Revamping homes for people in need

Revamping homes for people in need

RMIT students and staff have volunteered time to support the South Melbourne Project, where industry partners Better Living Group and Plantfulness are revamping 31 units to provide housing solutions for those in need.

Close to a dozen students got their hands dirty working to revitalise the gardens surrounding the units.

Diploma of Business student Luke Bountris said that he loved the opportunity to connect and volunteer with RMIT industry partners for a social cause. 

“I really value the community feeling of different companies coming together to make one good force,” he said.  

Program Coordinator Ngoc Le Chow from the College of Vocational Education’s Business and Enterprise Cluster was similarly enthused about the hands-on volunteering opportunity.  

“It not only allows students to contribute directly to the project’s physical transformation, but also gives them valuable insights into the work our partners are doing.”

Better Living Group, a family-run property and development company, took on the work pro bono in partnership with non-for-profit organisation Plantfulness, after the project was brought to their attention by Housing All Australians (HAA). 

Revamping homes for people in need Ngoc Le Chow (left) and Jeremy Glover (right) working on-site to provide revamped housing for those in need.

Bonnie Hook from Plantfulness, and Silvio Mazzei, Better Living Group’s Executive Director of Construction, said they were pleased with the student volunteers’ efforts.

“The students from RMIT have been fantastic; they’ve been really positive and generous, and they’ve asked lots of questions. It’s been great to integrate with them,” Hook said. 

Despite it not being a “pen-and-paper” project, Mazzei believes that volunteering with the South Melbourne Project has been an invaluable experience as it allows students to have a real impact.

“Students are very keen to participate in this space. There’s a social awareness that’s growing in Melbourne because of homelessness,” he said.   

“For students to actually come on the ground and get their hands dirty and have a real impact in terms of real-life experiences, I think it’s just awesome for them to be part of.”

Story: Wen Yee Ang

15 November 2023

Share

Return to RMIT News
15 November 2023

Share

Engage

Related News

rmit and common purpose.jpg

Common Purpose, RMIT Europe and EIT Urban Mobility announce new partnership focused on urban regeneration

By 2050, nearly 70% of the world’s population will live in urban areas, intensifying pressure on infrastructure, resources and communities.

patricia-piccinini-and-rosi-braidotti-in-conversation-1220x732.jpg

Patricia Piccinini joins RMIT

Revered Australian artist Patricia Piccinini has been appointed a Professor of Practice with RMIT’s School of Art.

drug-checking-victoria-1220x732.jpg

New study on drug checking: trend warnings and alerts

As more Australian jurisdictions begin drug checking trials at festivals and in the community, experts are exploring how the data could reach significantly more people.

peer-connect-1220x732.jpg

Shortages lead to new mental health placements on campus

A shortage in mental health placements has spurred RMIT educators to create a mental health hub on campus.

Show more
aboriginal flag float-start torres strait flag float-start

Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Sentient' by Hollie Johnson, Gunaikurnai and Monero Ngarigo.

More information