Community Impact Report 2024/5

Governance
Community Wellbeing
A Sustainable Planet
A Just World
Meaningful Work

Suzanne Tripodi & Narelle Sketcher
Board President’s Report

This past year has been one of significant growth, bold investment, and deep impact across Y Whittlesea. Together, as Chairs of YMCA Whittlesea Inc and YMCA Whittlesea Youth & Community Services Ltd, we are proud to share how our organisation continues to bring Vision 2030 to life, creating opportunities for young people, families, and communities to thrive.

The opening of the Y Community School in Epping stands as a defining milestone. For many of the students who attend, this represents not only a return to education, but also a chance to rediscover confidence, belonging, and hope for the future. Already, we are witnessing lives being reshaped through the power of flexible, inclusive education, and this is only the beginning.

Leith McGregor
Treasurer’s Report

The 2024-2025 financial year has been one of both achievement and careful management for Y Whittlesea. The opening of our first Y Community School was a landmark moment for our organisation and community. This significant investment, funded entirely by the Y, reflects our commitment to creating opportunities for young people who need them most.

Michele Rowse
CEO’s Report

This financial year has been one of growth, renewal, and deep impact. The opening of our first Y Community School has been a defining achievement, reaffirming our commitment to re-engage young people in learning and in life. Seeing students return to education, many after being out of school for 18 months or more, has been an extraordinary reminder of why the Y exists and the difference we can make when we create spaces where young people feel safe, included, and inspired to learn.

Strengthening Safeguarding practices: Listening, learning and leading together

At Y Whittlesea, safeguarding is at the heart of everything we do. Over the past year, we strengthened our safeguarding culture and practices across all programs, ensuring every child, young person and vulnerable adult feels safe, respected and supported.

A key milestone this year was the appointment of a dedicated Safeguarding and Risk Coordinator, a new role focused on embedding best practice, reviewing policies and procedures, and supporting staff across all services. We also conducted comprehensive staff training and refreshed our safeguarding frameworks to align with the latest Child Safe Standards, ensuring our teams remain confident and capable in their duty of care.

Our commitment to safeguarding extends beyond compliance, it’s about culture. We worked to educate families and children about their rights to safety and respect through conversations, displays and activities across our centres and programs. By empowering children and young people to speak up and participate in shaping their environments, we reinforced that every voice matters.

Y Whittlesea’s Reconciliation Action Plan Progress Report (2024–2025)

Y Whittlesea’s Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) 2024–2026 continues to guide the organisation’s commitment to strengthening relationships, respect and opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across all areas of its work.

Key Achievements
Over the past year, Y Whittlesea has established a dedicated RAP Working Group, ensuring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices are represented in decision-making. The CEO and senior leaders have taken on champion roles, embedding reconciliation as a core organisational priority. Staff cultural learning initiatives have been introduced to build awareness and cultural safety across early learning, recreation, inclusion and youth programs.

Y Whittlesea has already completed 49% of the actions set out in its current RAP, a strong reflection of its ongoing commitment to turning intentions into measurable progress. These completed actions span governance, cultural learning, community partnerships, and awareness-raising across the organisation.

Next Steps
Looking ahead, Y Whittlesea will continue embedding reconciliation into everyday operations, deepen engagement with Aboriginal communities, and celebrate cultural learning across its sites.

Y Whittlesea’s Disability Action Plan Progress Report (2024–2025)

Y Whittlesea has made strong progress on its Disability Action Plan (DAP), completing 37% of the actions outlined in the plan. This milestone reflects the organisation’s ongoing commitment to creating a more inclusive and accessible community for people with disability.

Key Achievements

Recent efforts have focused on improving accessibility to programs and facilities, ensuring everyone can participate fully in Y Whittlesea’s recreation, education, and inclusion services. The organisation has also reviewed its intake processes to make them clearer and more supportive for participants, families, and support coordinators.

A key priority has been strengthening the voice and representation of people with disability within programs and decision-making. By involving participants in shaping services, Y Whittlesea continues to build a culture that values lived experience and empowers individuals to be heard.

Next Steps
Looking ahead, Y Whittlesea will continue to expand accessibility across all service areas, from digital platforms and communication to physical spaces and transport options. The organisation will strengthen collaboration with participants and advocacy groups to ensure lived experience informs future planning. Efforts will also focus on increasing inclusive employment opportunities, staff training in disability awareness, and building stronger partnerships with local networks.

Through these next steps, Y Whittlesea aims to make meaningful progress towards a community where people of all abilities feel included, respected, and supported to reach their goals.

Nurturing nature and childhood wonder

At Y Whittlesea, we believe in the power of the outdoors to spark curiosity, creativity, and connection. Our Bush Kinder program offers all our 4-year-old children the opportunity to explore and learn in nature, extending our early learning curriculum beyond the classroom.

Through climbing, running, balancing, digging, and exploring, children develop their gross and fine motor skills, building strength, coordination, and spatial awareness. The natural environment also invites imaginative play, as children transform sticks, leaves, stones, and mud into stories, games, and adventures.

Early Learning Visits

Early Learning Families

Hours of Kindergarten Provided

from the Y

The Language program is an additional program funded by the Department of Education, which allows us to provide 3 hours of teaching per week for each of our 4-year-old kindergarten groups. The program is currently delivered at 3 of our sites: Mill Park, Orchard Road and Galada. Mill Park and Galada both deliver Mandarin language to the children. Orchard Road, however, offers Spanish as its additional language. Both languages were chosen to support children’s transitions to school, as those are the additional languages provided by the schools in our local areas.

School Readiness Funding

As part of our school readiness funding, we have been privileged to embed an additional educator that floats within the centre and above ratio to support the team where needed.

The impact of having this additional educator has been positive for staff, children and families.

Overall benefit of having an SRF-funded additional educator enhances children’s readiness for school, boosts educator capacity, and builds stronger, more inclusive kindergarten communities.

School Readiness Pillars-CommWellbeing (400 x 500 px) (2)

School Readiness Pillars-CommWellbeing (400 x 500 px) (1)

School Readiness Pillars-CommWellbeing (400 x 500 px)

Empowering every child to thrive: The impact of the EYES Program

Now in its fourth year, Y Whittlesea’s Early Years Engagement Support (EYES) program continues to make a profound difference in the lives of children, families and educators across our early learning services. The program provides targeted early intervention and inclusion support, ensuring every child is recognised, supported and empowered to reach their full potential.

Over the past year, EYES demonstrated significant outcomes across all areas of service delivery, from early identification and inclusion support to funding approvals and educator capacity building.

In 2024–2025, EYES provided direct support to 133 children across Y Whittlesea’s kindergartens and early learning centres. This included both new referrals and continuing support for children who rolled over from the previous year, ensuring consistency and ongoing developmental progress.

Building Capacity, Connection and Confidence

Beyond the numbers, the EYES program continues to empower educators with tools and confidence to support children’s diverse needs. New referral processes, inclusion plans, and professional mentoring have led to more accurate assessments and stronger family engagement. By ensuring children with additional needs are identified early and supported holistically, EYES continues to create brighter beginnings for the youngest members of our community, proving that when every child is seen, supported and celebrated, they truly thrive.

Celebrating 23 years of connection through Wrap Basketball

Wrap Basketball has been running for 23 years and continues to be a much-loved program within the community. It is coordinated by a dedicated team of 11 volunteers who share roles in coaching, refereeing, and scoring, alongside one paid staff member, Julian, who helps oversee the program’s operations. Together, they create a welcoming and inclusive environment where participants of all abilities can enjoy the game. As Felicity shares, “It gives everyone something to look forward to, forms a sense of connection, and allows everyone to be themselves and to be celebrated for who they are.”

WRAP Basketball Visits

Volunteers who run the program

Expanding Disability Support across rural Victoria

This year, we expanded our Disability Support Coordination team and Y Camps to Horsham and rural Victoria, strengthening our commitment to supporting people with disabilities in regional communities. The growth allowed us to provide greater access to personalised NDIS support, empowering individuals and families to achieve their goals closer to home. By extending our experienced team and inclusive camp experiences into these areas, we helped build stronger connections, increase opportunities for independence, and ensure that people of all abilities in rural Victoria had the same access to quality support and recreation as those in metropolitan regions.

Hours of Support Provided

Program Sessions

Clients

Hours of Camp Support

Plan Support Hours

Building independence and connection through our Respite Camps

Over the past 12 months, our respite camps have continued to make a remarkable difference in the lives of participants and their families. These camps have provided opportunities for people of all abilities to develop independence, build confidence, and work towards their personal goals in a safe and supportive environment. Whether it was trying new activities, forming new friendships, or learning valuable life skills, each camp experience has helped participants grow in their own unique way.

Beyond the impact on participants, the camps have also provided much-needed respite for families and carers—offering them time to rest and recharge, knowing their loved ones are being supported by a skilled and caring team. The success of our respite camps over the past year is a testament to the Y’s commitment to inclusion, empowerment, and creating experiences that truly enrich lives. Each camp has not only been a source of fun and adventure but also a powerful stepping stone toward greater independence and community connection for everyone involved.

READ CAILA'S SNOW CAMP - A STORY BY HEATHER OWEN

Building confidence in the water: The importance of swim lessons for children

Learning to swim is one of the most important skills a child can develop and for years, Leisure City has been helping families make that possible. With more than 55,000 swim lessons participations in 2024/25, our centre has provided thousands of children with the confidence, safety, and joy that come from learning this vital life skill.

Swimming is not just a recreational activity, it’s a crucial skill that can save lives. Drowning remains one of the leading causes of accidental death among children, and early swim education is one of the most effective ways to reduce this risk. Through professional, structured lessons, children learn essential water safety skills such as floating, treading water, and safe pool behaviour, giving both children and parents peace of mind around water.

Swim Lesson Visits

School Swim Lesson Visits

Gymnastic Class Visits

Tennis Lesson Visits

Health and Wellness Visits

Group Fitness Visits

Sport Teams

Sport Competition Visits

Junior Sports Visits

Child's Play Visits

Creche Visits

Birthday Parties

Leisure City lights up after dark for Ramadan

This year, Leisure City opened its doors after dark in a special celebration of community, inclusion, and connection during Ramadan. For the first time, the centre transformed into a welcoming hub for the local Muslim community offering a safe, supportive, and vibrant space to gather, break fast, and enjoy leisure activities late into the night.

As the sun set, families and friends arrived to share iftar together, filling the centre with the warmth of conversation and laughter. After breaking their fast, participants had the opportunity to take part in a range of activities like basketball and badminton, creating a unique space where physical wellbeing and spiritual reflection came together in harmony.

The atmosphere was one of joy, respect, and belonging. Leisure City staff worked closely with community members to ensure the space felt inclusive and culturally responsive, from designated prayer areas to thoughtful scheduling that aligned with prayer times.

The evening concluded in a beautiful moment of unity, as everyone gathered for the morning prayer (Fajr), marking the end of a Ramadan and filled with community spirit and connection.

By opening after dark during Ramadan, Leisure City not only provided a place for recreation but also reaffirmed its commitment to celebrating diversity, fostering inclusion, and bringing people together through shared experiences. It was a powerful reminder that leisure and belonging can go hand in hand no matter the time of day.

Growing a greener future: Teaching sustainability from the start

At the Y, we believe that caring for the environment begins with education and there’s no better place to start than in early childhood. Across all our Early Learning Centres, each service has a dedicated Sustainability Champion who inspires, leads, and models sustainable practices within their centre. These champions play a key role in helping both children and educators understand the importance of protecting our planet, while embedding eco-friendly habits into everyday learning.

Y Whittlesea’s journey to Net Zero: Reducing emissions for a greener future

At Y Whittlesea, we are committed to protecting and regenerating our planet. As part of our Vision 2030 strategy, we have set a bold goal: achieving Net Zero emissions by 2026 and net positive by 2028. Our journey towards this goal is well underway, and we are proud of the progress we’ve made in reducing our carbon footprint.

Y Whittlesea opens first independent school in Victoria

In July 2024, Y Whittlesea proudly opened Victoria’s first Y Community School, providing a fresh start for young people who had previously disengaged from traditional education. Officially opened by Her Excellency Professor the Honourable Margaret Gardner AC, Governor of Victoria, the school marks an exciting new chapter in Y Whittlesea’s mission to empower youth through education.

Located in Epping, the Y Community School supports students aged 15 and over to re-engage with learning through a personalised, hands-on curriculum that focuses on real-world skills, confidence building, and wellbeing. Since opening its doors in July, the school has become a place where students feel safe, supported, and motivated to achieve their goals.

During the opening celebration, several students shared heartfelt stories about how the school has reignited their love of learning and given them hope for the future. With access to Y Leisure City’s recreational facilities and the guidance of dedicated educators and youth workers, students are now thriving both personally and academically.

This milestone represents more than a new school, it’s a commitment to creating opportunities, nurturing potential, and changing lives for young people across Whittlesea and beyond.

Building pathways through work experience

At Y Community School, we believe every young person deserves the chance to explore their interests, discover their strengths, and prepare for a meaningful future. Over the past year, nine students have successfully completed work experience placements, each gaining valuable insight into different industries while developing confidence and real-world skills.

Our approach to work experience is flexible and student-led. When a young person feels ready to take the next step, staff provide guidance to help them identify a suitable placement, connect with employers, and make all necessary arrangements. There are no set times of the year, students can embark on their placements when it best fits their learning journey, ensuring the experience is both relevant and rewarding.

Students

Hours of Education Provided

School Attendance

Empowering student voice through the Rainbow Club

At Y Community School, creating a just world means empowering students to speak up, take action, and lead initiatives that promote inclusion and respect for all. One inspiring example of this commitment in action has been the creation of the Rainbow Club, a student-led group, who wanted to ensure every young person at the school feels seen, supported, and valued for who they are.

Invigor8ing young minds through real-world learning

This year, 32 local students aged 13 and 14 from Epping Secondary College, Wollert Secondary College, Lalor North Secondary College, and Mill Park Secondary College took part in the Invigor8ing program—a hands-on learning experience designed to build skills, confidence, and pathways for young people. The program provided students with opportunities to explore practical trades, community service, and future career options in supportive, real-world environments.

Twenty students joined the Trade Stream at Melbourne Polytechnic Epping, where they spent the first term learning painting and decorating, producing their own creative canvas artworks, and the second term in woodworking and carpentry, proudly building their own wooden pieces. These experiences helped students gain valuable insights into skilled trades while developing teamwork, problem-solving, and craftsmanship.

Staff Members

Volunteers

Of staff under 30

Developing future leaders: Y LEAP 2025

At Y Whittlesea, leadership is about growth, purpose and community. This year, 14 staff members took part in Y LEAP (Leadership, Empowerment, Advancement Program), which ran from 18 March to 26 August 2025. Designed for current and emerging leaders, the program empowered participants with the skills, confidence and mindset to step into future leadership roles.

Investing in our people: Training and development at Y Whittlesea

At Y Whittlesea, we believe that supporting our people to learn, grow and lead is one of the most powerful ways we can strengthen our organisation and community. Throughout the year, staff from across our programs and centres have taken part in a wide range of professional development opportunities designed to enhance their skills, confidence and wellbeing.

“Supporting our young people has a ripple effect – we see the positive impacts it has on their families as well”
“Before coming to the Y, I never enjoyed going to work. Now I look forward to it!”
“This is a place where people feel seen, accepted and understood”
“This school is truly different from the rest – inclusionary while offering individual support for all students”
“I feel proud to make a positive difference in people’s lives, and I am very thankful to YMCA Whittlesea for giving me the opportunity to be part of such a caring and supportive team.”
“I have been with the organisation for a few years and with the inclusion team for around a year. I am truly proud to be a part of this group and what they represent. Being renowned globally for one of if not the longest established community support service in the world.”
“The colleagues I work with all stands for the same values and are very genuine in the heartfelt work that we do. This makes the organization incredibly supportive in house and externally for all kinds of people in which is out biggest value to include all kinds of people no matter their agenda. I look forward to more future work opportunities and hope to grow within the organisation for myself and for the support of the communities I am part of.”

Strengthening our workforce: New Employee Agreement and wage improvements

Y Whittlesea was proud to achieve a major milestone in supporting and valuing its people, with the new Employee Agreement approved by the Fair Work Commission. This achievement marked an important step forward in ensuring fair, transparent, and competitive working conditions for all staff across the organisation.

Recognising and celebrating our people

Each year, Y Whittlesea celebrates the incredible achievements of our people, staff and volunteers who embody the Y’s values and bring our purpose to life across Early Years, Disability Inclusion, Recreation, Support Services, and Youth. These awards recognise individuals and teams who go above and beyond to make a difference in their communities, whether through outstanding leadership, inclusion, teamwork, innovation, or everyday acts of kindness that make the Y a truly special place to belong.

SEE OUR 2024 AWARD WINNERS

Staff Advisory Committee: Year in Review

The Staff Advisory Committee (SAC) has continued to play a vital role in representing the staff voice across Y Whittlesea throughout 2025. Acting as a bridge between employees and leadership, the SAC has contributed valuable insights that have influenced organisational culture, strengthened safeguarding awareness, and enhanced overall staff engagement. Through regular meetings, open forums, and ongoing consultation, the SAC has ensured that the perspectives and experiences of staff are heard and acted upon.

Leadership Transition

In May, outgoing Chair Stephanie Ferguson handed over leadership to Clive Watling, marking a smooth transition that ensured continuity and stability for the Committee. Under Clive’s guidance, the SAC has continued to strengthen its governance processes, clarify its role within the organisation, and refine its approach to consultation and feedback. This transition also brought renewed focus on collaboration with senior management, enabling stronger two-way communication and alignment with Y Whittlesea’s strategic priorities.

Impact

Over the course of the year, the SAC has firmly established itself as a proactive, solutions-focused committee that champions continuous improvement and employee wellbeing. Through its collective efforts, the SAC continues to influence positive organisational change, reinforcing Y Whittlesea’s commitment to being a supportive, inclusive, and empowering place to work.

Y Whittlesea Inc.

Suzanne Tripodi – President

Christopher Lewis – Vice President

Leith McGregor – Treasurer

Renee Peterson

Emma Nedov

Jessica Giampiccolo- Secretary

Y Whittlesea Youth and Community Services

Narelle Sketcher – Chair

Karen Major- Vice Chair

Sandra McKechnie

Amiinah Dulull