While we’ve known about it for a while, the secret about Geelong is out. Property prices have been booming and more and more people are moving to our city by the bay.

Victoria’s largest regional city has its own airport, excellent rail links, port and university. Geelong is also buzzing with events and major construction right alongside our city’s extensive and eclectic mix of food and retail offerings

But did you know that the region’s largest employer is our world-class health care and social services sector?

The broader G21 regional economy is diverse and growing with nearly 125,000 people currently employed through the five local government areas of the G21 (City of Greater Geelong, Borough of Queenscliffe, Surf Coast, Colac Otway and Golden Plains Shires). The healthcare and social assistance sector leads the region for jobs in 2016, rising 40% since the 2011 Census data (Enterprise Geelong).

In fact, there over 17,668 jobs in the health sector generating the fourth highest economic growth in Greater Geelong ($2.0 billion per annum) behind the manufacturing, construction, and real estate sectors.

The local health sector is led via major regional health service Barwon Health, alongside private hospitals St. John of God and the new Epworth in Waurn Ponds. Significant other health sector related employers include the Western Region Primary Health Network and disability service agencies NDIA and GenU (formerly Karingal).

But our world class health system needs support. Gartland Property recognises this and has made a commitment to the Barwon Health Foundation and in particular, the Andrew Love Cancer Centre.

At Gartland, we were moved by hearing about the patient journey at the Andrew Love Cancer Centre during a visit in October 2017. Since that visit, we decided to hold monthly staff fundraising lunches at Gartland where staff donate their time and cooking skills – all proceeds raised go towards items the Andrew Love Cancer Centre can use, such as wheelchairs, kitchenware, chemotherapy treatment trolleys and an oncology pharmaceutical fridge.

Throughout the year we also facilitate charity signage across the entire Geelong region for numerous fundraising events, are major sponsors of Barwon Health’s Catwalk for Cancer and donate the services of Gartland Property Auctioneer, Nathan Ashton, for this event also.

Gartland Property is proudly a Geelong local. Supporting our region and contributing to the work of the Barwon Health Foundation and the Andrew Love Cancer Centre is about our friends, family and community. Let us know how we can help you be a part of this community. Find us on Facebook and Instagram or contact us on +61 3 5224 2204 or info@gartland.com.au.