Tradies Goodwill Rewards Children in Need
Around 400 plumbers and electricians from Australia and New Zealand descended on Fiji for their annual conference. In
line with the company’s commitment of being socially responsible, many of the men and women of Laser Group arrived a day
early to take part in the Laser Group Charity Taskforce Project.
The Taskforce sees the plumbers and electricians of the Laser Group take on a local project, using their skills to give
back to the communities where our conference is located. With the conference being held in a different place each year,
charities who have received assistance from the Group include Habitat for Humanity in New Zealand as well as the Gold
Coast Youth Services and Variety in Australia.
This year’s chosen project focussed on children, with the Group working with the Fijian Ministry of Education to help
improve two local schools with combined enrolments of almost 2000 students.
The Votualevu Public School currently has 970 students enrolled up to year 7 as well as 115 enrolled at preschool level.
Established in 1926, the school is one of Nadi’s pioneer schools and has been affected by fire and floods in recent
years.
The Laser Group Taskforce installed new roofing and spouting on one of the school blocks as well as installing drainage,
a new water pump and trough for the children to drink at. Whilst to most these are basic requirements, the children
currently have to move rooms when it rains and straddle a crude drain to access water to drink. At the same time, the
Group will be working on the library, ceiling the concrete floors, installing fans, LED lighting, and installing
bookcases for the books which have been donated by Laser Group Members. Laser Plumbing Inverell made 1,000 library book
bags for the children to borrow books from their new school library. Members and suppliers also donated stationary and
sporting goods.
In addition to the primary school, the Laser Electricians also worked on Nadi Technical School. Opened earlier this
year, the technical school oversees the training of some 400 students in a number of trade areas including horticulture,
cookery, mechanics, welding and plumbing. The school also runs short courses with 200 students currently enrolled.
The Laser Group installed a number of solar panels which will assist the school in ensuring a constant feed of power is
supplied to the computer rooms and the school's power grid. Helping the Laser Electricians will be students of the
college thus creating a great learning opportunity for trade students whilst helping improve the infrastructure of their
school.
Donating their time as well as the tools used, the Taskforce is now in its 7th year and something that Laser Group
Managing Director, Steve Keil is very proud of.
“We have an amazing network of people in Laser Group across New Zealand and Australia that love taking the time out to
make a difference in the local community where our conference is conducted. As practical people we can do significantly
more with our hands, efforts & time beyond just donating money or products.”
Managing this year’s Taskforce project is Gary Larkin, State Director of Laser Group Queensland who has also coordinated
with Laser’s key supplier network to supply in excess of $100,000 worth of product donations that will be used onsite.
“Our Members really enjoy these days. They get a real buzz out of giving back to the community and working alongside
their mates who they may only see once a year”, said Gary.
“It’s an opportunity not only to catch up and talk to suppliers, but also to utilise their expertise and be involved in
a project that makes a real difference in the community. Some Members see this as the highlight of their year!”
ENDS