2023 Belgravia Foundation Inspiration Breakfast continues ‘no one misses out’ objective

The Belgravia Foundation has hosted its sixth annual Inspiration Breakfast, raising over $38,000 to provide programs and initiatives that assist people with various needs to access sport, fitness, health and recreation experiences.

The annual event, held on Thursday 9th February 2023, aimed to raise funds for an industry-leading breakthrough program, Immersion Therapy.

This underwater therapy has been described as a truly ground-breaking innovation that creates opportunities to engage in exercise for people who live with conditions and injuries that have dramatically changed their lives.

Peter Wilson, founder of Determined2, invoked an emotional response from guests about the potential of Immersion therapy and the impact it can have on the life of someone who has experienced a catastrophic injury or illness.

Emceed by Olympic gold medallist and board member of the Belgravia Foundation, Brooke Hanson, the event was held at Zinc at Federation Square in Melbourne with over 220 in attendance.

The breakfast showcased best practices and evidence-based strategies that support inclusion and work to ensure that all people can experience the benefits of leisure, aquatics, fitness and sport.

The breakfast commenced with an Acknowledgements of Country from Nartarsha Bamblett who was also the lucky winner of a Novofit Precor 665 Recumbent Bike with a retail value of $8,500.

The event also included a panel including Nartarsha Bamblett, Dr Bree Gorman and Superintendent Sussan Thomas, who told stories and provided guidance about connecting everyone from different communities that have encountered barriers to participation in everything that leisure can offer.

Belgravia Foundation Chief Executive, Dr Jeff Walkley commented “alongside our remarkable partners, we alerted the audience to four groups who were missing out, as represented by our panellists. These groups included representation of First Nations, LGBTIQA+, members of families experiencing dysfunction, and via Immersion Therapy, people who have experienced a catastrophic injury or illness”.

The Belgravia Foundation also welcomed an array of leading organisations and stakeholders, many of whom have been long-term partners in endeavours to connect everyone to everything leisure and community sport can offer.

Among leading organisations in attendance was AUSTSWIM, Life Saving Victoria (LSV), Aquatics & Recreation Victoria (ARV), Water Polo Australia, Netball Victoria, Telstra, AUSactive and many others in the recreation and sport sector.

Belgravia Foundation Board Chair, Alex Lord commented “it was wonderful to have an abundance of support from a strong contingent of LGAs from Victoria, including Banyule and Mornington.

“The Belgravia Foundation is passionate about removing barriers in our community and seeing Sports and Government work together to ensure no one misses out was truly an inspiration.

“Belgravia Foundation challenged the sector to participate by removing barriers to actively get more people into sports, leisure, aquatics and recreation,” Lord concluded.

The $38,000 raised included a donation from Belgravia Group Chairman and Chief Executive Geoff Lord of $10,000 towards Immersion Therapy.

Every donation goes towards supporting the leisure sector to create opportunities in local communities to support and include all, with the Belgravia Foundations aim ‘no one misses out’.

Click here for more information on the Belgravia Foundation.

Images: Attendees at the 2023 Belgravia Foundation Inspiration Breakfast (top), Belgravia Foundation Chief Executive Dr Jeff Walkley (middle) and Belgravia Group Chairman and Chief Executive Geoff Lord with Brooke Hanson (below).