December 2025
December Update
Summer is here, the festive spirit is high and Santa is on his way! We made it to the end of 2025 and what a year it’s been. Please enjoy this special end of year community update.
Do you have something you would like shared with our community? Submit requests for this newsletter by emailing Saskia via info@thecompaniongroup.org
Contents:
✨2025 at The Companion Group
💜Three cheers for our support workers
🏠Geoff’s new home
🌱Rod’s new garden
🎸Marnie meets Joe
🎄Christmas in Geelong 2025
🌴Holiday Leave Notices
🫂Stay safe
👋See you next year!
2025 at The Companion Group
This year was an extra special year for The Companion Group. We had highs and lows, lots of growth and new achievements. Here are the highlights:
In March, we commenced our first ever TCG wide footy tipping comp.
In May, Tali decided to take the next steps in her career and we welcomed new support coordinator Michelle
In July, Taylah decided to return to her roots in support work and we soon introduced new service coordinator Beck.
Mike also joined the Support Coordination team in July.
September brought the AFL grand final and we hosted our first ever TCG community sausage sizzle, a great success with more to come!
Over the whole year, Rebecca, Kirsten and the support worker team supported 58 new individual support clients.
Mike and Michelle supported 16 new support coordination clients
Leanne completed 68+ home visits
Matt sent 7,526+ invoices
Support workers completed 9,311+ shifts
Thank you to all the friends, families, care teams and wider community, without you we wouldn’t be able to provide the excellent support that we can.
And of course a special thank you to all our clients, who have allowed us to be your Companion this year.
Three cheers for our support workers
In this last community update of 2025, Matt, myself and the management team, would like to pass on our sincerest gratitude to our outstanding team of support workers. Support workers are the heart and soul of this company and provide a vital role in the lives of our community. From our hearts, thank you for sticking with us.
Specifically I’d like to congratulate Libby, Sandra, Glenn, Phoebe, Tran, Amanda, Julian and Taylah on their 5+ year milestone with The Companion Group. You’ve seen a lot of changes and have taken it all in your stride. Next up for the 5 year milestone we have Santi, Shaun, Hayley and Patrick. All the best for 2026, continue doing outstanding work for our community, and we’re lucky to have you with us.
We also welcomed 18 new support workers this year, we’re so lucky to be able to attract such talent to the team! Our group has grown to 58, a new high for TCG, giving us the opportunity to support even more people in Geelong
Finally, one of our questions Leanne asks in her home visits is to rate your support workers out of ten and make a comment about how supported you feel. I’m extremely proud to say that our support workers get an average of 9/10 and here are some of the highlights:
“Reliable, Efficient, Supportive, I really like Lisa B and Mike my SC” - MD
“Lovely guys I have to support me. Mario and I have the biggest laughs and if I am having and day I can be myself always. Patrick and I get along well too.” - MS
“Amanda is awesome, I am very happy with her support she is very good to me and helps keep me motivated to do things and keeps me on track for my goals.” - LC
“I am very happy to have the support of Tamara. I know they are there to help me and get me food and anything I ask of them.” - AD
“Eden is real good and I am happy, my previous workers from a few years I cant pick from them as that are all good.” - DN
“TCG workers are good to me, reliable, cheerful. Respectful and treat me family well, they have been pretty good.” - RE
“All my TCG workers are great. They all look after me well and I have no complaints, They all know what to do when they come to support me. My needs are being met.” - JD
“Awesome, Professional. That's all I have to say about them all.” - RD
“They are like friends to me and I like that they help me with my IT problems. They are good at resolving problems with me and have great ideas. I feel fully supported.” - SA
“My workers are all brilliant, I get to decide what I do. They all support me to do this, If I am helping my friend with a task they support me to do this as If I was in a normal life going about my business. If want to do an errand for a friend they help to achieve this.” - JJ
Geoff’s new home
We’re so excited to share some fantastic news. Geoff has officially moved into his new home this month.
Securing the right home for Geoff has been a long-term goal, and it’s been a process that took a lot of time, effort, and persistence. After multiple applications and plenty of hard work, everything finally came together with the incredible support of Michelle, his support coordinator. Thanks to that teamwork, this big goal has now become a reality.
Recently, we visited the property to check it out, and Ellie was able to visit Geoff while we were there. Everyone commented on how lovely the place is, and Geoff couldn’t stop smiling. He shared that his new home is twice the size of his previous place, and he absolutely loves it.
We’re incredibly proud of Geoff and how far he’s come. His new home suits him so well, and it’s wonderful to see him so happy and excited about this next chapter. What a positive way to almost finish off the year.
Rod’s new gardening project
Rod has been spending time in the garden, enjoying the sunshine and caring for his plants. With support from his team, he has been planting, watering, and learning how to look after his garden. Gardening has given him a chance to be active outdoors, connect with nature, and feel a real sense of accomplishment as he watches his garden grow.
He has also been exploring new ideas, trying out different plants, and thinking about what he wants to grow next. It has been wonderful to see Rod take the lead, make decisions about his garden, and feel proud of the work he has done.
Beyond the joy of growing plants, spending time in the garden has benefits for focus, creativity, and wellbeing. Tending to the garden has been a source of enjoyment and confidence for Rod, and we are excited to see what he decides to try next
Marnie meets Joe Camilleri
During a recent shift, Marnie and her Support Worker, Mario, enjoyed an unforgettable night out at the Joe Camilleri and the Black Sorrows concert at the Geelong Arts Centre. The atmosphere was electric, the music was incredible, and by all reports the whole experience was nothing short of spectacular.
But the highlight? Meeting Joe Camilleri himself! Marnie even walked away with a couple of signed copies as special mementos of the night.
Thanks to Mario for capturing this fantastic moment on camera!
Christmas in Geelong 2025
Christmas in Geelong is shaping up to be a magical season again this year. The city comes alive from 22 November to 7 January with lights by the bay, family activities, live performances and plenty of festive surprises. If you are planning your December calendar, here is a simple guide to everything happening around town.
Christmas events:
Floating Christmas Tree Sound and Light Show 22 November to 7 January Nightly from 8.30 pm to midnight with a six minute show looping every 15 minutes.
Christmas Projections at City Hall Nightly throughout the season
From dusk to midnight
School Christmas Trees in Johnstone Park Throughout the season Around 30 trees decorated by local primary schools.
Christmas Performance Trail Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 28 November to 14 December Pop up street performers, choirs and musicians throughout central Geelong.
Carousel Christmas with Santa 2 December to 23 December At the Geelong Waterfront Carousel. Santa visits and festive rides for families.
Christmas Nights at the Carousel 13 December and 20 December Evening sessions with crafts and extra activities.
Windows of the World 3 December to 7 January
Market Square Illuminated cultural displays celebrating Geelong’s diversity.
Festive Geelong City Market 20 December 9.00 am to 2.00 pm Little Malop Street Christmas themed market with local makers and food stalls.
Christmas in Geelong has a warm community feel every year. Whether you are looking for something free to do with the kids, hoping to catch some live music in the city or simply walking the waterfront to enjoy the lights, the season offers plenty to enjoy
Holiday Leave Notices
It’s time for some of our staff to take a well earned break!
Just a reminder that the whole TCG office will be closed from Monday the 22nd of December to Friday the 2nd of January.
Kirsten will also be taking an extra week, so she will be back on the 12th of January.
If you have any urgent enquiries during this time such as:
Staff need to call in sick or absent
Clients need to cancel, reschedule or add a shift
Report an incident/near miss
Pass on urgent feedback
Please don’t hesitate to contact our out of hours number on
0466 940 200
Stay safe
The holiday season is a wonderful time filled with get-togethers, road trips, late nights and warm weather. It is also a time when life gets busy and routines slip, which can make it easier to overlook simple safety habits. A little preparation goes a long way, so here are some practical tips to help you and your loved ones stay safe this festive period.
💜 Look after yourself first
The end of the year can be exhausting. Between work deadlines, shopping, events and family commitments, it is easy to feel stretched. Make sure you are getting enough sleep, drinking plenty of water and taking breaks when you need them. If you feel burnt out, say no to the extra events and give yourself permission to rest. Holidays are meant to be enjoyed, not survived.
🚗 Stay safe on the roads
Holiday traffic is often heavier than usual and people are in a hurry.
Some simple reminders:
Plan ahead so you are not rushing.
Take regular breaks on long drives.
Never drive tired.
If you are drinking, arrange a ride or a designated driver.
Keep your phone out of sight to avoid distraction.
Even small decisions like leaving ten minutes earlier can make a big difference.
🌞 Be smart with summer conditions
If you are spending time outdoors, remember that heat and sun can be tough this time of year.
Wear sunscreen and reapply frequently.
Stay hydrated, especially at outdoor events and beach days.
Keep an eye on shade, hats and light clothing.
Never leave kids or pets in cars, even for a moment.
If you are heading into regional or bush areas, check fire danger ratings and local alerts.
🏠 Keep your home secure
Holidays often mean more people out and about, which can also mean more opportunity for break-ins.
Lock doors and windows, even when you are home.
Avoid leaving valuables or gifts visible from windows.
If you are going away, ask a neighbour to collect mail and keep an eye out.
Consider putting a couple of lights on timers so your home looks lived in.
🥂 Food and party safety
Whether you are hosting or attending a festive lunch, a little care keeps everyone healthy and happy.
Keep perishable foods chilled until serving time.
Use clean utensils and avoid cross-contamination when preparing meals.
Store leftovers promptly in the fridge.
Drink responsibly and pace yourself with water throughout the day.
If kids are around, keep hot food, candles and alcohol safely out of reach.
💬 Stay connected
The holiday season can be stressful or lonely for some. Check in with friends and family, especially those who might be on their own. A simple message or coffee invite can mean more than you realise.
See you next year!
Thanks for reading the blog, it’s been 12 months of writing these now and they’ve been a real highlight of my month. I hope you got a little enjoyment out of our stories, went to a couple of community events or just felt connected to something bigger.
Warm regards,
Saskia