Altitude Shift - May 23-24, 2014

Altitude Shift was an exciting event organised to raise funds for Anglicare Victoria - an important charity that delivers programs to help some of the most vulnerable members of society, our children. In particular, Anglicare is heavily involved in providing foster care: arranging safe and supportive homes to children who are temporarily unable to be looked after by their birth parents.

Foster care can range from Emergency Care lasting one or two nights, or Long Term Care which can last up to two years or more. Anglicare Victoria assists the carers by providing training, ongoing support and reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses. To help fund these programs, Anglicare Victoria came up with an exciting and extreme way to fund raise funds: offering participants a chance to abseil down the side of a 113 metre city skyscraper, the St James Building, at 535 Bourke St.

When we heard an old friend of The Couch, Steve O’Malley from the Metropolitan Fire Brigade, was looking for international students to help the Anglicare Victoria team, we knew we wanted to help. And, given both the opportunity involved and the cause, a lot of the volunteers expressed interest in being a part of this event.

Steve at The Couch talking about fire safety

On the day, I arrived at about 12:30pm and found many of the city workers spectating from the ground, enjoying their lunches whilst watching the spectacle unfolding above them. In next to no time, I was taken up to level 5, where participants were assisted into their harness and protective gear. There was a great view of the ropes dangling by the window, and if you were patient enough, you'd see someone abseil past.

The view from inside level 5

After another lift ride up, and a short flight of stairs, we were on the roof. I was immediately greeted  by two well known volunteers from The Couch, Robin and Laura, looking extremely professional with their walkie-talkies. In the background, staff from Zenith Events, an adventure/abseil company, were re-checking the harnesses of the next group of participants and providing last minute safety instructions and training.

Robin and Laura from The Couch

The final training before going to the edge

The view of the city was beautiful, just to be up there was an experience in itself. The next batch of participants was soon led past the safety railing and, with determined but slightly apprehensive faces, started getting ready to take the leap from the side of the building.

Over the edge, with reassurance and monitoring from Zenith Staff

As they disappeared from view, the next batch of participants were arriving, and Robin and Laura got back to work. We quickly went down (unfortunately via the lift) to see if that batch of participants had managed to survive.

Spoilers: they did, and looked happily relieved

There was a great atmosphere on the ground, especially with some of the participants wearing all sorts of costumes which ranged from medieval armour to the in vogue onesies. There was also a happy environment as the participants received support from their families, friends and onlookers.

Not sure chain-mail would help in the event of a fall

A recently new arrival at The Couch, Jason volunteered on the second day of Altitude Shift. He spent the morning chaperoning the participants as they progressed up the building to the top. He signed up just to help out, but on the day received some exciting news: all volunteers were been given the opportunity to abseil down at the end of their shifts!

Jason on the right, abseiling with another volunteer

Getting involved with volunteering, with any organisation, can open many doors and opportunities. Often it can lead to meeting new friends and making new contacts, even though most people want nothing more than a chance to make a very real difference helping others. However, sometimes volunteering will also give you a once in a lifetime chance to do something really cool like climb down a city building on a rope!

Thanks to Anglicare Victoria, the Metropolitan Fire Brigade, Zenith Events and the International Student volunteers for making a difference in these children's lives, and doing something fun and exciting at the same time. In the end, more than 100 people abseiled down the side of the St James building, raising approximately $150,000. This will be of great help to Anglicare Victoria, who currently organise housing for over 400 children every night.

Jason back on the ground as next group of participants come down

More photos in the photo album.