Hobsons Bay Community Fund News
Building better together with Symal - 24 May 2023
Symal, the proud principal sponsor of the HBCF 2023 Business Lunch and member of the Philanthropy Club, is a group of highly experienced construction companies united by a common goal.
A brand built on genuine care for their people, their customers and their communities, together they strive to find new ways of bringing ambitious visions to life for their clients and Government partners, making a positive impact on our communities.
Recently celebrating 20 years in operation, Symal is a trusted partner in the building and construction industry. A cohesive group of eight businesses offering fully integrated solutions across diverse sectors with self-performing infrastructure capabilities, plant and equipment hire, a recycling division and contracting specialists, along with commercial, industrial and retail property development.
Managing Director Joe Bartolo said of the Hobsons Bay Community Fund, ‘I am a great believer of the fund as it’s a sustainable model that benefits present and future generations. The fund continues to grow with the support it receives. I also love what they stand for by providing grants that benefit local grassroots clubs and the community.’
Symal’s focus on performance drives commercial success, and making a positive impact on the people they work with and the communities in which they operate ignites genuine pride. Driving change together means supporting local organisations, sporting clubs and charities to give back to the communities across Melbourne, the Geelong region and many regional suburbs.
To read more about Symal please click here
VALE RAY HORSBURGH (1943-2022)
The Hobsons Bay Community Foundation is deeply saddened by the passing of prominent Williamstown resident and businessman Ray Horsburgh AM.
In the formative years of the HBCF, when it was trying to build a solid corpus to reach its goal of becoming a significant local philanthropic organisation, the State Government offered matching funding if the foundation could raise $50,000. Ray, who was then chairman of Toll Holdings, offered to hold a business fundraising luncheon at the transport company’s premises. This luncheon raised $76,000, triggering the State Government funding. Importantly, it gave the Hobsons Bay Community Foundation the boost it needed to reach higher goals.
The Hobsons Bay Community Fund now has a big enough corpus to distribute about $50,000 a year in grants to disadvantaged local groups.
Ray was a prominent businessman in Victoria. He began his career at the ACI Glass factory in Spotswood, rising to become its chief executive officer. After 31 years there, he joined Smorgon Steel Group as its chief executive officer and remained there for 14 years. Ray was also a board member and, later, chairman of the Essendon Football Club. In an expansive business career and his time in sporting circles, Ray was always ready to help the less fortunate and build capacity in young people – the same goals underpinning the Hobsons Bay Community Fund.
In the 2006 Australia Day Honors, Ray was awarded and Order of Australia for services to the steel industry, but also to services to disadvantaged youth. The Hobsons Bay Community Fund is deeply indebted to Ray for giving it the boost it needed back 10 or more years ago. His legacy will continue through the foundation for many years to come.
March, 30, 2021
In Safe Hands - A Grant Recipient’s Story
The Walker Close and Brooklyn Hall Association Incorporated is a not-for-profit community organisation that brings people from diverse backgrounds together in a safe and stimulating environment, facilitating social understanding between different groups. The Association opens its facilities to those wanting to run various events or functions. The Association needed to ensure each facility is a CovidSafe environment to continue doing that. The Hobson Bay Community Fund provided the Association with a $500 grant through the Community Impact Grants program. The Association used the funds to purchase and install touchless hand sanitiser dispensing units to benefit all who visit Walker Close Community Centre and Brooklyn Hall.
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December 11, 2020
HBCF Committee thanks Cr Peter Hemphill for his service
The HBCF Committee has thanked Cr Peter Hemphill for his valuable contribution to the Hobsons Bay Community Fund through his service to the communities of Hobsons Bay. Hobsons Bay City Council determined its council and community committee delegate appointments for 2021 at its meeting on 8 December 2020, and as a result Cr Peter Hemphill’s service as a member of the HBCF Committee has ended. At its meeting on 9 December 2020, the HBCF Committee expressed its thanks and praise for the valuable contribution made by Cr Peter Hemphill through his service to the communities of Hobsons Bay as a member of the HBCF Committee.
December 11, 2020
HBCF Committee welcomes new members nominated by Hobsons Bay City Council.
The Hobsons Bay City Council has appointed Cr Pamela Sutton-Legaud as its delegate to the HBCF Committee and Cr Diana Grima as its proxy delegate. Hobsons Bay City Council determined its council and community committee delegate appointments for 2021 at its meeting on 8 December 2020, and it appointed Cr Pamela Sutton-Legaud as its delegate to the HBCF Committee and Cr Diana Grima as its proxy delegate (to serve on the HBCF Committee if Cr Pamela Sutton-Legaud is unavailable). Prior to her election as a councillor in 2020, Pamela Sutton-Legaud has served as a member of the HBCF Committee since its establishment on 14 October 2019.
November 11, 2020
Community Sports Impact Survey
Has the COVID-19 pandemic impacted on your participation in community-level sports? We want to hear from you. Has the COVID-19 pandemic impacted on your participation in community-level sports? We want to hear from you. Hobsons Bay Community Fund has partnered with the University of Melbourne to help local young people overcome barriers to participation in sports and recreation. Students from the University of Melbourne are now conducting research into how the pandemic has impacted on sports participation in Hobsons Bay. To participate in the student’s short survey and help them better understand the impacts on local sports clubs and local people, please click below.
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November 11, 2020
HBCF Committee thanks former Councillor Colleen Gates for her service
The HBCF Committee has praised the valuable contribution made by former Councillor Colleen Gates through her service to the communities of Hobsons Bay. As a result of the election of councillors to Hobsons Bay City Council in November 2020, former councillor Colleen Gates has completed her service as a member of the HBCF Committee. At its meeting on 11 November 2020, the HBCF Committee expressed its thanks and praise for the valuable contribution made by Colleen Gates through her service to the communities of Hobsons Bay as a member of the HBCF Committee.