Opening new facility provides more jobs for disabled

The Minister for Family and Community Services, Senator Kay Patterson, today announced extra funding of $131,500 for Nadrasca, as part of the Australian Government’s $25.4 million initiative to improve the viability of business employment services.

Senator Patterson announced the additional funding at the official opening of Nadrasca’s new premises in Melbourne’s Metropolitan East and presented eight long service awards.

“Nadrasca is a successful supported employment service for people with a disability and this extra one-off funding will help Nadrasca buy business equipment and conduct business and marketing planning,” Senator Patterson said.

“The opening of Nadrasca’s new building also brings together its highly successful packaging, printing and timber production services under one roof.

“I am impressed with the design of the building, which is modern, spacious and custom-designed for workers with disabilities.

“Nadrasca, established in 1967, is a major employer of people with disabilities. It provides access to support services such as accommodation assistance, personal development, training courses and employment opportunities for people with disabilities.

“The Australian Government has provided approximately $771,000 to Nadrasca this financial year to help it provide disability employment assistance to around 140 people.

“Nadrasca offers a diverse range of rewarding work for people with a disability.

“Employees can work in either the organisation’s print, timber production and packaging services centre or at one of Nadrasca’s external sites that include a bookshop, cattery and an aluminium recycling business.

“I am also pleased to recognise the long and devoted service of eight supported employees who have worked with Nadrasca for 25 years,” Senator Patterson said.

Together with the Federal Member for Deakin, Mr Phillip Barresi, Senator Patterson presented each of these employees with a gold watch and a certificate of achievement.

Senator Patterson said the Australian Government is committed to helping people maximise their potential and actively participate in the workforce and their communities. One way the Government does this is to assist business services such as Nadrasca.