R&J Batteries News
Hopping on Board the Ballarat Soup Bus
Our journey to becoming one of the fastest growing battery distributors in Australia and New Zealand started from humble beginnings in Ballarat, Victoria. Today, we have 27 company-owned branches and a vast network of over 18,000+ stockists. We owe much of this success to the Ballarat community for their ongoing support over the years. It is time for us to give back to the community and that’s why we are delighted to announce our commitment to supporting the OnTrack Foundation’s Ballarat Soup Bus.
The OnTrack Foundation runs The Soup Bus which is an after-dark meal service that helps Ballarat’s homeless and less fortunate members of the community through the cooperation and support of the wider community. The Soup Bus serves vulnerable community members free of charge five nights a week from Sunday from 5:30pm to 7:30pm and Monday to Thursday from 7:30pm to 9:30pm year round. The Soup Bus operates with the support of local restaurants, cafes, bakeries and other businesses such as Beechworth Bakery, Grill’d, Café Lekker, The Park Hotel, Pipers by the Lake, Oscar’s, Country Casseroles, Ballarat Golf Club and The Western Hotel to name a few. We are thrilled to join these businesses in their mission to support vulnerable groups and giving back to the society.
Established in 2009, the OnTrack Foundation comprises of a voluntary Board that operates without any compensation to its members nor government funding. 100% of the money raised through sponsors, fundraising efforts and private donations are utilised in running The Soup Bus and providing education scholarships to disadvantaged students. The OnTrack Foundation operates with the aim of caring for the community’s most vulnerable members and assist in community development.
Speaking about R&J Batteries’ decision to support The Soup Bus and the OnTrack Foundation, Managing Director, Ray Robson said, “R&J Batteries would like to thank Ballarat and the surrounding community for making us one of the most successful battery businesses throughout Australia and New Zealand. From our humble beginnings, we have managed continual growth with no signs of slowing down.”
“We have made the decision to give something back to the local community as Ballarat has supported our business for the past 26 years. The Soup Bus has been looking after those less fortunate in the local community for many years with limited resources so this felt like the best way to give something back. R&J Batteries is proud to be associated with The Soup Bus and hopefully our sponsorship will be well received by all those who need a little help along the way,” added Robson
OnTrack Foundation’s Secretary, Trisha Livingston said, “This is such a wonderful relationship and we are so excited to include R&J Batteries as part of the OnTrack Foundation family.”
If you are interested in joining our efforts in supporting the OnTrack Foundation, there are several ways to donate. Monetary donations can be made at the OnTrack Health and Fitness Club located at Level 1/35-37 Sturt Street or at the Ballarat East Community Men’s shed on the corner of Fussell and Eureka Streets on the first and third Saturday of the month at 10:30am. There are also donation tins available at many local businesses around Ballarat including Bendigo Bank branches and The Western Hotel. All monetary donations can be made via cheque, cash or direct debit. To donate online, please click on the “Donate Now” button below.
