Sydney’s Oasis Youth Services complex gets a makeover

Workers from many trades and businesses donated their time and materials to renovate the Oasis Youth Services complex in Sydney.

 BY DEAN SIMPSON

The Salvation Army Oasis Youth Services complex in inner-city Sydney has received a makeover during a Community Give Back Day organised by ADCO Constructions.

More than 35 people, including 13 companies contracted by ADCO, volunteered their time, materials and labour on Monday 24 June to spruce up the Surry Hills complex.

Every area of the centre was tended to, including the foyer, rooms, balconies, gardens, barbeque areas and the driveway.

Elaine Yallop, The Salvation Army’s Regional Manager for Youth Services, said Oasis was overwhelmed by the generosity and tenacity of ADCO and its “incredible team of volunteers” who gave new life to a centre that had started looking run-down “after years of supporting thousands of young people”.

“They [ADCO] have given us an amazing space in which we will continue to support the young people who live and visit here,” Elaine said.

“When we initially started to work with their team on the ‘vision’, we never imagined they would say yes to everything on our ‘wish list’. The Community Day was unbelievable, the site was buzzing from top to bottom with work! We are extremely grateful.” 

One of the outdoor areas that was ‘spruced up’ with new paving, painted walls, lighting, new furniture and a barbeque.

Some of the work done included renovating an outdoor garden area, which included painting and repaving, constructing an outdoor kitchen area, installing a new barbeque and hanging festoon lighting.

The entire Oasis building was painted in a palette of three different colours, and the balcony was waterproofed. Electrical work was carried out to meet requirements, and air conditioners were serviced.

Mulch and new plants gave garden beds a new look, and other outdoor areas were pressure-washed and decorated.

Two skips were filled on the day with old furniture and rubbish, and a host of new flat-pack furniture was constructed for the offices.

Contractors who volunteered their time and materials (and the areas they renovated) included Deluxe Cleaning (cleaning), Metropolitan Demolitions (removal of the pavers), Sam the Paving Man (laying and supply of new pavers), Bunnings (material supplies), Precision Painting (paint, materials and workers), Pro Electrical (lights and festoon lights installation), Maxton Fox (kitchenette area), Timberfix (fridge notice board), WRC (Waterproofing joints), Urban Ground (plants and landscaping and workers), Bingo (waste disposal – 2 x 6 cube bins), Allcott Hire ( hire tools), Fredon (air conditioning).

Oasis Youth Services is an expression of The Salvation Army, supporting young people in the Sydney, Central Coast, Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and Hunter regions on their journey to independence. They do this by delivering a range of programs and services, including vocational training, drug and alcohol support and driver training.

Amanda Travers, the Army’s Relationship Manager for Corporate Partnerships, expressed her gratitude to ADCO for its contribution and support of The Salvation Army’s mission.

“I felt privileged to spend the day with the amazing teams at ADCO Constructions and all the other companies that generously gave their time and expertise,” she said. “Thank you to everyone involved for bringing love and hope to our Oasis program.”