2017 marks the fourth year running that Cisco Live Melbourne, Cisco’s flagship annual technical training, networking and education event, incorporated Telco Together Foundation as its official event charity partner.
Running from March 7-9 2017, Cisco Live Melbourne showcased a new volunteer packing station which offered attending delegates a unique opportunity to give back during down times, by helping to pack hygiene kits for Indigenous children in remote communities.
From day one, the volunteer packing station was a huge hit with a continual flow of delegates dropping by to pitch in and show their support for Indigenous children living in remote communities.
Renee Bowker, CEO of Telco Together Foundation said, “Packs were being put together so quickly, that by the end of the first day more than 60% of our 1000 kit target was already achieved. It was very inspiring to see so many delegates keen to get involved and do their bit to help people in need, with many showing a keen interest in learning more about the cause by chatting to charity representatives from Red Dust Role Models, who work directly with Indigenous children living in remote communities.”
The products contained in the hygiene kits were generously donated by Cisco Australia as part of their partnership with Telco Together, and these kits will now be distributed by Red Dust Role Models to remote communities. Red Dust deliver healthy living programs and community development projects in partnership with remote communities and they are one of three charities who receive funding from Telco Together Foundation.
Cisco Live Melbourne also raised almost $25,000 for Australians in need through a variety of activities which included a fundraising raffle and charity auction at Cisco’s Service Provider Welcome event which raised $6,500, in addition to other donations from Cisco Australia in supplying the contents of 1,000 hygiene kits for Indigenous children, while also donating $10 to Telco Together for every feedback form they received from delegates.100% of funds raised at ICT industry events like Cisco Live Melbourne go directly towards community programs supporting Indigenous health, homelessness and mental health.
A third and final element of this year’s event was the Telco Together Foundation Think Tank sessions hosted by the Foundation’s CEO Renee Bowker. These well attended sessions were tailored to attending delegates interested in learning about technology and social innovation and how their skills may be of use to charities at upcoming Telco Together Skills Exchange events.
