Artwork by
Huseyin Adiquzel

ARTSTOP 21

Metlink promotes public transport travel by holding education sessions for participants of Arts Access Victoria’s ARTSTOP 21 program.

ARTSTOP 21 is a pilot program developed by Arts Access Victoria, Stewart Lodge Residential Services, The Olive Way and Metlink for people with intellectual, physical and mental disabilities.

Participants build their confidence by taking part in arts and cultural activities. They also receive public transport tickets to help get to Olive Way for their sessions and to use when exploring their local area looking for ideas to inspire their art.

Travelling in the local community builds participants’ confidence to use Melbourne’s public transport network safely and independently. Yarra Trams Authorised Officers will also be on hand to help with their travels.

Artwork from the program will be exhibited at The Fluid Ink Project in November 2011.

See also:

Arts Access Victoria website at artsaccess.com.au (link opens in a new window)

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The Big Issue’s 15^th Birthday celebration

Already a sponsor of The Big Issue’s Street Soccer program, Metlink is joining the party on Sunday 19 June 2011 to celebrate the achievements and positive changes that have happened in the lives of homeless and unemployed people.

Since The Big Issue’s launch 15 years ago, The Big Issue vendors, including vendors at public transport locations, have sold over six million magazines and $12 million has gone into the pockets of marginalised Australians.

As part of the celebrations, there will be live music and comedy shows by some of Australia’s favourite entertainers, as well as a range of other performances.

By sponsoring the celebration, Metlink also encourages people to travel by public transport to and from the event, and to use Metlink’s online customer information tools to plan their journeys.

See also:

The Big Issue website at thebigissue.org.au (link opens in a new window)

Melbourne Water Kids Teaching Kids conference

The Melbourne Water Kids Teaching Kids conference is a two-day annual event, this year being held at Etihad Stadium and Melbourne Zoo on 23 and 24 June.

Over 350 students from grade five to year 11 and 100 of their teachers get together to research, develop and respond to the challenges facing our environment. The event inspires and empowers young people to learn about and take action for a better, cleaner climate.

Metlink encourages people attending the conference to contribute to a greener future even further by catching public transport; in peak periods, public transport operates 60 per cent more efficiently than private vehicles.

For more information, visit kidsteachingkids.com.au (link opens in a new window)

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Step Off! Dance Crew Competition

The Step Off! Dance Crew Competition is run by Moonee Valley City Council and features more than 20 dance crews competing at Dallas Brooks Hall on Saturday, 2 April 2011.

Metlink sponsors the competition to encourage the 14 – 25 year old participants to travel by public transport from Melbourne’s outer suburbs to the event.

Since teaming up in 2010, public transport incentives have helped Metlink communicate the benefits of catching public transport to people attending Step Off! and to encourage them to use Metlink’s online customer information tools to make their journey to Step Off! easier.

See also:

Step Off! website at mvcc.vic.gov.au (link opens in a new window)

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Melbourne Heart

Metlink has joined the A-League’s newest addition Melbourne Heart Football Club as its community partner for the next three years.

Together with Melbourne Heart FC, Metlink supports The Big Issue’s Community Street Soccer Program, which works with homeless and marginalised people at soccer training sessions.

Given everyone in the community uses public transport, the partnership provides the chance for public transport staff to engage with and understand some of the issues marginalised people face.

Weekly training sessions are held at pitches across Victoria, helping participants get fit, develop friendships, access support services and be a part of a community.

Thanks to Metlink, Heart head coach John van ‘t Schip leads monthly training sessions with fellow coaching staff, Heart players and public transport staff volunteers.

To further support Street Soccer, Metlink has donated the space on the back of Heart’s shorts so it now features the Street Soccer logo. This is the first time a professional Australian club has permanently devoted part of its uniform to a community organisation.

“The partnership is extremely relevant to public transport as staff come across disadvantaged and marginalised people on our network every day. Teaming up with Melbourne Heart and involving their players and our staff in the Street Soccer program will help create better interactions on the network,” Metlink CEO Dale Larkin said.

Street Soccer players will enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime experience on Friday 19 November with a barbecue dinner which is being served up by celebrity chef Tobie Puttock and his crew from Fifteen Restaurant as well as the opportunity to play on the ground at AAMI Park at half-time when Melbourne Heart play Adelaide United.

This partnership also encourages Melbourne’s growing number of soccer fans to catch public transport, visit the Metlink website for service information and use Metlink information tools such as the journey planner and free iPhone app for train, tram and bus information.

See also

• Melbourne Heart Football Club’s official website at melbourneheartfc.com.au (link opens in a new window)
• The Big Issue’s Community Street Soccer Program at streetsoccer.org.au (link opens in a new window)

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Melbourne Music

To support Melbourne’s lively music scene, Metlink and the transport operators are on board with City of Melbourne for Melbourne Music.

Public transport has helped live music fans get to gigs safely and conveniently for years with many popular venues including those involved in Melbourne Music, accessible by train, tram and bus.

This partnership encourages fans to catch public transport to events and entertainment in the city. It also continues Metlink’s support for music in Melbourne by turning trains and trams into a stage with help from Metro Trains and Yarra Trams. See also, Melbourne Music on track to rock this city.

For more information on Melbourne Music, visit melbmusic.com (link opens in a new window)

Melbourne Food and Wine Festival

The Melbourne Food and Wine Festival is an annual event that celebrates quality Victorian produce and talent in the food and wine industries.

Metlink supports sustainable living and promotes the environmental benefits of using public transport by sponsoring the Metlink Edible Garden.

Planted by The Diggers Club, the garden fills City Square with a range of plants, flowers and vegies for people to explore, admire and interact with, and creates a beautiful green oasis in the heart of the city from Friday 4 – Sunday, 13 March 2011.

People heading to Food and Wine Festival events are encouraged to catch public transport and use Metlink’s customer information tools including the journey planner and free iPhone app to help them make their way by train, tram or bus.

See also

Melbourne Food and Wine Festival website at melbournefoodandwine.com.au (link opens in a new window).

 Cricket Victoria

Metlink works with Cricket Victoria to support sporting events that bring communities together.

Metlink cricket clinics create a fun environment for young Melbourne cricket fans to learn about public transport and have a hit with their heroes.

For more information on Cricket Victoria visit cricketvictoria.com.au (link opens in a new window)

Mission Australia

Metlink sponsors Mission Australia’s Family Day at Melbourne Zoo, which is held around Christmas every year.

Free public transport is provided by Metlink and V/Line for the over 3000 migrants, refugees and disadvantaged Victorians to attend the Family Day. For many it’s their first journey on public transport.

Metlink understands the importance of social inclusion with these marginalised communities, and is committed to breaking down these barriers. 

Staff from across the public transport industry including Metro Trains, Yarra Trams and the Bus Association of Victoria, volunteer on the day providing travel information and helping out with drawing, face painting and temporary tattoo activity stations.

See also

Mission Australia website at missionaustralia.com.au (link opens in a new window)