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Connecting people and communities
Thursday, 22 September, 2016 Page 7W
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SOCIAL ENTERPRISE Sponsor
Winner Waverley Industries Finalists Casey Cardinia Community Legal Services Inc Spinal Muscular Atrophy Australia Inc
Celebrating their win was the Waverley Industries team Andrew Langdon, Andrew Robbins, Vicki Robbins, Frank Cresia, Jaimi Patel, Noella Malabar, Richard Reid, Eddie Michel and Li Zhang. 159406 Picture: ROB CAREW
THEY’RE BUILDING SELF-ESTEEM WAVERLEY Industries’ reputation as a business of great community dividends continues with its back-toback win in the social enterprise category of the Casey-Cardinia Business Awards. Last year the business added a 4000-square metre factory in Hallam to its operations, creating 40 jobs for people with disabilities. Director and chief executive Frank Cresia says the expansion enabled the business to expand its accredited training programs to neighbouring special schools. “We’ve created a lot of new jobs,” he said. “Our success is our people. “That’s our essence and our growth, is people with disabilities. “We’re in Hallam. Our next step is being in Cardinia. It won’t be far away.”
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OUR SUCCESS IS OUR PEOPLE …THAT’S OUR ESSENCE AND OUR GROWTH, IS PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES…
Across its Hallam and Notting Hill locations, Waverley Industries employs about 300 adults with special needs, specialising in packaging solutions, assembly work, manufacturing, mail outs and catering. Mr Cresia said that Waverley Industries was proud to play an important role in the lives of its employees. “Their work enriches their lives and builds their self-esteem, knowing that they are producing things that we, as a community, need,” he said.
“They still receive their disability support pension, so working with us provides a supplement to that.” Waverley Industries makes it a priority to reach out to special needs schools to provide employment opportunities. “Our training program involves special schools and mainstream schools to create pathways to the workplace.” Working with Waverley Industries since 2001, Frank has seen it develop into a thriving business. Assisted by
a team of hardworking volunteers, he says the business provides its customers with more than just high-quality products and services at competitive prices. “We’ve gone from an organisation on its knees to a thriving, sustainable, business model,” he said. “Customers see that they’re providing job opportunities for people that wouldn’t otherwise be working.” He added that it was a great honour for employees, staff and volunteers to be recognised in the Casey-Cardinia Business Awards. Waverley Industries has previously won the category in 2013 and 2015. “It’s recognition that we’re doing something that is helping the most vulnerable people in our community and their families.”
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