Congratulations Wallace Martin!

Y Ballarat’s ReCranked Coordinator,  2022 Y Staff Member of the Year

Wallace Martin, the driving force behind the Y Ballarat’s ReCranked program has been recognised at the National Y Staff Awards held on Friday 25 November, winning the Staff Member of the Year Award. Joining the Y in 2007, Wal has worked across a number of programs at the Y, always with outstanding commitment and dedication.

With over 12,000 employees across the national movement, these achievements are held in high esteem across the organisation and are much anticipated every year.

Since commencing, Wallace has made a phenomenal impact. Part of the Y’s Youth Services team, he has supported and worked with hundreds of young people in Connect Camps, youth leadership programs and over the last decade, has been the passionate Co-ordinator of the ReCranked program.

The amazing Y ReCranked bike recycling program gives unwanted bikes to new owners. ReCranked bikes make a huge difference in people’s lives, providing essential transport, exercise and a means of connection for many, not only in Ballarat but much further afield.

The program has a great sustainability footprint, keeping bikes out of landfill and  has grown to the point where the workshop is often packed with bikes awaiting repair, with hundreds of renovated sets of wheels leaving the shed every year.

It also embeds the Y’s focus in empowering young people, through workshops and training in bike maintenance skills.

The ReCranked in Schools program was piloted in 2020, leading to incredible results. The program has gone from strength to strength with consistently 8 primary, secondary and alternative programs booked and a waitlist of schools.

The ReCranked Workshop in Wendouree, provides a focal point for social connection for team members, a friendly place for locals to drop in and a fantastic resource for the local community.

In late June, Wallace supported NSW communities affected by flooding, travelling over 1,700 kilometres to near Evans Head in NSW, to personally deliver a truckload of bikes. Along with a team of volunteers, 78 bikes were disassembled and then reassembled to be given to those in the area who had lost so much.

Wallace’s strong partnerships with organisations such as Bikes for Humanity in Melbourne, has meant that ReCranked bikes also make a difference overseas, with remote communities in countries such as Namibia, benefitting from these forms of transport and new skills.

This is the second year in a row of national recognition for the Y Ballarat’s ReCranked team, with Nigel Crosbie winning Volunteer of the Year Award in 2021.

Congratulations Wallace, we thank you for all your hard work and dedication!

More information about the ReCranked program is here