Bethany hosts a series of annual events that enhance the work we do in the community. We acknowledge the generous support we receive from our Community partners to make these events happen.

• Geelong Father of the Year Award (Sept)
• The 2009 Bethany Arthouse Film Festival
• Bay FM Bethany Giving Tree Appeal (Nov- Dec)
• Bethany Children’s Christmas Party (Dec)
  

2009 Geelong Father of the Year Award

2009 Geelong Father of the Year

Nicholas Oakes with daughter Caitlyn who's nomination won

him the 2009 Geelong Father of the Year Award

350 Geelong Business and Community leaders watched this morning as Nicholas Oakes was awarded the 2009 Geelong Father of the Year.

Caitlyn, Nicholas's 9 year old daughter, nominated her dad and used his name to spell out her thoughts about how she feels about him.

Caitlyn for her efforts recieved a $200 savings account from sponsors of the event the Bendigo Bank , whilst Nicholas received prizes which included an overnight stay in Melbourne for his family along with dinner , tour of the MCG and a framed family portrait.

During the morning the guests at the breakfast award heard from guest speaker Nathan Thompson about his challenges with depression and fatherhood.

Launch of 2009 Geelong Father of the Year Award

Photo courtesy of Ferne Millen Photography

At the launch of the 2009 Geelong Father of the Year Award the children of Corio Primary school were treated to a performance from Indonesian Masked Dancer Jayadi.

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

The award is designed to higlight the important role men play in children's lives and encourages children of all ages to write about the special man in their life who could be their dad, granddad, uncle , brother, family friend or someone who is special to them.

To download a copy of the entry form Click Here

The winner of the award is announced at a Breakfast event on Friday 4 September at the Geelong Football Clubs Fred Flannagan room.

Tables are $300 and seat ten people . This year the guest speaker is ex AFL star Nathan Thompson and as always the event is hosted by Ian Cover.

For bookings contact Julie Stefanoff on  5245 2818 .

About the Father of the Year Award

What makes your dad special? Children in the Greater Geelong region have the opportunity to nominate their father (grandfather, uncle or someone who is like a father to them) for the annual Geelong Father of the Year Award.

Now in its nineth year the award is a partnership between Bethany Community Support, Geelong Advertiser and the Rotary Club of Geelong and is proudly sponsored by the Bendigo Bank.

The award celebrates fatherhood through children's eyes and acknowledges the important role men play in families. The Award also increases awareness of Bethany's Men and Family Relationships Program and compliments the work done in local primary schools through the PAKS (Parents and Kids) program.

The winner of the Geelong Father of the Year Award is announced at an Awards Breakfast held on the friday before Fathers Day, 4 September, at the Geelong Football Club. The MC for the breakfast is ABC's Coodabeen Champion, Ian Cover, and this years special guest speaker is Nathan Thompson, ex-AFL footballer, beyondblue ambassador and father of three. Read Nathan's bio here. Tickets to the breakfast go on general release (subject to availability) on 20 July 2009.

Entry forms for nominations will be distributed through the schools at the start of term three and will be printed in the Geelong Advertiser in July.

The winning dad and his family will receive a range of fabulous prizes and all nominated dads have their names published in the Fathers Day edition of the Geelong Advertiser on Friday 4 September. The child who nominates their winning dad, also receives a prize of a $200 Bendigo Bank Saving Account. All the schools who have participating students go in the draw for a special schools prize of a digital camera valued at $300 kindly donated by Maxwell Collins Real Estate.

The winning dad receives;

• family rail pass, courtesy of V/Line

• overnight accomodation in Melbourne

• dining voucher valued at $100

• a family pass from Museum Victoria to either Melbourne Museum, Scienceworks or Immigration Museum

• a family pass to the National Sports Museum and MCG Tour

• a 12 month Family pass to the City of Greater Geelong Swim Sport and Leisure Centres, courtesy of the City of Greater Geelong

• a framed family portrait awarded by the Geelong Advertiser

• a pamper pack valued at $130 courtesy of Jayk, Body Salon for Men

• a plaque to mark the occasion presented by the Rotary Club of Geelong

For any further information please contact

Julie Stefanoff - 5245 2818 or

jstefanoff@bethany.org.au

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Proudly sponsored by

Proud sponsor of the Schools Prize

The 2009 Bethany Arthouse Film Festival

The Bethany Arthouse Film Festival is run in partnership with the Geelong Performing Arts Centre (GPAC) and has a loyal following of local film buffs.

The Festival aims to bring a broad range of arthouse films to the Geelong community and in 2009, for the 12th Annual Bethany Arthouse Film Festival, we once again present films from around the world .

All films screen at 8pm in the Ford Theatre at Geelong Performing Arts Centre, 50 Little Malop Street, Geelong and tickets are now available through the box office - Phone 5225 1200 or at www.gpac.org.au.

Season Tickets

$70 per person $50 concession

Single Tickets

$17 per person $11 concession

Provides entry into a single film on the festival program.

Box Office hours:

Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm

Saturday 9am - 1 pm

1 hour prior to each screening

Proceeds from the Bethany Arthouse Film Festival have been used to fund a range of practical needs for Bethany's clients. These have included school uniforms, shoes and reading glasses for children, swimming classes for clients through the disability program, play equipment and much more.

To download a borchure for the 2009 Bethany Arthouse Film Festival Click Here

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Geelong Performing Arts Centre (GPAC)

Launch of the 2008 Bay FM Bethany Giving Tree Appeal

Friday 21 November 3.30pm Geelong Waterfront adjacent to the Carousel

For the past 6 years more than 4000 children, teenagers and families in the Geelong region, who have experienced a difficult year, have received some Christmas cheer through the Bay FM Bethany Giving Tree Appeal.

Bay FM and Bethany have created a unique event that is focussed on giving locally on the shared understanding that supporting the community is a collective responsibility including everyone. Our motto is that the community is everyone's business as we all share the same backyard.

This years event will be launched on Friday 16 November at the Geelong Waterfront .

Bethany have formed a unique partnership, with eleven local community service organisations who work with families, children, adolescents and adults who are significantly disadvantaged and marginalised and who often face significant hardship in day to day living.

These organisations are: Barwon Youth,; Family Focus Counselling; Time for Youth ; Bethany Community Support; Community Connections; Glastonbury Child and Family Services; MacKillop Family Services; St Laurence; Salvation Army - Kardinia Women's and Men's services; Wathaurong Aboriginal Cooperative; and Women's Refuge and Outreach Services

A number of public Giving Christmas Trees are placed around key sites in the community, such as Bendigo Bank branches, KFC outlets, Kevin Paisley Fashion Eyewear, and City of Greater Geelong Customer Service Centres. The community can place a gift under the tree for a child, family or an adolescent who may not otherwise receive a gift on Christmas morning.

The appeal also encourages and invites local businesses to consider placing a Giving Tree in their workplace for their employees to donate gifts. This has grown over the past three years as businesses state that they want to know that their giving is going locally.

All gifts are collected by local Rotary and Lions Club volunteers and the generous support of Josie’s Transport and are sorted at Bethany’s office in North Geelong. The eleven community agencies pick up the gifts and distribute them to the children and families who they support on a daily basis.

The generosity of individuals and local business through this appeal is to be encouraged and with the cooperation of our business partners and the coordination of 11 community organisations across Geelong, the appeal continues to provide a unique service to those in need at Christmas time.

It's a real show of community spirit!

To be involved in future Bay FM Bethany Giving Tree Appeals contact Julie Stefanoff on 5245 2818

Bethany Children's Christmas Party

The Children's Christmas party is for all families involved in Bethany Community Supports programs that have experienced a difficult year.

The invitation-only event is an opportunity for the kids and parents to celebrate Christmas and meet Santa who presents each child with a special Christmas gift (generously donated by Target Australia).

Each year, more than 300 children walk away with a smile on their face at the end of the day!

This event is made possible thanks to the support of local businesses and individuals who not only provide the monetary means to make this event happen, but attend the event themselves and enjoy the day.

Given the nature of the event, no publicity is sort and donors remain anonymous, making their contributions even more significant.

A parent who attended a previous party with her son wrote to Bethany. Her words echoed those of other parents attending:

'I just wanted to let you know how much I appreciated the Christmas Party. My son and I really needed something happy to happen and we had the best time at your party and he loved the presents and rides… it was the most relaxed we have been for a while … we raved about it for days.

That's all we could talk about. Thank you Bethany and especially all the people who gave up their time and energy to give my son and I a great time. It has given me the biggest hug'

If you would like to support the Children's Christmas party contact jstefanoff@bethany.org.au

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