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Group of people wearing yellow helmets and life vests standing on a dock, holding paddles, preparing for a water activity. Lake and trees are visible in the background.

Thriving together with our communities

Community Impact Report 2024/5

The year at a glance

  • 55,000+

    Swim lesson participations at Leisure City

  • Two smiling people sitting on a boat, both making peace signs, wearing hoodies and hats, with the ocean and horizon in the background on a sunny day.

  • 1st

    Y Community School in 
Victoria opened in July 2024

  • 14

    Staff graduated from Y LEAP leadership program

  • Four people wearing red life jackets stand on a sandy shore, smiling with trees, kayaks, and a partly cloudy sky in the background.

  • 133

    Children supported through the EYES program

  • Two people wearing helmets and winter clothing, sitting together on a yellow inflatable tube, preparing to slide down an outdoor slope.

  • 49%

    Of Reconciliation Action Plan actions are complete

From our leaders

Two women smiling against a colorful, Aboriginal-inspired patterned background. Both wear denim jackets, and the image features vibrant designs of animals and flowing lines.

Suzanne Tripodi & Narelle Sketcher

Board Presidents’ Report A year of significant growth and bold investment, with the Y Community School being a defining milestone for young people returning to education.

Read the full report
Woman smiling in front of an abstract, colorful patterned background featuring animal shapes and circular designs.

Leith McGregor

Treasurer’s Report Achievement and careful management, including a landmark investment in our first Y Community School, funded entirely by the Y.

Read the full report
Blonde woman smiling in front of a colorful, abstract background with patterns and animal shapes, framed in a circular border.

Michele Rowse

CEO’s Report Growth, renewal and deep impact: students returning to learning, many after 18 months or more out of school.

Read the full report

Governance

How we keep children and young people safe, stay accountable, and track our commitments to reconciliation and inclusion.

  • 49%

    Reconciliation Action Plan actions complete

  • 37%

    Disability Action Plan actions complete

Seven professionally dressed people standing in front of a blue YMCA 'Community' banner, posing for a group photo at an indoor event.

  • Strengthening safeguarding: listening, learning and leading together

    A new Safeguarding and Risk Coordinator, refreshed frameworks aligned to the Child Safe Standards, and training across every program.

    Read more

  • Reconciliation Action Plan progress

    A RAP Working Group, senior leaders as champions, and cultural learning for staff across all service areas.

    Read more

  • Disability Action Plan progress

    Better access to programs and facilities, clearer intake, and a stronger voice for people with disabilities in decision-making.

    Read more

The Australian Aboriginal flag featuring a black top half, red bottom half, and a yellow circle in the center.The Torres Strait Islander flag with green and black stripes, a blue field, and a white Dhari (headdress) with a five-pointed star in the center.

Acknowledgement Of Country

Y Schools Whittlesea acknowledges and pays respect to the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we work and operate – the Jagera, Turrbul, Gubbi Gubbi, Waka Waka, Quandamooka, Yugambeh and Gureng Gureng peoples. We pay our respect to Elders, past, present and emerging, and celebrate their continuing connection to land, community and culture.

Colorful Aboriginal-inspired artwork featuring native Australian animals, plants, patterns, and river paths on a multicolored background.

Community Wellbeing

Early learning, disability support and recreation that help children, families and communities thrive.

  • 130,766

    Early Learning Visits

  • 14,600

    Hours of Kindergarten Provided

Swimming instructor helps a young child with goggles practice using a kickboard in an indoor pool.

  • Nurturing nature and childhood wonder at Bush Kinder

    Every 4-year-old in our kinders now learns outdoors, building strength, coordination and imagination.

    Read more

  • Empowering every child to thrive through EYES

    In its fourth year, Early Years Engagement Support directly supported 133 children across our centres.

    Read more

  • Building confidence in the water

    More than 55,000 swim lesson participations at Leisure City, teaching a skill that saves lives.

    Read more

Smiling child slides down a playground slide, with text stating 133 children supported at Whittlesea kindergartens and learning centres in 2024-2025 for developmental progress.
A woman and young girl in a playroom, with text stating 90 new children supported through inclusion support, family strategies, funding, and therapy referrals.
Smiling educator interacting with young children beside graphic stating '44 approved funding applications' and details of increased support and resources in kindergartens.
A young child and woman together, with a graphic stating '82 received connection support,' describing support services for 82 children and their families navigating NDIS and healthcare pathways.
Two women smiling outdoors with a sign stating '20 received funding approvals', highlighting support for 20 children to access long-term early intervention services.
Female teacher reading a picture book to a group of young children in a classroom, with a graphic noting funding increases for kindergarten programs.

Hola 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.

Read more
  • A green speech bubble with the text: 'I love the Chinese language' - Arvon.
  • A green speech bubble with the text: 'Hola is hello in Spanish' - Kiaan.
  • Light green speech bubble with the text: 'I know how to count 1 to 10 in Chinese!' – Riyana.

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.”

  • Two men pose playfully on an indoor basketball court. One is holding a soda can and smiling, while the other leans in, both appearing relaxed and happy.

  • 11

    Volunteers who run the program

  • A diverse group of basketball players wearing jerseys huddles together on a gym court, joining hands in a team cheer, with supporters watching in the background.

  • 575

    WRAP Basketball Visits

Leisure City lights up after dark for Ramadan

This year, Leisure City opened its doors after dark during Ramadan, creating a welcoming space for the local Muslim community to gather, break fast and enjoy leisure activities together. Families and friends shared iftar before taking part in activities including basketball and badminton, while designated prayer areas and scheduling around prayer times ensured a culturally respectful experience. The evening concluded with Fajr prayer, bringing the community together in a powerful celebration of inclusion, connection and belonging.

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.

Read the full story

A Sustainable Planet

Teaching sustainability from the earliest years, and cutting our own emissions on the way to net zero.

  • 2026

    Net Zero emissions target

  • 2028

    Net positive target

Two children dressed as superheroes recycle items into a bin. Text beside them describes sustainability champions promoting sustainable practices at an early learning centre.

  • Growing a greener future from the start

    Every Early Learning Centre has a Sustainability Champion who models eco-friendly habits for children and educators.

    Read more

  • Our journey to Net Zero

    Part of Vision 2030: where our emissions come from, what we have cut so far, and what is next.

    Read more

A Just World

Education and pathways for young people who have been left out of traditional systems.

  • 1st

    Y Community School in Victoria

  • 32

    Students in Invigor8ing

A group of students, one with bright orange hair, hug near a blue sign that reads 'COMMUNITY SCHOOL.' Another student holds papers and a microphone.

  • Victoria’s first Y Community School opens in Epping

    Opened by the Governor of Victoria, the school gives students aged 15+ a fresh start through hands-on learning.

    Read more

  • Empowering student voice through the Rainbow Club

    A student-led group making sure every young person at the school feels seen, supported and valued.

    Read more

  • Invigor8ing young minds through real-world learning

    Students from four local colleges tried painting, decorating and carpentry at Melbourne Polytechnic Epping.

    Read more

Meaningful Work

Supporting our people to learn, grow and lead, and making the Y a fair and rewarding place to work.

  • 14

    Staff graduated from Y LEAP

  • 450

    Staff Members

A group of fourteen people, mostly women, posing indoors while holding certificates, suggesting they have completed a course or training program.

  • Developing future leaders through Y LEAP 2025

    Fourteen current and emerging leaders built skills in team development, conflict resolution and leading change.

    Read more

  • A new Employee Agreement and better wages

    Approved by the Fair Work Commission, securing fair, transparent and competitive conditions for all staff.

    Read more

  • Recognising and celebrating our people

    Our annual awards honour staff and volunteers who bring the Y’s values to life across every service.

    Read more

Three young people sitting on stools, holding papers and speaking on a panel at a community event, with a YMCA logo visible in the background.

“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.”

Felicity, Wrap Basketball participant family

Thank you to our Boards

The volunteer directors who guide Y Whittlesea's two entities.

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
Jessica Giampiccolo- Secretary