The Victorian State Government matched the first five years of Give Where You Live Foundation’s funding for GROW with a commitment of $1 million.
On Friday, 15 September, Minister for Regional Development Jaala Pulford and Member for Geelong Christine Couzens met with GROW signatories to hear practical examples of how they are using local procurement and targeted employment to address disadvantage.
Attending the event were Barwon Water (MD Tracey Slatter and staff), Avalon Airport (CEO Justin Giddings) Etheridge Cleaning and Maintenance Services (GM Neville Coots) and Hamlan Homes (GM Andrew Carroll). Bill Mithen (CEO Give Where You Live Foundation) and Elaine Carbines (CEO G21-Geelong Region Alliance) facilitated the event.
Minister Pulford also met with former Barwon Water trainee Danelle Vanos and Etheridge employee Steven Cuddy, who have been supported into jobs with these GROW compact signatories by our partners, Northern Futures and Whittington Works Alliance.
Minister Pulford provided the following quote: “GROW is an innovative community-led response to job creation and local procurement and we’re proud to back this important project”.
Read more here in the Media Release
