Partnership at Maroondah Reservoir Park a win-win for all

Thursday 13 September, 2012

Parks Victoria and EACH Employment Service are trialling a new community partnership that will see Maroondah Reservoir Park receive some extra love and attention, and a group of unemployed adults build their skills and self-confidence with the aim of gaining paid employment in the community.

The pilot program - designed to assist unemployed people with disabilities – offers the opportunity to undertake work experience at Maroondah Reservoir Park. The work involves a range of gardening and landscaping tasks in the park.

“This partnership is a great one as not only will this group of people gain new and possibly life-changing skills, the park will also flourish with the extra attention,” said Parks Victoria Ranger in Charge Mark Krause.

“Keeping such a large garden style park in ship-shape condition is a big challenge and we are thrilled to be trialling such a worthwhile partnership to achieve these tangible results.”

EACH is a not-for-profit organisation that provides a range of community services in outer eastern Melbourne to achieve better health and wellbeing for the community.

Three participants currently in the program undertake voluntary work at Maroondah Reservoir Park two half days a week. If the pilot program is a success it will be expanded to allow more people to take part on an ongoing basis.

“The participants in this program will really benefit, not just with improved skills that will hopefully lead to paid employment, but this partnership will give their confidence a much-needed boost,” said Zoltan Almady, Employment Case Manager, EACH Employment.

“Each person in the program has a great deal to offer to the park and to our community and to see their contribution valued through this program is a wonderful thing,” said Zoltan.

“This partnership is a win-win for everyone – the participants improve their skills and confidence, the outcomes support the planning developed by Parks Victoria staff, presentation of the key locations will look great, and park visitors get to enjoy an even better looking park,” said Mark.

“I am very grateful for the opportunity to do some voluntary work at Maroondah Reservoir, firstly to gain work experience and improve my current landscaping skills and secondly to do something that will benefit the community,” said program participant Mark R.

Parks Victoria is committed to providing volunteer opportunities that will benefit individuals and contribute to their health and wellbeing.