The Weston and Cohen families’ Belerren legacy

NICOLE ROACHE, MARKETING & ADVANCEMENT MANAGER

Erica Weston and Justin Cohen, along with their young son Teddy, have found a new sense of community in Geelong, where they recently purchased a ‘Take Your Place’ plaque at Belerren. The family, who moved from Melbourne’s southeastern suburbs just after the COVID-19 pandemic, are excited to contribute to a local initiative that holds personal meaning.

Sport has always been a significant part of Justin and Erica’s lives. Justin, a former Stawell Gift champion and engineer, and Erica, an archaeologist and former Australian jiu-jitsu competitor, understand the lifechanging impact of sports – especially for young people.

“Sport is a very big part of both of our lives,” said Justin, reflecting on his six years coaching athletics at Caulfield Grammar. “I’ve seen firsthand how crucial good facilities are for kids.”

The family’s move to Geelong was motivated in part by the need for support after Teddy’s premature birth at 28 weeks. He spent the first 100 days of his life in NICU, which made it essential for them to be closer to Erica’s parents in Geelong.

“We came from a really tight-knit community, and we were looking for something similar here,”

Erica explained. “We needed the support because of Teddy’s health challenges.”

When it came to Teddy’s education, the family initially planned for private schooling in later years, but quickly realised that the local kindergarten spots were filling up fast due to Geelong’s growing population.

“We had to start looking at private options earlier than we expected,” said Justin. “The College was incredibly welcoming. The staff at the Junior School were so proactive, especially given Teddy’s size and additional needs. It was exactly what we were hoping for.”

The decision to support Belerren was a natural one for the family. Their belief in the importance of sport in children’s development, as well as the opportunity to leave a lasting legacy, led them to ‘Take Their Place.’

“It’s about leaving a mark for our family,” said Justin. “Teddy will grow up seeing this and feel connected to it. We even brought our parents to see it, so they feel part of it too.”

For Erica and Justin, supporting Belerren is also a way to say thank you. “It’s a thank you for the support we’ve had so far and for what this facility will provide in the future,”

Erica said. “We believe strongly in the role sport plays in mental health and academic focus.”

The Weston and Cohen families are proud to take their place in Belerren’s future, leaving a meaningful legacy for their son and generations to come.

Are you ready to Take Your Place?

You can learn more about how you can contribute to this important project at takeyourplace.tgc.vic.edu.au