QIC Real Estate has established an exclusive partnership with the Australian Sports Commission (ASC), including the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS), to align with with the Olympic and Paralympic year. This long-term collaboration has been designed to offer memorable experiences showcasing global sport, fostering national pride, and inspiring future champions, including athletes, volunteers, grassroots clubs, and participants of all ages.
The partnership was launched on 26 June 2024 at Canberra Centre by ASC’s CEO and four-time Olympic medallist Kieren Perkins OAM, who was joined by Australian Olympic and Paralympic champions, and students from ASC’s local Sports Schools program.
In bringing the partnership to life via the theme ‘We Build Champions’, QIC Real Estate’s shopping centres across Australia played host to a series of activations designed to ignite the spirit of sport and inspire all Australians to get involved. In various forms, all 18 QIC Real Estate centres participated in the partnership launch initiative through sports-themed activations during the winter school holidays in 2024, including pop-up installations, athlete appearances, consumer promotions, local sporting grants, visual merchandising, and exclusive curated content.
The 'We Build Champions' partnership launch campaign celebrated all community champions including players, coaches, supporters and volunteers. It emphasises the importance of participation in sports, making the effort to show up and get involved, rather than solely striving to be the country’s best.
The partnership connects communities with their local clubs via ASC’s Get Involved digital platform. Offering a curated database of national sporting clubs and associations, the Get Involved platform encourages people to participate in sport by playing, volunteering, coaching, officiating, or supporting their local club.
In FY25 the partnership will continue to be supported by several iconic Australian sporting legends, who will engage with local communities through various in-centre appearances. Iconic Australian athletes include Cody Simpson, Andrew Gaze, Mack Horton, Josh Simmonds, Michele Timms, Petria Thomas, Alicia Coutts, Ashley Callus, Vanessa Low, Scott Reardon, Melissa Barbieri, Michael Roeger and Beki Smith.
The partnership will also continue to provide a seamless way to integrate QIC’s valued retail partners and stakeholders into the initiatives and events.
Continuing well beyond the Olympic year and into 2025, this partnership with the ASC and AIS further reinforces QIC Real Estate’s commitment to enhancing physical health, mental wellbeing, social connections, and leadership development within the local community.
Jobs Fair was piloted across twelve QIC centres including Robina Town Centre, Grand Central, Hinkler Central, Forest Lake Shopping Centre, Hyperdome, Castle Towers, Westpoint, Watergardens, Eastland, Pacific Werribee, Pacific Epping, and Woodgrove. The initiative provided a forum for retailers and brand partners to connect with large numbers of quality potential employees in the lead up to Christmas. Local job seekers were given the opportunity to meet and interact with businesses to explore genuine employment opportunities, as well as access recruitment services, training and education programs.
Close to 800 jobs were advertised across the twelve Jobs Fair events and Digital Jobs Boards. Full-time, part-time and casual roles were available from a broad retail portfolio, including national fashion and lifestyle brands, through to local food and beverage vendors. Prominent retailers who hosted face to face interviews included H&M, JD Sports, Bonds, Witchery, Pandora, Big W, Woolworths, Schnitz, and Strike Bowling.
By engaging community providers and local partners, the Jobs Fair events provided local job seekers access to a suite of virtual and on-site workshops and mentoring sessions. Collectively, centres connected with over 90 community partners who supported candidates with résumé writing workshops, mock interview sessions, free LinkedIn headshots, job search services and personal brand building courses.
Jobs Fair was more than just a recruitment event; it became a catalyst for local connection, fostering social and economic growth in QIC's communities. Across all twelve centres, the Jobs Fairs initiative sparked a remarkable collaboration, bringing together over 100 retailers and brand partners with nearly 20,000 local potential employees.