Social
At GeelongPort we are committed to identifying and managing business impacts on people. By creating a prosperous, safe and stable business we can contribute to the local economy, employ locally and provide good working conditions.
Worker health and safety and stakeholder relations continue to be critical social topics in our latest materiality assessment.
In FY24, we progressed our Diversity Equity and Inclusion Roadmap commitments and became a Work180 endorsed workplace for all women. We also provided mental health first aid training for all people leaders and health and safety representatives, launched our Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan and achieved satisfactory Community Sentiment Survey results indicating our role in the community is mostly seen as valuable.
CASE STUDY:
School Citizen Scientists Program
GeelongPort is committed to fostering environmental stewardship and supporting community education initiatives. In partnership with the Marine Mammal Foundation, we have launched the School Citizen Scientists program, engaging more than 240 Year 7 and 8 students from Northern Bay College in a hands-on STEM experience at Queenscliff beach.
Program Highlights
- Students explored critical environmental issues by learning about local marine mammals and the ecological significance of Corio Bay and our oceans.
- Participants actively contributed to environmental conservation by collecting macro plastics from the shoreline, preventing micro plastics from entering marine ecosystems.
- Students calculated the decomposition timeline of collected plastics and studied the broader impacts of plastic pollution on water quality and marine life.
- The immersive program strengthened STEM learning outside the classroom and encouraged a deeper appreciation for environmental responsibility among participants.
Measured Outcomes
- Removal of macro plastics from Queenscliff beach,
potential sources of marine pollution. - Enhanced student understanding of the connection
between human behaviour, plastic waste, and
marine environmental health. - Meaningful engagement of more than 250 students as emerging citizen scientists, helping to build a foundation for ongoing community involvement in sustainability.
Ongoing Commitment
GeelongPort remains dedicated to environmental leadership and educational outreach, ensuring future generations are equipped with the knowledge and inspiration to protect our local waterways and marine habitats.
CASE STUDY:
Top 101 Australian Workplaces for Women
In FY24, GeelongPort was proudly recognised as one of Australia’s top workplaces for women, a reflection of our ongoing commitment to creating a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment for all.
Building on this momentum, FY25 saw the introduction of two new policies that further embed diversity, equity, and inclusion into the fabric of our workplace: the Wellness Policy and the Volunteer Policy.
Health and wellbeing are central to our culture. The Wellness Policy offers employees up to five days of paid wellness leave each year, above and beyond personal and annual leave entitlements.
This leave can be used for reproductive health, menopause, and menstrual symptoms recognising the diverse experiences of our workforce.
The Volunteer Policy empowers employees to give back to the community, providing two days of paid leave annually to participate in volunteer work with a recognised community partner. It’s a reflection of our belief that meaningful impact extends beyond the port gates.
Another major milestone was the enhancement of our paid parental leave, which increased from 12 to 16 weeks for primary carers in 2023. This gender-neutral policy ensures that all parents can access the support they need.
These initiatives are more than policies, they’re part of a broader cultural shift that values people, purpose, and prosperity.
As a result, GeelongPort was named one of WORK180’s Top 101 Workplaces for Women, reinforcing our position as a leader in inclusive employment.
CASE STUDY:
Apprenticeship Program
In partnership with Gforce, GeelongPort welcomed two new apprentices in February 2025: an electrical apprentice, and a mechanical fitter apprentice.
Building on the lessons learned from the 2018 apprenticeship program and the collaboration from the GeelongPort Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion working group, the program began with a meet and greet for their families.
This event provided a wonderful opportunity for the families to visit the workplace and learn more about the GeelongPort business operations.
The program includes comprehensive training and mentorship opportunities to help the apprentices gain valuable hands-on experience in their respective trades. By rotating through different departments, our apprentices will develop a well rounded understanding of the operations and maintenance activities at GeelongPort.
The apprenticeship program supports the local economy by creating job opportunities and fostering talent within the community. It demonstrates our commitment to social responsibility and its role in contributing to community development.
CASE STUDY:
Port of Geelong High School Education Tours
GeelongPort has partnered with Ports Victoria to enhance educational outreach and engagement. This collaboration has significantly enhanced the local community
understanding of both businesses, their roles and responsibilities and the career and employment opportunities in maritime and logistics.
In a first of its kind partnership with Ports Victoria, the Port Education Program hosted 200 high school students in years 10, 11, and 12 from local high schools. The program includes a waterside tour of GeelongPort where students hear about trade at the port and the employment opportunities related to Victoria’s second largest port. The partnership ensures the Port Education Program’s sustainability and demonstrates a commitment to fostering educational opportunities for the youth.
