Y bike man named best in the biz

THE Y Australia has announced their National Staff Member of the Year, and he’s a key part of The Y Ballarat’s operations.

Coordinator of the Wendouree-based ReCranked bicycle recycling program, Wallace Martin, has recently received the honour.

ReCranked accepts donated second-hand bikes and refurbishes them for new owners in need of two-wheeled transport, aiming to get them on the move, while keeping landfill to a minimum.

“It’s a proud moment to get the award,” he said. “It’s important recognition for ReCranked, and the work that everybody’s put into the program.

“We’ve got a great team of 10 volunteers that come in two afternoons a week each and help to keep the program ticking over really smoothly.

“Each year, we bring about 320 bikes up to a roadworthy condition, and then we give away about 220 or 230 of those to new riders. We try and find homes for bikes wherever we can.”

Seven-year ReCranked volunteer Nigel Crosbie was named The Y’s National Volunteer of the Year in 2021 and he said the fact that the local program has been highlighted two years in a row is a credit to Mr Martin.

“He just does an outstanding job and relates so well to people,” Mr Crosbie said. “The program wouldn’t be what it is without Wallace.

“We have such a good bunch of blokes to work with at ReCranked. It’s a great place to volunteer and to do something that’s really worthwhile.”

Half of ReCranked’s bikes are given to local people, while the rest are donated to those in need further afield.

Two truckloads worth were given to flood victims in New South Wales earlier in the year, and next week, Mr Martin will deliver lots of bikes to Melbourne, which will be shipped to Namibia.

He said he’s grateful for the support of his managers and CEOs at The Y over the last 12 years in building up the program, and its offshoot, ReCranked in Schools.

“The ongoing bookings we have from schools is a testimony to how successful it is in reengaging kids in school, particularly those that don’t fit mainstream education streams,” he said.

“It’s a hands-on program, a bit different and a good way to engage kids that are perhaps struggling a bit with school and life in general.”

Mr Martin has worked at The Y for 18 years, and said he’s seen a lot of changes, but has always loved the organisation’s ethos.

“We’re all equal, we’re all here for the same purpose, and to give people a help up in any way we can,” he said.