WestConnex and GIANTS kicking goals for western Sydney communities
22 Mar 2018
Sydney Motorway Corporation's (SMC) WestConnex community partnership with the GIANTS will reach new heights this year with the club's successful Stand Tall workshops to be expanded, giving even more students from across Western Sydney the chance to take part. SMC CEO Dennis Cliche said since SMC successfully teamed up with the GIANTS as a foundation community partner one year ago, both organisations were looking for new opportunities to reach and engage further with local communities. “We are proud to be supporting the GIANTS off the field, in their work delivering important community initiatives through GIANTS Care which tackle some of the biggest issues facing communities in the west including health and education,” Mr Cliche said. “I'm delighted that through our support, more than 32,000 people from across Western Sydney last year directly benefited from 138 community and school programs which were delivered through GIANTS care. “This year we're thrilled to strengthen our partnership by hosting a series of GIANTS Stand Tall workshops where students from Western Sydney schools will be given the opportunity to tour one of our construction sites and ask questions of experts working on Australia's largest transport infrastructure project. “The Stand Tall workshops aim to empower young people and offer them the opportunity to see and learn first-hand the range of infrastructure jobs that STEM-focused education could lead to. GIANTS Head of Community Ali Faraj said the club's role leading vital programs for disadvantaged communities across Western Sydney wouldn't be possible without the support of WestConnex. “The support of WestConnex has ensured we've been able to help more people in more ways than ever before,” Mr Faraj said. “The Men's Health program was a particular success in the first year of the partnership with 30 participants from across Western Sydney losing 462kg collectively which is on average over 15kg per person. “GIANTS Care wouldn't be possible without the significant investment made by our partners such as WestConnex and we thank them for their ongoing support.” Mr Cliche said WestConnex was continuing its community partnership with the GIANTS for a further two years, which has also enabled the GIANTS to roll out a new indigenous cultural awareness program for young primary school students. “While WestConnex will help unlock Sydney's potential with more jobs and less congestion, we want to deliver positive outcomes for the community during construction and beyond,” Mr Cliche said. For more information about the Community Connections Program visit www.sydneymotorway.com.au/community.
