Signed guernseys raising money to save Plaza Youth Centre
04 April 2024
GFG Alliance’s Whyalla operations have teamed up with the Port Adelaide Football Club to support the Plaza Youth Centre (PYC).
Port Adelaide has proudly worn the GFG logo in the AFL for the past five years through a major sponsorship from the family of GFG Alliance Executive Chairman Sanjeev Gupta. This support has seen the city of Whyalla and community reaping many benefits including a pre-season match along with annual training camps, sporting nights and match-day ticket specials.
That support from Port also spills over to charitable endeavours in Whyalla with the PYC the latest recipient. In partnership with GFG Alliance’s Whyalla operations, LIBERTY Primary Steel and SIMEC Mining Iron Ore, Port has supplied two signed guernseys to be auctioned.
GFG and Port Adelaide are fantastic supporters of our community so we saw an opportunity to draw on that partnership to help in this venture and raise awareness of a local organisation in need
Tamy Pond
The Whyalla PYC is hoping money raised from the two guernseys will provide the final funds needed to buy the Colebrook St building it has called its home for the past 27 years.
PYC spokesperson, Tamy Pond said that due to high demand for housing in Whyalla, the PYC needed to buy its residence to continue providing its services and a safe place for its 800 registered members.
“The Coleman St centre is ideally located for those who rely on it the most and has been adapted to purpose suit its members’ needs,” Tamy said.
“The young people who come here, and depend upon this service, describe the building as their house.
“The PYC has raised nearly $200,000 so far, so these funds from the Port Adelaide and GFG guernsey auction will hopefully be enough to push us across the line and secure our home.”
Tamy said the PYC reached out to GFG Alliance for support with its partnership with Port Adelaide seen as an ideal opportunity for a final-push fundraiser. GFG Alliance most recently provided funding, through its GFG Alliance Community Support Program, which helped the PYC take 50 young netballers to Adelaide to compete in an annual carnival.
“GFG and Port Adelaide are fantastic supporters of our community so we saw an opportunity to draw on that partnership to help in this venture and raise awareness of a local organisation in need,” Tamy said.
“Port kindly donated two 2024 guernseys signed by the leadership team and coaches with GFG further assisting with the auction and promotion.”
The first guernsey is available via a silent auction by registering bids at communitysupport@gfgalliance.com including full name, contact phone number and bid amount. The auction closes on 15th April.
The second guernsey is being raffled with $1 tickets available at various Whyalla business outlets or by contacting Tamy on 0418 244 400. Please also contact Tamy if you are available to sell some tickets.
Donations to the PYC can also be made directly to Plaza Youth Centre by contacting PYC Coordinator Joanne Jones on 8645 3999 with all proceeds, for now, going towards the purchase of the Colebrook St headquarters.
Main picture and above right: Tamy Pond and GFG Alliance Community Engagement Coordinator Danielle Bateman with the two Port Adelaide jumpers up for grabs.
PYC background and mission
- PYC has been operating in Whyalla for 40 Years including 27 years at its present Colebrook St location.
- It has 800 registered young people who benefit from its services.
- PYC offers Whyalla’s only after-hours service with a range of programs, many run by volunteers who have also grown up receiving guidance from the centre.
- PYC provides meals in a three-hour window and recently provided 80 meals to young people in one night.
- PYC steps in during school holidays to provide breakfast normally provided in school time by Foodbank (also supported by GFG).
- PYC is a safe place for the kids during school holidays with an open-door policy and a school-holiday program.
- PYC provides crisis accommodation or a safe place when needed.
- The Plaza bus, driven by volunteers, regularly does laps of the streets at night collecting children and making sure they get home safely.
- PYC employs a teacher who attends selected programs each week to make sure children who are falling behind in the classroom, get the opportunity to catch up.
- PYC has a range of wellbeing programs that the children wouldn’t otherwise have access to, including volunteers who assist with driving lessons, resumes and many other support programs children need for a better future.
Read more about GFG Alliance community support in Whyalla
