key measure of success for the region.

“It’s an area which we all, in a sense, have responsibility for,” KPMG’s Matthew Fletcher said.

Originally published as GeelongPort and Give Where You Live Foundation to kickstart fundraising campaign for Northern Futures by matching donations