February 2012

CHAMPIONS OF CHANGE

Be inspired by these entrepreneurial Aussie changemakers

WORDS KELLY IRVING

JAM ON THE TRAM

While Nick Wallberg and his mate were looking for jobs in Melbourne, they wanted to do something fun. "We love music and we'd been inspired by overseas projects like Paris' Take-Away Shows, which put music in public spaces. So we thought: let's put bands on the tram," he explains.

The non-profit organisation Tram Sessions rolled into action in 2010 with the first of its impromptu off-peak performances. With the support of Yarra Trams, local and international acts such as Lisa Mitchell, Hey Rosetta! and Lanie Lane have all played live onboard. December 2011 even involved a Facebook campaign to get the Foo Fighters to jam on the tram.

Not only is Wallberg helping to connect artists to a wider audience, he's also bringing fun back into commuting — and the community. "Don't be surprised if you see a 90-year-old woman singing next to an eight-piece band."

Musicians are matched to routes that their destination represents. For a party mood, try the 112 or the 86. Tourists will love a bit of bluegrass on the old city circle line. Just ensure you hold on properly when dancing — although the only real danger is that you'll miss your stop.

FIT FOR ANYTHING

"I always wanted to work in an area where I could really make a difference," says Jane Hunt, CEO of Fitted for Work — a not-for-profit group that helps disadvantaged women find work and keep it.

Hunt and her team of compassionate volunteers provide donated, but good quality, interview-appropriate clothes and transition-to-work advice in a friendly and judgment-free shop environment in Melbourne, Morwell and Parramatta. They help single mums, rehabilitated prisoners, victims of accidents or abuse, retirees and unemployed girls as young as 16 gain the skills and confidence to become financially independent. "Our services have a profound impact. For many, it's the first time that anyone has given them close personal attention — they feel valued."

In six years, the organisation has grown from seeing 400 clients a year to 3,000, and has a 75% success rate. There are training and work experience opportunities with corporate partners for the remaining 25%.

More recently, they opened Dear Gladys, a vintage boutique. Profits from sales of the locally-sourced clothing, accessories and homeware go towards Fitted for Work's sustainable employment program.

LIVING LUCKY

Luke Taylor loves the environment and telling great stories. It's something he gets to do every day as the director of Victoria's Sustainable Living Festival — an event with a story dating back to 1998.

It started in a little country town outside Daylesford during a time when it was "alien to talk about these issues". Now it's a statewide celebration, most notably at Melbourne's Federation Square, and is the largest sustainability festival in the southern hemisphere. For two weeks, it brings together a range of people from all walks of life.

"The issue of climate change and sustainability is something that touches all of us," says Taylor. "The mung-bean, sandal-wearing, dreadlocked hippy is a thing of the past."

The festival plays an important role in communicating complex issues, attracting big names such as eco-architect Michael Reynolds and environmentalist David Suzuki. Held 11-26 February, this year's workshops, talks, exhibits, films and live performances are based on the theme of "The Lucky Country".

"The thing that really inspires me is the passion to make change in our own backyard — that's a big buzz," says Taylor.

THE NEW AUSTRALIA

A few years ago, Marcus Westbury was depressed by the number of empty buildings he saw in his hometown of Newcastle. So he decided to do something about it.

In 2008, he launched Renew Newcastle, a regeneration scheme that borrows empty buildings from their owners and lends them to local artists such as printmakers, photographers and fashion designers. Under the umbrella of Renew Australia, it now supports similar projects in Adelaide, Townsville and Cairns.

One recent initiative is the council-run Pop Up Parramatta. It's introduced a vibrant mix of shops selling locally made products, visual art studios, life drawing classes and a knitting club into the CBD.

"Many spaces go on to be galleries, exhibition spaces and commercial enterprises," Westbury says. "They bring economic life back into the city." Lonely Planet even named Newcastle one of the top 10 cities in the world to visit in 2011, with more artists per capita than any other Aussie town.

"I'm genuinely surprised how it's taken off. My credit card paid all the bills for the first six months of the project. It was my hobby that just got out of control."

A HUB OF AN IDEA

When Brad Krauskopf discovered a revolutionary way of working while living in Spain, he had to bring the concept home. Hub Melbourne is an online member community and physical co-working space that drives innovation through collaboration. Part of a global franchise of more than 27 other "Hubs", in just nine months, it has become the fastest growing Hub in the world. Krauskopffwill open Hub Sydney later this year.

"Co-working creates a community where relationships and friendships are formed and collaboration on projects happen," he says. "We're connecting people who wouldn't normally work together."

The community comprises more than 400 individuals. From corporates like NAB and City of Melbourne to companies such as Illumination HQ, a sustainable products manufacturer for the world's poorest people; Good Globe Media, a communications consultancy for non-profits and ethical organisations; and Pozible, a crowdfunding platform for creative projects. Remarkably, five of 13 Hub members were nominated for last year's Business3000 awards, Hub Melbourne included.

Memberships are flexible and start from just AU$20 per month. Regular public events are held, like this month's FreshlyHacked — a 48-hour session to get a social venture offthe ground — and every Thursday there's a communal lunch.

Located near Southern Cross Station, Krauskopf welcomes anyone travelling into Melbourne to try a day pass. "Come work, or just come join us for lunch!"