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STRONGER TOGETHER: Celebrating our long serving employees

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Last updated: 15/03/2021

By Tanya O'Shea, IMPACT Community Services Managing Director

"STRONGER TOGETHER" IS A WEEKLY COLUMN WHERE TANYA EXPLORES KEY ISSUES. THIS WEEK TANYA DISCUSSES THE IMPORTANCE OF IMPACT'S SUPPORTED EMPLOYEES.

At the end of each year IMPACT Community Services celebrates milestone employment achievements with its staff.

In December 2020 there were a number of employees who reached significant milestones with the organisation, and we thank each and every one of them for their dedication to our cause and their commitment to their work.

Two of these employees, Derek Heidke and Anne Marie Wyatt who work at IMPACT’s Material Recycling Facility on University Drive, celebrated an impressive 30 years of service in December.

And Peter Beddie who also works at the MRF was awarded for his outstanding service of 15 years.

I am told that when Derek, Anne Marie and Peter were presented with their plaques, they were humbly grateful for their awards but were more eager to get back to the job.

These are employees who have witnessed incredible change throughout their work lives.

IMPACT took over the facility in 2002 which was previously operated by Independence Incorporated.

In the beginning, the centre used to process 10 truck loads per week.

Now, they’re handling up to 40 truckloads per week with the MRF recycling 7,800 tonnes of material last year.

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We often publicise the work our supported employees do and the huge amounts of recycling they process each year, but we don’t often get to acknowledge them on a personal level.

These are people who may have struggled to gain employment, even though they have largely employable skills and the willingness to give anything a go.

The work environment at the MRF is also an incredibly supportive space that feels more like a family than a workplace.

Everyone is respectful towards one another and take their roles seriously, but they also have a lot of fun in what they do.

The management and supervising team do an outstanding job with our supported employees across our social enterprises by offering ongoing support, training and guidance, and it shines through when you see these places operating in full swing.

I work in the community services sector because it provides a sense of real achievement when I see lives changed for the better.

The MRF and supported employees are just one example of this, and I am overcome with pride when I see our staff and participants grow, prosper and transform their goals into reality.

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Please note: This website may contain references to, or feature images, videos, and voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples who have passed away.

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