Consider this scenario: You've invested in a solar power system for your home, and you anticipate it to last at least two decades. After only one year, though, the solar system begins to trip. Given the amount of money and work that went into installing it, it can be frustrating, right?
On what was the wettest night on record in five years, Venergy CEO Matthew Wilkins braved the conditions on 17th June sleeping outside in Adelaide, smashing his $10,000 fundraising goal with $16,500 in the 2021 Vinnies CEO Sleepout.
Participating in his first Vinnies CEO Sleepout, Matthew’s fundraising efforts earned him a place amongst the Top 10 contributors on the night. A combined 136 CEOs from South Australia took part and together reached the highest donation amount yet, smashing its fundraising target of $800,000 by more than 100k – raising more than $900,000.
As an active board member of Blinding Sporting Council, Matthew Wilkins’ key focus is “creating fundraising opportunities. Through discovering these opportunities, I oversee from concept to realisation and ensure all money raised provides benefit to those most in need throughout South Australia’s blind and vision-impaired community.”
Matthew has worked with the legendary Victor Velgush, partnering with The Captain Davo for a charity event in March. TCD did a charity stream from SkyCity and Velgush made a huge personal donation of $5,000 off his own back. The BSC (also known as Eye Play Sport) was established in 1996 to provide support to people who are blind or vision impaired participating in sports, recreation, and community events.
He did it! Our Commercial Bid and Strategy Manager, Curtis Montgomery, was one of the 100 brave souls who abseiled 70 metres down the InterContinental Adelaide on 17th September 2021 and had an absolute blast. He and the Venergy Australia Team have raised over $1,160 for Ronald McDonald House Adelaide to help and support seriously ill and injured children and their families.
Well done, Curtis! We are so honoured that you took part in the 2021 Adelaide City Plunge, and thank you for your amazing fundraising efforts.
All of Adelaide City Plunge participants have raised over $165,000 for RMHC SA, which equates to more than 1,040 nights’ accommodation. Congratulations and thank you RMHC SA and Zenith Events for such a great experience!
You can still make a donation to this incredible cause by visiting this link: https://ronald-mcdonald-house-charities-sa.grassrootz.com/adelaide-city-plunge-2021-rmhc-sa/venergy-australia?fbclid=IwAR29XCBCZAe4JngyKqEfrcQ11Cx-VY6qxyMEbghsOuAoxyeGzQna_56J9uc
Our CEO Matthew Wilkins, who raised $16,500 in the 2021 Vinnies CEO Sleepout, was invited by Vinnies SA and their CEO Louise Miller Frost, to assist for a night with Fred’s Van dinner service.
Fred’s Van is a volunteer-run service provided by Vinnies, which provides comfort and a warm, nutritious meal for those experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness.
With more than 650 volunteers serving 40,000 meals each year from eight sites across Adelaide and two regional sites in Port Lincoln and Port Pirie, Vinnies’ programs like Fred’s Van are funded through the CEO Sleepout and donations.
If you would like to support St Vinnies or Fred’s Van you can do so by following the below link – https://donate.vinnies.org.au/donation-hub
In support of Lifeline Adelaide and Eye Play Sport, some of our team at Venergy Australia spearheaded by our CEO Matthew Wilkins enjoyed a Melbourne Cup charity fundraiser lunch on 3 November 2020, where Venergy donated a Solar System Safety and Performance Inspection to be auctioned.
Lifeline Adelaide has offered crisis support to the community for more than 50 years. It is part of a national network of Lifeline centres, working together to save lives and provide training for good mental health in the workplace.
As part of the ‘Covid Relief Support Program’ Venergy Australia is very proud to partner with City of Port Adelaide Enfield to deliver multiple solar and battery storage systems to community facilities.
These projects were delivered in conjunction with the councils Covid-19 Response & Recovery Framework, an innovative way to support the community to take the lead in recovery from the impacts of the global pandemic. As a result of this framework, community organisations like the Adelaide Olympic Football Club were the recipients of new solar and battery system.
With an established reputation for building and managing premium technical service companies, Matt directs a national solar and electrical company that operates in all states of Australia (except for WA), and a national installation company of high-end commercial digital signs. Matt has successfully founded these companies and invested in other non-cyclical companies, including a high-profile medical centre on Woodville Park, Adelaide.
Matthew has proven skills in general management, business development and the management of technical teams. His management style is adaptive and draws on experience gained from several different industries and business models. With over 12 years’ experience in the solar industry at all levels, Matthew is a hands-on team builder with an unrelenting determination to build Venergy into one of the most reliable, innovative and long-standing solar and renewable energy storage companies in Australia.
A distinguished electrician with over 10 years experience, Arthur has been at the forefront of many facets of the business, accredited to his immense technical knowledge. Arthur is a CEC-accredited and fully certified PV installer, he leads from the front assuring the highest level of quality is delivered. Arthur supports, mentors, coaches and guides his teams, assuring quality and workmanship.
Arthur’s experience and dedication allows him to successfully maintain a cross functional hybrid position which he successfully navigates between managing and leading his internal teams across multiple sites, whilst delivering a high level of customer service and satisfaction to external customers.
An accountant with five years experience in the solar industry, Kristine started with Venergy as a finance officer and is now working closely with the CEO for project management support. Her profound accounting and managerial ability, coupled with her solar energy proficiency has positioned her as one of Venergy’s key advisors in its management and operational processes.
James has been in customer service for over 6 years, 3 years of which have been in solar. His experience and pleasing personality allow him to establish good relationships with our customers from pre- to post installation, ensuring customers are well informed with the process of installation.
He acts as an intermediate between Venergy and its clientele to ensure smooth and consistent communication between both parties, with customer expectations and experience always front of mind.
Venergy is a proud sponsor of the Onkaparinga Rugby Union Football Club. Founded in 1968, it is one of 13 Rugby clubs in South Australia and has been a successful breeding ground for Rugby players in the southern suburbs of Adelaide.
Curtis Montgomery has a wealth of knowledge and expertise acquired over many years servicing the solar industry in a variety of capacities which range from pre-sales to post commissioning functions. He has a strong background in commercial solar, especially end-to-end tender/bid management of commercial prospects and opportunities, with involvement in over 250 projects including rooftop, ground mount, carpark & storage applications.
Before working with Venergy, Curtis served several years at Todae Solar, one of Australia’s largest commercial solar retailers based in Sydney. He has also spent several months with Q CELLS as a senior business development manager developing a market ready PPA product and service offering which also gives him an acute understanding of corporate energy efficiency programs, supply chains and manufacturers.
