Welcome to our October edition of our bi-monthly newsletter! Stay informed with community centre highlights, inspiring stories and upcoming events.

The past couple of months at the Varsity Lakes Community Resource Centre have been buzzing with activity! We kicked things off with the grand opening of our new Activity Centre, which was a fantastic way to showcase all the exciting opportunities we’re building here. For Seniors Month, we hosted a range of engaging events, including Get Online Week sessions aimed at boosting digital confidence, so much fun to see our seniors diving into tech!

Our school holiday workshops brought in lots of young faces, and, of course, we wrapped up with our spook-tacular annual Halloween event, bringing the community together for some frightful fun! It’s been wonderful connecting with so many in our community and seeing the Centre truly shine as a place for everyone.

A big thank you to our incredible volunteers, you make all of this possible, and we couldn’t do it without your hard work and dedication to our Centre and our community!

CEO - Elli Gardner

Grand Opening of the New Activity Centre:

The suspense is over!
By Raf - VLCRC Community Recovery Worker

We are excited to share that the VLCRC opened the doors to our new Activity Centre on September 11 and the grand opening was a resounding success! This facility represents a significant milestone for our community, enhancing our capacity to serve and symbolises growth and opportunity for Varsity Lakes. Our new Activity Centre is a vibrant space that fosters connection, engagement, and well-being among community members of all ages.

We extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us for the grand opening, especially Hermann Vorster, LNP Member Burleigh who assisted our Management Committee President, Chris Davis, in cutting the ribbon! Your support and enthusiasm made this moment possible, and we look forward to seeing you at the Activity Centre for future events and programs!

Highlights of the New Activity Centre:

• Community Programs: The centre will be a place to host a range of activities and workshops aimed at promoting health, creativity, and social interaction, ensuring there’s something for everyone.

• Flexible Space: With a versatile meeting room and kitchen, the centre can accommodate various events, from fitness classes to community gatherings.

• Available Afterhours: With its own accessible toilet facilities, kitchen and an independent entrance, this building will also be available for hire outside our trading hours.

VLCRC Annual General Meeting

On September 26, the Varsity Lakes Community Resource Centre held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) – a vital event where we review achievements, discuss financial updates, and share our vision for the future. AGMs are essential for promoting transparency, accountability, and providing a valuable opportunity for members to have a voice in the organisation’s governance. This year’s AGM was a testament to the power of community support, and we are grateful to all who attended.

Our CEO Elli presented a comprehensive AGM report, showcasing the Centre’s impactful programs and services that continue to strengthen and support our community.

We are pleased to announce that Chris Davis was re-elected as President, beginning his 7th year since taking on the role in 2018. Roslyn Duchateau will continue to serve as Secretary, with Julie French, Kristy Katene, and Matt Cartwright as board members, each bringing their unique expertise to the team.

Opportunities to Make a Difference:

VLCRC currently has openings on their Management Committee for both board member and Treasurer roles. If you have skills in financial management, leadership, or community development, consider joining our board! Your support could make a tremendous difference in achieving our goals for 2025 and beyond. Reach out to learn more or submit your expression of interest – everyone’s voice matters at VLCRC!

Holiday Happenings!

From Ideas to Action:

The Success of Our Young Entrepreneur Forum

By Jade - University Placement Student

During the school holidays, we launched an exciting opportunity for young people to participate in our Young Entrepreneur Forum, which was a resounding success and completely sold out! Our occupational therapy (OT) university placement students applied their textbook knowledge in a real-world setting by designing and hosting the forum, engaging 16 enthusiastic young participants. This platform allowed youth to share ideas and help create an entrepreneurship program tailored to their interests. The event included a BBQ lunch, barista-made drinks, prizes and plenty of fun.

After gathering all the ideas shared by the participants, the OT students created an additional program to further support young people. This program aims to equip youth (aged 10+) with essential entrepreneurial skills through engaging, practical sessions focused on communication, problem-solving, marketing, and financial literacy. The OT students are dedicated to helping youth overcome barriers such as lack of confidence and business knowledge, empowering them with opportunities for growth and leadership.

A big thank you to all the participants and everyone who helped make this forum for youth a success!

Our Christmas holiday workshops are only just around the corner!

Make sure you follow our Humanitix page for all our events and workshop details.

A Star Volunteer for Nourish Our Neighbourhood:

Flourishing partnerships of community connections

By Breanna - University Placement Student

This month, we want to shine the spotlight on Elise, a wonderful volunteer who has been an integral part of our Nourish Our Neighbourhood program at VLCRC. Elise joined us in April 2024 after recently graduating from high school in 2023. Since then, she has grown significantly in her role, making a lasting impact on both our team and the community we serve. Elise has quickly become a key figure in the program, where she leads the setup of produce and has built strong, meaningful relationships with our regular service users. She expresses that she loves being a part of Nourish Our Neighbourhood, not only because it’s fun but also because it allows her to contribute to the community in a rewarding way.

Through her volunteering, Elise has expanded her communication, leadership, and organisational skills, all while gaining a deeper sense of confidence in her abilities.

In addition to her volunteer work at VLCRC, Elise is a dedicated volunteer at Bunnings, and Surf World which have all contributed to her personal growth and expanded skill set. Whether it’s through setting up events, managing tasks, or simply offering a helping hand, Elise consistently brings her bubbly energy and dedication to every role she takes on.

Leanne, who has been supporting Elise through GenNow since January shares how proud she is of Elise’s transformation. Leanne has shared how amazing it’s been to watch Elise grow in confidence, take charge of the setup, and lead the program. She loves seeing Elise connect with both service users and staff and is incredibly proud of the positive impact she has on everyone she interacts with.

Beyond her volunteering, Elise enjoys spending time with her family and friends, taking cruises, and enjoying holidays with loved ones. She also has a passion for singing, karaoke, and baking (especially cookies!). Elise also thoroughly enjoys and excels in her sports, having represented Queensland in a basketball competition in Melbourne in 2023.

Elise’s journey with VLCRC exemplifies how volunteering builds confidence, fosters new skills, and creates meaningful community connections. Thank you, Elise, for everything you do - you truly are a superstar!

Back to where it all began:

At the heart of VLCRC is our inspiring CEO, Elli, who has played a pivotal role in fostering community engagement since her journey began in 2016. During her Social Welfare degree placement, Elli met Matt, the now visionary CEO of GenNow. Their professional connection was instant, and it was clear that their paths would cross again.

After leaving his teaching role to launch GenNow, Matt soon discovered that Elli was running things at VLCRC. With a shared commitment to community development, Matt sought a location to run programs that would benefit our young people. Elli welcomed this opportunity, recognising the potential for their collaboration to enhance community awareness and involvement.

The partnership blossomed as both leaders shared a vision for an inclusive and connected community. Their organisations prioritise creating safe, respectful, and supportive relationships, and empowering individuals through participation in social activities. Over the past two years, with the invaluable support from Elli and VLCRC, GenNow has grown from humble beginnings to a thriving service provider.

Volunteers from GenNow have become an integral part of our community initiatives, supporting programs like Nourish Our Neighbourhood, Friday playgroup, the coffee cart, and various functions at VLCRC. These opportunities not only help strengthen community ties but also allow individuals to build skills, gain confidence, and pave the way for future employment.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the amazing volunteers from GenNow who dedicate so much time to supporting the VLCRC community. A special thank you to Matt and Elli for creating this opportunity for both the centre and the incredible young people at GenNow. We eagerly anticipate all the wonderful developments that will arise from this foundation of friendship in the future.

We are grateful to Second Bite, Kings Community Care and Robina Woolworths for supplying the resources that allow us to run Nourish Our Neighbourhood on Mondays and Thursdays at 9:00am to support our community.

Thriving Financially Mini Expo:
Community comes together to celebrate Seniors Month!

By Raf - VLCRC Community Recovery Worker

Our recent Financially Mini Expo, held at the VLCRC during Seniors Month in October, was a fantastic experience. The event brought seniors from Varsity Lakes and surrounding suburbs together to explore ways to improve financial literacy, health, and well-being in an interactive, supportive environment.

Highlights of the Expo

Attendees engaged with financial experts at various stalls, gaining insights on budgeting, saving, investing, and retirement planning, along with tailored advice for their financial decisions. The Be Connected booth was particularly popular, providing seniors with tips for safely navigating smartphones, tablets, and computers, boosting their confidence in using digital platforms for financial literacy and online services.

Participants enjoyed a hands-on potting activity, planting succulents to take home. With live entertainment, including a magician and music, the event created a relaxed atmosphere where attendees mingled, shared experiences, and enjoyed refreshments, emphasising that financial literacy and wellness are best achieved together.

We are grateful to everyone who attended and contributed to making the Thriving Financially Mini Expo a success. Stay tuned for future events focused on empowering our senior community with essential skills, resources, and support, we look forward to welcoming you!
 

A heartfelt thank you to all of our sponsors with special appreciation to Lisa Simpson from GC Flag. Your invaluable support made this event possible, and we are truly grateful for your partnership and commitment!

Halloween Event:

The most awaited party of the year and our biggest one yet!

By Raf - VLCRC Community Recovery Worker

Event Highlights:

The Halloween Party was a spook-tacular success, with families reveling in Halloween-themed activities that sparked creativity and excitement in the playground area. Kids had a blast with colourful face painting and balloon twisting, creating amazing Halloween shapes that tickled their imaginations. Attendees indulged in tasty treats from food stalls, enjoying Halloween drinks, fairy floss, popcorn, sizzling sausages, and spooky cupcakes that delighted every little monster. The obstacle course and jumping castle kept the little ghouls active and entertained, while lively DJ music filled the air, inviting everyone to dance on the disco floor. Our mad scientists added to the fun with their entertaining antics, and the Mad Hatter's tea party featured our very own life-sized rabbit, delighting all who joined in. You may have even been wowed by our magician, dazzling everyone with tricks and illusions. For those brave enough, they dared to enter our haunted hallway and library, where spooky surprises awaited. A whimsical fortune teller added a touch of intrigue with fun predictions, and the classic trick-or-treating tradition delighted children as they collected sweets. Throughout the festivities, our Boo Boo Station ensured that the first aid support team was on-site, making sure everyone had a safe and enjoyable experience.

The event was enriched by partnerships with local organisations, such as Hyped Performing Arts school, Little Kickers, The Messy Place, Coastal Babysitters and the Leo’s Club from Robina State High School, which added exciting activations, delish treats and entertainment options to the mix.

A big thank you to our dedicated event team, volunteers, and everyone who attended, making the VLCRC Halloween Party a resounding success!

Get Online Week:
Building our Senior's Community confidence in navigating online!

By Raf - VLCRC Community Recovery Worker

In partnership with the Good Things Foundation, VLCRC celebrated Get Online Week with two engaging events to improve digital skills and confidence for our seniors and multicultural community members. The sessions were designed to support community members in navigating today’s online world easily and safely. Our participants had the chance to win a $300 gift card just for joining us! Each session offered friendly, interactive learning spaces and guidance on taking their next steps in the digital realm.

Feedback from participants has been overwhelmingly positive, with many reporting increased digital confidence. Get Online Week highlighted our commitment to fostering a digitally inclusive community. Thank you to everyone who joined us!