First published 6 March 2023
QUT Faculty of Engineering is now joining forces with Orange Sky Australia to generate, capture and regenerate sustainable engineering solutions for the free laundry service.
Orange Sky Australia is the world’s first free mobile laundry service for people experiencing homelessness, an idea founded in a Brisbane garage by two 20-year-old mates, Nic Marchesi and Lucas Patchett. In late 2014, the boys installed a couple of washing machines and dryers in the back of their old van, ‘Sudsy’ and visited parks around Brisbane to wash and dry clothes for free. What started as an idea to improve hygiene standards and restore dignity to people doing it tough has evolved into something much bigger and more powerful.
As innovation is core to their mission Orange Sky Australia is partnering with next generation QUT engineering students. Last week Nic dropped off their first van ‘Sudsy’ to the engineering team gifting an orange living laboratory for the students and student clubs. The engineering mechanical, electrical, civil, and master engineering research projects students will undertake include water recycling, improved solar capacity, battery energy, mechanical user-centred design, and innovation. The aim is to generate sustainable and ongoing future benefits to the functionality and operations of the free laundry services which will be of substantial value to OrangeSky Australia.
The launch of this partnership will connect and inspire engineering students with a social enterprise where their research projects and learning will be tested in a real-world context and result in engineering change for a better future.
Join us today and support Orange Sky Australia.
Together we can make a difference.
