Some of the most important community change happens quietly at first.
It begins with a conversation, a willingness to listen to people who see both the challenges and opportunities within our community.
Over time, those conversations become ideas, ideas form partnerships, and from these partnerships, impactful and long-term change.
That is the story of the partnership between Greater Shepparton Foundation and WomenCAN Australia.
Several years ago, we came together around a shared challenge facing our region: how do we address workforce shortages in industries that are critical to our community’s future, while also creating meaningful pathways into employment for our most vulnerable?
At Greater Shepparton Foundation, we have long believed that our role is not simply to fund ‘pilot projects’. Our role is to back ideas, organisations and initiatives that create lasting systemic change.
We are focused on investing in work that addresses the causes of disadvantage, builds local capacity and delivers benefits that can be felt for generations.
WomenCAN Australia reflects these values and understands that when women are supported to participate fully in economic and community life, the benefits extend far beyond the individual.
Families become more financially secure. Children see new possibilities for their futures. Communities become stronger, more connected and more resilient.
Together with Greater Shepparton City Council and Bowden Marsten Foundation, we supported an innovative employment program focused on the Early Childhood Education sector, helping women build skills, gain qualifications and access opportunities that may previously have felt out of reach.
In fact, this week we celebrated several participants graduating with their Diploma qualifications, a tangible reminder of the life-changing impact this work can have.
These early initiatives demonstrated something powerful: when women are provided with the right support, mentoring and networks, extraordinary things happen.
More importantly, they showed that solutions designed locally, informed by community needs and backed by committed partners can create lasting change.
Today, we are proud to announce the next chapter of that journey.
Greater Shepparton Foundation and WomenCAN Australia have entered a new three-year partnership that builds upon the foundations established through our earlier work and expands the vision significantly.
What began as a local response to workforce challenges is now evolving into a substantial regional initiative that will support women into employment pathways across multiple industries, including early childhood education, aged care, agriculture, manufacturing, food processing, and transport and logistics.
Importantly, this next phase has attracted the backing of some of Australia’s most significant philanthropic investors, including the Ian Potter Foundation.
This level of support reflects confidence not only in the model itself, but in the capacity of Greater Shepparton to lead innovative, place-based solutions that create genuine social and economic impact.
For Greater Shepparton Foundation, this partnership exemplifies the role community foundations can play in creating the environment for long-term community benefit.
Our role extends beyond funding. It is about identifying opportunities, bringing partners together, attracting investment into our region and backing initiatives that address the causes of disadvantage while strengthening our community for the future.
The new Placement Circle initiative represents exactly that kind of investment.
At its heart are women who may face barriers to employment because of language, culture, caring responsibilities, confidence or a lack of networks.
Yet behind every one of those barriers is untapped talent, capability and potential.
The impact reaches far beyond employment outcomes.
When a woman secures meaningful work, the benefits ripple through households and communities. Children see new possibilities. Families gain stability.
Employers strengthen their workforce. Communities become more inclusive, connected and resilient.
We are grateful to WomenCAN Australia, their CEO Heather Saunders and local team Donna Baldwin and Kate Radevski for their continued partnership and shared commitment to Greater Shepparton. We are equally grateful to the philanthropic partners and government departments, who have recognised the potential of our region and chosen to invest alongside us.
Together, we are building on a strong foundation. Together, we are creating pathways to employment, independence and opportunity.
And together, we are helping ensure that the women of Greater Shepparton have every opportunity to contribute their skills, realise their ambitions and help shape the future of our community.
Because when women thrive, communities thrive.
To find out more visit or refer someone you know into the program visit www.womencanaustralia.org/for-women/
Until next time.
Amanda McCulloch
Greater Shepparton Foundation executive officer
