​Skills for life: Funding for program encourages positive futures at Glenala State High School

The Coca Cola Australia Foundation has awarded TRACTION a $24,000 grant to provide access to the TRACTION program for 24 young people in need from communities on the Brisbane Southside. 

Young people at Glenala State High School will soon have access to the popular TRACTION program, thanks to a grant from the Coca-Cola Australia Foundation.

TRACTION (a program run under the auspices of Briswest Care Association Inc) is one of 25 charities to receive funding as part of the Coca-Cola Australia Foundation Employee Connected Grants program in 2018, sharing in the Foundation’s overall investment of over $550,000 this year. 

Committed to empowering young people in the Richlands-Durack area, TRACTION was selected to receive the grant to support the program at Glenala’s Trade Skills Centre. The program provides participants with the opportunity to develop practical and social skills through the restoration of old bicycles and small engines. 

Robert Triggs, engineer at Coca-Cola Amatil, nominated TRACTION for the grant and is also a volunteer.  

Robert said, “As an engineer, volunteering with the TRACTION program allows me to use my skills to mentor and give back on a local level to those who have not been given the same opportunities as I have. It’s a wonderful, hands-on program for young people that teaches them real skills, so it’s fantastic to see it receive this funding to support skill-based learning at Glenala State High.”

A not-for-profit organisation, Briswest Care offers a number of programs and services to support the local community. TRACTION is one of its most successful initiatives, with over 600 local young people completing the program since it was established in 2015. 

TRACTION Founder, Sandy Murdoch, said: “The Coca-Cola Australia Foundation grant will provide the chance for 24 local young people to access TRACTION programs over the next 12 months. We’re extremely grateful for the nomination and ongoing support from Robert. The program wouldn’t be the success it is without generous people like him and the Coca-Cola Australia Foundation.”

Malcolm Hudson, Chair of the Coca-Cola Australia Foundation, said: “Coca-Cola Australia and Coca-Cola Amatil employees share a mutual passion for supporting local communities. The Employee Connected Grants program allows us to celebrate the charities that matter most to our team members, while boosting their contribution to the community.” 

To be eligible for a Coca-Cola Australia Foundation grant, it is required that charity missions are relevant to young Australians aged 13 to 19 years and address their happiness, optimism, empowerment, wellbeing and enhanced possibilities for a positive life. 

The 2018 round of grants will see a variety of programs and initiatives receive much-needed financial support from the Coca-Cola Australia Foundation; from creative writing programs and funding for at-risk youth, to support for young refugees and asylum seekers. 

To learn more about the Coca-Cola Australia Foundation and its grants, visit: http://www.coca-colajourney.com.au/ foundation

For further information or media enquiries, please contact:
Jessica Hynes, Kimberly Riddell or Maddy Berry | coca-cola@decpr.com.au | 02 8014 5033

About the Coca-Cola Australia Foundation
The Coca-Cola Australia Foundation (CCAF) is at the heart of Coca-Cola’s national community strategy in Australia. The fund is a joint initiative between Coca-Cola Amatil and Coca-Cola Australia, created to do social good. Since its establishment in 2002, the CCAF has provided more $14 million to hundreds of organisations, with many young Australians positively impacted. The CCAF mission is to inspire moments of happiness and possibilities for young Australians. Through Flagship and Employee Connected grants, the CCAF is supporting programs that will build capability and opportunity for young Australians, which inspire them to grow their happiness and feel empowered for a more positive life. 

TRACTION empowers young people in need and whilst it's been a privilege to support 528 participants since we started in July 2015, it's the outcomes of the program that are most promising. 

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​The Victoria Point Community Bank branch of Bendigo Bank have teamed up with community youth mentoring program TRACTION to provide ongoing funding for students from Cleveland District State High School. 

Bendigo Bank have provided an ongoing donation of $1000 per term for students of Cleveland District High School to participate in the TRACTION program.

TRACTION is a community-based, not-for-profit organisation which provides an alternative, action-based learning environment for youths, allowing them to realise their full potential outside of the classroom.

Garry White, a director of Victoria Point Community Bank branch said the funding had been offered exclusively for the benefit of Cleveland District State High School (CDSHS) students. 

“We have been impressed with CDSHS’s commitment to inclusion and the support it provides in particular for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island students and wanted to further assist,” Mr White said. 

“As a Community Bank which is dedicated to feeding into prosperity rather than feeding from it, we thought TRACTION was the perfect organisation to support.  TRACTION really nurture people, so when they approached us seeking assistance for the students we were thrilled. We admire the work that CDSHS does and decided to fund their participation in the TRACTION program exclusively.”

The TRACTION program enables participants to restore, repurpose or customise bicycles and motorbikes while developing lifelong skills, experience and confidence across a wide range of disciplines.
 
Verena Pohlner, behaviour support teacher for CDSHS, said the TRACTION program would offer a range of benefits for participating students. 

“We find that by changing the environment, activity and peer group, students become more open to change in themselves,” Ms Pohlner said. 

“Students enjoy the process of making their own creative decisions and experience an increase in self esteem.  We start to see them develop the confidence to consider other personal decisions, including those that will positively impact their future. What makes a real difference at TRACTION is the opportunity to meet adult mentors in a different setting which helps students reflect on their choices and actions.  The program has caused a lot of excitement in our school and I already have students lining up for the chance to get involved,” she said.  

While the TRACTION program is centred on the restoration, repurposing or customisation of bikes, TRACTION also offers young people experience in a workplace-like setting and the chance to explore various disciplines like project management, communication, team leadership and workplace safety.

TRACTION founder Sandy Murdoch said he was thrilled to have the support of Bendigo Bank and is looking forward to working with the Cleveland District High School students. 
“Our aim is to help as many young people in our local community as we can, so to have this funding support from Bendigo Bank is exciting,” Mr Murdoch said. 

“We’re very grateful for the vote of confidence from Bendigo Bank and to have this opportunity to make a positive impact in our community.”

TRACTION is continuously looking to grow and expand its initiatives and program offerings and appreciates any community support.