For the second time in three years Community Resources, the Great Lakes’ long-serving community development organisation based in Tuncurry, has been recognised by Social Traders Australia for its work in growing social enterprises.
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Back in 2013 Resource Recovery was awarded the inaugural Social Enterprise of the Year for its work in helping people experiencing disadvantage in the Great Lakes region gain access to quality jobs through recycling and waste management.
This year, Soft Landing mattress recycling has been recognised for its efforts in job creation and skills development for people with barriers to workforce participation.
They were awarded Social Enterprise of the Year (large) at a ceremony in Melbourne last week hosted by Social Traders.
Soft Landing National operations manager, Bill Dibley, was delighted with the industry endorsement:
“What a thrill to be recognised by Social Traders for the effort our team has put in over the past eight years,” Mr Dibley said.
After transitioning from Mission Australia to Community Resources at the start of this year, Soft Landing has experienced tremendous growth, recycling over 160,000 mattresses diverted from landfill in the last financial year, with a further 273,000 mattresses on track to be recycled next year across NSW, ACT, WA and Victoria.”
National business manager, Andrew Douglas, who has been with Soft Landing since inception said: “This achievement really caps off a fantastic year for Soft Landing as part of the Community Resources family of social enterprises and community services.
“A huge thanks to all of our industry and government supporters out there who have made the conscious decision to socially procure services like ours”
The importance of this award for Soft Landing and Community Resources cannot be overstated.
After Resource Recovery was recognised for its efforts back in 2013, the social enterprise received an important funding boost from the Westpac Foundation and subsequently grew into what is today known as Resource Recovery Australia.
The 25 years of incremental community development work in the Great Lakes is now a model that inspires new sites and initiatives across the country.
Community Resources general manager, Corinne Stephenson said: “As general manager of Community Resources it has been an absolute pleasure to see our staff join forces with a like-minded social enterprise who set out on the same mission as we did all those years ago to turn waste into wages.
“All our staff have doubled down in their efforts to make the transition as smooth as possible.
“It is moments like these which remind us that the hard work is worth it.
“We are making an impact and it is changing lives.”