Bulldogs foundation opens local office

THE Western Bulldogs Community Foundation has officially opened a new Ballarat office.

The space within the Ballarat Foundation’s Giving Hub at Hugh Williamson House, Lydiard Street south, will support the organisation in delivering grassroots community wellbeing programs across the region.

The foundation harnesses the power of sport to deliver programs aiming to change lives and help people thrive.

It has a particular focus on boosting inclusion and diversity, supporting young and First Nations people, advancing gender equity, preventing family violence, and improving overall community welbeing.

Foundation chair Jenny Taing said the opening of the office honours the organisation’s strong commitment to serving Ballarat and helping more people.

“We’re celebrating a momentous occasion in the history of the foundation,” she said. “It’s our very first office outside of Whitten Oval, right in the heart of Ballarat.

“Earlier today we had our very first board meeting here, and what a delight it was. We’re so excited to hold more meetings here and look forward to this new home being a safe, warm and inclusive place for the community.

“The Western Bulldogs is known as the community club of the AFL… and the foundation was established in 2012. This city and the people of Ballarat have been an integral part of our community heartland.

“It was only natural for us to establish ourselves here, in this office with the Ballarat Foundation, and in this building named after Hugh Williamson, an important Ballarat-born philanthropist who has given so much to this community, to Victoria and Australia.”

The foundation programs include Sons of the West, Daughters of the West, Nallei Jerring, and more, and reach thousands of people between Footscray and the South Australlan border.