genU

23/04/2026

A generous gift is making a real difference at Tara’s Dream in Ocean Grove.

Tara’s Dream is a Supported Independent Living (SIL) home where nine residents live with the support they need, while staying connected to their community. The home is named after Tara McGowan, who dreamed of supporting young people with disability to live more independently. After her passing, her family and local community worked tirelessly to bring that vision to life.

Now, that support continues.

Ross, whose son Henry lives at Tara’s Dream, has donated a car for residents to share. It’s a thoughtful gesture that will have a big impact, more flexibility to head out, more chances to catch up with friends or attend appointments and more spontaneity in everyday life.

We’re incredibly grateful to Ross for this donation. It’s a meaningful contribution that will be felt every day by the people who call Tara’s Dream home.

Read the full article on our website 👉 https://bit.ly/TarasDreamDonation

15/04/2026

Partnerships that create opportunity

We’re proud to be partnering with Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention and Event Centre ahead of its opening, creating meaningful employment opportunities for people with disability in our community.

What began as a short‑term arrangement hosting the GCEC culinary team at our Eastern Hub Community Centre has grown into a long‑term collaboration creating new pathways for inclusive employment for people with disability.
Collaborations like this show the power of local partnerships — building skills, confidence and a more inclusive Geelong.

10/04/2026

Nova teams step out of the studio and into the community for Nova Give Back Day, volunteering alongside our staff, participants and the genU Property Care team.

At the Tuart Hill, Waterloo accommodation site, 50 people come together for a full day of hands-on landscaping, transforming the outdoor space with new grass, fresh garden beds and planted fruit, vegetables and flowers.

Now in its third year, the initiative continues to make a lasting impact, creating a space participants feel proud of and actively care for through simple routines like watering schedules.

Susan, who lives at the Waterloo accommodation, shares “genU are always there for me, helping around the house, taking me to appointments, going shopping with me, and making sure I can get out and enjoy the community. The recent makeover made such a difference, with new chairs to sit on, plants and banana trees, freshly painted seats, and even a BBQ lunch”

The Nova 937 team shared the experience on air, giving listeners a real-time insight into the impact being made. A huge ‘thank you’ to the Nova volunteers and genU staff for their incredible effort and hard work throughout the day.

02/04/2026

Nova hosts Jase and Lauren roll up their sleeves and get crafty with genU participants.

Through our partnership with Nova Entertainment, the Art for Good program brings people together to create magic on canvas, build confidence, and connect in a truly inclusive environment.

Following the colourful art session with Melbourne’s top FM radio hosts and genU’s Jason, Bree, and Liam, participants stepped into Jase and Lauren’s world, the Nova studios! They enjoyed special on-air shoutouts, and one participant even wowed listeners with his incredible singing voice on the airwaves.

The collaborative artworks have then been proudly displayed at Flinders Lane Gallery, and Nova has generously supported genU with a donation to help us continue creating genuinely inclusive communities.

Follow us on Facebook to see more fun, creativity, and behind-the-scenes action with Nova FM!

01/04/2026

World Autism Awareness Day

At genU, World Autism Awareness Day holds special meaning because we have the privilege of working alongside people with autism every day. Through our disability support, employment services, training courses and community programs, we see the creativity, individuality and strengths each person brings, and the many ways our communities are enriched by this.

This year’s theme, ‘Autism and Humanity - Every Life Has Value’ reflects the heart of what we strive for at genU. It speaks to our deep commitment to uplifting the voices of people with autism and celebrating the diversity they bring to our communities. We continue to challenge outdated narratives by promoting an empowered approach - one that recognises people with autism as experts in their own lives and honours the diverse ways people thrive.

People with autism contribute profoundly to workplaces, culture and community life. Their perspectives help shape a more inclusive and vibrant future for everyone. On 2 April, and every day, genU proudly stands alongside people with autism in championing acceptance and celebrating neurodiversity.

26/03/2026

We had a great couple of days connecting with the Tasmanian community at the recent disability expos in Hobart and Launceston.

Our team met locals, built new connections and shared the many ways genU supports people across Tasmania. Events like these strengthen our local networks and bring the community together.

Thank you to everyone who stopped by to chat with us, and to The Disability Events Community - The DEC for hosting these events.

Needing more information about our Tasmanian services?
Find out more: https://lnkd.in/gzg7fFvT
✉️ connect@genu.org.au | 📞 1300 558 368

25/03/2026

25/03/2026

Recognising the incredible support from St Luke's Uniting Church Highton and the Highton Men’s Shed 💙

The genU Outreach team thanks Ken and Rae Anderson and dedicated volunteers for their ongoing generosity supporting people experiencing homelessness transition into safe, stable housing.

Through this partnership, Outreach helps people access donated furniture, white goods and household items when they move in with very little. This support helps people maintain dignity and comfort as they settle into a new home.

Volunteers create a warm and respectful experience, with some people able to choose their own items and begin reclaiming choice and autonomy.
Together, this support helps people start the next chapter with stability, hope, and pride.

The Outreach team is incredibly grateful for this partnership and the life-changing difference it continues to make.

Explore the services that the Outreach team can offer 👉 https://www.genu.org.au/services/outreach-services/

Need to speak to the Outreach team?
✉️ connect@genu.org.au | 📞 1300 558 368

21/03/2026

On 21 March, genU is proud to join communities around the world in recognising World Down Syndrome Day. It is a day to celebrate the strengths, achievements and contributions of people with Down syndrome, and to champion inclusion in every part of our community.

This year’s theme, ‘Together Against Loneliness’, reflects a commitment that sits at the core of our history. More than seventy years ago, families came together to create supportive, inclusive spaces for their children. That grassroots movement grew into genU, now a national organisation supporting people of all abilities to live the life they choose.

Today we honour that legacy by standing alongside people with Down syndrome, advocating for belonging, representation and equal opportunities. We invite our community to celebrate with us and continue building a world where everyone feels connected and valued.

20/03/2026

Our genU community is a rich and vibrant tapestry of cultures, languages, religions, faiths and spiritual beliefs, all woven together with strong threads of respect, equality and inclusivity. These shared values create a deep sense of belonging for everyone.

Cultural diversity is something we embrace and celebrate every day at genU, with Harmony Week providing a special opportunity to recognise and reflect on this ongoing commitment.

To mark the occasion this year, genU hosted morning teas across Australia, bringing teams together to share food, stories and traditions. Many colleagues brought along their favourite culturally significant dishes, creating a warm and colourful celebration of the diverse backgrounds that shape and strengthen our community.

19/03/2026

We recently took the time to recognise a group of our allied health team members as they reached an important milestone in their first year with genU.

Over the past 12 months, they’ve developed their skills in clinical situations and have grown into confident practitioners, delivering quality, person-centred support every day.

Hearing firsthand from “Princess Rosie” was a powerful reminder of why this work matters. The morning was a great reflection of the strength of our allied health team and the impact they’re making on lives everyday.

Read more about their journey 👉 https://bit.ly/4brZg0f
Explore our Allied Health services: https://www.genu.org.au/services/allied-health-services/
✉️ connect@genu.org.au | 📞 1300 558 368

19/03/2026

Neurodiversity Celebration Week is a global initiative that recognises and celebrates the distinctive strengths, perspectives and talents of individuals who are neurodivergent. It also highlights the importance of and need to foster environments where neurodivergent people feel respected, understood and genuinely included.

At genU, our social program Gamer offers an inclusive community for people with diverse ways of thinking, learning and interacting to connect through shared interests. From board games and card games to video games and pop culture, Gamer environments are recognised not only as “safe” and “fun”, but also as spaces that support meaningful connection, reduce isolation and build confidence in social settings.

To learn more about Gamer, please visit: https://www.genu.org.au/gamer-online/