Sean Teer manages Envision, a not-for-profit turning plastic bottle tops that would otherwise go to landfill into prosthetic hands and arms. Based in Werribee, the project aims to change the lives of as many disadvantaged people as possible in countries like Cambodia and India.
Sean knows the west and it’s communities well – he went to school at St Pauls in Altona and then St Johns in Braybrook, and still has great friends in Hoppers Crossing, Yarraville and across the region.
“I have lots of strong connections here. I lived in Point Cook, Laverton and Werribee, most of my youth was spent in the west and always loved the feel, I always thought it a very social and community focussed place.”
Turning plastic into prosthetic hands and arms isn’t something you just wake up and decide to do though, Sean has always tried to work in industries where he could make a difference.
“How I got involved originally was when we found out that bottle caps were being land-filled and not being recycled. We wanted to stop that, then we came across the Enabling the Future community.”
And how has the response been in the West for Sean and Envision?
“It’s been fantastic, the west has embraced what we’re doing very strongly, from Werribee where it commenced, and across Altona, Williamstown, Yarraville, Footscray, Sunshine, everywhere.”
And the next stage of the project?
“Well we want to get the filaments (plastic prepared for 3D printers) out to schools and then they will be involved in the 3D printing. The first school to make hands will be Bayden Powell College in Tarniet, and Alamanda College in Point Cook are coming on board also.”
So what does Sean love to do in the west?
“I love seeing all the changes – it was always a good community feel here and now that seems stronger than it ever was. I guess as manufacturing reduces and residential rises we’re seeing a village feel come to different areas. If I’m seeing friends I like it around the Sun Theatre, I always find a place for a great coffee or a bite to eat, love the Yarraville scene and catching up with friends.”
Families, schools, community groups and businesses across the west have been busily collecting and donating the bottle tops. If you’d like to help, you can drop yours off to the Seddon Community Branch of the Bendigo Bank at 90 Charles Street Seddon.
