Recognition for long-serving employees41 Tasmanians have been recognised for their outstanding contribution to the Tasmanian Community and for their support of Australian Disability Enterprises at a ceremony in Glenorchy recently. Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Children’s Services, Bill Shorten MP presented Certificates of Service to supported employees of Oak Tasmania to mark their 30 years and 40 years of service in an Australian Disability Enterprise (ADE). 
PHOTO: Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Children’s Services, Bill Shorten MP, addresses staff and employees at the presentation ceremony. Oak Tasmania CEO John Paton, said all of the supported employees recognised have been employed at one of five Australian Disability Enterprises’ run by Oak Tasmania – the State’s largest employer of people with disability. “Oak Tasmania provides meaningful work opportunities and certificate-based training and support for 141 Tasmanians with disability, and we have been providing these opportunities to Tasmanians since 1953. “Our supported employees contribute significantly to the success of our five Australian Business Enterprises that operate in the commercial market just like any other business. We are indeed fortunate to employ loyal and long-serving employees who take immense pride in their work.” 
PHOTO: Oak Tasmania employee Mr Christopher Hallet thanks Mr Shorten for his words of encouragement. Mr Paton said Oak Tasmania’s business enterprises were extremely well regarded in local, national and international markets – where the quality of their products and high-levels of customer service provide a significant point of difference for retail and trade customers.
“Our supported employees enjoy coming to work and pride themselves on being productive members of the community. There is no better example of real, evidence-based outcomes for disadvantaged Tasmanians, or social inclusion policies at work - than those demonstrated by Oak Tasmania’s business enterprises and support programs,” Mr Paton said. 
PHOTO: Oak Tasmania employees celebrate 40 years of continuous service with Mr Bill Shorten MP and Oak Tasmania CEO Mr John Paton. Three of Oak Tasmania’s five ADE’s are located in Glenorchy: Walkabout Industries, Oak Sewing Services and Mailhouse Tasmania. Completing the broad range of businesses operated by Oak Tasmania are Tahune Fields Nursery at Lucaston, and Oakdale Industries in Warrane. “Oak Tasmania’s business enterprises contributed more than 60% to the Organisation’s total revenue in 2008; with the State Government and Australian Government providing 19% and 16% of total revenue, respectively,” Mr Paton said. The Australian Government Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA) funds Australian Disability Enterprises to assist with the cost of supporting people with moderate to severe disability in employment. More than 90% of people working in an Australian Disability Enterprise receive the Disability Support Pension, as well as their wages. There are over 600 Australian Disability Enterprises Australia-wide, providing real work for more than 20,000 people with disability in a supported environment. 
PHOTO: Mr Bill Shorten MP, pictured with the dedicated and long-serving employees from Mailhouse Tasmania, Oak Sewing Services, Tahune Fields, Walkabout Industries and Oakdale Industries. Oak Tasmania employs 141 supported employees and 112 able-bodied staff in Tasmania, has a turnover of approximately $12m, and is a Non-profit, Charitable organisation that also relies on grants and donations to support the provision of services to Tasmanians with a disability. |
