We've passed the winter solstice, and the days are getting longer from here. It feels like a fitting moment for a community that is very much on the rise.
So without further ado, we’d like to officially welcome Charlie Simson, our new CEO.
Many of you may already know Charlie, she's a Healesville local and the founder of Plucky Frank; a people and culture consultancy helping businesses build workplaces where people genuinely thrive. Charlie has spent years coaching and working as Head of People and Culture across various organisations, and she brings that same strengths-based, human-centred approach to her work with the Foundation.
Charlie has already been part of our volunteer executive strategy committee for some time, and her contribution to getting YVCF off the ground has been immense.
Stepping into the CEO role is a natural next step, and we couldn't be more excited to have her leading the team. Welcome, Charlie!
Last Monday, we met with our first volunteer facilitators, and we’re so excited to have them on board.
The session equipped our new cohort with the skills and frameworks they'll need to guide community conversations: how to hold space for a group, how to draw out different voices in the room, and how to capture what's shared in a way that does it justice.
These five facilitators are now ready to hit the ground running, supporting our community consultation sessions across the Yarra Valley in July. We're deeply grateful to each of them for giving their time and energy to this work — it's exactly the kind of community spirit that the Foundation is built on.
If you'd like to come along to one of our upcoming consultation sessions, registrations are open now!
Coldstream | 1 July 5.30pm
Gruyere | 6 July 5.30pm
Toolangi & Castella | 10 July 7.30pm
Healesville | 13 July 5.30pm
30 June is almost here! That means this is your last chance to make a tax-deductible donation to the Yarra Valley Community Foundation before the end of the financial year.
We're excited to share that we've already raised $7,100 towards the Thriving Community Fund. For a Foundation that launched just a few months ago, this is a wonderful reflection of the community's belief in what we're building together — thank you.
Every donation, of any size, is invested and preserved, with the earnings directed back into the Yarra Valley through community-led grants each year. Our founding donor has committed to covering the Foundation's operational costs, which means 100% of your donation goes directly into the Fund.
You can give via our online portal, or reach out by email if you'd prefer to donate directly to our bank account to help us avoid transaction fees.
Thank you for investing in the long-term strength of this community.