The Flagstaff Group is celebrating half a century of providing employment to people with disabilities in the Illawarra and Shoalhaven.
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Acknowledgment of the milestone will start with a 50th anniversary open day at Unanderra on June 14.
It starts at 12 noon and members of the community are invited. A founding member will be present along with employees, parents carers and customers.
Operations will cease for a few hours while employees stop work to mark the occasion. Chris Wade, of Remondis, will speak about being a customer of the social enterprise that provides work and career development opportunities to many people in the Illawarra community with a disability. Official celebrations will be followed by a guided tour of facilities for anyone interested.
Flagstaff operations in the Shoalhaven will stage an open day from 10am on June 15. Tours start at the Nowra facility after an official presentation over morning tea.
Flagstaff chief executive Roy Rogers said it was a big year for the social enterprise. That is why an exciting range of events was planned.
Group sales and marketing communications manager Karen Burdett said a 50th anniversary gala dinner planned for July 1 was already sold out. It will be attended by the Governor of NSW general David Hurley who has previously toured the Unanderra operations.
An award winning movie maker is producing a short film onsite will also be present along an actress who is recognised as the first international model with Down Syndrome.
“We will be shooting the short film on May 28 and 29,” Ms Burdett said.
We will be shooting the short film on May 28 and 29. And we will run an exclusive screening in Wollongong.
- Karen Burdett.
“And we will run an exclusive screening in Wollongong.”
That is expected to take place in October.
Ms Burdett said Flagstaff had been an employer of people with disabilities in the Illawarra since 1966. It operated from several locations before occupying its present site in Nolan Street, Unanderra.
Flagstaff is using its 50th anniversary to launch a unique innovation fund. It will raise money for training, development and employment programs to help employees to increase work capacity. It will also help them improve their independence and self confidence.