Cats Premiership Captain donates $20,000 to Cottage REEF program

A WHOPPING $20,000 donation from Geelong Cats premiership captain Joel Selwood will help Cottage by the Sea nurture more Year 6 and Year 7 students through their Respect, Education, Environment and Friendship (REEF) program in 2023.

Attending the College last Tuesday, Mr Selwood donated one of his $20,000 grants from winning the Jim Stynes Community Leadership Award at the Brownlow Medal in 2022 to the Cottage to help more children reach their potential in their education and career aspirations.

Cottage by the Sea Strategic Partnership Manager Bill Kerr said the Cottage was “over the moon” and very thankful to secure the grant from the recently retired footballer.

“Joel came out last Tuesday for the start of the St Leonards and Clifton Springs students REEF program and we were so impressed, it certainly wasn’t a token donation,” Kerr said.

“The $20,000 grant helps us to assist kids who identify as having a greater risk of disengaging in that transition from Year 6 to Year 7 studies.

“The program endeavours to give kids new opportunities and experiences from being nurtured and look after at primary school to making more decisions for themselves at high school.

“We really try to let the kids know how important it is to be engaged in their learning to set themselves up for success in life.

“It was awesome to see the kids engage with Joel and one of the children even asked him funnily enough if he was a lawn bowls player!”

Kerr said the REEF program aimed to instillconfidence in young people to empower them to make decisions and goals on their own.

Kerr said the Cottage continues to be humbled by the support of Mr Selwood and the greater community who help them to continue their empowering service.

“Joel and Paddy Dangerfield supported us last year as well with our Giving Day which is our biggest individual fundraiser,” he said.

“Joel and the Cats still continue to come out to have some fun and interact with the kids which is just great.”

The Cottage by the Sea’s REEF is a weekly program, with students attending the Cottage five times a year for two years through Year 6 and Year 7.

For more information, head to www.cottagebythesea.com.au/