Our History
In 2002, Global Development Group (GDG) SCIO was founded by Geoff Armstrong who after many years of being involved in development work saw the need for an organisation to connect the giving community in Australia to quality aid and development projects around the world.
In 2007, Global Development Group USA was founded by Colin & Paula Armstrong. With Paula’s love of missionary work and a devoted career to educating children, and Colin’s love of humanitarian and compassionate causes, they enthusiastically followed in GDG Australia’s footsteps to start an organization in the USA to enable citizens here to support projects that are dear to their heart. They volunteered a large portion of their lives for 17 years (2007 – 2024) into running a successful nonprofit 501(c)(3) and gaining support every year. They are now retired and have passed the reins to Our Team, but are still cheering us on in the background!
My parents worked to relieve poverty primarily within Australian Indigenous communities and in PNG. My childhood instilled a strong heart for helping communities living in poverty across the developing world.
Before we established GDG SCIO we worked in China, Kazakhstan and Thailand, but came to see that in order to be successful we needed to have an official structure. Our motivation to start GDG SCIO was the first hand poverty and distress we had witnessed in the developing world.
- Geoff Armstrong, Executive Director
It has been a great joy to work with donors, projects and beneficiaries for 17 years. It has especially been an honor to visit projects in Hong Kong, Mexico, Peru, Guatemala, Bolivia, the Philippines, New Guinea, where I left my heart when I was 18 years old.
Colin and I hope we have helped many US donors to support projects they love. GDG USA is in Melody Amato's capable hands, and I know she will represent GDG USA with pride and integrity.
- Paula Armstrong, Director & Volunteer
– Paula Armstrong, at Project J739 Gateway Children's Development, a school in Port Moresby in 2016, 48 years later!
After forming in 2002, GDG’s first 3 years of operation were run from the home office and garage
of Geoff and his wife Betty, with a small team of three.
By 2004, GDG SCIO had joined ACFID, achieved registration with DFAT and
the ATO and was approved by the Foreign Minister and Treasury.
In 2007, GDG SCIO's income had grown to $9 million annually. This resulted in a need to increase staff and office space so GDG SCIO moved to its current location in Rochedale South, Brisbane. In the same year Global Development Group USA was established and more recently Global Development Group New Zealand in 2018, and Global Development Group SCIO (UK) in 2022.
Since 2002, GDG SCIO has contributed over $400 million to overseas aid & development projects, impacting in excess of 10 million beneficiaries, through 1,100 projects across 50 countries.
Past Directors of Global Development Group
Geoff Armstrong, Founder of Global Development Group
Global Development Group was first incorporated as a Company Limited by Guarantee in October 2002.
GDG has been supported by many people since its foundation. The individuals acknowledged have contributed both leadership and governance to making GDG the organisation it is today.
Dr Reginald Klimionok
Grahame Orpin
Tim Bennett
Roy Hooker
Ofelia Luscombe
Geoff Armstrong
A History Of GDG
