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Goodstart Morwell is celebrating a major achievement – being named the VIC East winner for Family and Community Partnerships Excellence at the 2025 Goodies Awards.
The honour recognises the centre's deep commitment to care, connection, and collaboration, and the meaningful difference their work continues to make for children, families, and the wider Latrobe Valley community.
At the heart of their achievement is the team's contribution to belonging, shared effort, and supporting families in every way possible.
Supporting families beyond the classroom
Every week, Goodstart Morwell has hundreds of kilos of produce to give away to help families in their community
One of Goodstart Morwell's proudest initiatives is its thriving community food bank, which began in 2024 when Foodbank Victoria opened a distribution centre just minutes from the service.
The team saw a powerful opportunity to make a difference and quickly began building a partnership – pop-in visits, phone calls, an application, and finally an interview with Foodbank's Community Liaison Officer.
Morwell's Radha says the food bank has made a huge difference
By late 2024, Goodstart Morwell was officially approved as a charity partner and distribution point.
Since then, the routine has become a weekly rhythm of community support.
After completing a safety induction, educators now order a variety of seasonal produce each week, making the Wednesday trip to collect and deliver it back to the centre.
The impact has been immediate and profound.
Parent Mitch shared: 'It's made it much easier to get good food for me and my kids in our hardest times.
'It really relieves the stress when we’re struggling to make ends meet.'
Goodstart Mowell’s Admin Assistant Radha added: 'The cost of living has gone up so much that we can’t always afford the fresh produce we want.
'Having it available at Goodstart Morwell has helped us a lot. It supports us – and the community – and it brings me joy knowing we’re sharing with everyone.'
On average, 150kg of vegetables, 180kg of fruit, plus milk, yoghurt, frozen meals and bread arrive at the centre ready for families to access every week.
Director Amanda said: 'Irene is a beautiful community member who donates materials for the children to use and utilises our food bank.'
Inside the centre, Chef Sam helps families get the most from the produce by pre-packing fruit and vegetable bags.
This makes it easy for families to grab what they need on the way home, while also encouraging them to try foods they may not usually choose – and helping children taste and explore more variety.
Goodstart Morwell's food bank is now a trusted community resource, offering both practical help and a sense of dignity, connection, and shared care.
Families as true partners
The team at Morwell works closely with families so they have a real voice in shaping their children's early learning experience.
That commitment shows up every day – through community meetings, program input, and collaborative events that invite parents and caregivers into decision-making and build relationships founded on trust and respect.
This approach reflects high-quality early learning practice: caring for children, and caring for those who care for them and the community.
Strong partnerships, stronger outcomes
Goodstart Morwell's impact extends well beyond the centre gates. The team collaborates with local schools, service providers, and community organisations in the Latrobe Valley to share resources and create opportunities.
These partnerships help ensure that every child, regardless of circumstance, can learn, thrive, and feel deeply connected to their community.
This integrated approach is one of the key reasons Goodstart Morwell was recognised at the 2025 Goodies Awards. It’s not just about providing early learning – it’s about building a network of support that surrounds each family.
Join our award-winning team
Goodstart Morwell’s achievements reflect the dedicated team that shows up every day, ready to make a difference.
For passionate educators looking to grow their early childhood career in a supportive, purpose-driven environment, Morwell is a wonderful place to work, belong, and have a positive impact on children's lives.