Brodie, originally from Mornington moved to Port Melbourne in 2018. It was the proximity to the bay, much like he had growing up in Mornington that initially attracted him to the area.

Whilst searching for his new home, he saw that Port Melbourne had a community feel that is rare in such proximity to the CBD. “I realised quite quickly, Port Melbourne had such an interesting story that really captured my attention” he said.
“Community has always been important to me. I think growing up on the Peninsula, I always felt like we were connected there. Everyone knew everyone. It instilled a strong sense of value around community and knowing your neighbours” he said. “I always sought purpose through my community, and it’s been a common theme through my work too. I’ve always sought roles that connected me with my community.“

Brodie recently started working with ‘Be Collective’ as a Community Development Manager.

“It’s an awesome role. I get to engage directly with these amazing people working and volunteering in our City. I’m inspired and excited by the work these unsung heroes do every day.” “A typical day for me might be meeting with local community centre leaders to discuss volunteering ideas, talking to Council about the social impact in our city and supporting local charities to engage with their volunteers in new ways.”

“Volunteering offers so much. It allows corporations and their staff to have deeper insight into their community, provides employment pathways for at risk groups and perhaps most importantly, it brings people together, forming small communities with shared purpose.”

Be Collective is a social enterprise that was established in South Melbourne in 2015 and now supports thousands of volunteers and organisations across Australia, New Zealand, the UK and Europe through its online volunteer management platform. “I’m really proud to be a part of an organisation that was born right here in the City of Port Phillip,” Brodie said. Brodie is also a devoted dog lover and started an online community group in 2020 for Port Philip Residents. The group now has over 800 members.
“I always wanted a dog. When I did finally get George my French Bulldog, I hadn’t beenI hadn’t been living in the city for that long and I certainly wasn’t ‘in’ with the dog community. I was looking for support and advice. It just so happened this coincided with CovId. What I found was, there was a lot of fear and uncertainty in the city, but our community online and in the dog parks, allowed a space for us to support each other and comfort each other. Our dogs were facilitating a level of community cohesion few other activities could during Covid.  It was quite incredible.

Brodie recently spoke at our local Council meeting, bringing attention to the role pet ownership is having on mental health and wellbeing.
“It’s something I experienced first-hand. I live alone and I’ve been working from home for almost two years now. Like everyone, I had to really assess how I made this life work. My dog has been instrumental in keeping me connected in community and I think the value of this needs to be recognised at a local Council level.”
“Any program or activity that is supporting wellbeing, community cohesion and social connection needs to be front and centre at a local council level.” He said.

I asked Brodie how he sees 2022 unfolding.  “I think we have a rare opportunity to really look at how we participate in our community and how we can help others to do this too.  Right now, people need our support as we look towards ‘re-entry and a re-emergence post COVID.  Our people need leadership here at a time when they’re trying to find ways back into traditional community.” Brodie said.