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Our year in review
We envisage a world where children and families are safe, joyful, and healthy. - OUR VISION
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We envisage a world where children and families are safe, joyful, and healthy. - OUR VISION
2 | Pressroom Philanthropy Our Year In Review
Re:Think
Unprecedented times and elbow bumps As we watched the fireworks above the Yarra on New Year’s Eve in 2019, who’d have thought that 2020 would deliver such extraordinary events? It started in January 2020, when Australians were confronted by massive bushfires. No sooner had we doused the flames than COVID-19 was on our doorstep, with the unprecedented change the pandemic brought with it. Social distancing became the norm. Lockdowns and elbow bumps became a feature of everyday life, while our language changed to include new common terms like ‘pivot’, ‘zooming’ and ‘quarantinis’. It’s been a challenge, to be sure. Businesses have been impacted. Many of us struggled with social isolation and limitations on movement and in-person contact. We missed our family and friends. We juggled home-schooling. And while some work dried up, the demand for other services – like many of those we support – boomed, leaving many people with little downtime. But 2020 also demonstrated how innovative and flexible we can be. We learned new skills and adapted to a constantly-changing ‘new normal’ on the Corona-coaster. At Pressroom Partners, we responded to the challenges of the pandemic by increasing our community support under a new banner, Pressroom Philanthropy, with a primary focus on community support and innovation, music and the performing arts, homelessness and housing security. Erin Derkley and Sally McIntyre joined the team as Community Giving consultants and have spent the past few months researching and qualifying a variety of amazing not-for-profits in line with the Pressroom Philanthropy values of Family, Growth and Innovation.
Over the last few months, we have connected with a range of organisations who align with these values, to offer support in a variety of ways, be it monetary support, marketing assistance, networking connections and liaison, or general advice on ideas and direction. These include: • • • • • • • • •
Big Group Hug Derwent Valley Railway Chill Out and Look About 123Read2Me Girls Rock Melbourne! Helping Hoops Aardvark Music Community Music Victoria ENACT
2020 saw us spend time understanding the important work of each organisation that has joined the Pressroom family, and I can assure you they are all amazing, creating hope and opportunity and providing genuine and much-needed support in a wide variety of ways. We are proud to support every one of them and excited to see what they will achieve next year and beyond.
Phil Taylor CEO, Pressroom Philanthropy
It’s a great pleasure to introduce you to just some of these wonderful organisations on the following pages. You can read more about what we do at pressroomphilanthropy.com.au and I would encourage you to follow our progress as we look forward to bigger and better things ahead in 2021. Your Sincerely,
Phil Taylor, CEO Pressroom Philanthropy
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Women’s Spirit Project:WSP
Women’s Spirit Project pivots in 2020... Well, more than a pivot … a pirouette! The Women’s Spirit Project, or WSP, could well have responded to the pandemic by closing up shop for the year. Instead, they decided to build an online shop from scratch, drawing on the expertise of Pressroom Philanthropy to guide the way. In early 2020, WSP were planning to advocate and raise awareness for their program with a relay leaving from Frankston and taking their message to Federal Parliament in Canberra. COVID, of course, had other ideas. So, how were they to engage more women and keep momentum going? Like many others, WSP found virtual solutions: • Sanity Sessions – free online fitness, health and wellbeing activities; • The Why Women Walk (WWW) virtual event, engaging 120 women who collectively walked 25,000km, the distance around Australia, and • A refreshed WSP website, created by Pressroom, at www. womensspiritproject.org which features a new online store where followers can grab their own WSP hoodie and multi-use tube scarves, available in two different print designs. Over the year, this provided a great platform for WSP to launch to a wider audience, with the group increasing their reach and engagement from 200 initial followers to over 900. Talking to Pressing On, Jodie Belyea, Founder and Managing Director of WSP, reflected on 2020, the work of the WSP tribe, and the activities designed to support women to remain fit, healthy and well. 4 | Pressroom Philanthropy Our Year In Review
Web support on multiple projects through the year.
“What did I learn? That we must remember to pace ourselves in times of significant change. Plus, that to be able to address and deal with change of this magnitude, while supporting our nearest and dearest, we need to look at ways to do things differently and balance our time in the process of reimagining,” she says. Jodie adds that she suspects this is a common reflection for those working with, and for, the community.
A participant of the WWW event underscores this impact, saying the 25,000km challenge “was significant in keeping people together despite being physically apart.”
“There is also a need for funders and sponsors to change the way they fund, and adopt a more flexible approach, and Pressroom Philanthropy helped us to do just that, swiftly responding to requests to support our plans as they changed and evolved over the year.
For WSP volunteers behind the scenes, the year’s activities proved how adaptable and flexible both they, and WSP could be, with a great capacity to keep learning and evolving to meet the needs of the community. This year will see a new WWW event, ‘Frank 2 Schanck’, a three-day fundraising adventure from Frankston to Cape Schanck starting on 30 April. The event will combine a group fitness challenge with all-important fundraising, and a showcase and celebration achievements of WSP.
“This support has been exceptional, helping WSP achieve so much in 2020 – we’ve been able to remain relevant and really lean into our mission to inspire, empower and support the transformation of women who are doing it tough,” Jodie says.
We can’t wait to see what other fantastic work WSP do in 2021. You can also get behind their raffle, commencing in midMarch by visiting the website listed above or their Facebook page: www.facebook. com/TheWomensSpiritProject/.
The Women’s Spirit Project is a grassroots, volunteer-led initiative which aims to inspire and empower women experiencing disadvantage to transform their lives through fitness, health and wellbeing activities. Find out more at womensspiritproject.org.
FoodBank:Victoria We were delighted to design and print FOODBANK’S ANNUAL REPORT 2020 and create a valuable tool to highlight the fantastic work done by Foodbank staff and volunteers. Pressroom produced the 40page report which included all the design work and the printing of 700 books.
Foodbank was over the moon with their new pallet wrapper.
Boxing went from using 6 people to just one with the same output.
2020: Responding to a convergence of crises The events of 2020 – devastating bushfires, a global pandemic and the ensuing economic downturn – saw a 50% increase in demand for Foodbank Victoria’s help. The speed with which demand increased put enormous pressure on the organisation, as it sought to increase the number of hampers it could produce, and get them out to those in need as quickly as possible.
for Foodbank’s hamper packing lines, and its carton and pallet wrapping. Drawing on an extensive network, Phil was able to negotiate a deal for a new pick and pack line and automated carton and pallet-wrapping equipment, funded by Pressroom. This has enabled Foodbank Victoria to increase its production from 1,000 hampers a day, to meet the current need of around 4,000.
which meant we didn’t have to divert resources or attention from our priorities here. It’s great to have that level of trust, knowing that someone is in your corner batting for you, with nothing but your best interests in mind.”
“When I was at Foodbank’s Yarraville packing and distribution facility earlier in the year, I noticed how much manual labour was involved in getting the hampers together,” says Pressroom CEO, Phil Taylor. “I kept thinking, there has to be an easier and faster way to assemble the hampers and pack them ready for distribution.”
“I don’t know how we would have been able to meet the demand during the bushfires and COVID-19 without that assistance,” admits Foodbank’s Victorian CEO Dave McNamara. “Phil knew what we needed, and he handled the negotiation for us,
“Working with us has meant that Dave and his team can focus their time and resources on what they’re good at,” says Phil. “It’s been very rewarding to provide solutions-based support, and I’m proud we’ve been able make a real difference.”
Phil’s previous experience in getting millions of catalogues printed, packaged and onto pallets ready for national distribution, stood him in good stead, and he quickly got to work with the Pressroom team to source a new solution
For his part, Phil is delighted to have helped Foodbank and those who rely on this vital service.
Foodbank is Australia’s largest food relief organisation, operating on a scale that makes it crucial to the work of the front line charities who are feeding vulnerable Australians. Foodbank provides more than 70% of the food rescued for food relief organisations nation-wide. Find out more at www.foodbank.org.au/?state=vic.
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IMAGE TO GO HERE
Some of our latest handy work on the Salvos truck, Food For Books and a COVID banner designed in April.
We got right behind the Salvos in a challenging year Pressroom Partners’ office is in the heart of Melbourne. We love living and working in this fabulous city, but for those who are living without means or shelter, it can be a cold and lonely place. Helping to make life easier for those who are doing it tough, the Salvation Army Melbourne Project 614 welcomes more than 500 people a day. Known colloquially as ‘the Salvos Bourke Street’, Project 614 provides 4000 meals a week, and endless cups of coffee all day long, giving a helping hand to those who have nowhere else to turn. As well as food and a much-needed chat, Project 614 also helps people secure vital services like housing, medical aid, legal assistance and the often-forgotten luxury of a hot shower and a haircut. 6 | Pressroom Philanthropy Our Year In Review
Like all charities, the Salvos were hit hard by the multi-faceted challenges of 2020 and, being right on the spot, we immediately saw a role for Pressroom. Our CEO Phil Taylor reached out to Project 614 to offer our services, hitting it off immediately with the Salvos’ Major Brendan Nottle. “Being able to spend time with Phil has been really powerful because he thinks outside the box,” says Brendan. “He’s really creative with the way he goes about finding solutions. To have somebody like that - that’s pushes you to think creatively - is really helpful.”
Extra funds for the Digital Doorknock The Salvos’ well-known annual fundraiser, the Red Shield Appeal Doorknock, was impacted by COVID, potentially delivering a huge shortfall in funds to the organisation. “The need for social distancing meant we couldn’t go knocking on doors or ringing bells,” Brendan explains, “and if we don’t have those funds, we can’t support the services we offer.” At Pressroom, we saw the challenge and drew on the expertise of our in-house team to create our own online fundraiser to complement the Salvo’s ‘Digital Doorknock’ campaign, generating
Salvation Army Melbourne:Project 614
The new website gives Melbourne Salvos 614 the ability to collect donations and attract volunteers for their chapter. Check it out at salvosproject614.com.au.
an amazing response and raising more than $36,000 – funds which have already been put to good use providing emergency relief for people struggling with everyday expenses, and providing warm meals and shelter to those experiencing homelessness. “Pressroom is committed to helping charities which are supporting Victorians during these tough times,” says Phil. “The work Brendan and his team do is really uplifting and we’re excited to be able to raise funds so that they can help more people.”
An innovative approach As well as these fundraising efforts, Pressroom also produced a number of design and print projects for Melbourne Project 614, including decals for vehicles, posters and billboards. We even published and distributed a local Melbourne Project 614 newspaper.
Phil has been really powerful because he thinks outside the box. He’s really creative with the way he goes about finding solutions. To have somebody like that - that’s pushes you to think creatively - is really powerful,” - Major Brendan Nottle, Melbourne Project 614.
The Salvo’s Tameka Buckley, Salvos 614 Event Coordinator, explains that one of 2020’s most significant challenges was to re-imagine the Salvos’ programs and services to make sure they continued to serve the acute need within the community, while adapting to the pandemic environment. Salvos 614 took up the challenge, focusing on creative ways to support the mental and emotional health of their clients.
have offered incredible and multi-faceted support. From vehicle & street window decals, to EDMs and online marketing content, from help with fundraising to networking in support of the Red Shield and Christmas Appeals, to producing books and calendars and giving us the benefit of their experience with general advice, they’ve been with us all the way.” A highlight, Tameka says, was the ‘affirmation’ postcards that Pressroom designed and printed, featuring inspiring messages or quotes and uplifting images. “While this seems like a small thing, it was really powerful to be able to share a special message of support and encouragement with clients at times when they were struggling the most,” Tameka says. “The impact of these postcards on helping people to feel loved, supported and cared for was powerful to see.”
“Many of our clients are already isolated, and their mental health is dependent on healthy and supportive engagement with other people,” she explains. “We found that the community was overwhelmingly more fearful of the detrimental effects of social isolation than of COVID-19 itself – so helping people to feel supported and connected when in-person contact was not possible was by far one of our greatest challenges. The fact that many of the people we work with don’t have ready access to phones or technology, or are not able to use them effectively, magnifies the challenge.” “2020 reinforced the importance of being flexible and able to pivot and change direction and priorities at any moment, and Pressroom Partners
‘Food For’ Books and Recipe Calendars were designed and printed by Pressroom.
Salvation Army Melbourne Project 614 provides support by supplying meals, clothing and counselling but also work with clients to help create pathways out of their current state of marginalisation. Find out more at www.salvosproject614.com.au.
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Rumbalara Football Netball Club:Shepparton
Building prosperity through Indigenous-led decision making Located in the sunny central Victorian town of Shepparton, the Rumbalara Football and Netball Club has grown into a hub for the local community. It not only provides a base for sporting participation, but assists with programs that provide education, health, leadership and social support in conjunction with partner organisations across the region. Rumbalara is a vibrant, Indigenous-led organisation which utilises and builds on the strengths and local knowledge of the Indigenous community, striving for reconciliation and demonstrating it in action by welcoming people of all ages and backgrounds. One of Rumbalara’s key partnerships is with the Dungala Kaiela Foundation, a group which aims for ‘whole-ofcommunity’ change, with a focus on increasing the wellbeing and prosperity of the First Nations people of the Dungala Kaiela (Murray/Goulburn) region. It also seeks to improve social, economic and 8 | Pressroom Philanthropy Our Year In Review
cultural outcomes for the entire region, for the benefit of both Indigenous and nonIndigenous community members. To enable Rumbalara’s multitude of social, economic and educational programs to continue without relying on government support, the Foundation last year established the Dungala Kaiela Future Fund. Indigenous decision-making underpins the model, and 100% of endowment funds are gifted to Rumbalara to operate programs which sit outside of the usual operations of the sporting club.
the Club last year was that the community was unable to gather to play sport. “The club responded by recruiting members as volunteers to help those affected by the COVID-19 virus – proving once again the strength, resilience and adaptability of the community,” she recalls. Pressroom Philanthropy has entered the second year of a three-year commitment to the Dungala Kaiela Future Fund, providing monetary support which Kylie explains has not only helped underpin their work, but provided leadership for other donors to follow.
Kylie Briggs, Rumbalara Finance Manager, explains that the greatest challenge for
Rumbalara is dedicated to strengthening the community and bringing families together through strong, vibrant leadership. It is a place of belonging, a place that people of all ages and backgrounds can call their own. The Club is instrumental in creating and driving regional change for the betterment of everyone. It personifies reconciliation in action. Find out more at www.rfnc.com.au.
Chill out and look about:Frankston
Going social to strengthen support When Frankston High Year 9 student Dylan Briggs was killed riding his bike home from school in March 2020, his family and classmates banded together to create something positive out of the tragedy…and Chill Out and Look About (COLA) was born. Moved by the story, Pressroom offered support. Dylan’s mum, Sarah-Jane Briggs, explains that COVID impacted on COLA’s programs, which include teacher resources, an awareness campaign and interactive workshops. In particular, the ability to roll out the implementation of learning initiatives for schools was affected due to lack of face-to-face engagement. “Launching a GoFundMe campaign during the financial constraints of the pandemic also made fundraising tricky,” she recalls. “As a new charity there was also a huge learning curve to understand what is required to be a registered NFP.” Pressroom was able to help out, providing marketing assistance and time with Foresight Digital Media to boost COLA’s social media strategy. “During 2020 COLA quickly created a social media platform and website of a professional standard, and we know from Foresight that the initiative is tracking quite well,” Sarah-Jane reports, saying Foresight’s expertise has confirmed that the COLA team is heading in the right direction, allowing them to put in place a plan for the next five years. “The greatest value in the relationship, though, has been the passion that Pressroom have shown for our case and campaign. Engaging with Pressroom has reinforced that COLA’s message is valuable and in turn, this has enabled us to recognise that we will be taken seriously, publicly and professionally, and that collaborative support is available.” Most of all, Sarah-Jane says COLA have learnt that the voice of young people and students has a place, and is recognised in today’s world and that there are organisations out there willing to support the initiative as they work to increase safety for all road users.
We’re proud to report that the hard work of the team has paid off, with COLA being awarded the Frankston City Council Australia Day 2021 Community Event of the Year Award and student Kai Malcolm, who has been responsible for the organisation’s web design, awarded Young Citizen of the Year for Frankston.
Bumper stickers we printed.
The Chill Out & Look About initiative aims to improve road safety awareness for all road users. The initiative honours the memory of Dylan Briggs, who tragically died while riding his bike home from school in March 2020. Find out more at www.chilloutlookabout.org.
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The Big Group Hug:Victoria
Showing our cuddly side at the Big Group Hug The family and community focus of Big Group Hug (BGH) was definitely what attracted Pressroom to get in touch and talk about how best we could support their programs to meet the needs of vulnerable and disadvantaged children and their families. In 2020, BGH experienced a 43% increase in the demand for material aid due to COVID-19. The organisation responded by providing more than 5,000 items in March 2020, compared with around 3,000 items in the same period in 2019. “We have continued to meet increased needs but, as the pandemic rolls on, that demand only continues to grow,” explains BGH Director Angela Wood . “The situation has been complicated by a simultaneous drop in the ability to accept goods from the public due to the government’s COVID restrictions, and a drop in all traditional forms of support, creating a ‘perfect storm’ for us.” “Last year also highlighted, however, that the human spirit is a powerful force. 10 | Pressroom Philanthropy Our Year In Review
We experienced genuine resilience and hope through this difficult time with demonstrations of personal courage from individuals, and the collective, as everyone involved found it within themselves to meet the challenges of the times.”
“When the pressure to keep going threatened to overwhelm us, Erin and Phil personally picked up the phone and generously gave of their time, their ideas and their hearts,” says BHG Co-Director, Geraldine Camilleri .
Moving to innovative solutions like contactless donation days, employing new technologies to interact with donors and organise work, and redeveloping the website to meet the challenges of the future, BGH rose to the challenges of COVID-19. Its streamlined team achieved greater outcomes than in previous years, and built a solid foundation for the future.
“Support from Pressroom reinvigorated our dream of revamping our website and branding – even the simple, yet so important, task of getting signs made and installed so people could find the donation warehouse was incredibly valuable,” she points out.
During this time, Pressroom was able to provide not only material, but moral support, sharing encouragement and ideas when it was most needed.
Angela and Geraldine say that Pressroom support has been authentic, overflowing and incredibly important to BGH’s success this year, and also in helping solidify their work moving forward. “We’re humbled by that support, and so incredibly grateful for everything.”
The Big Group Hug works with local communities to respond to the immediate material needs of vulnerable and disadvantaged children and their families. Find out more at www.biggrouphug.org.
Music:Programs Girls:Rock
Digital rocks for GRM! Adapting to a digital world was by far the biggest challenge faced by Girls Rock Melbourne (GRM) this year. With many of their young people experiencing a high level of Zoom fatigue due to remote learning, creating an exciting face-to-face experience of connection and making music, while still convincing girls to participate online, was a big ask. Happily, the GRM team learned that digital doesn’t have to be boring. Over the course of the year, they developed fun and engaging programs that catered to the needs of all students, even those who didn’t have their own instruments or recording software at home. Pressroom’s financial support has helped GRM maintain its loyal team, who are currently working on future-proofing their programs to make sure they can continue to deliver programs effectively, either in-person or online, as they continually adapt to the challenges of a post-COVID world.
Girls Rock amplifies the voices of female, trans, and gender diverse youth through music education and positive mentorship. See more at girlsrockmelbourne.com.
Aardvark:Music
In-tune with Aardvark 2020 was a challenging year for Aardvark as students struggled with lack of access to technology and unstable home environments during COVID-19. Like many things, the organisation’s music programs moved online, with the loss of face-to-face connection and ability to record in a studio dealing a real blow to Aardvarkians, many of whom became disengaged and needed support for mental health issues. Compounding the challenges, some grants were put on hold, making funding the programs tricky, and Aardvark also lost its venue due to COVID restrictions. Despite all of this, the wonderful Aardvark programs team worked hard to create an engaging online program using Bandlab software. A new funding strategy which focusses on growth and diversifying funding streams to manage risk, has been developed alongside a new corporate partnership program and rebranding. Aardvark are incredibly excited to re-engage with their young people face to face in 2021, especially to rebuild connections with those that couldn’t participate online Phil Taylor, Pressroom CEO, says he was impressed by Aardvark’s approach, as they create a community of young people through music that reaches far beyond the program itself.
“It was great to hear from Aardvark that the support we’ve been able to provide has had an incredible impact in a time when other funding was limited,” Phil reports. “A venue that meets their needs can now be sought without relying on pro-bono offers, which is crucial for the stability of the program after such a disrupted year, and being able to offer printing support was brilliant, coming at just the right time to support them in their rebranding.” See Aardvark’s website for the launch of their upcoming public funding appeal - aardvarkmusic.org.
At Aardvark, music therapists, musicians and youth mentors work with young people to write, record and perform original music together in groups. See more at aardvarkmusic.org.
Community Music:Victoria
Re-imagining music
Like many of us, Deb Carveth, Volunteer, Communications and Web Presence Coordinator from Community Music Victoria (CMVic), describes 2020 as a year of making the ‘pivot’ to online delivery of its programs, which are designed to enhance health, wellbeing, communities and connectedness through active music making. “Our challenge at CMVic was to provide adequate support and up-to-date information to the hundreds of community music leaders who had been adversely affected by the pandemic, while also maintaining contact with the volunteer team to support their wellbeing during the remote transition,” she says. With a significant uptick in the number of people participating in online events, CMVic soon realised that this new format, while very different from live music, had the benefit of increasing accessibility for those where geographical distance or other factors were a barrier to participation. “In response, our team rolled out Music Software Workshops to help participants understand how to incorporate technology into music making practice through online delivery,” Deb says. “Connecting with Pressroom has allowed us to think differently about the ways in which we are currently marketing our organisation, and we are looking forward to seeing what the relationship brings.”
CMVic enhances health and wellbeing, and lessens social isolation, through participation in active music making. See more at www.cmvic.org.au.
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123Read2Me:Seaford
I,2,3 – First steps towards improved marketing When Pressroom connected with 123Read2Me (123), our initial discussions centred around their greatest needs and barriers to success. It soon became apparent that a ‘Marketing 101’ – or, in this case, 123 – was called for, and we swung into action to help the team overhaul their branding and brochures to create cohesive messaging which would turbo-charge the promotion of the small organisation which brings books to children in need. Pressroom and 123 had been working together on some exciting new donation bin designs, to provide eye-catching and easily-recognised receiving points for much-needed books in Bunnings stores and other drop off points. Supporting this new public face, newly-created brochures, stickers and bookmarks will bring the brand to market, and plans are underway for a new website to tie it all together for the team. Jeff and Melinda Shelley, Founders of 123, say the approach from Pressroom Philanthropy, and their offer of support, has allowed the organisation to achieve changes that had been on their wish list for some time, but had remained unrealised due to insufficient funding and expertise. “The fact that there was somebody out there who believed in the goals of the organisation and what 123 are doing was an enormous boost, and their willingness to help us with updating the website and donation bins will unquestionably improve our presence in the market place and add to our ability to attract support,” Jeff says. As with many of our partners, he says the expertise and focused questions from the Pressroom team had added value ‘over and above’ the dollars donated. “Take the brochure development process; that really forced us to stop and think about who we are and what we do – it gave our team the opportunity to 12 | Pressroom Philanthropy Our Year In Review
The newly designed 123Read2Me website and bookmarks.
get really clear on who 123 serves, what our priorities are and where we should seek support.” As has so often happened in 2020, COVID-19 scuttled some of the organisation’s initial plans, with books no longer able to be accepted via donation bins during the pandemic, and the organisation’s normal sorting days and the free book boxes volunteers packed also falling victim to pandemic restrictions. “This meant that the already vulnerable kids 123 serve were unable to get books to help them through the lockdowns,” Melinda says. “As a charity, we’re always short of funds and are used to making do, and in that sense 2020 was no different – our focus was on getting the job done. In this situation, though, the logistics were really challenging – as the demand for books was growing, our home-based distribution set-up was clearly insufficient to meet that increased need, so a permanent solution to warehousing and transport will be our priority for 2021.” As Sam Cawthorn, CEO of Speakers Institute, says “Clarity leads to certainty, and certainty leads to conviction”. With the same flexibility, responsiveness and creativity we’ve applied in the past year, Pressroom will continue to work alongside 123Read2Me as they seek further clarity around their goals, and even better ways of delivering their vital service.
New brochures designed and printed by Pressroom Philanthropy.
We also designed a fully folding, wheelie bin glove for book donations.
123Read2Me currently provides children in low socioeconomic communities with FREE quality children’s books through recycled books or new ones purchased with cash donations. Find out more at 123read2me.org.au.
Helping Hoops:Kensington
Supporting inclusion is a slam-dunk with Helping Hoops Helping Hoops (HH) in Kensington is quite an inspirational place. With its mission to use basketball to inspire, empower and support children and young people, the commitment to inclusion and hearing the voices of the young people they serve meant our first meeting with the HH team in late 2020 left us excited at the opportunity to provide support. Flowing from that meeting, Pressroom committed to funding the Kensington program for 2021 and also funding the development of an Inclusion Strategy, to ensure that the program is accessible to kids with differing abilities and needs. “So much of 2020 has been out of our control,” says Clinton Meehan, HH’s Executive Director, “and Helping Hoops were certainly not alone in that. But the restrictions that commenced in March forced us to shift our regular impact and program delivery to focus instead on online initiatives.”
This began to evolve into care packs and, as the months wore on and participating children and young people became fatigued by the pandemic, welfare visits. “Focussing on working collaboratively as a team at Helping Hoops has given individuals more opportunities to contribute ideas and initiatives to benefit our communities,” Clinton says, “and we have learnt that our impact goes beyond the basketball court, affecting the children and young people positively. The human connection really is the greatest gift of all.”
Supporting young people from a wellbeing perspective and providing consistent connections has been the key to keeping kids engaged, and Clinton says that Pressroom’s funding of its programs for 12 months, together with the strategic assistance we’ve provided, has made a significant contribution to helping the program moving forward. “Also, the offer of printing will assist in the future, so we’re looking forward to multifaceted benefits from our relationship in 2021 and beyond.”
Helping Hoops’ mission is to use basketball to inspire, empower and support children and young people. They achieve this through providing free communitybased programs that instill values and skills that benefit participants in their everyday lives. Find out more at www.helpinghoops.com.au.
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Pressroom Philanthropy:Tasmania
Connecting the pieces for a coastal experience The Eaglehawk Neck Coastal Track (ENACT - Eaglehawk Neck Action Community Taskforce) is a communityled project which, when complete, will provide a safe, all weather walking track connecting some of Tasmania’s most spectacular coastal attractions. The new path will run from the Tessellated Pavement car park to the impressive Blowhole, through the Coastal Reserve and quirky Doo Town, then up to the Tasman Arch and Devil’s Kitchen precinct, where it will connect with the Waterfall Bay Track and Tasman Trail. Through some Tassie connections, Pressroom CEO Phil Taylor and the team jumped on board to support the project by developing a more user-friendly website, which would improve ENACT’s online reach and engagement. Chris Hart, Treasurer of the ENACT project, told us that there are numerous stakeholders that need to align for the project to be completed.
“The track will run through land owned by different levels of government and community,” he explains, “so addressing the needs of each group has been quite a balancing act, with miscommunications actually resulting in some delays last year.” The ENACT team has pressed on with patience and persistence, remaining committed to the goal of completing Stage One of the track – the most challenging in terms of the number and diverse requirements of stakeholders – by later this year. Communications, clearly, is key, and Pressroom has been working in the background to assist, by revamping the ENACT website.
The not-for-profit organisation, which is operated by volunteers from a diverse range of backgrounds, professions and age groups within the Derwent Valley community, is working towards recreating the exciting family activity of experiencing a train ride through Tasmania’s beautiful countryside. Owen Andrews, DVR Secretary, says COVID-19 together with the difficulty in gaining any substantial support from the State Government, has created significant challenges for the organisation in 2020, adversely affecting volunteer morale. “The pandemic also forced us to constantly refocus our lobbying efforts, as State and 14 | Pressroom Philanthropy Our Year In Review
“The resulting website is now a great information hub for the community, and we’ve been impressed by the professionalism of Pressroom.” Chris says. “It’s set the project up well in the public eye and provides a vital link for the Eaglehawk Neck community to stay engaged and informed as the ENACT team continues to put the pieces of this exciting project together for locals and tourists alike to enjoy.”
ENACT builds on their spectacular setting and sense of community. Their mission is to conserve, enhance and protect for visitors and future generations. Find out more at www.eaglehawkneck.org.
We’re along for the ride on the Derwent Valley Railway The Derwent Valley Railway’s (DVR) fleet of engines and carriages, all in various stages of restoration, is a railway enthusiast’s dream – and it certainly had Pressroom CEO Phil Taylor intrigued.
ENACT:Coastal Track
Derwent Valley:Railway
Federal Government priorities shifted in response to COVID-19,” he explains. Financial viability has always been challenging for the organisation, which survives almost solely on donations and revenue raised from the sale of scrap steel. However, neither of these forms of income are sustainable long term, so the team continues to seek support to achieve their goals. “2020 taught us the importance of being prepared for the unexpected,” Owen says, “and Pressroom’s monetary grant will set us up well by providing improved volunteer facilities that will not only boost productivity and help us attract new members, but will also lift morale – as, indeed, has the donation itself, which was welcome good news to our volunteers and members in a very difficult period.”
The Derwent Valley Railway was established in 1990 to preserve the Derwent Valley railway line. They are a not for profit, volunteer based organisation. Find out more at www.dvr.org.au.
P R E S S R O O M
P H I L A N T H R O P Y
Get in touch today. Mail: Level 19, 41 Exhibition St, Melbourne 3000 Email: philanthropy@pressroompartners.com.au Web: www.pressroomphilanthropy.com.au
Pressroom Philanthropy is a division of Pressroom Partners.