purpose precinct

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We recap our 10 Year Celebration event!

The Good Cycles 10 year party was a joyous celebration of social enterprise, history, and our fantastic employees.

Under the sheds of the Queen Victoria Market, our November 16 celebration coincided with World Social Enterprise Day, as we held our own festival of Social Entrepreneurship.

Purpose Precinct and Green Collect opened their doors for trade selling their “for purpose” and upcycled products. All our tasty food was provided by our amazing social enterprise buddies — STREAT, Free To Feed, All Things Equal, and Crepes For Change. And we had all of Good Cycles capabilities on display, showcasing a variety of bikes and machinery across our 4 Divisions; Good Bikes, Good Labour, Good Deliveries and Good Spaces.

We had it all—delicious mocktails and non-alcoholic drinks from Liquid Infusion, a fun Photobooth for our Good People Mosaic, and tunes from Kassandra & Him that had us grooving all night.

It was touching to see a number of guests and staff sporting HI-Viz safety gear in solidarity with our many employees who wear it everyday, in particular the late-night and early-morning crews who couldn’t make it that night.

The evening was enriched by video messages from co-founders Luke Wright and Loretta Curtain plus speeches from Chair Darrell Wade, Co-Chair Lucinda Makrakis, and Good Cycles CEO Jaison Hoernel, each sharing the emotional resonance of the night and eloquently narrating our ten-year journey.

We mixed the old with the new, with a strong and diverse contingency of young people, taking to the stage. A special acknowledgment goes to Stef, Abby, Oliver, Lucy, and Vaughn who each reflected on how Good Cycles has shaped them as individuals, emphasising the importance of belonging to an organisation that creates a safe and inclusive workplace.

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"Wearing Hi-Viz tonight symbolises the foundational building blocks Good Cycles has laid down, to create a safe workplace in which young people can succeed and thrive"
Jaison Hoernel
Good Cycles CEO

Our journey was made possible through all our partners over the years, and the generous support of event sponsors Lendlease, Paul Ramsay Foundation, and Queen Victoria Market. Plus a heartfelt shout-out to the dedicated staff from Purpose Precinct and Green Collect who worked tirelessly during the 10 Year Celebration to host the festival of social enterprise.

Special thanks are extended to event organisers Adam, Hannah, Kirra, Joe, Cory, and Khan. Gratitude is also owed to our Gracie St neighbours, advertising firm GDJ, Lara, Cathy, Sally, Hanna and Cormac from Cormac Creative Studios for their countless support and creative hours in crafting the night.

Noteworthy mention goes to Khalid, a former supported employee who left us to create Kushitic Productions, capturing the night’s action and presenting us with all the images featured here, plus the captivating video above celebrating our milestone.

Last but not least, sincere thanks to our own John Bech for his remarkable voice-over skills and to all our fantastic team members who contributed to the creation of the ‘Ride along’ 10 Years of Change video. The event was a beautiful celebration of all the Good People who help us deliver our Good Cycles of Change.

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Good Cycles marks 10 years of change on World Social Enterprise Day

Celebrating ten years of change on World Social Enterprise Day

Good Cycles begins its 10-year anniversary celebration on World Social Enterprise Day, November 16, 2023, what a great day to celebrate 10 years of change. This momentous day gives us a chance to reflect on how we got here, the impact that we have made and provides a guide into our future of impact and growth.

2013–2017

In 2013, founders Loretta Curtin & Luke Wright created Australia’s first bike based social enterprise, using the bicycle as vehicles for positive change. Our goal, to train young people and break down their barriers to employment.

I could not hold a steady job, it was really hard. With Good Cycles, they gave me the structure … the support. And I had mentors.​ ~ Andy, Good Cycles employee-trainee

Through the Pedal Empowerment Program and with the help of corporate and government partners including Westpac Foundation & the City of Melbourne, Luke and Lorretta trained, upskilled and donated bikes to refugees, asylum seekers and young people from diverse backgrounds including those within the justice system.

In 2016, our fresh-faced CEO Jaison Hoenel joined Good Cycles bringing with him his global knowledge of bike share, retail, and an idea to expand and to create more jobs for young people.

2017-2021

After almost four years of repairing thousands of bikes and training hundreds of young people, Good Cycles starts creating meaningful jobs by delivering services by bicycle.

By partnering with the likes of Melbourne Bike Share, Citywide, Toyota, DM Roads, Fulton Hogan & more, our services include carshare cleaning, environmental waste collection, asset maintenance, solar bin checks, and delivery, logistics and more.

 

“I didn’t feel like there was an expectation that I’d do anything that I wasn’t capable of. It was very accommodating for me.”
~ Eve, Pedal Empowerment Program and Car Services

Using bicycles as work vehicles enabled Good Cycles to offer jobs to young people while removing thousands of cars, vans and light trucks from our roads.

In 2022 alone, Good Cycles prevented 20,000 kg of CO2 from entering the atmosphere and removed 50 light vehicle movements from our congested roads a week!

 

This job has given me purpose and a reason to wake up in the morning, so I’m very grateful for that.

~ S’moe, Good Spaces Team member

2021 – 2023

December 2021, saw Good Cycles go beyond the bicycle acquiring Open Spaces, a commercial landscaping and horticulture business which helps young people find jobs. At Open Spaces, the crew are responsible for landscaping, collecting litter and mowing grass for the entire length of the Western Ring Road; across fifty plus Fire Rescue Victoria sites across Melbourne.

We opened our fourth bike shop in 2022 with Nightingale in Brunswick’s award winning social enterprise apartment complex and we are servicing all the Lime share bikes, across Melbourne and now Sydney.

During this time we define our social impact through our Youth Employment Program, which provides countless hours of employment, coaching and support to young people facing barriers to employment.
"Good Cycles gives me the credit for the good work I do. It’s nice to have someone check in with me on how I am, and what I want for my future."
Lucas
City Services

December 2022 saw us partner with STREAT and the Victorian Government to launch the Purpose Precinct, at the Queen Victoria Market a hub showcasing and selling the wares of over 40 social enterprises, including….

Ten years on, we are still innovating to create meaningful jobs, currently employing about 150 people across Melbourne and Sydney. Over the 10 Years we have directly impacted 767 young people through “Good” employment and training opportunities.
Impact that breaks down barriers to employment, nurtures our community, is good for the environment and creates good cycles of change.

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World Social Enterprise Day gives us a chance not only to celebrate our work, but to raise awareness and praise all social enterprises do to make the world a better place, to create more just and equitable societies, and to reflect on the positive impact we have made on the environment and in our communities.

To keep up to date with all the good things we’re doing, click the button below to join our mailing list.

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STAY TUNED for updates on our 10 year celebration… More to come!

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Ministerial Launch of The Purpose Precinct

We were honoured to have Minister for Employment Vicki Ward officially launch the expansion of The Purpose Precinct, almost a year after its String Bean alley launch.

Australia’s first dedicated social enterprise precinct has been officially opened at the iconic Queen Victoria Market (QVM) – giving Victorians a fresh opportunity to shop local ahead of the festive season. Minister for Employment Vicki Ward has today opened the expansion of Purpose Precinct – a new shopping destination featuring 100 local social enterprises selling homewares, clothing, food and gifts.

Co-developed by leading Victorian social enterprises Good Cycles and STREAT and supported by the Social Enterprise Network of Victoria – the precinct recently moved from its temporary home in Stringbean Alley to multiple spaces within the F Shed Laneway, at QVM.

The socially-conscious shopping destination will bring more visitors to the market and create 75 local jobs – including for Victorians that have faced challenges finding a job.

As the festive season approaches Purpose Precinct will give shoppers an option to buy gifts from socially-conscious and purpose-led businesses like Clothing The Gaps, Homie, Mildura Chocolate Company, Green Collect, Free to Feed and more.

Social enterprises are defined as businesses that channel at least 50% of their profits into achieving their mission – whether that’s tackling social problems, improving communities, providing people with access to employment and training, or helping the environment.

 

Good Cycles is responsible for employing Purpose Precinct’s retail staff with a focus on helping young people break through barriers to employment via its Youth Employment Program. As our CEO Jaison Hoenel describes it as, “a registered charity all our profits are directed towards impact, but as a social enterprise and through the Purpose Precinct we can demonstrate how to create meaningful jobs and a safe space for their employees.”

And staff members like Vaughn would agree, he loves how social enterprises are “focused on the human side of business.” Vaughn simply loves having conversations with shoppers and sharing the stories that shape the range of impact driven products on sale.

“Using a work-first approach, Good Cycles creates value out of safety for its young employees"
Jaison
Good Cycles CEO
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The Purpose Precinct has a strong focus on impact and sustainability with many products made from recycled or repurposed goods and materials. The Precinct is funded through the Labor Government’s nation-leading Social Enterprise Strategy 2021-25 and the Melbourne City Revitalisation Fund.

There are currently more than 3,500 social enterprises trading across metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria, which employ an estimated 60,000 people and contribute $5.2 billion annually to the Victorian economy.

Take part in the conversation and learn about the future of retail. 

Visit the Purpose Precinct at F Shed in Queen Victoria Market.

Find out more
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Vaughn’s YEP journey at the Purpose Precinct

We recently sat down with Vaughn, a delightful and compassionate young person, who is currently working for Good Cycles as a retail assistant at Purpose Precinct in Queen Victoria Market.

Vaughn’s Youth Employment Program journey has had its challenges, but through coaching and support, he’s focused on becoming “a well rounded human being.”
Vaughn works in Purpose Precinct’s retail offering; a curated marketplace that brings together a number of Victorian social enterprise businesses, with products in homewares, clothing, food and gifts. It’s clear that Vaughn has an affinity for people and sharing the amazing stories of the products he sells. According to Vaughn, by sharing the story behind the products, people are more likely to engage and remember these social enterprises in the long run.
“You can talk about why it’s so exciting and the change they’d like to see… The change they are seeing around them is now a booming industry for social enterprises.” – Vaughn
  Originally from Ballarat, Vaughn moved to Melbourne to look for work. While Vaughn did manage to find full time work through an apprenticeship, he still did not feel like he was gaining the transferable skills to sustain long term employment, nor was the apprenticeship “financially and emotionally feasible.”
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The challenges involved with living independently on an apprentice’s wages overwhelmed Vaughn. With the mounting economic pressure of the cost of living crisis, many of Vaughn’s peers were living with their parents, a luxury not available to Vaughn.

Vaughn turned to his partner for advice. In serendipitous fashion, Vaughn’s partner happened to be working at Good Cycles’ City Services division:

“They told me, ‘you’ve got to come work for these guys,’ there’s so much potential here.” – Vaughn

Vaughn began his journey with Good Cycles’ Purpose Precinct in early April 2023, and has since been thriving. A committed participant of the Youth Employment Program, Vaughn would meet with employment coach Leesa, where they would discuss and set out small, achievable goals.

“Everyone is on your side … my goals are their goals” – Vaughn

The two would have regular meetings to see how Vaughn was going on the job at Purpose Precinct, but also to check-in on their mental and physical wellbeing. Leesa encouraged Vaughn to enroll in a Certificate IV in Hospitality, so that one day he could fulfill his desire of becoming a bar manager in the near future.

“Vaughn is a remarkable employee with an exceptional work ethic who was able to excel in his role as a retail assistant in a short amount of time.”
Leesa
Youth Coach

He believes the YEP program has made a positive impact on his life in general.
Vaughn has seen his customer service skills improve, gaining transferable skills in the process to also work in hospitality on the weekends. He would like to work in hospitality because, as he puts it, “I really, really enjoy customer service and I am a people person, which is strange for some people and I think there might be something slightly wrong with me,”

“My customer service skills have strengthened … and I have enjoyed the responsibility of managing people.”  – Vaughn

Vaughn’s skills with retail technology improved dramatically, a vital transferable skill to have in both retail and hospitality. Completing point of sale requests and learning the mechanics of inventory and merchandising, using Lightspeed to follow through with orders and invoices.

“Vaughn has always been passionate about working in hospitality and retail, always been eager to upskill and continues to push himself to grow as an individual.’’ – Vaughn’s Youth Employment Coach.

Within the 6 months of working at The Purpose Precinct, Vaughn took the initiative to lean into his leadership skills by supervising staff, housekeeping and networking with various brand representatives. Vaughn is looking forward to taking a supervisor role at The Purpose Precinct down the line.

Working at the Purpose Precinct has empowered Vaughn to be a more well rounded person. The real takeaway from Vaughn’s YEP journey has been the growth of his interpersonal skills. Being able to put those types of transferable skills on a CV, Vaughn can now show his next employer all the wonderful things they achieved while working at Purpose Precinct.

“Learning how to talk to all sorts of people has always been very important to me, but I haven’t necessarily been the best at it.” – Vaughn

Compared to some of his previous hospitality jobs with uncertain hours, having regular shifts at work meant Vaughn had the opportunity to be more financially secure. This consistency has been key in enabling Vaughn to reach his first goal of financial independence.

Collaborating with his Youth Employment Coach (Leesa), Vaughn’s journey led him to grow personally and professionally. Vaughn states that he now has a ‘’routine and a structured schedule,’’ and his confidence has been gradually improving thanks to the ongoing support of his youth coach and peers. With a concrete plan and a supportive network, Vaughn has a bright future ahead.

The Youth Employment Program provides coaching for young people to overcome employment challenges through one-on-one training sessions and on-the-job training. It’s designed to reduce barriers to employment by offering:

  • Real jobs to people aged 18-29
  • A steady income
  • Tailored training and personal development
Click here to learn more about our Impact

In 2021 Good Cycles partnered with fellow social enterprise STREAT to deliver the Purpose Precinct at Queen Victoria Market, establishing a hub to showcase for innovation of Victorian social enterprises. We owe our thanks to the Victorian Government and other partners such as HMST, the City of Melbourne, SENVIC and who have made this possible.

You can read more about Purpose Precinct here.