Read about some of the interesting projects brokered by BacLinks
94.7 The Pulse Renovations
Australia Red Cross Geelong Office Facelift
94.7 The Pulse Renovations
Tim Gooden, Geelong Trades Hall (far left) and Brendan Murphy, CFMEU (second from right) discussing renovations to the Pulse with Paul Sutcliffe and Lyndon Alsop (far right) from Palmers Commercial Plasters
94.7 The Pulse has been given additional amenities thanks to the support of members of the Electrical Trades (ETU) and Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy (CFMEU) Unions.
In 2004 Diversitat assumed management of community radio station 94.7 The Pulse. The plan was to develop the station as a broadcasting and education centre using media as a platform to provide advocacy, training, employment and a voice for the broader community. Scott Casey, Station Manager, believed it was "important for diverse communities to have a voice and take ownership of what they are producing”.
The Pulse is now thriving, however is finance limited and in need of extra facilities to provide additional space and amenities. Casey says “Having improved amenities will allow the Pulse to become more accessible; a central point for community members to gather”.
Construction has required specialised skills. The solution came when BacLinks connected The Pulse with Geelong Trades Hall. “Trades Hall and unions have a very long history of using their collective power to help the broader community”, says Tim Gooden, Secretary, Geelong Trades Hall. “We are genuinely interested in the wellbeing of all workers and their families. Alternative media and education is a way to strengthen communities and give them a voice”.
Partnerships such as these provide creative solutions to all types of community need. Gooden believes “Combining resources and working in partnership with community is a good way to go. The assistance of BacLinks in coordinating these projects makes real sense.”
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Australia Red Cross Geelong Office Facelift
Red Cross was daunted by the size and scope of the repainting of their building. They didn’t have any funds and they didn’t know where to begin or who to employ to carry out works. The original building walls were dark and gloomy and in urgent need of repainting to turn them into a more professional and presentable environment for volunteers and visitors. Red Cross had the project on its wishlist for around 15 years and didn't believe it would ever get off the ground.
BacLinks was able to connect a number of businesses and services to supply equipment, carry out the works and to provide the professional expertise to support the volunteer labour. These included the Ford Motor Company, Suncorp-Metway Pty Ltd, AJ Fletcher (Painter & Decorator), Bunnings Corio and Faggs Mitre 10 Geelong. Crew from the Participate Worklinks Program, Karingal, also leant a hand to get this complex project up and running.
Some volunteers were quite apprehensive about the project as it required skill levels beyond their usual sphere of competence. Projects such as these demonstrate the importance of providing professional support as the nature of works can take people out of their comfort zone and provide new learning opportunities.
BacLinks provided full coordination, support and sourcing of all aspects of the project. This included organising an assessment of the job by AJ Fletcher to determine paint quantities, type and colour; preparation requirements; equipment needed; risks and an approximate completion time. Fletcher also provided expertise and trade tips to volunteers as well as the loan of some equipment.
Bunnings donated 100 litres of good quality Dulux Paint in shop soiled and/or damaged tins that was tinted to the recommended colour. Faggs Mitre 10 donated a full range of painting equipment including brushes, rollers, extension poles, sandpaper, masking tape, sugar soap etc. On completion of this project this equipment was then handed on to other projects.
BacLinks put out a call for volunteers from the business sector to undertake the painting. Ford Motor Company and Suncorp took up the offer agreeing to supply 7-8 volunteers each. The project aligned with Ford's Community Service Program and Suncorp's Vision, Mission and operating values.
The Worklinks crew of 6 volunteers spent a few hours over 2-3 days to clean and prepare the site approximately one week ahead of painting. Suncorp volunteers started the job on one day of one week and this was followed by Ford Motor Company volunteers who worked a second day in the following week to finish the job off, clean up and make the site ready for re-occupation by a very grateful Red Cross.
This project brought together a number of businesses and community groups for a common goal that underpins the value of business-community partnerships. Business-community partnerships are an integral part of contemporary business practice and this project provided the perfect opportunity for the Ford Motor Company and a number of other businesses to demonstrate their commitments to community in a simple and structured way.
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