Why I Put Community First

Putting community first has always been front of mind for me, just as my family is. Assisting those in need including the elderly, youth, and of course, local business has been one of my priorities over what has been an extremely challenging couple of years for all of us.

This is something that aligns with me personally, as well as professionally – when it comes to Belle Property Central Coast’s vision, agents are so much more than just ‘sales people’. They are lifestyle advisors, community ambassadors and true representatives of the Central Coast. They are invested in the lives of their clients and their communities, by demonstrating a genuine level of care for others. I’m incredibly fortunate to have a team that shares this vision, who are passionate volunteers and donors to great causes that benefit the wider Central Coast. 

For us to understand the people that we serve on a daily basis, it’s highly important to engage with the community closely and often. It’s all these incredible people and local businesses who’ve supported us throughout an incredibly difficult period and giving back can be the perfect way to say thank you.

 Building positive relationships within communities also greatly benefit those who’ve decided to move to the area. We ensure that every family and individual can access the help, services and guidance that they may need. Through partnerships with schools, surf clubs, sporting and community groups, local and national charities, arts collectives and the like, we can ensure that the Central Coast is a happier, safer and healthier place to live. It’s also about building community resilience so that we are better equipped to tackle whatever comes our way, together.

In 2014, I established the registered charity, Killy Cares, with a group of like-minded locals. Killy Cares was created to draw on the compassion, generosity and expertise within our community to support and assist others in times of special need. Through COVID, we were able to mobilise over 300 volunteers to prepare home-cooked meals, deliver goods, take people to essential appointments safely, create activities for children being schooled from home, and provide other much-needed assistance during the lockdown period.

One of our agents, Lisa Boltz, is also currently leading a team to bring accessible defibrillators to Avoca Beach. Ben Bedford, is also the Vice President at Avoca Surf Club, and an active sponsor of North Avoca Boardriders. Meanwhile, Baraka Leporte sits on the committee for the Five Lands Walk and volunteers his time as an active member of Macmasters Beach Surf Life Saving Club. Baraka also recently donated his entire commission from a recent sale to help build the Copacabana Mens Shed, while Killy Cares is currently working on the building of a similar shed in Hardy’s Bay.

 Tara Jaijee, our Pearl Beach local agent, has also been working closely with the Pearl Beach Progress Association on a range of projects including the annual Pearl Beach Art Trail and the upcoming Jazz in the Arboretum. She also has plans to support the local Central Coast Outrigger Canoe Club throughout their competition season in 2022, after only coming on board with us last year.

On a broader scale, we support several local schools with annual events such as Mothers and Father’s Day breakfasts, hold an annual Biggest Morning Tea event to fundraise for the Cancer Council, and strongly support the Christmas Appeal for the charity, NSW Kids in Need. We also support charities such as Beyond Blue and Meals on Wheels, and in 2022, we are hugely proud sponsors of the Coastal Twist Arts and Culture Diversity Festival, to be held in the last week of September.

Finally, one of the community events that I am most thankful for is the opportunity to gather with over 250 women each year for ‘Belles, Bubbles and Boobies’. We are excited to be running this event later in 2022  to raise funds once again for the Breast Cancer Network Australia, after the extremely successful inaugural Belles, Bubbles and Boobies in 2020.

No matter your values, building resilient and supportive communities ensures that those in need will always have a helping hand when it matters most. At some point or another, that person could be you, or me, so I encourage you to put your community first in 2022.

To follow my journey and that of my team, you can follow me on socials @teamcathybaker, as well as @bellepropertycentralcoast, @belleescapescentralcoast, and @centralcoastlifeandstyle.