Healthy partnership benefits business and community
26 February 2009
Private Health Insurer GMHBA has funded a full-time, business development position within BacLinks, to help the program build more valuable partnerships between Geelong businesses and community groups.
A division of major disability organisation Karingal, BacLinks provides a unique service in Geelong; connecting local businesses with the community.
These connections result in businesses offering staff time, expertise or goods and services to community groups and projects which require volunteers or a helping hand. More than 30 projects – involving 57 community groups and 51 businesses – have been co-ordinated through BacLinks over the past 12 months alone.
The new, GMHBA-funded position has enabled the program to employ Chris McEwin as business partnerships officer for 12 months.
Chris is responsible for encouraging good corporate citizenship in Geelong, as well as boosting the BacLinks membership base. He has already signed up around 11 new business members since commencing the position in September 2008.
Ms Sheree Holdsworth, BacLinks Manager said “GMHBA had proven itself to be an invaluable business partner. The Geelong community will benefit from their major contribution”.