Incolink was last week awarded the Victoria Day Award for Community and Public Service by a Good Corporate Citizen, an award that was researched and nominated by the employers’ group VECCI.

Incolink supports building and construction workers and their families through the cycles of the building industry.

Employers make weekly contributions to the redundancy fund so workers can draw on their account when they are between projects or unemployed.

But the funds also provide workers and their families with a range of health and wellbeing programs that are unique to the building and construction industry.

These include:

  • on-site health checks (funded by Victoria's WorkHealth Check program)
  • the promotion of prostate cancer checks through rebates
  • a special support program for separated fathers
  • support for those battling addiction and substance abuse — alcohol, drugs, and problem gambling
  • relationships counselling for personal or workplace difficulties
  • financial counselling and a range of insurances
  • a State-wide network of chaplains and critical incident support
  • specialist support for apprentices and young workers
  • suicide prevention and counselling services for high-risk young workers and apprentices across Victoria

Accepting the Victoria Day award was Incolink’s Manager of Member Services, Tim Corney.

“Our counselling services alone receive more than 50 inquiries a day,” says Tim, “While more than 10,000 building and construction workers a year will be assisted by our face-to-face services and counselling.”

Brian Welch of the Master Builders Association of Victoria is an Incolink Board member. He says the Incolink programs aim to make building workers better informed on everything from health and personal finances, to setting career goals and achieving life-work balance.

"Incolink’s health programs have had a really positive effect on increasing wellbeing in the workplace, and have reduced absenteeism on worksites across Victoria.

“We’re also proud that our philanthropic endeavours extend to organisations beyond our own members, such as supporting education for disadvantaged youth and accommodation services for the homeless.