October 28, 2020

Fresh new space at Gateways Community PLACE thanks to local Kiwanis club

Visitors to Gateways Community PLACE, Geelong, can enjoy a fresh new outdoor space thanks to the generosity of the local Kiwanis Club.

Led by Kiwanis Geelong immediate past President and Gateways Support Services life member George Welsh, a team of four Kiwanis donated labour and materials to clean, stain and paint the deck area outside the soon-to-open café at the new North Geelong community space.

‘I read about Gateways’ new Thompson Rd site in the newsletter and wanted to know how our group might be able to help,’ says George who, with wife Marjorie, has been a Gateways Interchange Host for more than 30 years. ‘The deck seemed like a great place to get started.’

George and Marjorie first became involved in the Gateways Interchange program after seeking a Host for their own daughter, Fiona.

As well as setting up that special friendship for Fiona, the couple soon realised that they could also help other families in similar situations by becoming Interchange Hosts themselves; a rewarding commitment that George says benefited their own family as well as those they supported.

While Fiona has sadly passed away, George and Marjorie continue to Host children and youth.

‘We’ve never been empty nesters,’ George laughs. ‘Life has been pretty good to us, so we like to find ways to give back.’

Kiwanis is a worldwide service organisation that has operated in Geelong since 1972 and works to assist charitable organisations in caring for the disadvantaged and children with a disability.

Learn more about the rewarding experience of becoming an Interchange Host or Buddy