More than 60 South East Queenslanders entered the unique competition that encourages local residents to share their bright ideas for improving the local community for the chance to win a $30,000 kick-start to get their project off of the ground.
WMB’s Executive Director Geoff Batkin says he was overwhelmed with the wide and varied entries that ranged from initiatives to combat bullying, to programmes aimed at encouraging Brisbane residents to grow their own produce.
“It was impressive to see the level of thought that people had put into the challenges facing their local community and into devising feasible solutions to those issues,” he said. “It made the judging process incredibly difficult as really, all of the concepts were fantastic initiatives for bringing about positive change and for helping those in need.”
Andrew and Leona Walker, finalists from Ipswich, want their program ‘Rise Above’ to break the cycle of self-harm, self-abuse and addictions among young people and encourage self-love and healthy living.
“Our idea is to create a base where young people can come to learn the life-skills that many of us take for granted,” explained Mr Walker. “We want to inspire disadvantaged youths to rise above their circumstances and empower them to break the cycle of negative behaviours.”
Helping marginalised people in the local Brisbane community to find work is the mission for Rebecca Sheehan who plans to offer work opportunities for skilled refugees through her eco-friendly fashion label, WayWard Community.
“WayWard Community aims to provide society with an alternative to immoral fast fashion production,” she said. “Targeting abuse of labour, WayWard will employ skilled refugees for pattern making and construction, paying award wages and ensuring safe working conditions while developing clothing using 100% salvaged fabrics and trims.”
Other finalists include: New Farm local Rebecca Sheehan, Geoff Wilson from Mt Gravatt Wooloowin resident Angela Harrison and Kate Baker from Petrie.
All five finalists will now enter the next round of the Campaign for Change 2014 competition where they will present a full breakdown of their proposed project and business idea to a selection committee on the 19th of July. The winner will be announced on July 28 and will receive $30,000 from WMB and campaign partners, tailored support from WMB and a short course from Foresters Community Finance. Two runners-up will receive $5,000 from campaign partners PBS Building and enrolment into a short course focusing on starting a social enterprise, sponsored by Foresters Community Finance.
For more information on Wesley Mission Brisbane’s Campaign for Change, please visit www.wmb.org.au
Media Enquiries: please contact Suzanne Ross at Graymedia on 07 3250 9406, 0488 441 589 or email s.ross@graymedia.com.au.
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