Working to expand reach and connection

CLOVERDALE Community Centre chief executive officer Liz Bonner has the privilege of leading an organisation that is deeply rooted in community development and social

justice. Day-to-day, her role is a balance of strategic leadership, advocacy and hands-on support.

“I work closely with our team, board and community partners to ensure that we continue to provide vital programs and services that foster inclusion, education and connection,”she says.

“One moment, I might be working on funding proposals or meeting with stakeholders to strengthen our impact, and the next I’m on the ground with our staff, engaging with community members and ensuring our programs remain responsive to their needs. At the heart of it all is the core belief that strong, connected communities create lasting change.”

One of Liz’s proudest achievements to date has been expanding Cloverdale’s reach and expanding its impact, particularly for those experiencing social isolation and disadvantage.

“The neighbourhood house sector has always been about grassroots solutions, about people, particularly women, coming together to address the challenges they were facing,” she says.

“At Cloverdale, we have built on that legacy by creating spaces where people feel valued, heard and able to build power in their own lives and communities.”

Liz believes that women have always been the backbone of the for-purpose sector, explaining that the neighbourhood house movement was born from women organising in their local communities, creating safe, welcoming spaces where

people could access support, combat social isolation and build stronger futures.

“Despite their immense contributions, many women working in the sector remain under-recognised and underpaid. Due to chronic underfunding, countless women in neighbourhood houses and community organisations work in insecure or part-time roles, not because they lack skills or commitment, but because funding simply does not match the scale of the work they do,”she says.

“And yet, they continue to give their time, energy and expertise for the benefit of their communities.”

Liz believes the for-purpose sector thrives on the leadership of these women, yet it often fails to provide them with the stability and recognition they deserve.

“Addressing this inequity should be a priority, ensuring that those who dedicate themselves to community work are properly valued and supported,” she says.

Steph Davie is the commercial property manager for Costa Asset Management, overseeing a commercial portfolio of about 45 sites which includes daily operations, leasing and capital upgrades for each of the sites.

She was introduced to the for-purpose sector when she was elected to the board of the Lazarus Community Centre in 2021, and since then she has been responsible for grant management and fundraising at the centre before she was elected as its chair in 2023.

At Lazarus, one of Steph’s most notable achievements has been the successful receipt of the Stage 1 permit for the centre’s refurbishment.

“It has been a three-year process where we will successfully penetrate the Old Geelong Gaol, with approval required from Heritage Victoria,” she says.

“The refurbished space will allow us to increase capacity for all, provide an updated kitchen for our wonderful volunteers, and provide our clients with additional showers, toilets, a new laundry and a far larger, more welcoming environment.”

Steph believes women in Geelong are at the forefront when it comes to addressing critical social issues such as gender equality, homelessness, mental health and domestic violence.

“Through leadership roles in organisations, women bring a unique perspective and their influence drives vital initiatives,” she says.

“Women’s involvement in grassroots initiatives and volunteering is a crucial driver of community cohesion in Geelong, and women are often the backbone when it comes to organising events, building partnerships and leading boards to create stronger, more supportive communities.”

Steph believes that every day should be International Women’s Day.

“The amount of heavy lifting conducted by women in the Geelong community is remarkable and it often goes unnoticed,”she says.