MULTITASK has been supporting people with disabilities reach their potential in the workplace since 1952 and I had the pleasure of visiting their two sites in the South Lismore Industrial Estate last week.
First stop was the SoapBiz factory where a team of 12 workers produce boxes of heavenly handmade natural and fragranced soaps for resorts and accommodation houses all over Australia and Lord Howe Island.
A Facebook friend of mine, Nicole Noble, is a member of supervisor David Underwood’s team and it was lovely to finally meet her in person, have a try at the soap making machine (it’s hard work!) and then share morning tea, catered for by Multitask employees.
The team was busy with a special 10-box order for the Crystal Creek Rainforest Retreat near Murwillumbah, also in my electorate of Lismore.
I purchased a mixed box of soaps infused with scented essential oils and two of my staff opted for the lemon myrtle. The boxes feature original artwork by Multitask employee Brian Bowen and make the perfect gift.
Proceeds from SoapBiz’s sales go towards the training and ongoing employment of people with disabilities.
Australian Disability Enterprise co-ordinator Joe World then introduced us to many of the NDIS-registered providers 100 supported employees at Multitask’s site main site, also in Habib Drive.
Here, industrious teams were assembling needle kits, making ropes for meatworks and producing paper plant protectors for nurseries. Multitask also offers landscaping, cleaning, catering and business support services.
Multitask’s footprint covers Lismore, Nimbin, Bonalbo in the electorate of Lismore and other centres like Casino, Ballina, Grafton and Tamworth.
To learn more about Multitask’s programs and services phone 02 6627 5000; email enquiries@multitask.org.au or visit www.multitask.org.au
Janelle Saffin column for Lismore Echo, Thursday May 23, 2019.
Caption: State Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin with the SoapBiz team, from left, Anita Gooding, supervisor David Underwood, Nicole Noble, David Serone, Oliver Roberts, Neil Miller and Haidie Pruess.
