Geelong program wins prize for ‘creating’ 72 jobs in disadvantaged areas

A Geelong program creating jobs in battling areas has won a statewide award.
Geelong Region Opportunities for Work (GROW) won the Institute of Public Administration Australia’s Victorian policy development award for delivering 72 jobs to “disadvantaged” locations.
Institute chief executive officer David Ali congratulated local municipal alliance body G21 Region and GROW’s project partners at a ceremony in Melbourne on Wednesday.
“Their excellent project … pushed the boundaries and demonstrated what success in public administration looks like,” Mr Ali said.
At the close of 2017 GROW had achieved a nine per cent shift in localised procurement, equal to $23.8 million, according to G21 chair Bill Mithen.
Mr Mithen joined G21 chief Elaine Carbines and other Geelong and Bellarine Peninsula representatives of the program to accept the award.
“We are so proud of GROW, our community’s response to GROW and particularly the difference that GROW is making,” Mr Mithen said.
“We continue to urge local businesses and organisations to become part of meaningful regional collective impact by signing the initiative compact and starting planning to help deliver social benefit.”
Mr Mithen said the award was significant endorsement of GROW’s progress and ongoing mission.
“This IPAA award in the policy development category acknowledges the significant partnership between G21 and the Give Where You Live Foundation and the great and visionary work of our team.”
About 70 Geelong organisations have signed up to the program so far.
GROW has secured almost $5 million in funding since 2015, mostly from State Government. Geelong charity Give Where You Live will give GROW $2 million over 10 years.