IT\u2019S A LONG way from Edinburgh to Armstrong Creek, but Nina Bendon is an expert at making connections.<\/p>\n
She\u2019s also across everything from health and well-being services, sports activities and charity fund-raisers to all manner of family and community engagements.<\/p>\n
As newly-appointed community development officer at the ever-surging Warralily estate, Nina is in her element helping the young community of over 6500 residents connect at work, rest and play.<\/p>\n
Nina also works for the YMCA at the new Armstrong Creek School community hub, which opened in January.<\/p>\n
The hub is managed by the YMCA outside school hours to provide before\/after school care, holiday and other community programs.<\/p>\n
Nina said her YMCA community engagement role is to help people use the hub\u2019s state-of-the-art learning and community facilities including multipurpose conference, therapy and interview rooms.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am working with local community groups to help them initiate sports clubs, community groups and social activities in the Armstrong Creek School spaces.\u201d<\/p>\n
Her tandem Warralily and YMCA posts aim to kick start connections between residents and with the broader Geelong and Surf Coast community.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s all about creating an independent and sustainable community for the future,\u201d Nina said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI also facilitate and strengthen local business connections and embed an understanding of their significance in continued community development.\u201d<\/p>\n
Nina lives in Torquay and arrived by way of Scotland where she worked for The University of Edinburgh as sport and exercise membership and marketing manager and, more recently, Melbourne.<\/p>\n
\u201cWorking with the university my mission was to create a memorable experience for the student body and promote participation and health and wellbeing,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI returned to Melbourne and began working for the YCMA, who are passionate about supporting and nurturing connections within the community.<\/p>\n
Nina said a great example of the work she does was with local Auskick.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have been supporting the establishment of the Armstrong Creek and Mount Duneed NAB Auskick Centre at the Armstrong Creek School.<\/p>\n
\u201cWarralily have very generously sponsored their team and are now attracting upwards of 60 participants per session.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese sessions are not only a place where children can learn the basics of fitness conditioning, how to train and practice and the importance of health and nutrition.<\/p>\n
\u201cFamilies and the community of Armstrong Creek and surrounds will benefit from a local opportunity for safe quality family time, the opportunity to engage with children and other families, enhanced family and non-family support networks and importantly improved community health.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a very exciting time for the Warralily community. I feel very fortunate to be part of establishing great foundations for the future.<\/p>\n
The YMCA is a member of Learning Communities Victoria, a state government-backed partnership aimed at forming strong community connections within development and growth areas such as Warralily.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
IT\u2019S A LONG way from Edinburgh to Armstrong Creek, but Nina Bendon is an expert at making connections. She\u2019s also across everything from health and well-being services, sports activities and charity fund-raisers to all manner of family and community engagements. As newly-appointed community development officer at the ever-surging Warralily estate, Nina is in her element […]<\/p>\n