As the sun sets on 2024, it’s time to reflect on a year filled with progress and achievements for Stayover as we continue to service some of the most remote parts of Australia. From the mineral-rich red dirt of the Pilbara to the coalfields in Dysart all the way down to the heart of the darling downs in Dalby, our Stayover villages are a constant presence in regional areas, providing a comfortable home away from home and supporting local communities.
Community Sponsorship
Regional communities are the heart of Australia and we love being able to engage with locals in
the areas we operate in, donating time or sponsoring projects. In 2024, we were excited to partner with the Chinchilla Chamber of Commerce, sponsoring 25 local not-for-profit organisations in the Chinchilla area to have a membership, with fees entirely covered by Stayover. This contribution allows these organisations to promote themselves, while giving them access to important resources and also creating powerful opportunities for networking and growth. We were also proud to be the naming rights sponsor for the Dalby Chamber of Commerce’s 2024 International Womens Day event, which brought women from across the Western Downs together for a delicious meal, some live entertainment and plenty of heartfelt stories and experiences. We’ve been sponsoring this event for a few years now, however 2024 was the first year that Stayover had the naming rights, a badge which we very proudly wear.
Across all of our sites, Stayover proudly sponsored over 30 community groups and events this year. From small-town gatherings to larger festivals, our teams are always on the lookout for opportunities to contribute in practical, impactful ways.
Sports and Recreation
This year we have built strong connections with regional sporting groups, supporting grassroots soccer and rugby teams through sponsorship, events and fundraising efforts. Whether it was helping arrange a mid-season BBQ for the Dysart Devils, sponsoring the Western Downs Junior Rugby League Inc for the 7th consecutive year with a $4000 contribution or supporting the Chinchilla Junior Rugby League Club with a $2000 donation, our team was thrilled to be a part of it.
Beyond grassroots local clubs, we’ve also built up a strong partnership with the Broncos Junior Development Program, which is a school based mentorship program that connects with kids across regional Queensland. The program covers topics such as physical fitness, participation, personal development, values, work ethic and academic effort and encourages kids to develop skills in teamwork, coordination and sportsmanship. The team recently visited schools in the Dalby area and some of our Stayover staff were able to attend the session, witnessing the great work they do firsthand. Community sports are incredibly important for kids and young people, relying on donations and volunteers to continue operating week on week, and we’re incredibly proud to support those programs wherever we can.
One Long Table in Chinchilla
Arguably one of the biggest highlights of Stayover’s calendar is the annual ‘One Long Table’ festival in Chinchilla, where as the name suggests, the entire town rolls out a single giant table down the main street with stalls on either side, allowing for shared, community oriented dining experience like no other.
It’s been a highlight on Chinchilla’s calendar for many years, bringing together over 3000 locals and visitors to celebrate culture and community. This year our Stayover team in partnership with Sodexo brought a watermelon inspired twist to our offerings, serving up burgers with watermelon infused buns and hot dogs smoked in watermelon wood chips. It’s incredibly satisfying to be able to take part in an event like this, coming together with Chinchilla locals and creating an opportunity for them to meet some of our team.
The atmosphere was electric, and dining on watermelon inspired food at a seemingly endless table through Chinchilla is an experience unlike any other. One Long Table is one of those iconic events that the entire team look forward to, and 2024 was no exception.
Brisbane NAIDOC Golf Day
NAIDOC Week is an important time of the year to reflect on Australia’s indigenous history and the important role that First Nations Australians play in our broader community including the challenges that affect them. Stayover and Ausco as a whole undertook a number of events during NAIDOC week, however the Stayover Brisbane team did something unique, taking part in the annual NAIDOC Golf Day, hosted by the JabalJarri Social Golf Club.
The club has become a well-established part of Brisbane’s Indigenous community and we are proud to have been supporting it through Stayover for the last few years. Some of our Brisbane Stayover team had the pleasure of participating in the tournament once again this year, and while we can’t speak for our staff’s golfing skills, it was an excellent opportunity for themto build connections with this important community group and learn about how we can further support First Nations Australians through our business.
The Stayover marquee and signage that was set up at the NAIDOC Golf Day event proudly features Ausco’s Reconciliation Action Plan artwork, a visual symbol of our commitment to our RAP, which can be found on the Ausco website.
Pegs Creek Primary School Breakfast in Karratha
Some of Australia’s regional schools are able to do incredible things with very few resources, and that’s why it’s incredibly important to us that we support them via projects that make a meaningful difference. The team at Stayover Karratha were proud to lend a helping hand to Pegs Creek Primary School’s Breakfast Club, donating food and snacks to help local children in need, ensuring they don’t start their day hungry.
The program goes further than just breakfast though. Throughout the term, the club also provides lunches and special meals as required, making a significant difference for families in the community who might be doing it tough. Entirely staffed by teachers and students volunteering their own time, the Breakfast Club is a team effort with everyone to make it all happen. Kane Tomaseveich who teaches Year 5-6 at Pegs Creek send through his appreciation on behalf of the school:
On behalf of Pegs Creek Primary, we would like to thank you for your kind donation to our Breakfast Club. This club ensures every student starts the day with a full stomach and provides lunch for those who are not fortunate enough to have something to eat that day. Your funds have been vital in increasing the protein consumption for our kids through the purchase of fresh eggs, chicken, with fruit and vegetables. As well as lunch box snacks, breakfast cereals and ingredients to make healthier sandwich options. This donation will allow us to fund our breakfast club sufficiently for the next 3 months. We cannot thank you enough for the time and resources you put into our beautiful school.
At Stayover, we know the value of a good start to the day and the impact it can have on productivity and wellbeing. Supporting projects like this reflects our ongoing commitment to the communities we are a part of, ensuring that our support is targeted and helpful wherever we operate. Across our sites around Australia our staff are always on the lookout for more opportunities to give back and support local and regional initiatives that improve lives in a meaningful way, Pegs Creek is just one of a few ways we can support those who need help.
2024 is the year that seems to have been over in a flash for many people, however within that year, we’ve been able to make great connections and support some really great local initiatives in the communities that we operate in. From the red dirt of Karratha to the Darling Downs west of Brisbane, it’s been a year of achievements that our team can be proud to share. We’ve sponsored grassroots sports, supported local businesses, helped facilitate major events and focused on making a real difference in the lives of rural and regional Australians – all while continuing our day to day function of being a clean, comfortable home away from home for regional workers. As we go through the new year and into 2025, we look forward to building on our efforts in 2024, creating meaningful partnerships and experiences to share with everyone.