Buddiup lodges plans for former Elizabeth St, Geelong West repair shop

A disability support service that aims to help men live healthier lives is seeking to establish a new home base in Geelong West.

Buddiup Geelong has plans to move into a site on Elizabeth St, Geelong West.

An organisation helping Geelong men with disabilities lead healthier lives is preparing to move into a new home base.

Plans have been lodged with council for Buddiup to establish itself on Elizabeth St in Geelong West.

Buddiup Geelong managing director Nathan Braddock said the organisation provided a range of programs for men with disabilities to help them to live healthy.

He said the main program was the Step Up Program which was full days focusing on Buddiup’s key pillars of health, relationships, community and learning.

The programs have been running out of Newtown Football Club facilities, however Mr Braddock said the plan was to always find a home base.

“Newtown Football Club has been unbelievable in helping us get Buddiup off the ground in Geelong,” he said.

“The footy club is a pretty special place to me and I am super thankful for what they have done to enable me to provide our programs and opportunities for these boys.”

Mr Braddock said a home base would provide more than just a building for participants.

Buddiup Geelong managing director Nathan Braddock. Picture: Alan Barber

He said it was important to have a central location close to shops, cafes and the community the participants were a part of.

“It will provide a place of belonging, somewhere a lot like a footy club, somewhere they can come and feel safe, be themselves and create friendships and build on those healthy habits,” he said.

“It will be a base to run our programs for participants to do their exercises, their learning and a place for social connection.

“We do a lot of life skills work because what we aim to create is healthy life habits and life skills to give them independence to build capability and confidence to be the best versions of themselves.”

The cost of development is estimated to be $30,000.

The planning documents indicated any alterations would have minimal impact on the heritage significance of the building.

It was built in 1954-55 by Eric Radford as a bicycle repairs workshop, then sold in 1977 with Graeme Kent Appliance Repairs operating there until June 2023.

Mr Braddock, who has a background in construction, said the changes to the site would improve how it looked without the bright red advertising that had been previously in place.

He said the timeline for moving into the building was dependent on the planning process. “Internally there will be minimal changes but we need to make it accessible and comfortable for everyone coming in,” he said.

“We will fit it out with a breakout space, some gym equipment, a space to do our learning and we’ll have space to prepare our healthy lunches.”

Originally published as Buddiup lodges plans for former Elizabeth St, Geelong West repair shop