A MOUNT Gambier business has made a significant contribution to support vulnerable young people living in an ac.care child and youth residential care property.

O’Brien Electrical Mount Gambier donated around $17,000 in goods and labour to improve the local property, including installation of a solar energy system and complete garden makeover of the rear yard.

Around 20 O’Brien Electrical employees donated their time in the lead-up to the festive season to help complete the project, which included installing a $10,000 battery donated by the business.

It has made a lasting impact at the property, which provides a caring and nurturing home environment for up to four children and young people who are under the Guardianship of the Chief Executive of the Department for Child Protection and for whom foster or kinship care is not currently an option.

With a Giving Back initiative already engrained in the long-standing business, ac.care was the beneficiary of the local business’ latest charitable cause thanks in part to fortunate timing.

DREAM TEAM: Staff from O’Brien Electrical Mount Gambier donated their time to install a solar energy system and overhaul the rear yard at one of ac.care’s six child and youth care homes in Mount Gambier.

“ac.care had been in touch for a quote for a solar package and we just saw it as a prime opportunity to give something back to an organisation that gives a lot to the community,” O’Brien Electrical Mount Gambier operations administrator Bonnie Rothall said.

“Giving back to the community is important to our business and our team,” Ms Rothall said.

“A business can only thrive with the support of the community and its clients, so it is important for us to give back to the community that has supported us over the years.

Ms Rothall’s sentiments were echoed by her brother and O’Brien Electrical Mount Gambier managing director Dane Paproth, who praised his team for giving up their Saturday morning to make a difference.

“We are fortunate we have got the staff that we do,” Mr Paproth said.

“Staff have donated their time back to the community and it is a good opportunity for us to all get together and do something positive to help.

“This upgrade is really going to help with the property’s energy use and will allow it to be more sustainable with the help of the battery storage.”

GIVING BACK: ac.care administration and facilities coordinator Hannah Carruthers is shown the new solar energy system by O’Brien Electrical Mount Gambier operations administrator Bonnie Rothall and managing director Dane Paproth.

ac.care community engagement manager Jason Wallace thanked the business for its generosity, which will continue to positively impact on the children and young people living at the property.

“Community contributions increase our impact supporting vulnerable country South Australians,” Mr Wallace said.

“We are grateful for the team at O’Brien Electrical Mount Gambier for generously donating their goods, time and expertise to not only reduce electricity costs at this house, but importantly has created an inviting and easy-to-maintain garden for the children and young people to enjoy,” he said.

The property is one of six in Mount Gambier that can house up to four children or young people at a time, aged 10-18 years, who receive support from ac.care’s skilled staff team of child and youth workers who work on a 24/7 roster.

The children and young people live in a safe therapeutic environment until they are able to transition into a longer-term living arrangement, such as foster care, kinship care, reunification with family or support to transition into an independent living program.

ac.care is grateful for the contributions made by our country communities to help us support people experiencing hardship. If you would like to learn more about how you can support ac.care, visit our donate page or contact us.

ac.care Locations

ac.care is a dynamic organisation servicing the South Australian communities the Limestone Coast, Murraylands, Riverland, Adelaide Hills and Fleurieu Peninsula.

Our mission is for all country people to have a safe home, enough money to live on and strong, positive relationships.

Please find our service locations here or use our contact form to request a service.

Mount Gambier
Head office and Foster Care

70-72 White Avenue Mount Gambier, SA 5290
PO Box 1842 Mount Gambier SA 5290
Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm

Mount Gambier
Community Centre

22-24 Ferrers Street Mount Gambier, SA 5290
Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm

Mount Gambier
Family Relationship Centre

1 Helen Street (cnr Bay Road) Mount Gambier, SA 5290
Monday
9am to 5pm
Tuesday
10:30am to 5pm
Wednesday
9am to 5pm
Thursday
9am to 5pm
Later by appt
Friday
9am to 5pm

Berri Community Centre
Servicing the Riverland

5 Kealley Street, Berri, SA 5343
PO Box 1345 Berri, SA 5343
Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm

Murraylands Centre
Servicing the Murraylands, Adelaide Hills and Fleurieu Peninsula

29 Bridge Street, Murray Bridge, SA 5253
PO Box 2090 Murray Bridge, SA 5253
Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm

Millicent
Community Centre

57-59 George Street Millicent, SA 5280
PO Box 378 Millicent, SA 5280
Monday to Friday 9am to 4pm
Seek Help