The Next Five Years - And the Generations Beyond
By Zoe Waters, Executive Director, Barwon Health Foundation
Last Monday, the Board and leadership team of the Barwon Health Foundation came together for a defining moment in our organisation’s journey - the creation of our new five-year strategy. More than a planning session, it was an opportunity to reflect on the legacy of those who came before us, to pause and consider the impact we are making today, and to dream boldly about the future we want to support for Barwon Health and our community.
As I sat in the room surrounded by our Board Directors - some of Geelong’s most passionate and committed leaders - I was reminded that strategy is not simply about plans, budgets or targets. At its heart, strategy is about people. It is about humanity. And ultimately, it is about legacy.
It is about asking ourselves important questions: What kind of healthcare system do we want our children and grandchildren to inherit? What kind of community do we hope Geelong will become? And how do we ensure the Barwon Health Foundation remains strong enough, courageous enough and sustainable enough to respond when Barwon Health and our community need us most?
To ensure our discussions were deeply grounded in local purpose, the session commenced with insights from Robert Costa, Life Governor of the Barwon Health Foundation and one of Geelong’s most respected leaders.
Robert challenged us - and our thinking.
He reminded us that people must remain at the centre of every decision we make. That while innovation and fundraising are critically important, our purpose is far more profound: the Barwon Health Foundation exists to partner with our community to invest in healthcare excellence and to ensure exceptional care is available close to home, for every generation.
His words were a powerful reminder that philanthropy is, at its essence, an act of humanity. It is a belief that together, we can create something greater than any one individual could achieve alone.
Robert also spoke passionately about the responsibility we hold to balance the health needs of today with a steadfast commitment to building our corpus for the future. He reinforced that we must think beyond today and ensure the Foundation continues to grow and prosper to support generations to come.
That means continuing to support world-class equipment, research, patient care and transformative projects like the Barwon Women’s and Children’s, while also strengthening the Foundation’s long-term capacity through legacy giving, endowment growth and future-focused philanthropy.
Because when challenges come, when innovation is needed, or when our region faces a future health challenge, the community must know the Barwon Health Foundation will be there - supporting Barwon Health and the health of our community.
But perhaps what stayed with me most was not simply Robert’s wisdom - it was his pride.
Pride in Geelong.
Pride in what can be achieved when a community chooses to care deeply for one another.
And pride in being part of the Barwon Health Foundation’s story.
That sense of pride is, in many ways, the very essence of legacy.
As we now begin shaping the next five years, we do so with enormous optimism, ambition and responsibility. But most importantly, we do so knowing that every decision we make today has the power to shape the health and wellbeing of generations to come - and as Robert challenged us, people will absolutely remain at the centre of every decision we make – now, and for ever more.
This is not simply the Barwon Health Foundation’s journey - it is Geelong’s journey.
Whether through philanthropy, advocacy, volunteering, legacy giving or simply championing the importance of local healthcare, every person has a role to play in shaping what comes next.
We invite the Geelong and Barwon region to join the Barwon Health Foundation on this five-year journey - and beyond.
Together, we can create a legacy that extends for generations to come.
