Power Pops
Bringing the Story of Gippsland New Energy to the Next Generation!
The GCCN Power Pops (PP) program was developed to bring the story of the new energy transition and the positive outcomes for the climate and the opportunities for future employment to the next generation of Gippslanders.
We had identified that the traditional engagement models we used were not reaching the younger generation, and a more innovative approach was required.
After research and consultation with young focus groups we developed the project model of using immersive Virtual Reality (VR) experiences and 360-degree videos to showcase new energy projects and job opportunities.
The team at VinciVR especially Eagle Wu, CEO and founder, were of great assistance in providing the most suitable VR product for the project ‘Day in the Life of an Offshore Wind Tech’. Eagle also assisted in training and allowed us to live test the product and generously applied a not-for-profit discount all the way from Boston USA. Vinci VR’s Immersive Classroom Platform mission is to make VR, one of the most powerful technological tools at our disposal, more accessible and effective for training and education that enables any user to simply put on a headset and learn a valuable skill and have a vision of themselves in a future role. That statement matched our vision.
We had the program now we needed the funding. This was provided with the support of Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR) With the grant GCCN was able to purchase two Meta VR Headsets, the VinciVR program and employ a talented young Gippsland local, Sabrinskas Stephanie, to be our Power Pops engagement officer and deliver this innovative program across Gippsland for FREE!
The Power Pops program is fun and informs participants about the Gippsland New Energy web portal that has up-to-date information on new energy projects, processes of licencing and engagement opportunities. The VR experience can demystify renewable energy projects showing a future that can’t yet be seen but can be visualised.
Power Pops has effectively engaged with our community in an informative fun and memorable way across diverse demographics — developed to target youth young we have had participants aged 11 to 79!
Power Pops has participated in large flagship events: the Gippsland New Energy Conference 2024 and Youth Summit, Festival of Big Ideas Youth Extravaganza, a job skills fair targeting women and gender-diverse young people, and Energy Australia’s first local worker transition expo.
Contact us to lodge your interest in Power Pops
Events to date:
Emerging Industries Careers Expo, Bairnsdale Wellington Youth Council, Sale Bright Ideas, Youth Extravaganza, Korumburra Be Seen Be Heard, Youth Gippsland, Drouin Be Seen Be Heard, Youth Gippsland, Uplift, Morwell Lardner Park Job & Skills Expo Latrobe Valley Sustainability Group meeting Environment Victoria’s — Latrobe Valley Action Network Meetup Gunaikurnai Land & Waters Aboriginal Corporation’s — Cuppa & a Yarn On Energy, Gippsland New Energy Conference 24, Youth Summit, Baw Baw Youth Event.
