In late July, the new Drug & Gambling Co-ordinator, Tony Papa, and Education Officer, Tom Simpson, were presented with a cheque for the Foundation for $10,800 raised by site employees.

“This donation is very important to a charitable organisation such as Foundation House,” Papa said. “Donations are really hard come by for drug, alcohol and gambling institutions as they are not considered as appealing as other charities.”

Workers at the site raised the money through onsite parking. Papa said he encouraged other sites to emulate this commitment to The Foundation.

“The generosity and sincerity of the management and workers on that job is outstanding and greatly appreciated by all at The Foundation,” Papa said.

A special mention must go to Peter Genovese, the Lend Lease delegate, who was instrumental in promoting Foundation House as the site’s chosen charity.

“Foundation House really deserves the support of the industry and workers should consider themselves ambassadors for The Foundation and do whatever possible to ensure Foundation House is their site charity. You never know when you, your workmate, or someone in your family may need our services,” Papa said.

The Program’s new co-ordinator, who has recently taken over from Trevor Sharp, has a long history of involvement with the trade union movement.

About eight years ago, Papa became the Secretary of the Building Trades Group of Unions and through this became a member on the BTG Drug & Alcohol Committee.

Long-serving Program co-ordinator Trevor Sharp had to step down from his position on sick leave at the end of last year, and Papa was initially appointed to run the Program for a few months while a full-time replacement could be found.

“I have always supported the Foundation and the work it does. I was asked to step in for a short period, but as it turned out I decided to take it on full-time. I like helping people.”

Papa was quick to mention the extraordinary work done by Trevor Sharp to build up the Program and its treatment centre, Foundation House.

“Trevor’s contribution to the foundation is not only remarkable but extraordinary. His work established the foundation so well that today it is highly regarded and recognised, both nationally and internationally, by many people in the drug, alcohol rehabilitation and mental health areas.”

Since accepting the new job, Papa has quickly moved to establish new priorities that include:

“The biggest challenge for a not-for-profit organisation is always funding. We need funding to continue to provide a service, not just to the industry but to the general community. Any assistance we can get is vital. It all helps.”

Papa says the Program doesn’t get recurrent funding from Government and still hasn’t received its 2011 funding yet. He says Lend Lease this year will make Foundation House the focus of its annual community day this year, which he is delighted about and hopes other companies will emulate.

As well as the work the Program does in drugs, alcohol and gambling prevention and treatment services, Papa says a growing area of concern is suicide prevention.

“It’s a huge and growing problem. Queensland figures show construction workers are six times more likely to die from suicide than in an accident at work.”

Papa says the Program will look at a prevention strategy similar to Queensland’s Mates in Construction.

He also wants to tackle binge drinking in 12 to 24-year-olds.

But a key priority for Papa is promoting the excellent facility of Foundation House. “It’s the best-kept secret of all time. I was surprised how many people don’t know about us. I will be trying to preach the gospel to a wider audience.”

“The mission of Foundation House is to introduce people to themselves with the fervent hope that one day they may become friends”.

As a registered charity, any donation over $2 is tax deductable

The Foundation was established in 1994 to address the lack of availability of effective alcohol, drug and gambling treatment options, limited places in existing facilities, and unrealistic waiting lists in an already overcrowded public health system.

The Foundation is a non profit organisation that aims to raise funds to provide adequate, effective and readily accessible alcohol, drug and gambling treatment services and support to construction industry personnel, members of their families and the general public. It is an incorporated association, is registered under the Charitable Fundraising Act, and has been granted Gift Deductibility Status by the Australian Taxation Office.

The Foundation operates independently and autonomously, however it is linked through similar goals, and its target group to the Building Trades Group Drug and Alcohol Program. It is unique in its bringing together of all stakeholders in the building and construction industry in a co-operative and harmonious atmosphere in what has for many years been a confrontational environment.

Membership of the Foundation is open to construction industry employees and union officials, construction industry employers or employer groups, and representatives from the drug and alcohol, medical, legal, or other appropriate fields. It is administered by a Committee of Management elected annually by the general membership in accordance with its rules. The Committee of Management consists of 4 employee/union official representatives, 4 employer/employer group representatives, and 1 representative from the drug and alcohol, medical, legal, or other appropriate fields.

Foundation House
As a result of a successful fundraising campaign and high levels of recognition and support within the community and the construction industry, the Foundation achieved a long-term objective in June 2000 when the then NSW Premier, the Honourable Bob Carr officially opened Foundation House. The facility was funded solely by the Foundation for its first 2 years of operation, and is now funded by the Foundation and the construction industry, the NSW Department of Health, and several registered clubs.

The unit is staffed 24 hours a day 7 days a week and is located in a tranquil waterfront setting within the grounds of Callan Park in Sydney’s inner west. It originally only provided drug and alcohol services, however in recent years has expanded its operations and levels of service provision to now provide residential and outpatient alcohol, drug and gambling services to a broad target group, including construction industry personnel, members of their families and members of the general public.

We provide a 10 bed 28 day Residential Drug and Alcohol Program, and a separate specially targeted 6 bed 28 day Residential Gambling Program. In addition to the Residential Programs the facility offers a broad range of services specifically designed around the needs of the individual client, including a structured 4 week Intensive Outpatient Gambling Program, outpatient counselling, family support, aftercare and relapse prevention groups for clients with alcohol, drug and gambling problems.