What does it take to win?
It takes more than just ticking boxes. Above all, it takes a culture that starts from the top. Where purpose, values and behaviours reinforce a commitment to community – to be something that Origin people can believe in.
A culture of open participation
Our leadership team nurtures these values by visibly contributing, and actively supporting volunteering and fundraising events. By providing a place with generous workplace giving conditions such as unlimited paid volunteer leave, it encourages employees to participate.
Our focus and purpose
Set up in 2010, the Origin Energy Foundation has been deliberately seeking out volunteering activities that both align with a focus on education, and now with Origin’s purpose – getting energy right for our customers, communities and planet.
As a result, Origin Foundation volunteers come back to work with increased pride in working at Origin. And most importantly, a heightened sense of well-being and motivation. Time spent volunteering in the community also creates a greater understanding, empathy and an appreciation of wider social issues.
The Solar Buddy program
This unique initiative reflects our efforts to remove barriers to education that are facing those in need. Over the past 12 months, we have worked closely with students at over 60 Australian schools across the country. By sharing our knowledge of renewable energy and helping raise awareness, we can address its role in an issue known as ‘energy poverty’ affecting some communities globally.
Students helping those less fortunate
Through the Solar Buddy program, students become global citizens for a day. With the help of Origin volunteers, they assemble individual solar lights for their “solar buddies” who live in remote villages without electricity in Papua New Guinea.
These lights then allow the Papua New Guinean children to study at night, without being exposed to toxic fumes from kerosene lamps – which is often all they had access to. The Australian students also learn about the benefits of solar and renewable energy, and what they can do to help end energy poverty around the world.
Being the Best Workplace to Give Back is not only a label, it’s a responsibility, and one that Origin and the Origin Energy Foundation are committed to delivering on into the future.
