An intersection of commerce and compassion
- 7 days ago
- 3 min read
Across 30 years, Marist180 has created and delivered a wide range of programs and services that address the needs of young people and young adults, who for whatever reason (often through no fault or choice of their own) are seeking support and assistance. Some of these have catered for and related to employment and skills pathways and development.
Notable among these were the Marist180 Painting Social Enterprises/Businesses, that operated in Sydney for some four years, and Brisbane for two. In short, these Painting services generated pathways for apprentice and trainee painters, many of whom had struggled for opportunity due to their backgrounds and circumstances, and/or were looking for a second chance. Often these businesses relied upon strong partnerships eg in Brisbane, with the Churches of Christ, with Marist180 a preferred provider of painting at their Aged Care and Retirement facilities. For us, and these partners, our social enterprises existed at the intersection of commerce and compassion.
For a number of years, the Catholic Archdiocese of Brisbane has been reflecting on their property and assets portfolio, and how disused and underutilised properties can be engaged in the service of the community, especially focused on those who marginalised or excluded in some way. For at least five years, the Archdiocese has been actively engaged with the State Government, discussing the release of Church-owned land across south east Queensland suitable for prefabricated, social affordable housing. They have engaged market-based strategies to tackle social, cultural and environmental challenges—offering a model of leadership rooted as much in Gospel values as in strategy. As Archbishop Mark Coleridge reflected in April, 2025:
"It is a clear example of how faith-based land can be used for the common good… (it) upholds the dignity of every person, puts our resources at the service of the vulnerable, and delivers housing that is well located [and is] respectful of neighbours."
For ten years, under the leadership of our Employment and Training Coordinator, Megan Smith-Roberts, we have delivered the ‘Skilling Queenslanders for Work’ program, a twenty-week Certificate I program, across various qualifications, most commonly Construction. This has been highly successful in building competence, confidence, employability, work and life skills, borne out in these numbers:
Marist180 has been privileged to explore opportunities of mutual benefit to the Archdiocese of Brisbane, ourselves, and service of those seeking a fresh start in search of employment. We have been keen to re-engage a social enterprise, with the hope of additional employment outcomes for some who could or would opt into further skills training and employment with us. To this end, we have just completed a ‘proof of concept’ project, undertaking renovations on a former convent, currently home to a group of women and small children, referred through the Romero Centre, a work of the Archdiocese of Brisbane, ‘A place of welcome and sanctuary for people seeking asylum’.
Our Construction Trainer, Sean Trull, and two of our young trainee cohort, have completed this work; with this complete, the Archdiocese is happy to partner with us to provide ongoing Parish property maintenance… as a Social Enterprise.
Before and after….
At the heart of most social enterprises is a deep desire to address injustice. Marcellin Champagnat was driven by a clear recognition that the society and systems of his day left some young people behind—whether through poverty, exclusion, or lack of opportunity.
Before and after….
We hope this embryonic social enterprise becomes a practical expression of solidarity. It offers Marist180 a way to address gaps rather than simply respond to their symptoms. It is another way that the work is ultimately anchored in the belief that dignity and equality should not be privileges but rights.
