The Give Where You Live Foundation is proud to announce that homelessness advocate and endurance athlete Nedd Brockmann will be the headline speaker at its next Conversations That Matter: Homelessness event, continuing the Foundation’s commitment to hosting powerful voices that inspire action and drive positive social change in Geelong.
Known nationally for his extraordinary 4,000km run across Australia to raise funds and awareness for homelessness, Brockmann has become a symbol of determination, resilience, and community spirit. His story has resonated deeply with Australians, not only for the physical feat itself, but for the purpose behind it, shining a light on homelessness and mobilising support for those experiencing it.
The Foundation’s Conversations That Matter series, now in its 5th year, brings together influential thinkers, leaders, and people with lived experience to spark meaningful dialogue on the issues shaping and impacting communities.
CEO of the Give Where You Live Foundation, Zac Lewis, said the Foundation is proud to welcome Nedd Brockmann to the stage at a time when homelessness is rapidly escalating and a complex challenge in the Geelong community.
“In our region, the rate of homelessness increased by more than 50 per cent between 2016 and 2021, ten times the national rate of growth,” Mr Lewis said.
“The Home Truths report, commissioned by the Foundation and led by Deakin University’s HOME Research Centre, highlights a system under significant and growing strain, with demand far outpacing available support.”
“We are thrilled to welcome Nedd Brockmann to our Conversations That Matter event at a time when homelessness is an increasingly urgent issue in our community,” Mr Lewis said.
“Nedd’s story shows what’s possible when determination is driven by purpose, and his commitment to using his platform to support people experiencing homelessness strongly aligns with our vision of a fairer community where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.”
“Conversations That Matter goes beyond inspiration. It is designed to challenge perspectives, deepen understanding, and drive meaningful action. Nedd’s voice and experience will resonate deeply with our community at a time when this conversation matters most.”
Funds raised through Conversations That Matter support the Foundation’s work to address homelessness across the region, including providing funding to local organisations delivering frontline assistance, as well as the Foundation’s new Social Innovation Lab.
The Social Innovation Lab complements existing efforts by providing a platform for collaborative experimentation. It brings together community members, service providers, and people with lived experience to design, test, and refine new approaches to homelessness, while supporting the most promising solutions with targeted funding to help create change and deliver lasting impact.
Conversations That Matter: Homelessness will be held on Thursday 27 May at GMHBA stadium, with tickets expected to sell quickly given Brockmann’s strong following and the popularity of the series.
Tickets are $140 per person or $1350 for a table of 10 and are available to purchase on the Give Where You Live website https://www.givewhereyoulive.com.au/events.
Conversations That Matter: Homelessness, is sponsored by TAC and GMHBA.