A new chapter of fun and connection has begun at Eastern Hub in Geelong, with the installation of a brand-new children’s playground made possible through Ford Australia’s GlobalGiving partnership initiative.

The project, supported by a community grant from Ford, replaced an old playground that had been removed, ensuring local families and visitors once again have a welcoming space to play and enjoy.

genU employees joined forces with volunteers from Ford and participants from Eastern Hub’s cooking, gardening, and radio programs for a full day of activity, teamwork and connection.

Volunteers were split into groups to take on a range of projects around the Hub, including building and installing the new playground and giving the decking a fresh coat of stain to bring it back to life, as well as preparing lunch for everyone involved.

Ford Underbody CAE and Development Supervisor Emma Connolly had this to say about the project;

“Personally, I found the experience to be very rewarding, seeing the happiness we brought to the clients and the young children who came to try out the playground. There were also opportunities to interact with the clients, both in the kitchen, the radio room and the garden outside."

The event was coordinated by genU Inclusion, which connects corporate partners with meaningful volunteering opportunities that make a real impact in the community.

Ford’s involvement at Eastern Hub reflects the company’s ongoing commitment to supporting local initiatives through its GlobalGiving program, which helps fund community projects across the world.

“It was great to have the Ford team working together to construct the playground — everyone jumped in, and the teamwork was incredible,” said James de Leur, Leaf Spring System Engineer at Ford Australia. 

“While assembling the playground, I was invited to join the radio team for an interview — something I’d never done before. It was such a great interaction, with heaps of questions, laughs, and a great feeling in the room.” Reflecting on the experience, James shared, “I personally found the experience very fulfilling. Seeing the happiness and joy we brought to the clients and children was truly satisfying. We hope families and children really enjoy the new playground and the new space at genU Eastern Hub.”

“Eastern Hub was thrilled to share the joy of our new playground installation at the community hub.” Jo Brown, Events Coordinator from Eastern Hub shared. “A huge thanks to Ford Australia, genU Inclusion and our amazing staff and participants for making it happen.  The day was filled with community spirit, laughter, and unforgettable moments – especially seeing the pure joy on the children’s faces as they explored their new play space. It was a beautiful reminder of the power of collaboration and the magic of play.”

Interested in finding out more about how your business can get involved with genU Inclusion projects like this?