Projects
On-Site Short Term Crisis Accommodation Pods
Estimated investment required: $40,000 + volunteer labour
Scope of activity needed:
Fit out, services connection and build an all abilities access ramp and decking for each room
Project requirements:
Crisis accommodation is used to support Veterans and/or their immediate family facing personal hardship, be it financial, relationship breakdown or homelessness. It provides a supported, quiet and safe place away from distractions of the cities that allows the time to connect with appropriate support measures. The GVR now has five bare crisis accommodation rooms on site using a combination of four transportable and modular buildings (Pods). To make each pod ready for use, we now require the money to fit each of them out with basic furniture and fittings, connection to services, to build on all-abilities access ramps and small decks, and the installation of an ensuite in one pod for family use.
Progress so far: (as at end July 2022)
We have made huge steps thanks to a combination of generous donations, volunteer labour and most recently two grants.
Crisis accommodation Pod 1 is now fully operational and includes ensuite facilities, queen size bed and air-conditioning. Pod 1 has already been used by Veterans in need.
Accommodation Pods 2-4 have now been cleaned, carpeted and weatherproofed. Pod 3 has been fitted with two new king single beds and basic furniture and is useable. Funding grants have received which will allow us to complete the internal fitout of all pods and the addition of verandahs.
Pods 2-4 still require funding for connection to electrical services and the commissioning of the air-conditioners in Pods 2 and 3 plus the supply and install of air-conditioners in Pod 4 and 4B. This is estimated at $10,000.
Schoolhouse External Upgrade
Estimated investment required: $42,000 + volunteer labour
Scope of activity needed:
The list of external projects includes:
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Re-roof the schoolhouse building and install in roof insulation ($20,000)
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Replace the external weatherboard on the 1930’s main building/classrooms and fit a new front verandah with all abilities access ramp ($15,000 + volunteer labour)
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Replace the base boards around the buildings ($500 + volunteer labour)
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Selected window upgrade/repairs ($1,700)
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External paint all buildings ($2,600 + lots of volunteer labour with paint brushes and a sense of humour).
Project requirements:
The old 1930’s building while usable, is showing its age and desperately needs some tender love and care. We have completed many works inside the building to ensure we can support veterans and their families in times of need, now we must make sure the old building will stand the test of yet more time. There are a number of projects within the total external upgrade which can be achieved progressively with a combination of money and volunteer labor and/or donated materials.
Progress so far: (as at end July 2022)
The first phases of recladding the building is currently in progress with some great volunteer effort (see our News tab for photos) and the front of the building re-cladding is near completion including the addition of a verandah.
Funding for the all abilities ramp and the re-cladding of the remainder of the building and is now estimated based on increased cost of materials at $10,000.
Reroofing the old school house, ceiling insulation, replacement of base boards, selective window upgrade and painting are all still awaiting funding.
Progressively Complete the Internal Building Fit Out
Estimated investment required: $40,000 + some volunteer labour
Scope of activity needed:
The list of projects includes:
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Re-skin and insulate the internal walls and painting of course
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Fit ceiling fans and a split system air-conditioning
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Fit new floor and window coverings
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Install shelving
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Fit an AV projection screen and projector (equipment has been donated )
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Provide furniture (recently we have been donated the furniture)
Project requirements:
We need to renovate the 1960’s classroom and fit it out as a new activity/multi-purpose room. This room would then support the conduct of onsite courses for Veterans, group discussions, meetings, social gatherings and, if required, could provide some limited overflow accommodation capacity if required.
Progress so far:
This room is needed to support the conduct of onsite courses for Veterans. Please help us achieve this goal as we plan our first multi-day workshop scheduled for early 2022.
Progressively Complete the Outbuildings and Grounds Work
Estimated investment required: $60,000 + volunteer labour
Scope of activity needed:
The list of projects includes:
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Upgrade the site and building to three phase power (estimated at $25,000 subject to a full electrical engineering assessment of the GVR site and needs)
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8 x services poles (power & water) across the site for caravans/camper trailers/tent sites ($8,000);
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Automated reticulated irrigation systems for the all the grounds and gardens ($3,500);
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Security lighting upgrade (included in the electrical engineering assessment);
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Power/lighting to our maintenance sheds (included in the electrical engineering assessment);
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Install fence with gate around maintenance buildings ($2,500 + volunteer labour)
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Complete the Veterans Commemorative Garden and water feature fountains ($5,000);
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Yard Arm flagpole ($3,600);
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Upgrade internal access road & ground water drainage ($5,000);
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Automatic gates and security entry system ($2,500);
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Fit roller doors, purchase and fit wood heater to winterise the breezeway ($5,200 + volunteer labour)
Project requirements:
The grounds of the Retreat provide an important component of wellbeing as well as general aesthetics plus they enhance site security and safety. There are a number of projects within the total external upgrade which can be achieved progressively with a combination of money and volunteer labour and/or donated materials. The electrical work is subject to the completion of an electrical engineering assessment
Progress so far: (as at end July 2022)
One roller door to the breezeway has been fitted and the wood heater is on site awaiting installation.
Our electrical engineering assessment process of the GVR site currently in progress.
Complete the Upgrade of Existing Laundry and Ablutions
Estimated investment required: $12,000 + volunteer labour
Scope of activity needed:
This part of the program of work involves the basic reconfiguration of plumbing, framing and electricals has been completed and we are ready for fitout and commissioning.
Project requirements:
Upgrading of the shared ablution, shower and laundry capabilities on the site leveraging the old schoolhouse toilet block is underway.
Progress so far: (as at end July 2022)
We have made great steps forward on this project with volunteer labour and it is near completion. The main remaining tasks being the final plumber fit-off of the toilets, the showers and hot/cold running water.
We still need about $3,000 for those plumbing works.
Dedicated Ambulant/All abilities Ablution Pod
Estimated investment required: $20,000
Scope of activity needed:
It is essential that we have a dedicated purpose built Ambulant / All abilities Ablution pod which provides shower and toilet facilities. The most efficient and timely way to deliver this specialist facility is a prefab, ready to plumb purpose built pod.
Project requirements:
This project involves the purchase of an ambulant pod , delivery and connection to onsite services.
Progress so far: (as at end July 2022)
Great news: We were recently successful in receiving a grant for this project. The Ambulant Pod has been ordered from a Victorian manufacturer and should be delivered to our site in late August. It will then be fitted to services.
Then we need to ensure we put in place the connecting footpaths to make the Pod accessible from the main building and other key spots on the GVR site.
We are still in need of some funding for connecting footpath work.