Coinciding with National Volunteer Week 2025, the SHAPE Sydney team joined forces with the Property Industry Foundation (the Foundation) to deliver a full refurbishment of Wayside Chapel’s Mob Space at its Kings Cross Community Service Centre – designed to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander visitors moving from trauma to reconnecting with their cultural strengths.
Penny Kaleta, NSW State Manager, Property Industry Foundation said, “At the Property Industry Foundation, we bring together companies like SHAPE and community organisations like Wayside to create places that go beyond bricks and mortar – they offer connection, dignity, and hope. This project, co-designed with SJB Architects, Indigenous Elders and community members, reflects our deep commitment to culturally safe, inclusive spaces.”
From Monday 19 to Friday 23 May, the dedicated SHAPE crew and partners rolled up their sleeves to bring the space back to life. The works included installing a brand-new kitchen, joinery units, upgrading the bathroom to meet accessibility requirements, new floor finishes, upgrading lighting, carrying out full painting and general refurbishment works, and installing furniture, fixtures, and equipment (FFE), including whitegoods, with thoughtful styling using new and repurposed furniture.
The space will improve how Wayside Chapel can deliver services, with more functional areas for one-on-one support, gatherings, breakfasts that are held three days per week, and healing practices. Ultimately, it strengthens their ability to walk alongside the community in a way that reflects respect, cultural safety, and self-determination.
Friday 23 May saw 20 SHAPE volunteers kickstart the worker bee – together onsite, hands-on and fully committed. Their tasks ranged from painting walls and silicone touch-ups to assembling furniture and gardening. The team worked seamlessly alongside the Foundation and Wayside Chapel staff to ensure every corner of the space was cleaned, refreshed, and ready to support the community it serves.
James Fitzgerald, General Manager – NSW at SHAPE, expressed, “These community projects are an opportunity to put our skills to work for something bigger than construction. It’s about using our expertise to create real impact, alongside partners who share our values. I’m incredibly proud of the team for bringing care, energy, and professionalism to every detail.”
Reflecting on the collaboration, Jon Owen, CEO and Pastor of Wayside Chapel shared, “This partnership with SHAPE and the Foundation goes beyond a building upgrade, it’s a powerful example of what’s possible when purpose-led organisations come together. It shows a commitment to reconciliation in action, to listening deeply, and to walking in partnership with Aboriginal communities.
For Wayside, it means our vision of creating community is shared and amplified. It’s a reminder that meaningful change happens when people and organisations align with shared values of dignity, inclusion, and respect.”
A huge thank you goes to our subcontractors and project partners for their generous contributions.
Somerville
Mr water
ALD
BVT
Profectus
Formcorp
Basis
ReLove
Donny’s painting and tiling
X-CLUSIVE Group
We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the land, sea, and skies. We’re grateful to those who have cared for, nurtured, and protected Country for future generations, and we pay our respects to Elders past, present, and emerging.
