An action from Tall Poppies' 2002 Triple Bottom Line report was to be involved in an employee volunteering initiative modelled on the BP Corporate Challenge.

We looked at a number of different challenges but none appealed to the whole group - and then we heard about Vincents fundraising dinner. We agreed to market to our database in order to get exposure to a wider audience, and thought that would be as much as we could offer.  We soon realised that there was much more needed and so we helped to set up for the dinner in the workshop on the day and waited on tables during the dinner at night. We were exhausted at the end of it - but it was so much fun.

We decided that rather than commit to a one-off community activity each year - we wanted to have a lasting relationship with a group and feel like what we were offering would make a difference.

I joined the committee in 2004 when one of my colleagues left the company, and began completing the monthly accounts and serving as Treasurer. One of the committee goals was to upgrade the computers and install new accounting software - this was achieved using the Friends of Vincents donations. I trained the administrator in the use of MYOB and she is now able to do the monthly accounts herself.

I have also been able to introduce some of our suppliers to Vincents - Jump helped to move them from their premises in Victoria Street to Willis Street at a very reasonable cost, and when we upgraded our photocopier a few years ago Konica Minolta donated an older photocopier and some paper to Vincents.

When we merged the two companies and moved to new premises there were many items of duplication (overhead projectors, CD/radio players etc) and far more unusable letterhead than we could store and use as draft/scrap paper - so again I was able to send a lot of useable items to Vincents.

I'm proud that we chose to get involved with Vincents and to make it a long term commitment - it's the only way that you can see positive change from the effort you put in.

Lorraine George
Director Finance