On Wednesday 27 May, the Give Where You Live Foundation proudly hosted its fifth Conversations That Matter event, featuring endurance athlete and philanthropist Nedd Brockman for a powerful and deeply human conversation about homelessness, housing insecurity and community action.
The event, attended by over 300 people and generously sponsored by GMHBA and the TAC, brought together community leaders, advocates, service providers, and people with lived experience to explore the growing impact of homelessness across the Geelong region and Australia.
Opening the event, Give Where You Live Foundation CEO Zac Lewis acknowledged the increasing pressures facing individuals and families experiencing housing insecurity and the importance of creating space for honest conversations and collective action.
“We know homelessness is growing in our community. We know the number of people experiencing homelessness in the City of Greater Geelong has doubled from 2016 to 2021, with over 1,500 people without a place to call home on any given night. Our 2026 Conversations That Matter event was about listening, learning, and recognising the human stories behind the statistics,” Lewis said.
“Of those experiencing homelessness, 44% were survivors of family and domestic violence, 15% were First Nations people, and 10% were presenting alone. Figures that highlight the complex and deeply personal challenges many in our community are facing.”
“Life can change quickly. A job loss, illness, relationship breakdown or the rising cost of living can push people into incredibly vulnerable situations. So many people in our community are doing their best to stay afloat, and often it takes just one unexpected setback to lose the security of a place to call home.”
“Conversations That Matter was created to shine a light on important issues and create meaningful community conversations that inspire understanding, compassion and action,” Lewis added.
In conversation throughout the event, Nedd Brockmann spoke candidly about his passion for supporting Australians doing it tough, the responsibility he feels to use his platform for good, and the experiences that have shaped his advocacy for people experiencing homelessness.
“I was profoundly affected by when I would walk past people in Sydney with the complete lack of acknowledgement from other human beings. The only people that would make eye contact with me were the people sleeping rough on the street. I’d chat with them, and often no one wanted help, they just wanted connection. I found that profound, so, I knew that I had to do more.”
Brockmann also reflected on the power of community connection and why it was important for him to support the event and donate his speaking fee back to homelessness initiatives in the Geelong region.
“I feel very fortunate to be in a position where, if I was going to be given money for today, that I can direct it to an organisation as impactful as the Give Where You Live Foundation. In partnership with Mobilise, the Foundation will ensure it’s reinvested into vital homelessness initiatives here in Geelong.”
“You can have a really beautiful life if you give. Our time spent here may as well be spent giving.”
The event also featured a powerful local panel discussion exploring homelessness and housing insecurity in the Geelong community. Facilitated by MC Sarah Ashmore, the panel featured Amy Hunter, Chair of The Outpost, Josephine Taylor, Director of Youth, Housing & South West Services at Meli, and Jessie Moore, a young advocate using lived experience to push for greater access to social housing.
The discussion explored the realities of housing instability, the increasing demand for support services, the impact of stigma, and the importance of dignity, compassion and connection in responding to homelessness.
Sharing their lived experience, Jessie Moore spoke about the challenges of housing insecurity after leaving home due to family violence and their determination to advocate for systemic change.
“If you can do anything, do something kind, because there are so many people doing it tough right now. If someone came up to me while I was on the streets, I might have been there even one day less.”
Amy Hunter spoke about the critical role community organisations play in providing connection and support for people doing it tough.
“There’s so many organisations here at the coalface making a difference. If you can volunteer, volunteer. If you can donate, donate, but get involved in the solution while we work really hard to make sure that everybody’s kept safe.”
Josephine Taylor highlighted the importance of coordinated, place-based responses to homelessness and supporting young people and families before they reach crisis point.
“I think everybody’s got a role to play. It’s that early intervention point, you can pick up when people are starting to experience a level of stress or not connecting. Inform yourself where people can get the right supports in the community because Geelong is a great community and we’ve got lots of great services doing great things, but we can’t do it alone.”
The Give Where You Live Foundation acknowledged the strength, resilience and courage of all people who shared their stories throughout the event and reaffirmed its commitment to supporting initiatives that help create a fairer Geelong community where everyone has a safe and secure place to call home.