For 67 years ConnectGV has been a part of the Goulburn Valley community. The registered NDIS provider and not-for-profit, focusses on the ability and choices of its clients and offers individual support, employment and accommodation.
This year a new state of the art facility opened, a safe and inviting space catering for varying abilities, that can be shared with the community.
The new person-centred facility offers more flexibility, choices and embraces new technologies, designed to accommodate increasing client numbers and to meet changes under the NDIS.
The progressive organisation has swiftly adjusted its programmes, adding new online services, during COVID. This helped clients to stay connected and emotionally supported.
One of the social enterprise business achievements, for ConnectGV, is the Billabong Garden Complex.
“Engaging a social enterprise has significant economic and social gains for our community,” says Carolynne Frost, Connect GV’s CEO.
Billabong began 20 years ago, originally to encourage the benefits of horticultural therapy for emotional and physical well-being.
“Social enterprises provide meaningful employment, allowing people with a disability to benefit from social connections and to be part of the local economy,” Ms Frost explains.
During lockdown, many in the GV undertook garden projects to maintain a sense of achievement, to keep active and to pass the time. Billabong adapted, ensuring locals could purchase garden products by introducing ‘call and collect’, local deliveries and ‘drive-thru’ sales.
In October 2021, the Ruby Saltbush Café opened at Billabong, further adding to ConnectGV’s suite and the Billabong experience. In the future it will offer supported employees new employment and training opportunities.
ConnectGV’s social enterprises, provide quality products and services to the community, from plants and gardening products, fresh flower arrangements, confectionery, trade and cleaning rags, garden maintenance and a ready workforce for packaging and labour-intensive tasks.
