About Us
A community is defined as a social group whose members share a location and often a common cultural and historical heritage. That is us.
The Geelong Irish Society traces its beginnings to 1964, when a very dedicated few people used to get together in the basement of a house in Maud Street, Geelong, to have a few drinks and to celebrate St Patrick's Day.
All of these people are the forebears of what is now known as the Geelong Irish Society Inc:
- Mr Finbar Murphy
- Paddy and Madge Hickey
- Paddy Hoare
- Ernie and Eileen Dessent
- Jerry and Kathleen O'Neill
- Brother John Keane, from the Monastery at Lovely Banks
Some four or five years later, in a basement room at the Trades Hall in Myers Street, a meeting was held and the Geelong Irish Society was formed. Over the years many people came along to the meetings and the impromptu get togethers, where on one occasion Brother John, who dabbled in rearing pigs, brought along plates of pickled pork, roast pork and plenty of bread and butter for supper.
Where we are today
Since then the Irish community in Geelong has grown substantially, and we now have well over 100 families in our community. We aim to encourage and promote, by appropriate means, Irish national and cultural heritage, and to enhance Irish Australian relations socially.
During the year we hold regular events and publish monthly newsletters which are distributed among our members. Our events include family days, dances, bus trips, trivia nights and other great get togethers.
Some of our members visit nursing homes and put on small concerts. They also help out other communities and charities.
Recent years have seen an increase in members due to migration, and we always welcome more.
Office bearers
The Society is run by a volunteer committee elected by the membership at the Annual General Meeting.
John Hogarty
John runs his own business and comes from Ballinasloe, Co Galway. He has called Australia home since 2007.
Frances Postgate
From Co Donegal and now living in Geelong, Frances has been a member of the Geelong Irish Society since around 2011.
Deirdre O'Hara
Deirdre first came to Geelong in September 1978 and was a committee member through the 1980s and early 1990s. She returned to Geelong in December 2011 and is very passionate about all things Irish.
Liesl Freeman
Originally from Dublin, Liesl moved to Australia in 2002 and lives in Geelong with her husband and two Australian Irish children. She joined the Society in 2012 and became Secretary in 2015.
Our committee members
Tony Strain
One of our longest serving members. Originally from Belfast, Tony came to Australia with his family in 1966. He has served as President for two years, Vice President for three and Secretary for ten.
Martin Healy
A carpenter from Cork. Martin moved to London in 1985 and then to Australia in 2007. He lives in Geelong with his wife and two children.
John Reaney
Originally from Dublin, John moved to Australia in 2009. He lived in Brisbane, Cairns and Melbourne before meeting his wife in 2011, and now calls Geelong home.
Netty Bongiorna
Paula Hardy
Kieran Lynch
Anthony Nolan
Join us
Membership is open to everyone, not just Irish people. Friends, family and anyone interested in the Irish community in Geelong is welcome.
Membership details