NEWS – Page 2 – Torquay Community Enterprise

David Cheatley

David Cheatley is a retired Westpac (Bank of New South Wales) State Manager having completed 35 years’ service after joining the bank in 1958 from a Northern Victorian Rural Farming Community.
David is currently a member of Neighbourhood Watch (NHW) Torquay Jan Juc Group, where he has held the position of Co-Ordinator for the past 10 years. Also, an active foundation member of the Combined Probus Club of Torquay, having served in many committee positions.
David has been actively involved as a volunteer in many not for profit organisations since the early 1960’s covering organisations in Victoria, Australian Capital Territory and New South Wales.

Experienced in philanthropic organisations and held a former role as a Campaign Director and Board Member of United Way Geelong (now known as “Give Where you Live) in the late 1980’s
David is married to Jan, has a son and daughter and 5 grandchildren. He has a passion for not For Profit community organisations.

Gretchen Gibson

Gretchen Gibson works in Economic Development as the Business Support Officer at the Surf Coast Shire. Gretchen has lived and worked in Torquay for over 20 years with experience in owning her own business and working across a range of industries including Tourism, Hospitality and Health & Fitness. Gretchen currently administers the COVID Recovery Assistance grants and has worked in grant management for over 15 years. She loves to help her community to increase its capacity by applying for and writing competitive grants.

Gretchen genuinely loves to help others and is keen to see our Shire keep its strong community connections, be a great place to live and work with a great healthy work-life balance. She wants to help promote activities that fit with the balance of long-term sustainability with the environment, community and the economy. Gretchen strongly supports Torquay Community Enterprise for the ongoing support of our wonderful community.

Robert Harris

Robert has lived in Torquay for over nine years, having first visited the town in the early 1980’s. He is the branch manager of the Bendigo Bank in Torquay, a position he has held since the branch opened in July 2006.

Robert has been involved in various local junior sport committees and has also coached junior sport teams.

He believes the community enterprise concept is an excellent way to develop local communities. He is excited about the future possibilities for the Torquay Community Enterprise to contribute to worthwhile local initiatives.

Laura Connor

Laura Connor is the Co-Ordinator of the Spring Creek Community House in Torquay and has been in the position for thirteen years. Laura is also a Committee Member of Torquay Food Aid, the Editor of Springboard Community Newsletter, Chairperson of the Surf Coast Rural Australians for Refugees and a member of the Surf Coast Network of Neighbourhood Houses and the Barwon Network of Neighbourhood Houses.

Laura’s other community commitments include the role of co-founder and founding President of the Surf Coast Life Activities Club and her work as co-founder and founding President of the Danawa Community Garden at Spring Creek Reserve.

Laura’s passion is to see community groups working together to create vibrant and diverse local communities.

Rose Hodge

Rose Hodge is a Councillor with the Surf Coast Shire and a five time Mayor. She was elected as a Councillor in 2004 and is now serving her fifth term.

Rose has had an association with the Torquay and Jan Juc area for over 50 years. A former dental therapist, she is now a partner in a bricklaying business with her husband. They have three sons.

One of her boys is autistic and she is passionate about creating opportunities for people with disabilities.
Rose serves on the Board of Gateways Support Services. She has been president of the Jan Juc Kindergarten, a committee member of the Torquay Cricket Club and the Spring Creek Community House and she is a life member of the Torquay Netball Club.

She loves contributing to a robust, connected community and appreciates the work volunteers do through organisations such as the Bendigo Bank’s Torquay Community Enterprise.