UnitingSA says thanks to Council

COMMUNITY CO-OPERATION: The UnitingSA delegation at the HMAS Whyalla.

Friday, November 29, 2019

It was an inspirational day as the HMAS Whyalla hosted a UnitingSA delegation as part of its anniversary celebrations marking 100 years of service to South Australia.

Members of the UnitingSA Board, executive and local staff members visited the iconic Whyalla landmark at the Visitor and Information Centre to see a project being undertaken by Wesley Social Enterprises (WSE) supported employees. WSE is one of UnitingSA’s local services offering meaningful employment for those with a disability.

WSE was approached by the City of Whyalla in December last year to undertake a project of leak sealing and painting on the ship. This involves WSE workers hand wire brushing, grinding, using air operated needle guns and painting.

UnitingSA Board Chair Gael Fraser said the organisation was dedicated to supporting Whyalla’s most vulnerable people, particularly amid the region’s forecast population boom.

“This is an example of our ability to take on new work that provides meaningful employment opportunities to local people living with a disability,” Ms Fraser said.

“We want to keep exploring local opportunities to ensure we can continue to expand our services to cater for people moving to the region who need additional support.”

SHIP TOUR: Council's Visitor Operations Co-ordinator Teresa Coles takes the UnitingSA team around the HMAS Whyalla.

Whyalla resident, and WSE Supervisor Monica Fernandez, said the team was proud to contribute to the preservation of this much-loved tourist attraction.

“This is an excellent outcome for the community and for our supported employees, who have been able to hone new skills and contribute to such a significant civic project,” Ms Fernandez said.

“The team couldn’t be prouder.”

The UnitingSA Board and leadership team also took the opportunity to also meet with key community stakeholders to identify how the organisation can support the region’s future needs and expected population increase.

“This (population increase) will inevitably increase demand for a broad cross section of critical community support services,” Ms Fraser said.

“As we look to the future, we will continue to adapt our service profile in response to the changing needs of the Whyalla community.

“We will strive to build and expand programs, alongside key stakeholders, to address unmet need and support people who require services."

WSE Manager Penny McAuley thanked Council for the HMAS Whyalla tour and for providing meaningful employment for its local team of supported employees.

“On behalf of all of us here at UnitingSA and our WSE crew, we’d like to thank Council for making the HMAS tour a possibility for our Board,” Ms McAuley said.

“It was an exceptional element of our program of events as part of UnitingSA’s centenary celebrations.

“I know our board and executive were both inspired by the courage of the crew and significance of duties undertaken by HMAS Whyalla … it was a truly memorable afternoon.”

As well as seeing the work done by the WSE workers, the UnitingSA visitors learned a few facts about the vessel and its history, had a wander around the gardens of the visitor centre and look through the Maritime Museum.

WSE HMAS WHYALLA PROJECT

PROJECT SUMMARY

• On Friday 7 December 2018, Whyalla City Council (WCC) approached WSE to undertake a bespoke contract of services for leak sealing and painting on the HMAS Whyalla
• This included removal of damaged paint as directed, particularly in areas where leakage into the vessel that has been identified
• The contract of services is proposed as a 26 week, one day a week, 5hr p/day project
• The project commenced Friday 1 February 2019
• This pilot project is in addition to the current WSE contract of services with WCC

TOOLS USED

• Hand wire brushing to clean paint and scale back to clean metal
• Bristle brushing using a rotary wire brush
• Using grinder with flapper discs
• Using an angle grinder with grinding wheel
• Using electric or air operated needle guns

TRAINING DELIVERED

• A comprehensive Job Risk Assessment was developed in partnership with WSE and WCC identifying the tasks, hazards and controls for this project this has informed the schedule of works, to ensure additional controls are in place to mitigate and or reduce both consequence and likelihood of risks
• Prior to commencement of this project, Dulux paints provided WSE with bespoke material safety training due to the risks associated with working with marine grade paint
• WSE crew received and continue to undertake on the job training regarding the various tools they use as they undertake the schedule of works
• WSE received an on-site induction to the HMAS Whyalla by WCC Volunteers which will enable the crew to work safely and with consideration to HMAS Whyalla being an active tourism destination

TASKS CURRENTLY UNDERTAKEN

• Grinding, bristle brushing and painting

NEW SKILLS DEVELOPED BY WSE SUPPORTED EMPLOYEES

Painting

• Mixing and stirring the paint as per specific marine grade standards, top coat application, understanding how this paint product works, especially the difference of commercial and industrial marine grade paint, this also includes the importance of WHS, MSDS and risk management

Wire brushing

• Using an electric wire brush that takes up the rust and scales the steel when teams can’t access rust areas with the grinder
• Learning how to handle and hold equipment, identifying when there is a need to use this equipment for fine detailed work

Grinding

• Learning about different pressure when operating the grinder, not to go to heavy handed, so as not to blow the grinder and the disk’s up.
• Understanding and working within WHS and risk management controls

REFLECTION AND LEARNINGS

• At this stage, the WSE Supervisor has said ‘I wouldn’t change a thing with this project, it’s great for the team, and everyone has been helpful and understanding as we are learning. Tom, has been great, he really understands the guys’
• A strategic blend of upfront and on the job training with the appointment of a specialised painter and former ship worker as the WSE Supervisor for this project ensures safety, compliance and management of risks associated with this project are at the highest standard
• The expertise of the WSE Supervisor has also ensured the highest level quality of work delivered by the Supported Employees
• When the HMAS tours are scheduled, WSE has its ‘smoko’ for the morning, the team then returns to mix paint, so as not to interrupt tours
• Housekeeping changes include the introduction of bunting and signage for work area

WHAT THE HMAS WHYALLA MEANS TO WSE SUPPORTED EMPLOYEES

The WSE Supported Employees have said that they are really enjoying the opportunity to work on this project, one of the WSE Supported Employees has said  ‘I love this work, it’s a chance to work with new tools, I’m learning new skills’

The WSE team have said they feel ‘really proud, we are working on restoring one of Whyalla’s greatest tourism icons’

WSE Supervisor has said he ‘is enjoying the role, in particular sharing my skills and experience with the WSE team whilst learning about being a supported employment Supervisor’

About UnitingSA

BACKGROUND

• The Port Adelaide-based not-for-profit organisation first launched a service at Whyalla in 1990 as it strove to support the region’s ageing migrant communities through Ethnic Link Services.

Since then UnitingSA has expanded its local service footprint to include tailored support for people facing mental health issues and meaningful employment and support services for those with disabilities.

• UnitingSA’s Wesley Social Enterprises offers employment opportunities to local people with a disability, in partnership with the City of Whyalla. WSE has been awarded council contracts to assist with the restoration of HMAS Whyalla as well as the ongoing maintenance of parks and bushland.

• South Australia’s leading provider of community mental health services, UnitingSA delivers six programs across Whyalla and northern country to improve the health and wellbeing of local people living with a mental health diagnosis or concern.

• Through Ethnic Link Services, UnitingSA connects local older people from Italian, Polish, Serbian, Croatian and many other cultural backgrounds with the services they need to live independently. Social support groups are also offered to bring older people together and provide companionship.

• As an NDIS provider, UnitingSA also helps people to navigate the changing disability support system.