News for ‘OAK Corporate’

OAK Tasmania has once again teamed up with Entertainment Publications to help raise funds for our programs and services that improve the lives of Tasmanians with disabilities.

This year’s Entertainment Book contains hundreds of valuable ‘up to 50% off’ and ‘2 for 1’ offers from many of the best restaurants, arts, attractions, accommodation, and travel services in the State.

The new books are only $60.00 each and provide more than $15,000 of valuable offers in total. The books also make great gifts (especially with Mother’s Day just around the corner), and for every book purchased OAK Tasmania receives $12.00 towards its fundraising efforts.

  How do I order my book/s?

• You can order and pay for your book on-line. Simply click here and have your credit card details handy.

• You have the option of having the book posted to you (at additional cost), or you can nominate to pick it up from our offices in Glenorchy during normal business hours.

• If you don’t have a credit card or prefer to pay by cash or cheque, simply call in to our Glenorchy offices to purchase your book.

When will I receive my book/s?

• This year’s Entertainment Books will be available from mid-April.

• Entertainment Publications will process your on-line order and despatch your book/s within 7 days of receiving your order and payment.

• If you prefer to pay for your book in person and collect it from our offices, simply call in to 56 Clydesdale Avenue in Glenorchy during normal business hours (after the 15th of April)

Who do I contact if I have any questions?

Please contact our Fundraising Manager on 6272 8244 (select option 3).

Thanks for your support, and we hope you enjoy the savings!

A former member of OAK’s Board of Directors, Mrs Judith Cleaver, has been inducted onto the Tasmanian Honour Role of Women.

Mrs Cleaver’s significant contribution to the Tasmanian community through advancing social justice issues, and her 40 years of selfless volunteerism was recognised at a ceremony held in Launceston today.

Mrs Cleaver joined the Retarded Children’s Welfare Association (the predecessor to OAK Tasmania) in the late 1960’s as a member of the Auxiliary for Oakdale Lodge and Secretary of the RCWA Southern Region, before being asked to join the Board of Oak Enterprises.

“A neighbour who lived up the street from me invited me to a morning tea at Oakdale Lodge. The Lodge had just started and they were discussing how to present the Lodge and were thinking of getting a committee to raise money for a separate room for the clients so they had some privacy. Unexpectedly, I was nominated for the committee and I couldn’t say no,” Mrs Cleaver said.

Judith Cleaver (centre) with Oak Enterprises staff at the Grove Road Adult Training Centre in the 1980s

During her 40-year involvement in OAK Tasmania, Mrs Cleaver helped steer the organisation through many challenges. The organisation often called on her strong sense of social justice and her experience in the government sector to help guide it through legislative change that had a profound effect on the disability sector.

“Judith took particular interest in the establishment of the welfare services now provided by OAK. She always encouraged managers and staff to become involved in training to enhance their skills and for them to join local and national organisations, which helped the promotion and growth of OAK and of course, them personally”, OAK CEO John Paton said.

“On behalf of everyone at OAK, I congratulate Judith on her induction to the Tasmanian Honour Role of Women which is a fitting tribute to her work in the community.”

Mrs Cleaver was inducted as a Life Member of OAK Tasmania in 2008, and was an inaugural recipient of a Heart of OAK Award in 2011 in recognition of her significant contribution to OAK Tasmania. Mrs Cleaver is now retired and living on Tasmania’s East Coast.

Mrs Cleaver at today's induction ceremony for the Tasmanian Honour Role of Women.

Mrs Cleaver’s career highlights includes:

• Stenographer and office administrator with various private companies.

• Member of the Auxiliary for Oakdale Lodge, and Secretary of the RCWA Southern Region.

• Administration officer with the Tasmanian Council of Social Services; resigned to become a member of Lifeline and joined the Tascoss Board as Treasurer.

• Staff member of the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet working on women’s issues, with ethnic women’s groups and women’s Non-Government Organisations (NGOs).

• Asked to join the Board of Oak Enterprises, admirably fulfilling her duties for a period of 16 years.

• Inaugural member of the Tasmanian Council of Women.

• Member of the Claremont College Board.

• Convenor of the Southern Regional Health Committee.

• Member of Housing Tasmania’s Committee to establish a method of allocating public housing.

• Member of Rostrum.

• Manager Community Services at Brighton Council.

Following an organisational restructure, OAK Tasmania has just welcomed its new Chief Financial Officer, Jason Reeves.

Having worked for more than 20 years in the financial services industry, Jason brings a wealth of expertise to OAK including experience in financial and operational management, business improvement, strategy development and portfolio management.

He has held a number of senior executive positions including most recently as the General Manager of Shadforths Limited and is both a Certified Practicing Accountant (CPA) and tertiary qualified with a Bachelor of Commerce degree (B.Com).

OAK Tasmania's CFO Jason Reeves.

Jason said it was rewarding to be working for an organisation like OAK Tasmania.

“One of the key attractions for me in joining OAK was the knowledge that any contribution that I am able to make to the organisation, will go directly towards improving the lives of those with a disability.”

OAK Tasmania’s CEO, John Paton, has welcomed the appointment and is confident that Jason will be a great fit for the organisation.

“Jason’s knowledge and experience will be of considerable value to the Company as we progress through a number of issues and prepare for the introduction of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).”

Mr Paton said he was particularly pleased the appointment addressed the issue of succession planning for the organisation, with the retirement of key senior staff set to occur within the next five years.

On behalf of everyone at OAK Tasmania we wish you a very Merry Christmas and a prosperous 2013.

Our businesses and services will be taking a well-earned break during the holiday season, and re-opening in the New Year:

• Corporate Services closed 21/12/12 (4.30pm) re-opening on 2/1/13
• OAK Community Services closed 21/12/12 (4.30pm) re-opening on 14/1/13
• OAK Sewing Service closed 21/12/12 (noon) re-opening on 7/1/13
• Oakdale Industries closed 21/12/12 (noon) re-opening on 14/1/13
• Mailhouse Tasmania closed 21/12/12 (noon) re-opening on 7/1/13
• Tahune Fields Nursery closed 21/12/12 (noon) re-opening on 29/1/13
• Grove Heritage Nursery closed 21/12/12 (noon) re-opening on 29/1/13
• Walkabout Industries* closed 21/12/12 (4.30pm) re-opening on 2/1/13

*Pre-arranged paper deliveries can be received

We thank you for your support and helping us to improve the lives of Tasmanians with disabilities.

OAK Tasmania has been presented with a national award recognising 30 years of continued support and contribution to Australia’s peak disability body, National Disability Services (NDS).

The award was presented to OAK Tasmania by NDS Chief Operating Officer Mr Patrick Maher at the opening of the new NDS office in Hobart earlier this week.

The national award is part of the NDS Membership Recognition Awards program which acknowledges the significant membership milestones of 20 years, 30 years, 40 years and 50 years of NDS membership.

Members in these categories are awarded a Membership Recognition plaque to commemorate the long-standing partnership NDS has had with each organisation.

NDS Chief Operating Officer Mr Patrick Maher (left) presents OAK Tasmania's David Coe with a National Membership Award.

OAK Tasmania’s continuous 30 year membership has contributed to the growing strength and influence of the disability sector and reflects a shared commitment to providing quality services and improving the lives of Tasmanians with disabilities.

One of OAK Tasmania’s Australian Disability Enterprises that provides training & employment opportunities to 33 Tasmanians living with disability is pondering its future viability due to the recently announced changes to the Intergovernmental Forest Agreement (IGA).

Oakdale Industries is one of five businesses owned and operated by OAK Tasmania and CEO John Paton said the business is unlikely to secure the amount of Tasmanian native timber resource required to continue its operations under recent changes made to the IGA.

“OAK Tasmania has not been a party to the IGA and has not been able to put its position forward. Oakdale Industries relies on access to a Tasmanian native timber resource in order to continue its delivery of substantial social outcomes to its supported workforce and the Tasmanian community.

“Not only does Oakdale Industries provide training and employment for 41 Tasmanians (33 of whom have special needs), the business also contributes financially to OAK Tasmania as a whole in support of additional programs and services for people living with disability.”

Mr Paton said Oakdale Industries recorded sales produced from Tasmanian native timber of $2.254m in 2011-12, which represented 84% of Oakdale Industries’ total sales revenue.

“Any reduction in the supply of a Tasmanian native timber resource to Oakdale Industries will have dire consequences not only for the staff directly employed, but also for the additional 380 Tasmanians who are either employed by, or receive services from OAK Tasmania.

“Unlike Ta Ann, which is a multi-national enterprise, Oakdale Industries had not been in a position to obtain advice on likely volumes that it will be able to access. Some assurances have been obtained from the State Government that Oakdale Industries will be looked after but nothing substantive has resulted from the many representations that have been made.”

Mr Paton said that Oakdale Industries would look to diversify and source wood supply from other areas.

“We have also been advised that we should import timber from Victoria – but at approximately 50% increase of the cost of local timber. Some sensible surety of supply would enable Oakdale to continue producing timber flooring and thereby utilising its current equipment,” he said.

“Unlike Ta Ann we are unable to negotiate with the private forest owners for timber supply as we have no capability to mill the timber. However, we may be able to negotiate with mills that currently source their timber from private forests.”

Tasmanian native timber flooring manufactured by Oakdale Industries for markets across Australia.

Mr Paton said OAK Tasmania had ‘pretty tough decisions to make’ in the next three to six months which weren’t being helped by unfulfilled promises and cheap words.

“We have engaged personally with politicians from all sides of the political spectrum including (former senator) Bob Brown, Kim Booth, Nick McKim and Bryan Green. They are all very aware of the situation at Oakdale Industries and I ask them to deliver on promises made to secure 6000 cubic metres of Tasmanian native timber resource per annum so we can continue our operations.”

Referring to a letter sent to Deputy Premier Bryan Green in 2011, Mr Paton said if the required supply to Oakdale Industries of a Tasmanian native timber resource was not forthcoming OAK Tasmania had little choice but to aggressively pursue compensation.

“Compensation of at least $10m will be required to re-structure our timber business, to re-train our 41 staff, purchase new equipment capable of processing plantation timbers, and to help us develop new products and markets.”

Mr Paton said if Oakdale Industries had to cease operations, the impacts of closing the business could also impact the Tasmanian State Budget.

“We would do everything in our power to re-deploy any staff that may find themselves without work, but the very real risk for the State Government is that Human Services Minister Cassy O’Connor might have to support the displaced workers living with disability by funding Individual Support Packages that are funded by the State Government.

“Simply by securing the required Tasmanian native timber resource for Oakdale Industries, we can avoid impacting the Tasmanian State Budget and continue operating an income-producing business that assists us to reduce our reliance on government funding.”

Mr Paton concluded by strongly rejecting the rhetoric of ENGO’s that demand for Tasmanian native timber products were dwindling.

“That is certainly not our experience at Oakdale Industries. Demand for our Tasmanian native timber products including hardwood timber flooring, mouldings, joinery & craft lines remain very strong.

“During 2011-12, Oakdale Industries purchased approximately 1,800 cubic metres of Tasmanian native timber kiln dried sawn boards, equating to approximately 6,000 cubic metres of sawlog equivalent.

“We want access to a Tasmanian native timber resource moving into the future so we can continue to improve the lives of Tasmanians living with disabilities,” Mr Paton said.

After 12 months in the making, the State’s newest artisan cider brand Lost Pippin will be available to the public at this weekend’s 2012 Tasmanian International Beerfest.

Lost Pippin is produced south of Hobart, in the picturesque Huon Valley, on the former Grove Heritage Nursery and Grove Research and Development Station site. Boasting a repository of more than 850 cultivars and lines of apples, pears and quinces, the site is also home to Australia’s largest collection of heritage apples and pear trees, many of which are no longer commercially available. The Grove site is leased from the State Government by OAK Tasmania.

Lost Pippin has been a labour of love for manager and cider producer Mark Robertson, who has worked long hours to give people a chance to enjoy what he calls a genuine, boutique cider experience.

“One of the things the craft cider industry is trying to do at the moment is to widen the spectrum and differentiate itself from the mass produced ciders,” Mark said.

“We are looking more at the boutique, premium handcrafted end of the market,”

“For us it will be more about quality than quantity.”

Unlike many cider products which are manufactured by external producers, the Lost Pippin range is made on site from fruit grown on site. Mark said while the cider industry was strong and new players were continually entering the market, natural marketing advantages such as the ability to value add and process on site, would make Lost Pippin stand out from the crowd.

“People want to buy food [and beverage] where it has been produced,” he said.

“They want to know where it comes from and how it has been treated.”

The ability to provide the fruit to make the Lost Pippin range also made great environmental and business sense.

“The whole idea of producing cider out of this site and coming up with a value added product to try and deal with some of the fruit that was going to waste, is a damn nice thing,” Mark said.

Lost Pippin Sparkling is one of three new Lost Pippin cider products.

Mark said the Lost Pippin range would also stand out stylistically from other boutique products. While Lost Pippin featured a premium sparkling cider, it also included a still apple cider and a still perry, both of which were unusual finds in the Australian boutique cider market. The inclusion was a deliberate stylistic point of difference as well as a nod to the English tradition of drinking still cider.

“The idea of putting a still cider out challenges what people think about cider,” Mark said

“There are not many people around Australia doing still ciders and I think we will be the only one on the market locally,”

“Of all the people who have tried it, a lot of English people come back again and again because it’s so different and reminds them of the cider they would be drinking at home.”

At the moment the Lost Pippin brand incorporates online tree sales, as well as cider production. There are plans to gradually include more of the Grove site’s traditional cider apple varieties into cider blends. Next year the site will also include a Heritage Apple Walk and in the future a cellar door, to give people a complete boutique experience.

“Everything we do here is about real fruit, real flavour and letting the public discover what’s out there,” Mark said.

“It doesn’t matter whether we are selling a nursery tree or an apple or cider, we are selling flavour.”

Mark said Tasmania was especially suited for making fantastic boutique cider.

“Tassie is in a really interesting position from a point of view of flavour in apples,” he said.

“From what I’ve seen on the mainland, cider varieties tend to perform better down here and have better structure and more flavour.”

You can get your first taste of Lost Pippin at the 2012 Tasmanian International Beerfest, which will be held on the Hobart Waterfront on Saturday November 24th and Sunday November 25th. Mark Robertson will also run a Lost Pippin Masterclass at the festival, on Sunday at 1.30pm.

The Lost Pippin range of still, perry and sparkling ciders will be available through selected restaurants and speciality venues from mid-December. Lost Pippin will also be available at this year’s Taste of Tasmania.

Oakdale Industries divisional manager John Hollis’ industry passion has been recognised, with his election to the prestigious national position of Australian Timber Flooring Association (ATFA) President.

A member of the ATFA board since 2007, John has been an ATFA director for five years and has also served in the roles of secretary and vice president. He was also awarded the title of ATFA Vanguard.

ATFA Chief Executive Officer Randy Flierman praised John and his long commitment to ATFA.

“John has been an outstanding servant of ATFA, imparting his vast knowledge and experience,” he said.

“John’s commitment to the industry and ATFA is second to none and we look forward to his leadership and advocacy as the new president.”

John has also worked tirelessly for 12 years as divisional manager of OAK Tasmania’s Oakdale Industries. A leading Tasmanian timber manufacturer and an Australian Disability Enterprise (ADE), Oakdale Industries provides employment and training to adults living with disability.

OAK Tasmania CEO, Mr John Paton, praised John’s appointment and his dedication to Oakdale Industries.

“John’s many years of experience in the timber industry combined with the level of care he has for his staff form the foundation of Oakdale Industries’ success, and I congratulate him on his achievement,” he said.

ATFA President & Oakdale Industries Divisional Manager John Hollis.

Raised on Tasmania’s East Coast, John ventured into farming as a young school leaver. However it was in 1975 when he was drafted to the Sandy Bay Football Club that he began his career in the timber industry securing an apprenticeship as a carpenter and joiner. He has been passionately involved with the timber industry, at various levels, ever since.

However it was his move to Oakdale Industries 12 years ago, to work in both the timber industry and the disability sector that made the biggest change to John’s career.

“It was a challenge coming from the corporate world in the timber industry I had been involved with, where it was all about margins and return to shareholders and return on investment,” he said.

“Here at Oakdale those outcomes are still important to have a viable business, but the duality thing is to actually see the contribution we as an ADE can make to people’s lives with special needs and that’s a real pleasant experience.”

John said his position as ATFA President was a great way to be fully involved in the timber industry and the Association, both on a personal and an organisational level.

“From an organisational point of view and a brand point of view, it means a lot to Oakdale Industries to actually be involved with ATFA,” he said.

“And to be involved in any type of association, I am a firm believer that we must have active participation in those associations.”

“Personally I just like to become involved and see the good coming out of things that you can actually participate in.”

John said just as Oakdale Industries put smiles on people’s faces and made positive impacts on people’s lives, ATFA also helped and supported a huge number of people in the industry.

“ATFA’s membership is approximately 550 (80 per cent of which is small business) and we really are all like a family,” he said.

“We are there to support one another and we have a very good structural set up with staff, technical advisers and hotlines so any of our members at any time can actually be ringing through to get information.

“To be part of that is really pleasing.”

John said the focus at ATFA was also not just on individual businesses but on growing and bettering the timber industry as a whole.

He praised the passion of all those involved with ATFA and recognised the shoes he would be filling in his new role.

“Within ATFA we have some very passionate and active people,” John said.

“Our immediate past President Paul Kiely of Planet Timbers in Western Australia, was quite simply a legend.”

John will occupy the role of ATFA President for at least the next two years.

Congratulations John, from everyone at OAK Tasmania!

Losing your job can be a major blow for anyone. And if you are an adult living with a disability, that challenge can be even greater.

For Daniel Lucas and sixteen of his workmates, this daunting loss became a reality when their workplace, Cerebral Palsy Tasmania’s The Hunt, closed down in the middle of this year.

“I was not happy,” Daniel said.

“I missed the place because I was working for CP for six years and had friends there.”

Luckily the story ended happily for most of the group when 12 supported workers were offered the chance to find work through OAK Tasmania.

After visiting one of OAK Tasmania’s business enterprises, Oakdale Industries, Daniel decided he would like to try his hand at floorboard making, a career change which he has adjusted to with enthusiasm.

“This is my first time making timber flooring, but there’s a first time for everything,” Daniel said optimistically.

“You have to make a change sometime, and I am enjoying it.”

Daniel Lucas at Oakdale Industries.

While Daniel has proved an enthusiastic addition to Oakdale Industries, he has also become somewhat of a trail blazer by gaining several open employment positions while working for the timber manufacturing business.

Oakdale Industries Divisional Manager John Hollis said traditionally Federal Government criteria did not allow for a supported worker to work for an Australian Disability Enterprise (ADE), and in open employment at the same time.

“In Daniel’s case it meant he could work in casual open employment one day a week or five days a week; but if he ended up only working one day a week, he couldn’t come to another workplace like us and would be sitting around doing nothing.”

After working through ‘a lot of red tape,’ OAK management was finally able to gain approval for Daniel to do both.

While Oakdale remains his permanent supported workplace, Daniel now enjoys casual work as the demand calls for it, at retail fishing store Tackle Us at Kingston as well as with Waji Catering.

John said it was part of an ADE’s responsibility to help prepare their supported workers for open employment where possible and he was thrilled to see staff succeed in outside positions.

However, the reality was that many supported employees had difficulty adjusting to outside employment and needed the support of, or to return to, their ADE.

“It really is a no-brainer. It makes great sense to allow Daniel and others the opportunity to be involved with an ADE and open employment at the same time,” John said.

“From our point of view to be able to assist in a situation [when Cerebral Palsy Tasmania’s ADE closed] and for OAK to be able to take 12 people, was a terrific outcome for all concerned.

“Daniel is enthusiastic and bubbly and likes to be busy. He has been a great acquisition for Oakdale Industries.”

Daniel’s work outside Oakdale Industries will include making 20,000 paper cones and cleaning the same amount of scallop shells for the Taste of Tasmania – a huge task which he is ready to meet with enthusiasm.

Waji Catering Manager Waji Spiby said it was great to have Daniel on board.

“He seems to be enjoying it,” Waji said.

When looking for employees Waji said he simply wanted people who could get the job done and Daniel fitted that bill. He said Daniel possessed a great outlook and work ethic many ‘new generation’ people lacked.

“A lot of new generation people get in a job then get bored, and they lack enthusiasm,” Waji said.

“Daniel is happy and enthusiastic – he is great.”

In conjunction with his work at Oakdale Industries and his casual open work placements, Daniel has also been busy studying for his Certificate 1 in Retail through MEGT Institute.

MEGT Institute has played a major role in securing both training and meaningful employment for Daniel and some of his former colleagues.

Daniel’s five months of study will culminate in his graduation ceremony on November 28th at Blundstone Arena. He is waiting for the ceremony (and the chance to wear a suit), with much anticipation.

“It will be so exciting,” Daniel said.

Having loved studying for his first certificate, Daniel will start Certificate II in Retail with MEGT soon after his graduation.

OAK Tasmania’s Grove Heritage Nursery is set to feature prominently on the tourist map, with the development of a unique Heritage Apple Walk on site.

Supported by funding of close to $82,000 from the Tasmanian Community Fund, the Heritage Apple Walk is set to be a great attraction for both tourists and locals.

Work has already started on the project which will comprise picnic lawns, barbecues and toilet amenities, as well as some of Grove Heritage Nursery’s nationally recognised Heritage Apple Collection, which will be replanted on site.

The Heritage Apple Walk is part of a larger tourism development planned for the site, which will include cider production and cellar door sales, as well as Grove’s recently launched online sales of heritage apple tree varieties.

OAK Tasmania CEO John Paton said the move into tourism was a new and thrilling one for the site and for OAK Tasmania.

“It increases the sustainability of OAK as an organisation because we are diversifying into new areas of business that traditionally OAK hasn’t been involved in,” Mr Paton said.

“In the long term this maintains and creates jobs for Tasmanians living with disabilities.”

Grove's new Heritage Apple Walk is due for completion by mid-2013.

Grove Heritage Nursery Manager, Mark Robertson said the Heritage Apple Walk will be a relaxing and interesting way for people to connect with the site and the history of the area.

“The Heritage Apple Walk will form a part of what will become a world class tourist facility and will link nicely into nursery sales, and more importantly cider sales, from the site,” Mark said.

“It will be that extra drawcard for people visiting the area and hopefully give them some insight into the heritage of the Huon Valley and the Apple Isle as well.”

A living museum of sorts, The Heritage Apple Walk will give people the chance to learn about the history of different heritage apple varieties, from their origins to their different growing and commercial conditions. With the best of the Heritage Apple Collection replanted on site, people will also get the chance to taste and buy different ‘old school’ varieties of heritage apples.

Aimed at providing a relaxing and interesting recreational space for the general public, it is hoped the scenic venue may also be used down the track for special events such as weddings.

Mark said the Heritage Apple Walk, which had been established with the support of the Huon Trail and the Huon Valley Council, would compliment other local attractions such as the Apple Museum and the local tourism industry plan, which focused on apples for the Huonville area.

The Heritage Apple Walk is expected to be open to the public by mid 2013.

The Tasmanian Community Fund provides grants to community organisations that make a difference by improving the social, environmental and economic wellbeing of the Tasmanian Community.