We have sifted through mountains of high-quality work that has been submitted over the past few months at Vibewire and put it all together in our third quarterly anthology. The anthology is filled from cover to cover with the best fiction, journalism, photography, illustration and poetry from young creatives around Australia. It’s small, sleek, cheap and perfect for slipping into your pocket reading on the buses, trains, in between class (or during class) or an evening read before bed.

The cost of Vibewire’s Anthology 3^rd Edition is $15.00 (excluding any postage and handling costs).
Preorder your copy of the 3rd Anthology by clicking the ‘Buy Now’ button below.
We’ll contact you as soon as the anthologies are printed and you can get your hands on a copy hot off the press.

Vibewire is a non-profit organisation provides opportunities for young people to have their voices heard. All profits made from this anthology will go towards publishing the next anthology. It is full of great contemporary work, so get a copy, get reading, and get inspired!

V: What is the title of your exhibition?

J: Printed Consequences. It is a brief series of prints based on animal rights and environmental issues.

V: Have you held an exhibition before?

J: I’ve been involved in several group exhibits but this is my first solo show. Exciting!

V: How many pieces are on show in the Enterprise Hub?

J: There are nine large black and white relief prints, (mostly A2 sized).

V: What was the impetus for their creation?

J: I am studying a Masters of Art at The College of Fine Arts in Sydney, and most were created for my first session in this course. So most of them are similar and are based on the same discussion.

V: When do you first become interested in art?

J: I’ve been interested in art as long as I can remember. It started as a fierce competition to be better at drawing than my brother.  I haven’t really taken it seriously as a profession though, until I started studying art at TAFE in 2005.

V: From where do you draw inspiration generally?

J: My inspiration always stems straight from nature but I’m also inspired by other artists, music…pretty much anything that grabs my attention.

V: Can you name some artists who inspire you?

J: There are many artists that inspire me, especially fellow printmakers. I draw a lot of inspiration from American contemporary surrealist artists. I’m currently looking into artists like Martin Wittfooth and Josh Keyes. In the age we live in now, there are always plenty of new and inspiring artists to look at.

V:  Do you have a favourite work of your own?

J: I have a couple, but I think ‘Torn’ is up in the top three. It’s a rather dark piece, probably the darkest I’ve done. It was refreshing to do something so to the point, as many think my work is a little on the “cute” side.

V: Is there an interesting tale behind any of the pieces?

J: Well, most of them speak to the interference of man’s hand in nature and the damage it does to the ecosystems that support life. The piece I think really tells this is ‘Out of Water’…what better way to illustrate my point than pulling a live fish out of it’s habitat?

V: What do you think is the role of organisations like Vibewire in regards to emerging young artists?

J: I think it’s a great organisation and  really gives young artists the opportunity to get their work out into the public eye in an easy way. It also gives artists a taste of what showcasing is like, which pushes them to create and exhibit more often.

V: Can you remember the first piece of art that you did and were really pleased with? (Even if it was finger painting you made in Kindergarten!)

J: Wow that question takes me back. The earliest piece I was truly proud of was a Pokemon drawing I did to cover one of my art books when I started High School, I think it was Charizard.

V: Now for the plug. Can you give us the details of your exhibition?

J: Printed Consequences opens on Thursday, 12th January at 6:30pm. It is held at Vibewire Inc.’s Enterprise Hub, located is at 525 Harris Street, Ultimo, Sydney (opposite the Ian Thorpe Aquatic Centre). 

Printed Consequences is a free, public exhibition. 

Most people find the activity utterly distasteful, a degradation of society and it’s values. But most people forget that it’s been around for nigh on millennia, pieces have been around since the time of the Romans and ancient Greeks.

Even so, graffiti writing is still seen as a detriment to society, an expression of youth angst, a symbol of gang activity.

Late last week I spoke to a young design collective – WeARE

A young, ambitious bunch of people. We discussed the ideas behind why people make street art beyond the dare-devil nature of the activity. Why people risk imprisonment, fines and other such deterrents. These are not your rag tag hooded, masked culprits evading the police. They are well-spoken, articulate and have an understanding of how the art world works. Most of all they have something to say about it.

Due to their wishes of remaining anonymous, I will be referring to them as Suit One, Suit Two and Suit Three.

How did this come together?

S1: We all have the same passion. Common interests and a collective vision.

Creative collaboration?

S1: Yeah (laughs)

Why street art?

S1: Sydney is so PC compared to Berlin, Paris and England where all art culture is embraced on the street. Even in Melbourne.  Whereas Sydney is very bland. We walk around the streets and everything is pristine, and has to conform in a certain way.

How far has it gone in Europe ?

S2: Well when I was in Paris, you go down into the subways and between stops the walls were just doused in graffiti. It was almost kind of accepted and it was just something to look at. Especially for young creative people. It was something you could just stare out the window. Sydney is kind of lacking in that kind of aspect.

S3: I’ve never really been to Europe, but I’ve seen so many graf books and you see beautiful art and it’s accepted. Nobody really tags over it and it’s respected and there is art everywhere and you don’t really have that in Sydney.

What do you differentiate between what you’re doing and “tags”?

S2: Tagging was something I grew up doing. It’s more about gangs and turf, that sort of focus. We grew up and wanted to do something a bit more creative. Just to make people smile and inspire people.

S1: People will go home and think wow I saw something cool today and maybe do something that spurs them into something with a more creative light. It’s more about boundaries.

What would you say that your bringing that’s new to the table?

S2: To be perfectly honest it’s kind of stupid to think that anyone can bring something new to the scene. Everything’s been done before. It’s more about creating a culture in Sydney that doesn’t exist. Art as an outsider.

S1: They already have it in Berlin, Paris and London. We are trying to bring it here. It does influence other people. It does make other people explore their creative side. Trying to feed something that’s been done.

In terms of the pieces that your working on give me a bit more detail, I’ve seen your stick up kid piece.

S2: Stick up kid, a young goat is a kid. It’s sort of an old school NY reference to the 80′s graffiti scene. Young kids running around with guns.

How much of that scene has influenced you in terms of your work?

S2: I mean everything especially what I do, I grew up idolising the graf writers. It’s a bit of an esoteric reference to them, to people that understand the culture. It’d be something cool to see.

S3: It’s a visual discourse throughout the city. Creating a visual discourse throughout the whole city. People connecting to your illustrations, thinking about it, seeing it, being able to relate to it.

Seeing the similar thread through the city.

You see a cool illustration you instantly create a personal response to it, and that’s pretty much what we are about.

S1: We are all trying to keep true to our own personal style. In no way am I trying to follow someone else’s thing. As are the other members.

How would you say the online community is changing the way we do things. The world is ridiculously connected. With everyone watching the same movies/music/film/art. How has that affected graf writers and the design world.

S2: You paste a photo, it’s instant. Someone in Berlin sees someone posted something in Sydney. Or vice versa. the world coming together has it’s pros and cons.

S1: I might see an instant illustration of something that someone did in Paris, and the slightest thing might influence me in my next art work. How the lines were drawn, the colours that were used. It helps other creatives to develop their own skills, their way of doing things.

S3: I think the nature of sharing has changed over the past couple of years. With sites like tumblr, people re-blog photos without even realising who the artists are. Just by the fact of sharing photos for the sake of the beauty in it. We don’t really care if people know who we are, we are anonymous.

In terms of graphic design, you’ve avoided the regular avenues of getting your work out. I know the point is to get the message out, create a visual discourse but beyond that what drew you to street art?

S2: The adrenaline man!

There is nothing more exciting, even if you’re doing a simple sticker or doing a paste up. Just the thrill of putting your work up on a street where it doesn’t belong.

Any crazy stories?

S2: I won’t go into details but I’ve been into hospital for it. I’ve got bruising on the brain, Got my head kicked in. I mean I keep coming back because it’s fun. At the end of the day you are influencing things.

Was it the authority figures who did this?

S2: Well no, I was stupid and drunk. I mean regrets, you know as a general rule never tag on private property. It was tagging though, there’s a difference.

People don’t react well to that.

S1: We find a place that looks like they’d be covering up stuff. We don’t touch it.  It seems like they don’t appreciate it. We move onto the next place. We go where there’s places that have already been hit. Nothings been removed or anything and we hit that place.

How do you feel about councils cracking down on it.

S2: I go up and put something on the public property. You put something on there, at the same time they are advertising companies that can afford to put up what they want. Telling you to eat a cheeseburger, just because they have the money to do it, why should they be allowed to do it and we aren’t?

S1: Councils erect billboards for revenue raising, but not for graffiti artists.

It’s a very good point but I did see councils allow kids to draw and design traffic boxes and murals and things of that nature.

S2: One can’t exist without the other. The other only exists because kids have come up working on their tags. Developed their style into murals/artwork. Stuff that people appreciate.

S3: There is a spontaneity in street art. no judging process, even through those competitions, people judge the kids for their work. People pick the best options for the community. Street art is about creating something on the spot without a judgement.

S1: There’s no real style. The essence is that there’s something you create which someone will just go haha, and walk on with their day. Just to take a moment to enjoy it.

Some of these people are saying street art is losing it’s appeal. It’s becoming commercialised and it’s a saturated scene with everyone copying everyone else.

S1: People like Bansky that have become so famous through what he actually started off doing. People appreciate it every time they see a Bansky work.

What’s the difference between someone that’s starting off and someone that’s already established?

S2: Until the art scene tells people that you should like this guy, because he’s been around and paid his dues. Like him, but don’t like that guy because he’s no-one.

Banksy would have started off that way, doing tags or whatever.

The wider community says it’s OK to like him because he’s established. But you can’t like the guy doing it right now.

What other street artists would you say are making waves in Sydney today?

S2: Definitely, my man EARS. He’s turned a passion similar to ours into a gallery and into a career painting.

S1: Slug, Phibs.

There’s a lot of writers around doing good things. They obviously start in the street and then break out into galleries and design studios. Turning into banners.

EARS, he has some work just around the corner? (alleyways near Shadforth and Oxford streets)

S2: He’s really prolific.

Right now he’s selling corporate canvasses for like thirteen thousand dollars. He’s doing really well and good on him. It’s great.

How did it start? I saw it on the street and now look at him.

S1: Everyone wants to feed their children.

What’s the difference between pursuing a passion and selling out?

S2: I admire people like that, that have reached that point. There might be writers that say commercialism is a sell out. At the end of the day you’re getting paid for what you want to do.

S1: There is an artist, the urban florist. they just paint tulips everywhere, that’s the only thing they do. Not a lot to the image, but when you see it, it’s nice, it brightens up your day!

Obviously it’s not the graffiti avenue, it’s a new interpretation of street art.

It’s important to take it in a new way.

S1: Yeah exactly.

Article by: Sakib Hamid

Our Hub in Ultimo has been incubating a flurry of projects and ventures over the past few years.  We have full time residencies as well as hot desks available on a day-to-day basis for those wanting to co-work. We thought however that it would be worthwhile welcoming others in on a casual monthly basis to try our Hub while working alongside some of our permanent residents and experiencing our vibrant community for themselves.

The next Jelly Day will be on Jan 20th, 2012 and will coincide with #jellyweek worldwide! http://jellyweek.tumblr.com/
Click here for our monthly Jelly Day calendar.

To get in on the action, simply email hub@vibewire.org to express your interest.  We’ll accept the first 8 people that sign up.

Twenty three year-old Greenwood is the philanthropist and entrepreneur behind the live music organization, Major Raiser. Major Raiser events can be counted on for a stellar lineup of emerging Australian artists at a slick venue decked out with thought provoking art installations. But what really sets Major Raiser events apart from other gigs is that all proceeds go towards a charitable organization chosen specifically by Major Raiser because of their relevance to young people. Major Raiser are focused on benefitting the wider community, live music and creativity.  So, after enjoying an insane night out at a Major Raiser event, you can nurse your hangover with the knowledge that your partying contributed to a worthy cause.

Despite launching only recently in March last year, Major Raiser have already raised tens of thousands of dollars for charity. Their first event boasted ticket sales of over 200 people and raised money for the Music Outback Foundation – an organisation providing music education opportunities to remote Indigenous schools. They followed this up with their second event, which saw 500 young people converge on the Gaelic Club to enjoy live music and party in aid of Australian Youths Against Cancer raising a phenomenal $10, 000. Dom is currently travelling through Uganda, delivering much needed resources to local projects with the money raised from their latest concert.

But running a nonprofit organisation in a money driven industry has, unsurprisingly, been a frustrating task. Greenwood faces constant rejection from the music execs he approaches with his business proposal.  “When you’re not seen of benefit to them you’re automatically put in junkmail.” Yet, in what can be seen as a reflection of Australia’s emerging artist scene, all but one of the bands who have played at Major Raiser’s events have donated their time free of charge.

Communicating with Generation Y, who are constantly bombarded with messages in the media, has kept Major Raiser on their toes and forced them to go beyond the typical guilt inducing advertisements to communicate a less stigmatic way.  Their clear message from their last campaign was that it’s pretty damn hard to save the lives of African children, but its pretty easy to party, so why not party while raising funds that will benefit those less fortunate?

Major Raiser will continue to raise the bar in live music and social awareness! Watch this space for details on upcoming Major Raiser events!

For more information on Major Raiser email info@majorraiser.com. Or visit their Facebook, Twitter or website.

Article by Natasha Akib

This new wave of co-working spaces has only recently arrived on Australian shores. Melbourne leads the way, with just under 10 co-working spaces in existence. There are currently only a handful here in Sydney, but we are catching up fast, with four co-working spaces opening their doors since the beginning of 2010.

So what is co-working anyway?’ Co-working involves the provision of a collective space for entrepreneurs, freelancers, creatives and the self employed to rent out, as an alternative to the home office or the local Starbucks. Designed as open plan offices, to encourage collaboration and a community spirit amongst the different residents, they typically provide Internet access, computers, office facilities and group events and conferences.

This collaboration and knowledge sharing has proved one of the biggest advantages of the co-working phenomenon. The sharing of ideas and know-how is critical for co-workers to refine and develop their ideas as well as help one another overcome obstacles.

The entrepreneur developing a new online business project, for example, can help the the freelance graphic designer with their business plan. The graphic designer can likewise utilise their creative flair in helping to design the entrepreneur’s website.

Another major benefit of co-working spaces is that unlike the home office or local Starbucks, it’s a dedicated working space. There’s no TV or household chores to distract residents from their work, and being around other committed self starters can provide a motivation to work that is difficult to create on your own.

Each co-working space differs from the other, both in terms of the facilities they offer, and the type of resident community that they attract. I spent some time profiling each of the four following Sydney based co-working spaces, to provide some insight into what’s available for anyone considering joining the co-working revolution.

Co-Worka

Situated overlooking picturesque Dee Why beach on the Northern Beaches of Sydney, Co-worka was founded in March 2010 by co-owners Andrew and Alys McAuley. Alys was working as a graphic designer out of a home office, and found herself isolated and distracted. Whilst loving the independence that the home office environment gave her, she missed the social interaction, inspiration and structure that a conventional office environment provided. She discovered the idea of co-working on the Internet and, unable to find a co-working space close to home, she teamed up with her brother Andrew and established Co-Worka.

Co-Worka has grown exponentially over the last year. One of its most successful residents is Daniel Wilson, who manages online businesses including Seniors Discounts, which has over 70, 000 subscribers, and the popular dating site ‘Mature Match.’ In addition to providing a co-working space, Co-Worka hosts numerous networking and business seminars. Recently, business entrepreneur Andrew Bock, fresh from conquering Mt. Everest, provided his perspective on life and business challenges, with all the proceeds going to Bowel Cancer Australia. Co-Worka offers many flexible resident packages to suit a variety of needs. Check out their website at http://www.co-worka.com.au/

Vibewire Enterprise Hub

Based in Ultimo, the Enterprise Hub is our very own co-working space and business incubator, with a particular focus on entrepreneurship, youth enterprise and start up organisations that are committed to charity and social change. Former residents include ‘Tunes for Change’ founder Richard Wilson, who convinced artists such as John Butler Trio, Pete Murray, Nick Cave, and many more, to contribute to a series of compilation CD’s, with all proceeds going to charity.

The Hub also hosts a number of exciting and innovative conferences and events, including the monthly ‘Fastbreak’ series. Fastbreak is hosted in partnership with the Powerhouse Museum, and involves 5 young entrepreneurial and creative thinkers coming together to present their stories and business insights.

The Enterprise Hub encourages a creative and community minded workplace, which is vital for collaboration and inspiration amongst the residents.

Weekly sporting events, such as indoor soccer, are held onsite at the Ultimo Community Centre, and the working space’s walls are lined with artworks from young up and coming artists. Art exhibitions featuring these artists are held periodically in the space as well. For more information on residency packages visit: http://main.archive.vibewire.org/prices-and-plans/

ICE Creative Hub

ICE’s Creative Hub in Parramatta is the newest co-working space in Sydney, having opened in July of this year. It aims to encourage and nurture creative and cultural projects in the Western Sydney region, with a particular emphasis on the visual and performing arts. ICE was borne out of the realisation that up and coming artists in Western Sydney did not enjoy the same level of facilities and support as their inner city brethren. ICE hopes to change that by bringing these projects out of people’s garages and into the spotlight, by providing a dedicated and supportive co-working space.

Although in its infancy, ICE has already been inundated with residency applications. Currently housing a dozen residents, ICE also offers startup events, film, music and digital media workshops and much more. A series of ICE’s digital storytelling films were also recently shown in their very own theatrette, the ICE box, at the Aroma project in the Rocks, Australia’s largest coffee festival. Have a look at their website for more information on residency plans and workshops at http://ice.org.au/

Fishburners

Fishburners is the brainchild of Grad Connection owner Mike Casey, who was looking for a solution to the all too familiar problems of isolation and insecurity that come with starting your own business as an entrepreneur. He also loved the idea of bringing together like minded, entrepreneurs into the one space and seeing the creative synergy that would result, as this kept him motivated and inspired him in his own ventures. Joining forces with co-founder Peter Davison, they opened Fishburners in March 2010.

Just a stone’s throw away from the University of Technology, Sydney, Fishburners is a not for profit co-working space that attracts mainly technology and online startups. Two of its resident startups were prizewinners in TECH 23 2011, a government sponsored technology and innovation competition, judged by local venture capitalists and Angel investors. OrionVM won the $25, 000 Broadband Innovation category, and goCatch, an online taxi booking service, took home the $50, 000 Innovation Excellence Award. If you’re interested in residency at Fishburners, visit their website at http://fishburners.org/ for more information.

Article by Mikhail Ushakoff

And now, the interview process is set to be revolutionized by web 2.0 with the launch of infullview.com.

Infullview.com is a tool for both employees and employers which has been developed to dramatically enhance the recruitment process. Co founder Matt Hughes explained the benefits of combining social networking and online video in the recruitment process:

“As competition for the best talent gets more fierce, employers are seeking new and innovative ways to compare job applicants ……using infullview, job applicants are able to collate all of the important information that employers want to receive (including links to social media sites), as well as being able to showcase their communication skills on video.”

Infullview.com allows employers to gain a better insight into potential candidates by watching videos of them answering specific questions determined by the employer, while also gaining access to portfolios, CVs and other important documents. All this takes place on infullview.com’s user friendly online platform, allowing both employers and candidates to easily organize applications and make the transition to online recruitment convenient and effortless.

So what does this mean for the recruitment process? Gone are the days of endless preliminary interviews with candidates who have an impressive CV but lack ‘soft skills’ in person. “Ultimately we want to make the hiring process more sociable; so less about CV’s and more about the individual” explains Hughes. Using online video for the preliminary stage of the recruitment process means that employers and job seekers will be able to overcome distance barriers, scheduling conflicts, and logistical problems experienced with face-to-face interviews, therefore improving the chance of finding the perfect employee for the perfect job.

With new and enhanced features already being rolled out based on user feedback, aimed at making interviewing convenient and productive for everyone, it will be in every employer/job seeker’s best interests to keep an eye on infullview.com in 2012! Check out founders Matt and Patrick explaining all of infullview.com’s exciting features and how the online recruitment system works.

Ready to start searching for your dream job?

Both individuals and businesses go through a very simple 4 step process for putting up profiles

Step 1 Add your details, Step 2 Choose your interview questions and record your videos, Step 3 Upload documents such as a CV, Portfolio’s of work, Exam Certificates, and even Pictures, Step 4 Add links to your blog and social media pages. You then share your Profiles’ unique website address with anyone you chose, and can even make it private or public.

Infullview.com gave us their tips for allowing employers to get the best view of your online videos.

“Make your profile as complete as possible by adding documents, pictures and social media links that
showcase your suitability for the job. If you don’t put effort into showcasing your skills to employers
when applying for a job, then they may assume you are lazy in your approach to work as well.

With capturing your video there are a number of tips we offer, and here are the top 4:
1. Record a practice video to ensure your webcam and microphone are working correctly
2. Wear something suitable, it’s an interview after all so dress like you would for a meeting
3. Choose a suitable location to record your videos in
4. Remember to smile and be yourself”

Visit infullview.com

Stay updated by connecting with infullview.com on Twitter and Facebook

Calling all social entrepreneurs, freelancers and startup businesses!

Are you looking for a place to launch your project? The Enterprise Hub is an affordable coworking space in Ultimo where you can build up your networks while working on your own projects.

Immerse yourself in a community with like-minded individuals sharing the same passion and drive. Take advantage of The Hub’s workshops and 3 events aimed specifically at providing advice, support and networking opportunities for startup businesses and social entrepreneurs!

Joining us on the three month offer will give you:

• Your own personal desk
• Access to WIFI and a printer
• Access to the Hub meeting space, kitchen, and utilities.
• Access to Hub space 24/7
• Invitations to Vibewire’s monthly ‘fastBREAK‘ events, Entrepreneur Networking Nights and Enterprise Hub community events.

Applications for the Limited Time Offer will be accepted til 15 January 2012.
Check out the Hub’s standard prices and plans. Contact hub@vibewire.org if you’re interested! Or drop by and check out The Hub which is located at 525 Harris Street, Ultimo (opposite the Ian Thorpe Aquatic Centre and 15 minutes walk from Central Station)

Be part of the Enterprise Hub that has accommodated over 60 entrepreneurs, freelancers, and startup organisations.

To drop a few names:
Act Creative, The Oaktree Foundation, OhReally Magazine, Youth for UNHCR, Nomadic Hands, UNYA, The Frank Team, Axle8, Pozible (formerly FundBreak), 11Eleven Project, School for Social Entrepreneurs, Babushka Productions, Young Leaders Network, Refugee Buddy, Corker Mag, The Fair Trade Company, Tellafriend, Live Futures 2020, Messer Photos, We Can All be Heroes, Gallery for Justice, and Global Youth Futures.

Few could forget watching ‘A Bloody Business’ – Four Corners’ shocking exposé on torture and cruelty in the live cattle export industry. Confronting images of cattle being brutally tortured and slaughtered were brandished into the minds of the Australian public, sparking widespread outrage and becoming a hotly debated topic on the Australian political agenda. The impact of the explosive documentary was unprecedented. As well as winning the Golden Walkley award, the Federal government was forced to respond to public outcry and temporarily ban live cattle exports to several countries. These bans have only just been lifted and the conditions of animals in the live export industry are now heavily regulated.

What people may not know is that the investigation was initiated by Animals Australia – one of Australia’s largest and most dynamic animal protection agencies. Jeroen van Kernebeek is Senior Campaigner for Animals Australia and has recently become one of the Enterprise Hub’s newest residents. Jeroen’s role as senior campaigner involves designing and implementing awareness campaigns aimed at inspiring people to take action against the mistreatment of animals. This is no easy task. Currently he is working to capitalise on the momentum of the Four Corners story, which was undeniably one of the biggest stories of the year. In addition to this, Jeroen is currently working on campaigns against factory farming, fur in the fashion industry and the mistreatment of animals in entertainment.

The task of taking on three of Australia’s biggest industries might seem daunting to some but Jeroen is driven by his strong abhorrence towards animal cruelty.

“I’m driven by the fact that I think it’s really wrong…. the way we see animals and the way we use them in our society without  thinking about the necessity of it and also without really thinking what the consequences are for animals”.

After over 10 years experience working in the animal protection industry Jeroen has found that most people have an inherent interest in protecting the rights of animal yet few realise the way their actions may be contributing to animal cruelty.

“When you talk about animal welfare in a very basic way almost everyone is against animal cruelty but most people don’t think any further and don’t look where animal cruelty occurs. Most of us are involved in that in some way mostly by buying animal products which are produced in an unethical way.”

To find out more about Animals Australia and their current campaigns visit their website. To watch, ‘A Bloody Business’ or find out about the current state of the live cattle export industry in Australia visit ABC’s website.

Vibewire is currently offering special prices to young creatives and social entrepreneurs who would like to join Jeroen and our other residents at the Enterprise Hub  in Ultimo. Find out more here.

(Cow image courtesy of tricky.) 

The bottled water market in Australia is estimated to be a $600 million dollar industry. At the same time, 900 million people around the world don’t have access to clean drinking water and 3.575 million people die each year from water-related diseases. Most people would agree that this is gross injustice, yet few would have the initiative, drive and determination to actually do something about it.

This was not the case for Melbourne University student Dan Flynn who, at the age of 19, set about creating the bottled water company – Thankyou Water. Flynn was motivated to act after watching a film about boy in Africa, of a similar age to Flynn, whose family died after he couldn’t provide them with clean water. From Flynn’s determination to act on this important issue, Thankyou Water was born.

Thankyou Water is a social enterprise and the profits from every bottle sold go directly into funding projects that help provide clean drinking water to people in developing countries. In fact, every bottle of Thankyou Water sold will provide somebody with at least a month’s worth of safe drinking water.

The story of Thankyou Water’s entry into the bottled water  market can be likened to that of the battle between David and Goliath, with the Thankyou Water team going head to head with mega corporations such as Coca-Cola Amatil and Asahi Holdings in Australia’s lucrative bottled water industry. Flynn’s team consists of himself, Justine Flynn and Jarryd Burns. All are aged between 18 and 24 and none had ever started or ran a business. While Flynn and his team were constantly being told they were too young and inexperienced to take on such a massive venture, Flynn says that the youthful enthusiasm of the Thankyou Water team has worked to their advantage. The team’s lack of experience and naivety meant that the trio dared to dream big and that their ideas weren’t limited by past failures. What they lack in experience they make up for with boundless energy and their determination to succeed.

This determination is something Dan feels was respected by the organisations they approached with their business proposal. He found that organisations such as Metro Beverage Company (MBC) and Mountain H20 recognised the massive potential this project had and were more than willing to helpout a group of young people who had a worthwhile vision and were committed to achieving it. Environmentally conscious packaging manufacturer Visy were so inspired by the team that they donated 30, 000 bottles to the cause.

The use of social media also gave them one up on the seasoned players in the market and was crucial to securing a partnership with national retail giants 7-11. The buzz created by Thankyou Water on Facebook could not be ignored and on the 4th of July the three twenty-something year old directors of Thankyou Water sat down with the big wigs at 7-11 to secure a deal which will see Thankyou Water stocked in convenience stores across the country.

Thankyou Water now have projects in Kenya, Cambodia and Uganda. Dan also plans to expand into India in the near future. Thankyou Water  has already succeeded in providing clean drinking water to over 5500 people and Dan hopes that this number will expand into the tens of thousands. With an unbeatable combination of their inspiring message, an innovative business plan, and their new partnership with 7-11, Thankyou Water shows no signs of drying up!

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThankyouWATER  

Blog: http://blog.thankyouwater.org/ 

Article by Natasha Akib