Master Builders ACT support OzHelp’s great work The rate of suicide within the building and construction industry is currently three times the national average for men in Australia. Recognising this confronting problem, the OzHelp Foundation was started in 2001 to provide a mental health support organisation for the building and construction industry with a focus on early intervention suicide prevention, and the provision of support for workers and apprentices. “OzHelp provides support services to all workers in the building and construction industry,” said Support Services Manager for OzHelp, Mr. Glenn Baird. OzHelp not only focuses its efforts on suicide prevention and counseling, but also highlights the often under-valued importance of general health. This is achieved primarily through the Tradies Tune Up program, where health checks are likened to a car service. Workers are invited to participate and measure their ‘roadworthiness’, i.e. their health status. “OzHelp has had huge success with the Tradies Tune Up program, and as a result, we hope to expand this program to reach much larger numbers in the future. In addition, OzHelp is currently developing other health promotion programs that can also help improve the health and wellbeing of workers in the industry.”
The Master Builders Skills Centre Building Fund is used exclusively for the benefit of non-profit organisations for the acquisition, construction or maintenance of premises for building and construction training and benefit. The presentation of these donated funds took place at the opening of OzHelp’s new premises in Fyshwick in April 2010. More recently, OzHelp held a special building naming ceremony at these premises, now known as the David O’Bryan Offices in honour of the tragic loss of life which prompted the forming of the OzHelp Foundation. Following this devastating loss, Lorraine O’Bryan, David’s mother, began to investigate and pursue the issue of suicide throughout the building and construction industry. A commemorative plaque was unveiled in the reception area of the premises, naming the building the ‘David O’Bryan Offices’. For further information on the work of the OzHelp Foundation, visit www.ozhelp.org.au.
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To help them in achieving these goals, Master Builders Association of the ACT presented Ozhelp with a grant of $50,000 taken from the Master Builders Skills Centre Building Fund, a fund managed by Master Builders ACT especially for the advancement of the building industry within Canberra and the region.
Master Builders’ John Miller presenting Keith Todd with $50,000 for OZHELP.
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FUTURe Master Builders Skills Centre Building Fund has been established and will be used exclusively for the benefit of non profit organisations for the acquisition, construction or maintenance of buildings for building and construction training. The Trustee is seeking financial contributions and other gifts for the Building Fund from Master Builders members and the public. The primary objective of the Fund is to purchase land and pay for construction where there are definite plans to construct a building to be used as a school by non-profit organisations for the training of apprentices and others in the building and construction industry and any other industry as the Trustee may decide from time to time. To make a tax deductible contribution to Master Builders Skills Centre Building Fund please contact Master Builders Association of the ACT.
Master Builders Association of the ACT 1 Iron Knob St, Fyshwick ACT 2609 | PO Box 1211, Fyshwick ACT 2609 Tel: (02) 6247 2099 Fax: (02) 6249 8374 Email: canberra@mba.org.au Web: www.mba.org.au
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