Launch of the 2008 Geelong Father of the Year Award

On Thursday 17 July  the 2008 Geelong Father of the Year Award was launched at Whittington Primary School.

The Award is a partnership between Bethany, the Geelong Advertiser and the Rotary Club of Geelong and sponsored by the Bendigo Bank.

Each year primary and secondary school children can enter the Award by writing in and telling us why his or her father or father figure should be Geelong's best Dad.

Last year entries where received from across the region. This year the winning dad will be announced, in front of a crowd of more than 390, at the breakfast awards ceremony to be held on 5 September at the Geelong Football Club.

This years special guest speakers at the Breakfast are father and daughter, broadcasters, Tim and Sam Lane and the MC is as always, Coodabeen Champion Ian Cover. The breakfast award ceremony is now sold out.

For more information about the 2008 Geelong Father of the Year Award and to view the fantastic prizes, click here.

if you would like to enter the Award  you can download a copy of the entry form by clicking the link below or contact Melanie Pearce at Bethany on 5278 8122.

Entry Form

Bethany 's 140th Anniversary Celebrations

Professor David de Kretser, AC,

Governor of Victoria

Photo courtesy Ferne Millen Photography

On 22 May Bethany held a dinner to celebrate 140 years of Supporting and Strengthening the Community which was attended by Bethany's Patron the Governor of Victoria, Professor David de Kretser, AC (pictured) and the Hon Lisa Neville MP, Minister for Mental Health, Senior Victorians and Community Services.

The dinner was a celebration of an agency that has remained on its original site for 140 years.

During the evening the Governor also launched Bethany's latest book, which covers the last 30 years of the agency.

Last year Bethany commissioned local author Susan Kruss to write the new book titled. Bethany: Serving the Community. A Social History, 1977-2007.

This book in conjunction with an earlier book by Shurlee Swain written in 1975 titled A Refuge at Kildare ensures that the rich history of the organisation and the stories within it are documented for future generations.

Copies of both books are available and can be purchased for $16.50 (plus P&P ).

For more information or to place an order call Julie Stefanoff on 5245 2822

Bethany 140th Anniversary Building Appeal

Photo: Mr Robert Costa Appeal Patron

On 13 November, Bethany launched its 140th Anniversary Building Development Appeal.

The Appeal Patron Mr Robert Costa spoke to the assembled guests about the importance of the work that Bethany does within the broader community and also announced two major donations to the appeal.

The Costa Family Foundation have pledged $150,000.00 to the appeal whilst the Howard Glover Perpetual Charitable Trust through United Way Geelong have pledged $100,000.00.

If you would like to know more about the appeal click here.