The next stop for volunteer Anna Sobczyk is the Dreamplex in Shenton Park. Run by Young Australian of the Year winner Darren Lomman, the Dreamplex idea grew from his efforts to modify recreational equipment for people with disabilities...
Last year, Mr Lomman started adapting the large, unused University of WA shed into a workshop for up to 150 student engineers to work on projects, such as modifying speedboats.
Enter Ms Sobczyl (25), who has just secured a grant from the Vodafone World of Difference program to attract more funding for the venture and secure student sponsorships.
Selected from 800 applicants, Ms Sobczyk will use skills obtained from a management consultant job to help Dreamfit become more efficient and cost-effective.
She has taken a 12-month break from her employment with Deloitte for the new posting, with the program sponsoring her salary.
"This role fits in perfectly - doing similar work, I'll be able to build a strong foundation for future growth at Dreamfit and help people realise their dreams," she said. "It's about making a difference to the bottom line and to people's lives."
Mr Lomman hopes to secure more funding for a new workshop floor, machinery and office fit-out.
Its future goal is to open the workshop to students by the end of the year.
Since 2004, the annual World of Difference program has offered five people across Australia 12- month paid volunteer opportunities in full-time charity work.
Source: Western Suburbs Weekly
