Following exhaustive research into how Dandenong Pavilion can reduce its carbon footprint on the planet, we have finally arrived at a meaningful and worthwhile solution. From around January 2020, Dandenong Pavilion will install as many high quality solar panels on its roof as the structure will allow. The design allows for 150 x 380 watt panels within a 57Kw structure, and we are delighted to learn that this initiative will remove 82,014 Kilograms of gas emissions from the environment each year. This is, we understand, no mean achievement.
Waste is a major issue at Dandenong Pavilion, given the volume of glassware, bottles, plastic, cardboard and paper that we generate. Accordingly, and from the outset, we have regular recycling bins that are collected (at our cost) weekly, thereby allowing us to recycle a huge amount of potential landfill.
Other environmentally sensitive initiatives employed at Dandenong Pavilion include all of the following: All our menus, serviettes, take-away bags and office needs use recycled paper; All our lighting uses certified LED lighting, thereby reducing emissions; We use only biodegradable cleaning products, and we use a substantial amount of these each week; We have installed a massive outdoor water storage tank and plumbed this to the roof drainage system, allowing us to harvest many litres of rain water which we use for dish washing, toilets and hosing down the kitchen floors every night; We ensured that our entrance has two sets of double doors, primarily to retain the cooling in summer and the heat in winter; We installed security screens on some of the widows, which also serve to act as heat repellent when closed.
Supporting the Locals
The Dandenong Pavilion strives to support the locals as they accomplish their own independent ambitions and dreams. Involving ourselves in the community is an accomplishment we hold dearly and aim to do better each year. Dandenong Pavilion is a sponsor for local football clubs including Dandenong Thunder, Springvale White Eagles and St Paul’s FC.
Irene Difesa, a local Dandenong mum was supported by the Dandenong Pavilion as she represented Australia at the Transplant Games of America in Salt Lake City, Utah in 2018. Her story you can find in the link below. Dandenong Pavilion sponsored Irene in this journey and see her as a local inspiration!
Dandenong Pavilion is part of the community of the Greater Dandenong area, and firmly believes in “giving back”. In addition to the above community-based initiatives, Dandenong Pavilion has also been involved in the following:
BUSH FIRES: In 2009, Dandenong Pavilion, its management, staff and customers raised and donated over $4,000 to the Victorian Bush Fire Appeal. We are doing it again. As a consequence of the 2019 NSW & VIC Bush Fires, Dandenong Pavilion is again raising funds, by donating all the proceeds of our Nutella Donut dessert to this appeal, as well as donations from guests and staff to the Gippsland Emergency Relief Fund. In February 2020, we handed over a total of $6,624 to this fund.
COMMUNITY SPORT: In addition to our current list of teams sponsored by Dandenong Pavilion, we have, over the years, also supported a range of other local sports teams, including Dandenong Rangers Women’s Basketball team, the Dandenong Cricket Club and the Dandenong Stingrays (AFL).
COMMUNITY HEALTH & EDUCATION: Over the years, we have contributed significant amounts to numerous local schools, kindergartens, nursing homes, etc., in their fund raising efforts. Too many to mention by name but in a typical year, we would contribute many thousands of dollars. In one year alone, we donated around $1,200 to the Dandenong Hospital, and around $500 each to between 4-8 schools (at all levels) per annum.
COMMUNITY FUND-RAISING: In conjunction with Hilton Manufacturing, some years back we organized and financially supported a major dinner (The Mercy Ship which sends doctors to third world countries) organized by Hilton Manufacturing and hosted at the Pavilion where the venue was used exclusively for this event. Our contribution was financial in that we provided all the food and drink at no cost, with everything else, including staff at our expense. Following on from the Mercy Ship dinner, we are part of a unique initiative for Dandenong, called the Brand New Day where Dandenong Pavilion will encourage our staff to volunteer their time in conjunction with our resources (the venue) to feed those people in Dandenong who cannot afford to do so themselves.
