The Gordon announced as Naming Rights Partner

The Gordon announced as Naming Rights Partner for 2025 and 2026 International Day of People with Disability Celebration

The Gordon has been announced as the naming rights partner for Leisure Network’s 2025 and 2026 International Day of People with Disability celebration event - an important community occasion recognising achievement, inclusion and the contribution of people with disability across the region.

The partnership reflects The Gordon’s strong commitment to driving meaningful, systemic change in accessibility and inclusion, and builds on the work underway through the Centre of Excellence in Disability Inclusion, a Victorian Government–funded initiative led by The Gordon to improve outcomes for students with disability across the TAFE network.

Carley Brennan, Director Engagement and Partnerships at The Gordon, said the organisation is proud to support an event that amplifies community voices and celebrates the value of inclusive participation.

“We’re thrilled to partner with Leisure Networks for this year’s International Day of People with Disability,” Ms Brennan said. 

The Gordon is deeply committed to building a more inclusive future, both within our campuses and across the wider community and this event captures exactly what that future can look like when everyone is supported to participate fully.

--Carley Brennan, Director Engagement and Partnerships at The Gordon

She said the partnership is a natural extension of the work being delivered through the Centre of Excellence.

“Our Centre of Excellence in Disability Inclusion is focused on strengthening access, improving pathways to employment and lifting inclusion right across Victoria’s TAFE system,” Ms Brennan said. 

“Supporting an event that celebrates lived experience and community leadership aligns perfectly with that mission.”

Leisure Networks’ annual International Day of People with Disability celebration brings together individuals, families, local organisations and industry partners to recognise achievements, share stories and promote a more inclusive society. With The Gordon joining as naming rights partner, both organisations aim to broaden the event’s reach and deepen its impact.

“Partnerships like this help shift inclusion from intention to action,” Ms Brennan said. 

“We’re excited to work alongside Leisure Networks to highlight what’s possible when education providers, community organisations and industry come together.”

Roxie Bennet, Head of Strategic Engagement & Special Projects at Leisure Networks, said the partnership with The Gordon will elevate the impact of this year’s celebration.

We are absolutely delighted to welcome The Gordon as our naming rights partner for the 2025 International Day of People with Disability event. Their leadership in disability inclusion, especially through the Centre of Excellence, aligns perfectly with the values of this event. Together, we can create a celebration that not only recognises people with disability, but strengthens the message of inclusion across our whole community.

--Roxie Bennet, Head of Strategic Engagement & Special Projects at Leisure Networks

Proudly presented by The Gordon, Leisure Networks will host a celebration lunch for the International Day of People with Disability on Wednesday, 3 December 2025, from 11:30am to 2:00pm in the President's Room at GMHBA Stadium.

This year’s International Day of People with Disability celebration on 3 December will feature keynote speaker Rhiannon Tracey, whose story has inspired audiences across Australia and beyond. After a life-changing diving accident left her a quadriplegic at 20, Rhiannon has transformed her experience into a powerful platform for advocacy and change. Today she is a sought-after speaker, model, entrepreneur, business owner and TED presenter, known for her message of resilience, representation and the importance of dismantling barriers for people with disability.

Her keynote address will anchor the event’s focus on visibility, empowerment and community leadership. With Rhiannon’s mix of lived experience, advocacy and entrepreneurial insight, attendees can expect an uplifting and thought-provoking contribution that highlights both the challenges and the possibilities of building a more inclusive future.

The Gordon is set to play a key role in championing accessibility, representation and opportunity throughout the program.

The Gordon looks forward to celebrating International Day of People with Disability with the community and continuing its work to build more inclusive education and employment pathways across Victoria.