Golden City Support Services

22/10/2026

🏅 Congratulations Tara! 🏅

We're incredibly proud of Tara, who represented Victoria at the Special Olympics Australia National Games this week and achieved some fantastic results in the pool!

🥇 Gold - 100m Backstroke (Division 3)
🥈 Silver - 100m Freestyle (Division 5)
🏅 4th - 100m Breaststroke (Division 2)
🏅 5th - 4 x 50m Medley Relay (Division 1)

While the medals are an amazing achievement, what stood out most was Tara's positive attitude, determination and love of competing. Throughout the week she tackled every event with a smile and showed what the Special Olympics spirit is all about.

Congratulations, Tara, on a wonderful Nationals campaign. We hope you enjoy some well-earned rest after an incredible week! 👏💙

👉Have you or someone you know, ever thought about competing in the Special Olympics? Special Olympics Bendigo is always on the lookout for people keen to participant in events.
Currently there is swimming and ten-pin bowling, but with enough participation further sports could be added. If this sounds like fun reach out to the SO Bendigo Team - [email protected]

22/10/2026

21/10/2026

ASID Conference Update.

We're proud to share that both GCSS presentations at the ASID - Australasian Society for Intellectual Disability Conference in New Zealand have now been delivered, with fantastic engagement from delegates and colleagues across the sector.

Our team had the opportunity to showcase the innovative work happening at GCSS through two presentations:

🔹 Noticing the Moment: The Importance of the Everyday
Presented by Alex Cotterell, Madeline Niemann and John Willis

🔹 Fifteen Years of Longitudinal Quality of Life Evidence
Presented by Linton Ashley and Natasha Williams

The ASID Conference has been an incredible opportunity to learn from leading researchers and practitioners, exchange ideas, and contribute to important conversations shaping the future of disability supports.

Thank you to everyone who attended our sessions and connected with the team throughout the conference.

19/10/2026

Looking for something awesome to do in Bendigo over the coming weeks?

CHARGE! is a dynamic new collaboration between Australia’s acclaimed and

In their contemporary reimagining of the Battle of Agincourt, Back to Back Theatre brings a fresh perspective to Shakespeare’s timeless story of Henry V’s improbable victory on French soil.

Visit Bendigo Art Gallery at Bendigo Town Hall and experience 'CHARGE! Agincourt'.

Thursday to Sunday, 10am to 4pm between now and December 13.

Bookings are not required. Screenings begin every 30 minutes, on the hour and half-hour, with each screening running for 23 minutes.

Installation view, ‘CHARGE! Agincourt by Back to Back Theatre’, Bendigo Town Hall, Bendigo Art Gallery, 2026

16/10/2026

🔥 Bendigo welcomes the Flame of Hope! 🔥

What a fantastic turnout as the Flame of Hope made its way through Bendigo, with representatives from across our community coming together to cheer on the flame runners and our very own Special Olympics Bendigo athletes!

The Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) Final Leg is travelling across regional Victoria on its way to the 2026 Special Olympics Australia National Games in Melbourne, celebrating inclusion, determination and the incredible spirit of our athletes.

A special shout-out to local Special Olympics swimmer Tara, who had the honour of being the first to carry the flame in Bendigo! 🏊‍♀️ And a big thank you to Mel for creating the custom sign to help celebrate this special occasion. 👏

We wish all the athletes the very best as they prepare to take on the National Games. Go Team Bendigo!

15/10/2026

A special day for Jane and her housemates as they settle into their beautiful new accessible home. Our CEO shared that it's amazing how the right built environment can bring instant independence, comfort and happiness.

We're so excited to see this new chapter begin. ✨🏡

Meliora Property Group

14/10/2026

14/10/2026

Next week, members of the GCSS Leadership Team will travel to New Zealand to attend the - Australasian Society for Intellectual Disability Conference.

This professional development opportunity has been made possible through the generosity of the late Ross Baring, a valued Life Governor of GCSS, whose contribution continues to support learning, growth and excellence within our organisation.

Keep an eye on our socials as we look forward to sharing key learnings and highlights from the conference throughout the week.

06/10/2026

Last week, we had the pleasure of hosting disability sector leaders from across regional Victoria at the Loddon Mallee Disability Alliance (LMDA) Regional Forum in Bendigo.

What stood out most from the forum was the shared commitment across organisations to work together, speak up for regional communities and ensure local voices help shape the future of disability supports.

Thank you to all those regional providers who took time to attend.

09/09/2026

We all carry things that others can't see, and sometimes a simple conversation can make more of a difference than we realise.

You don't need to have the right words or all the answers. What matters is making the time to listen and letting people know they're not alone.

If someone comes to mind today, reach out.

A quick call, a message, or a simple "how are you going?" could mean a great deal.

Small moments of connection can have a lasting impact.