Contribution: Retiring GSF director Rhys Holleran with the Lift Off Scholarship program interview panel, from left, Phil Squire, Mary-Ann Linehan, Rhys Holleran, Elizabeth Capp and Amanda McCulloch.
The Greater Shepparton Foundation builds partnerships and collaborations to connect the needs of the local community with essential resources and skills to tackle and disrupt the cycle of disadvantage. The Foundation Features series will help shine a light on those driving change through innovative initiatives, as well as highlight community organisations that align with the foundation’s purpose.
I was lucky enough to be invited to join the great group of people who make up the Greater Shepparton Foundation around five years ago. I have recently moved out of the area, so I have reluctantly had to step away. I did want to leave some thoughts as a final contribution on my time on the board and its impact in the community and indeed on my own life.
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GSF was set up from the foundations set by its predecessor body, the Community Fund Goulburn Valley. Its role is to amplify good work in the community, identify any gaps and put funders together with organisations in need to create better outcomes in the community.
In my time I have been part of many projects that fulfil that mission. Whether it was a grant for a new compressor at a local Men’s Shed, which with the right gear can complete a toilet block for another community group, or African House, which through the difficulties of COVID-19 was unable to get any income from its facility, GSF lent a hand so they in turn could keep providing a service to their communities and help to get them back to self-sufficiency. These are tangible, practical and worthwhile things.
A lasting memory for me has been the Lift Off Education Scholarship program for students entering tertiary studies. The scholarships that GSF provides to these young people are important but more important is listening to their stories of overcoming setbacks and challenges to succeed. I have found these scholarships to be some of GSF’s best work. The fact we believe in them is the real success.
I am pleased the directors have passed the chair role to Mark DePaola. Like the rest of our board, Mark will be a huge asset to Greater Shepparton Foundation. In closing, I just want to say thank you!
Yours sincerely,
Rhys Holleran
Retiring Greater Shepparton Foundation board director and past chair
