Help with greener savings add up

By Lia Bichel
MISSION Australia has teamed up with Dandenong-Cranbourne RSL to give away a range of money-saving and environmental products.
The Mission Australia Greener Futures program provides Greater Dandenong and Casey residents with free products installed in their homes by skilled local trades people.
The products, including showerheads, light bulbs and seals for cracks, are meant to save householders money on electricity, water and heating bills.
It is available to people who rent or own a property in the Greater Dandenong or Casey council areas and have a current Centrelink Health Care card, Low Income card or Pension Concession card.
Mission Australia state director Paul Bird said the program would save more money, help the environment and create local jobs for unemployed and disadvantaged.
“This is a great chance for residents of the Greater Dandenong and Casey council areas to install energy-saving devices that will save money and cost them absolutely nothing, as well as help local people into jobs,” he said.
John Filmer from the Dandenong-Cranbourne RSL said he was pleased about the offer.
“We (the RSL) reacted positively to the program because we are interested in the welfare our not only members of our organisation but the community,” he said.
Ian Johnson, Manager of Veterans’ Affairs Network Frankston agreed.
“There are a lot of people and widows who can’t do small jobs and have problems getting trades people to do small jobs,” he said.
“To have a program that offers free services and products to get these jobs done is fabulous.”
Mission Australia’s community engagement and transitional support worker Brigitte House said though workers may be doing small jobs, they made a huge difference to the householders.
“They would receive about $500 worth of products and labour, and it will save a householder about $180 a year,” she said.
Mr Bird encouraged residents to book a retro-fit quickly as the offer was only available for the first 5000 homes.
Members of the Dandenong-Cranbourne RSL can call the RSL for more information or to book a retro-fit. Anyone else interested can contact 133 456 866.
Delivered by Mission Australia, the Greener Futures program is funded and supported by the Victorian Government (Department of Planning and Community Development, Sustainability Victoria and Neighbourhood Renewal), the cities of Greater Dandenong and Casey, Adult Multicultural Education Services, TRUenergy and Social Traders.
Anyone interested in becoming a supervisor or part of a working team with Mission Australia can email greenerfutures@missionaustralia.com.au.