Foster tee off for the Go Girls Foundation

FOSTER Golf Club hosted a charity golf day for the Go Girls Foundation to help support the future of 15 women in the 2024 program – to help them feel empowered and connected to their community.

Go Girls Foundation co-founder Michelle Jobson invited the Gippsland and Bass Coast community to a charity breakfast and round of golf at the Foster course.

Volunteers turned out to cook a bacon and egg breakfast for the attendees, thank them for their support and raise awareness of the Go Girls Foundation that has changed the lives of women for the past 16 years.

“At Go Girls we assist women at risk. They might be migrants, women who feel isolated, suffer from anxiety and depression, socially isolated in their homes, or experienced domestic violence.

“We also assist women who are homeless, and we work with women who’ve had a cancer diagnosis to help them get back on their feet.” Michelle explained.

“I think what’s important to understand is that we help these women create a vision and hope for their future. We run a series of workshops across different regions of Melbourne, and this has been our second regional program, which has been held down here in South Gippsland.”

The foundation supports 15 women to go through a five-month program, where they work with a team of experienced facilitators and psychologists in a group setting every month.

“The golf charity day will support our third program in Gippsland, and we are welcoming women from Yanakie through to Phillip Island to break down the barrier and change their lives.”

“One of the beautiful things is when our women finish the program, we have mentors across South Gippsland who volunteer their time and mentor those women for an additional 12 months.”

Major sponsor Steve and Lee Nickelson of Embrace Wealth sponsored five holes at the golf day – donating $5,000. Lee is a former mentor of Go Girls, supporting women to feel confident in returning to the workforce.

Former graduate of the program Heidi Vanzet addressed the audience and shared her personal experience with Go Girls stating ‘before Go Girls I was living a very isolated and purpose-less life in Wonthaggi. I had a partner, and family but was deeply lonely, incredibly depressed, and anxious.

“Go girls connected me back to myself, helped me create and define my dreams, gave me confidence and new skills, and gave me insight into ‘what in my life was holding me back’. I got to refine what was important to me and found the motivation to seek out a better life for myself,” said Heidi.

Another graduate of Go Girls Elizabeth Murphy shared that the program empowered her to become a better version of herself. “It helped me find friendships and a connect me to my community,” said Elizabeth.

“What’s beautiful at the end of a program is seeing these women forming friendships and having a Go Girl community where they feel supported,” said Michelle.

The Go Girls Foundation were aiming to raise $20,000 to begin the 2024 program and before the charity day commenced, through tickets and major sponsors the foundation raised $14,000.

To find out more about Go Girls and how the foundation can change your life, or to become a mentor visit gogirls.org.au and be the change you wish to see.