Community Impact Award 2026

George would like to acknowledge help from his tutor
Sharryn Jenkinson (Porta Vermelha Studio, Bellbrae)
in the creation of this painting.

Describe your involvement with the MAC and what you regard as your most important achievements?

My involvement began in 2013 when my wife and I moved to Torquay. Initially, the aim was quite practical — to support community arts, particularly by helping find a permanent home for the Torquay Theatre Troupe (TTT), then in its thirteenth year.

It quickly became clear that any viable proposal to Council would need to be multidisciplinary, so the early vision evolved into a combined theatre and gallery. We brought creative arts and theatre skills from our experiences both overseas and in Melbourne as well as my wife’s role on the Victorian Drama League.

Working with long term members of the TTT, a proposal was put before Council in 2014 to repurpose the sports and recreation hall at 77 Beach Road. To meet its due processes, Council engaged advisory consultants and completed an Arts Space Feasibility in 2015, and a Theatre Feasibility in 2018, which ratified the community proposal. Council next offered a lease on the building contingent on the development and approval of a management plan. We formed a Multidisciplinary Arts Collective in 2020 and demonstrated that a functional, community-led facility could be delivered far more simply and affordably than originally proposed by the Council’s consultants. This approach ultimately led to the incorporation of the Multi Arts Centre (MAC) Inc and execution of a 5 year lease.

As  President of MAC I have chaired over 100 Committee meetings from 2019 -2025. Today, it’s rewarding to see the space actively used for exhibitions, theatre, workshops, youth programs, visiting groups, and broader community arts programs. Council supports the programs by bringing some of their activities to the venue such as their youth Freeza and Shed Talk events.

What motivates you?

I’ve always been motivated by the idea that humans and communities can work things out for themselves — that with enough thought and persistence, practical solutions are usually within reach.

My background as a former Shire of Sherbrooke Councillor and a professional geologist probably plays a part in that; it’s about observing carefully, working within constraints, and not overcomplicating things unnecessarily. I’ve tried to bring that same approach to community projects.

I also genuinely enjoy the arts — particularly my own practice in drawing and field sketching and the technical and creative side of theatre — and I value what they bring to a community in terms of connection and shared experience.  No doubt my penchant as a meticulous note taker and project diarist has helped to keep accurate track of MAC’s project events and progress.

What does it mean to you to be acknowledged as a Surf Coast Shire Local Legend?

It’s an honour, and I accept it as recognition of a collective effort. Projects like this depend on many people contributing over time, often behind the scenes. In particular, I acknowledge the support from Council officers, community creatives, and the stalwart support of my wife Zina.

I feel fortunate to have been part of that process.

What do you love about our Surf Coast Shire community?

What I appreciate most is the willingness of people to contribute and get things done. Inevitably the workload falls on too few shoulders, but it is the collective support that gives results. There’s a strong sense of independence, but also collaboration when it matters.

It’s a community that supports creativity and participation, which makes it a rewarding place to be involved.

Matty Lawrence pours so much of himself into Happy Spaces, a local co-working space in Torquay. 

But according to Matty's nomination, it is so much more than a local co working space; it’s a foundation for connection, growth, and community. It helps businesses of all sizes thrive while allowing people to work locally, outside the home, without long commutes.

It’s a place of belonging, friendship, and support. Here, people connect, collaborate, and laugh together; they find clients, friendship, and even housemates or love.

Matty helps to create a vibrant, inclusive community where people and businesses can flourish.

Citation: One of the founders of local charity Foundation 61 addiction treatment centre, Rob Lytzki has worked tirelessly for 21 years supporting individuals on their recovery journeys.

Established in 2005, Foundation 61 walks with individuals who choose recovery, through its six-month residential program.

Rob knows first-hand what it is like to be in the depths of addiction and feel hopeless.

Rob found hope when someone believed in him and gave him a hand up. As a result he chose to pass on that hope to others.

Foundation 61 has helped countless men across 21 years and is now also supporting women. Restoration House for men has been restoring hope in Surf Coast Shire for two decades.

Describe your involvement and what you regard as your most important achievements?

It goes back to being part of the team that founded Foundation 61, 21 years ago and watching it grow and nurturing it through those 21 years and witnessing the impact that it has had on the local community for that time.

A big achievement was we finally got the girls’ house open about nearly two years ago and that is really ticking along fantastically. So now were able to cater for males and females.

We can have 15 at the guys’ house full-time live-in for a six-month minimum program and the girls’ house is set up with eight beds, six month minimum commitment program and two of those bedrooms have children’s bedrooms included. As yet we haven’t had little children in but at the moment we have both a mother and daughter doing rehab.

Keeping it all going is fantastic, we’ve got a really good support base of about 60 volunteers across both houses doing things like overnight care and taking people to appointments, even yoga training.

Of course being total charity, non-government funded we’ve always struggled in that arena, but so far so good.

What motivates you?

I suppose the successes, the relationships – just to see people come alive again and get their lives back after so often years and years of addictions and life devastation. That’s the main motivation, just to see people come alive. It goes really well, we’re often amazed just having a look at how successful it is.

A beautiful journey of love. It makes a difference.

What does it mean to you to be acknowledged as a Surf Coast Shire Local Legend?

It’s very humbling to be acknowledged. It’s great to know that people can see that we are making a difference, and that’s fantastic – that our little contribution helps.

What do you love about our Surf Coast Shire community?

Apart from the beauty of the Surf Coast, the inclusiveness of it, the outreach and engagement across all aspects of the community. It’s very proactive, it’s great.

Describe your involvement and what you regard as your most important achievements

 I had a vision to create an all abilities basketball program, with the long-term goal of forming a team to compete in the Geelong United all abilities basketball competition.

A key challenge was building the right support network and reaching the community to encourage participation. This required persistence, strong communication, and a genuine belief in the value of inclusive sport.

I was fortunate to receive outstanding support from Surfcoasters Basketball Club, who helped bring the program to life, and All Aboard Disability Support Services, who played an important role in connecting us with participants.

What began as a small initiative quickly exceeded expectations. We established two teams immediately and entered the competition in our first season. The program continues to grow, with plans to expand to three teams next season.

While this growth has been significant, the most important achievement has been the impact on the players. Seeing their joy, confidence, and skill development has been incredibly rewarding, alongside the strong sense of belonging and community the program creates.

What motivates you?

Growing up with an older brother who had an intellectual disability, I saw firsthand the positive impact that involvement in sport had on his life. It provided him with not only physical activity, but also a sense of belonging, confidence, and joy.

Those experiences have stayed with me and continue to motivate me today. They inspired me to create an all abilities sports program in our community, with the goal of giving others the same opportunities that meant so much to my brother.

I am driven by the desire to ensure that all individuals, regardless of ability, have access to inclusive sporting environments where they can develop skills, build friendships, and feel valued as part of a team.

What does it mean to you to be acknowledged as a Surf Coast Shire Local Legend?

To be acknowledged as a Local Legend by Surf Coast Shire is something I’m very proud of and grateful for.

At the same time, I see this recognition as something that is shared. The success of the program has only been possible because of the incredible support from Surfcoasters Basketball Club – their commitment, encouragement, and belief in the vision have played a huge role in what we have been able to achieve in such a short time.

While it is an honour to be recognised individually, this acknowledgement really belongs to the entire community that has come together to make the program what it is today.

What do you love about our Surf Coast Shire community?

The genuine sense of care, connection, and support people have for one another. There is a strong, inclusive spirit that makes it a truly special place to live.

We are also incredibly fortunate to be surrounded by such a beautiful natural environment, which supports a healthy, active lifestyle and a strong sense of wellbeing. This way of life creates opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to feel connected, engaged, and happy.

It’s this combination of community spirit and lifestyle that makes the Surf Coast Shire such a unique and valued place to be.