Neville Goodwin Memorial Fund helps students who face financial hardship

A NEW initiative to ensure Bass Coast students don't miss out on valuable educational opportunities has been launched by the Rotary Club of Wonthaggi to assist local families doing it tough.

A lasting legacy of Bass Coast community leader Neville Goodwin a respected former Bass Coast Mayor, Rotarian and passionate advocate for local youth the Neville Goodwin Memorial Fund will provide a helping hand to families experiencing financial difficulties.

Established by the Rotary Club of Wonthaggi the fund aims to ensure every student has the opportunity to participate, learn and thrive, regardless of their financial position.

Offering emergency education assistance of up to $200 per student the fund will help cover the cost of essential school items and activities, including books and learning resources, school uniforms and footwear, school camps and excursions.

Rotary Club of Wonthaggi secretary and treasurer Ashley Lamers said the initiative grew from a conversation with Ross Bramley (Student Engagement Bass Coast Secondary College).

“Mr Bramley spoke at our Rotary Club meeting about two years ago on the needs of students in our community,” Mr Lamers said.

Following that discussion, the club approached the Goodwin family about establishing a fund in Neville's honour, bringing together his longstanding commitment to young people and a donor willing to contribute financially.

Mr Lamers said Neville Goodwin had been a dedicated member of the Rotary Club and a passionate community advocate who consistently challenged club leaders to consider how they could better support local children.

Principal of Bass Coast Secondary College Leith Cummins said the assistance would make a meaningful difference to families struggling with the rising cost of living.

“We've got an enormous amount of our families who do need extra support with that,” Ms Cummins said. “Having something in there, meaning that they can go on that excursion or get those books that they would like to have, is enormously important.”

Ms Cummins said there was a genuine need for additional support particularly for families who might be reluctant to ask for help.

While schools already provide some assistance, Ms Cummins said many families quietly miss out on opportunities because they cannot afford the associated costs.

“We also know that there are kids and families that don't go on excursions, we find out later it's because they couldn't afford it,” she said.

Ross Bramley Principal of Student Engagement at Bass Coast Secondary College said the fund was a practical response to challenges he had witnessed across local schools.

Bramley said financial pressures were increasingly affecting children's ability to participate. “How it will help is it will actually just give students an opportunity to access the things that they otherwise wouldn't get an opportunity to do,” Mr Bramley said.

Neville Goodwin's wife Lyn Goodwin said the family was strongly supportive of the initiative, reflecting Mr Goodwin’s lifelong commitment to helping children.

“Neville was always supportive of children at school, helping children be able to do things that, you know, they lacked the money, and so we're happy to support somebody on an individual basis,” Ms Goodwin said.

Local supporter Steve Cousins of Wonthaggi Skateboarding also acknowledged the growing financial pressures facing families with the cost of excursions, uniforms and other school requirements particularly challenging for families experiencing difficult social or financial circumstances.

“It just creates opportunity for them to not just fit in, but be able to have those essentials,” Mr Cousins said.

“Financial hardship is a very real issue, with children regularly missing out on opportunities because of their circumstances.”

Students must be aged between five and 18, attend a school within the Bass Coast region and be experiencing genuine financial hardship. Applications must be submitted by a teacher, wellbeing coordinator, principal or authorised school representative.

For further information or to access an application form, contact the Rotary Club of Wonthaggi at info@wonthaggirotary.org.au, phone 5672 2179, go to wonthaggirotary.org.au or look for Rotary Club of Wonthaggi on Facebook.