b'01CO-CHAIR MESSAGE RRA DUNMORE "By tapping into the expertise within RRA, weve made dunmoresure our team is ready to meet the needs of ourThis year has been about transforming livescommunity," Jarrod shares proudly.and strengthening community ties. WithOne of the years highlights was welcoming 685 the support of the Shellharbour community,participants to our Tinkerage workshops. These our team has empowered people to regainworkshops have become a vital part of our outreach, confidence and find purpose throughoffering a space where people can learn new skills, meaningful work.upcycle materials, and connect with others.Jarrod explains: "Our team is a true reflection of the Illawarra At the forefront of our social enterprise, we offer hands- community, diverse, dedicated, and deeply connected to on experience and foster personal growth. One memberthe people we serve. This years record shop sales and the of the RRA Dunmore team, Daniel, struggled to find workoverwhelming response to our Tinkerage workshops show before joining RRA through the Work for the Dole program.just how much our community values what we do." For Daniel, this opportunity has been life changing. RRA operates the Reviva Dunmore Reuse Shop and "With the support of my manager Jarrod, and the entireThe Tinkerage, as well as EPS processing and waste team, I have really come out of my shell", Daniel says. "Iveoperations staffing for Shellharbour City Council.been given amazing opportunities, from training courses to becoming a team leader. I never thought Id be in this position. Its opened up a future I never imagined.Community engagement is a core element of our work. This year, weve partnered with Max Employment, Services Australia and Wollongong Community Corrections, working together to equip local people with the skills and opportunities they need to secure meaningful employment. These collaborations have been instrumental in turning #WASTE2WAGES. We invested hundreds of hours inhands-on training and mentoring for participants in the program. This training gave participants valuableknowledge about retail and customer service. RRA ACT RRA MOSS VALE 04In the ACT this year, we saw first-hand theThe Reviva Reuse Shop in Moss Vale has always transformative power of investing in people. been a shining example of our #WASTE2WAGES model in action. Over the years, our dedicated As a Work-Integrated Social Enterprise, our approach isteam worked tirelessly to build a strong, simple but powerful: we see potential where others seesupportive community that really embracedchallenges. We believe in equipping individuals with thewhat Reviva stands for.skills and confidence they need to succeed, no matterRRAtheir starting point.The shop became a beloved part of Moss Vale, known At the ACT weighbridges we managed, we creatednot just for the quality of its goods, but for the sense of 15 job opportunities for individuals facing significantbelonging it brought to locals.barriers to employment. By providing tailored trainingMoss Vale was where we kicked off our Deadly Treadly and comprehensive support, we gave each teamBike program, an initiative focused on rescuing and member the skills and confidence needed to succeed. repairing bikes to send to remote Aboriginal communities. When the ACT Government decided to in-sourceIn March 2024, Wingecarribee Shire Council recognised the the operations, thanks to this strong developmentsuccess of our self-sustaining model and elected to take support, every single employee was able to seamlesslyits operations back in-house. While this transition marked transition into stable, long-term roles with the localthe end of an era for RRA at Moss Vale, it was a moment government. This is a major achievement and a proudof pride for our team, knowing we had built such a strong moment for our social enterprise.model for the community. Matt Curtis, RRAs General Manager says: This is the powerThe outpouring of thanks and love from the community of our model in action. Our team memberswho wereduring this transition was incredibly moving. Saying once on the margins of employmentare now thrivingfarewell to over 400 customers at our farewell BBQ was in stable, long-term government jobs with benefits anda reminder of the strong connections weve built over the security that seemed out of reach just a short time ago."years and the impact that a Reviva Reuse Shop can make. RRA operated the commercial and residentialTo many, it was always so much more than just a shop.weighbridges across ACT waste management RRA operated Reviva Moss Vale on behalf of facilities on behalf of ACT NoWaste from 2017 to 2024.Wingecarribee Shire Council from 2015 to 2024.39'