November 19, 2025
Whittlesea Community Connections organised its Annual General Meeting on Nov 12, 2025, reflecting on a year that has been one of the most significant and ambitious in the organisation’s history. Held at the Wollert Community Farm, the gathering highlighted the extraordinary progress made across programs, partnerships and community-led initiatives—each one a testament to what can be achieved when local knowledge, compassion and innovation come together.
The year has been marked by WCC’s continued commitment to place-based, community-informed service delivery. The organisation has navigated a challenging social and economic landscape while strengthening its foundations and expanding its local impact. Long-term projects have moved into exciting new phases, particularly the Food Collective and the Wollert Community Farm—both now thriving examples of community-led planning, partnership and social enterprise.
CEO Alex Haynes delivered a powerful and wide-ranging review of the year. The Wollert Community Farm, seven years in the making, has been one of the organisation’s most significant milestones. In partnership with Yarra Valley Water, WCC has transformed buffer land into a vibrant community asset powered by recycled water, clean energy and local ingenuity. With new funding from the Australian Government, work will soon begin on a community shed and interpretive trail, deepening education, cultural connection and environmental understanding. The Farm has also become a growing hub for skill-building and enterprise, with the wholesale plant nursery, seed production, and the nugal biik ranger program all expanding.
The Mernda Neighbourhood House reached a major milestone this year, with volunteers and community leaders preparing for full independence in 2025. The Mernda Neighbourhood House Community Advisory Group has worked steadily to build a strong, community-led foundation. The rapid growth of the Whittlesea Climate Action Network (WCAN) sparked by local ideas and seed funding, further illustrates the energy and leadership emerging across the region.
Employment pathways were another major highlight. Through partnerships with Jobs Victoria and the Department of Home Affairs, WCC supported more than 420 job seekers and 400 newly arrived refugees across the region. Fifty-five participants with low English proficiency have already transitioned into employment or self-employment, demonstrating the transformative power of meaningful, sustained support.
WCC’s social enterprises reached new heights this year. The Food Collective Café and catering services launched through collaboration with Melbourne Polytechnic provide real training, employment pathways and improved access to healthy, culturally appropriate food.
To mark the official inauguration of the Wollert Community Farm, our Board Members planted an olive tree.
The Parent Pathways program, launched in partnership with the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations, required a significant uplift in organisational systems. This work has strengthened compliance, privacy and service delivery standards.
A major shift this year was the move from our old office space after nearly 25 years. The new office brings the whole team together in a modern, collaborative space, enhancing the experience for staff, volunteers and the community.
This year has seen WCC invest deeply in community-led initiatives, strengthen partnerships, and build new assets for future generations. It has truly been a year of delivering with the community—creating opportunities, supporting local leadership and standing firmly for equity and justice. With strong foundations and an exciting pipeline of projects, WCC enters the year ahead with confidence, energy and a renewed commitment to being a powerful local force for positive change.
To know more about all our place-based initiatives please take a look into our Annual Report.
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