RDV
About us
Go Goldfields is driven by a vision of a community that is aspiring, achieving and living a full life. Located in Central Goldfields, a region facing significant socio-economic challenges, our mission is to empower the community, enhance resilience and build local capacity to overcome entrenched disadvantages of poverty, unemployment, and intergenerational trauma.
We have a Leadership Table comprised of senior regional leaders across government, services and community.
Our work has been funded by Regional Development Victoria and powered through a community-based backbone, auspiced by Central Goldfields Shire Council, and the significant contributions of our partners.
You can find more about our work by downloading this fact sheet.
Our history
The work of Go Goldfields began in 2010 when a group of community leaders propelled by the Dropping Off the Edge report wanted to find new ways to break the cycle of disadvantage for children, young people, and families in Central Goldfields. As a rural town facing significant socio-economic challenges, they knew then it would take an innovative and community-focused approach to make a real difference.
In 2014, we adopted a systems thinking approach for collective impact to bring people together, including community members, service providers and government leaders to address tough social issues. This approach focused on collaboration and community voices to drive systemic change and disrupt the cycle of disadvantage.
During 2015, more than 300 people shared ideas for long-term change through our HATCH community conversations, resulting in numerous innovative projects to support community goals.
In 2017 community-led groups including dedicated local stakeholders and organisations were supported to focus on key areas of children and families, youth, economic participation and family safety. These groups worked collaboratively to support change through vision and action and our first data dashboards.
In 2020, Go Goldfields refined its focus to early childhood, launching the Every Child, Every Chance initiative. The initiative is informed by strong evidence, along with the voices of 574 parents and children who shared their experiences, hopes, and challenges to enabling every child to have every chance to grow up safe, healthy and confident.
Our journey is about working together to create a brighter future for all children and their families in Central Goldfields.
What we do
Go Goldfields employs a whole-of-community approach to create long-term change. Our Leadership Table, comprising key regional decision-makers, community leaders and a passionate support team, works to drive systemic change through strategic initiatives. Our efforts focus on:
Advocacy and policy change
Engaging with policy-makers to address systemic barriers and promote place-based solutions.
Innovative solutions
Piloting new approaches to tackle complex community issues.
Building collaboration
Strengthening partnerships among local organisations, service providers and government entities to improve service coordination and foster collaboration.
Resource mobilisation
Seeking innovative funding and partnerships to sustain and expand our programs.
Community engagement and co-design
Increasing community participation to build trust and design services that meet local needs.
We aim to disrupt the cycle of disadvantage and lay a strong foundation for sustainable community transformation.
About the Leadership Table
The Go Goldfields Leadership Table is chaired by an independent community member and consists of key regional decision-makers from State and local governments, community leaders and key social services. It is supported by a dedicated backbone team.
This group guides our strategic direction, leveraging opportunities for systemic change and community empowerment.
By working collaboratively, the Leadership Table ensures that programs and investment align with community needs and aspirations.
Our Leadership Table members bring a wealth of experience and different skills as we work together for a better future for families in the Central Goldfield area.
We are proud to have experts in their area, as well as those who are community leaders, working together for the betterment of our children and families.
The Leadership Table is independently chaired.
Members are:
Our way of working
At Go Goldfields, we focus on creating long-term change for children and families in Central Goldfields. Our work is guided by the needs and aspirations of the community. Our approach is grounded in community engagement, data-driven strategies and collaboration.
We focus on:
.
Research and data
Collecting data and community input to guide our work.
Evaluation
Developing an outcomes framework for comprehensive assessment.
Strategic alignment
Mapping, aligning and amplifying interventions to maximise impact.
System strengthening
Building robust systems for ongoing monitoring and improvement.
Partnership building
Supporting collaborative effort around our five priority areas.
We believe in creating conditions for change by building trust, strengthening partnerships, and fostering community-led solutions.
We are committed to listening to the community and making sure their voices guide our work. We aim to build a strong, supportive community where everyone can thrive. Together, we can create a better future for all families in Central Goldfields.
Our advocacy efforts
At Go Goldfields, advocacy is at the heart of what we do. Our work is focused on driving systemic change to break cycles of disadvantage and ensure every child and family in the Central Goldfields Shire has the opportunity to thrive. Through our Every Child, Every Chance initiative, we champion collaboration across services, engage deeply with the community, and amplify the voices of those most impacted by entrenched challenges.
We work closely with policymakers to address systemic barriers and advocate for place-based solutions tailored to our community. By leveraging local data, fostering trust, and building partnerships, Go Goldfields has achieved significant milestones, including increased kindergarten participation rates, expanded access to parenting programs, and enhanced community connections through innovative spaces like The Nest.
Despite these achievements, further financial investment is critical to sustain this transformative work. For more information on supporting Go Goldfields and helping ensure every child in Central Goldfields has every chance to live a healthy, safe, and confident life, see a copy of our latest publication: An Opportunity to Invest in Community Driven Change which you can download below:
Our achievements
We have made notable progress in increasing service co-ordination, developing responsive programs and fostering collaboration for better outcomes.
Go Goldfields (The Nest) wins two 2024 Victorian Early Years Awards
In 2024, Go Goldfields (The Nest) was honoured with two prestigious 2024 Victorian Early Years Awards, which celebrate outstanding achievements and innovations in early childhood programs across Victoria. Presented on 7 November by the Minister for Children, Lizzie Blandthorn, these awards highlight excellence in initiatives supporting the development and wellbeing of Victorian children and their families.
Award 1: Supporting Parents to Build their Capacity and Confidence
The Nest – Go Goldfields won the Supporting Parents to Build their Capacity and Confidence category, which recognises programs that empower families, parents, and carers in their vital roles as children’s first teachers. Located in Central Goldfields, The Nest provides a supportive, community-driven hub where parents and carers in Maryborough and nearby areas facing socio-economic challenges can find essential resources and support.
Designed to meet families where they are, The Nest offers a range of services, including childbirth education, breastfeeding support, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander family meet-ups. Regular drop-in sessions and events create a relaxed setting where families can connect and build confidence, fostering a strong sense of community. This welcoming approach has led to high return visits and over 900 referrals to local services, helping parents navigate the early stages of parenting with support and encouragement.
Award 2: Continuity of Early Learning
Go Goldfields was also recognised for A Great Start to School (GSTS), an initiative aimed at enhancing educational outcomes for young children across Central Goldfields. Developed through a collaborative effort involving Central Goldfields Shire Council, Maryborough District Health Service, local kindergartens, schools, and the Department of Education, GSTS addresses developmental vulnerabilities in social, emotional, communication, and language skills in children beginning school.
This program builds strong connections between early childhood educators and school teachers, ensuring children’s unique learning needs and strengths are known and supported from the start. By creating a coordinated, shire-wide approach to early years’ transitions, GSTS provides cohesive support that maximises each child’s potential during their foundational school years.
Together, The Nest and A Great Start to School showcase Go Goldfields’ commitment to building resilient families and creating a thriving community that supports every child’s development and learning journey.