Catholic Communications, Sydney Archdiocese,
11 Jul 2013
Spacious and light filled Vinnies redeveloped Ozanam Industries at Stanmore was reopened and blessed this week
After 35 years in business and over these years providing many hundreds of men and women with a disability with permanent paid work, St Vincent De Paul Society's Ozanam Industries at Stanmore has undergone a major redevelopment and refit.
Stanmore's Ozanam Industries is one of three such services across NSW where committed workers sort and assemble everything from show bags to bulk retail items, conference bags, mail and envelope supplies.
Work to update the Stanmore premises began almost 12 months ago. The building has now been transformed into a climate-controlled light-filled state-of-the-art environment complete with a large dining space with a balcony and internal elevators to make travel between floors easier and safer.
This week the updated renovated building was officially reopened and blessed by Bishop Terence Brady, Auxiliary Bishop for the Archdiocese of Sydney.
On hand for this important occasion were Ozanam Stanmore's 40 supported workers, other staff, dignitaries from St Vinnies NSW including President, Ray Reynolds and CEO Michael Perusco, NSW Shadow Minister for Disabilities, Barbara Perry and Allyson Morrison, Vinnies NSW's Disability Services Vocational Co-ordinator.
For the past 25 years, Allyson has been one of the driving forces behind Ozanam Industries and it was in honour of her dedication and tireless service to Vinnies that the new spacious eating space with its big windows and balcony has been named the Morrison Dining Room.
In Sydney and at the two other sites in NSW, men and women with a disability are not only employed in paid work but supervised, monitored, mentored and given whatever support they may need.
"The new premises at Stanmore give those who work there a safe and comfortable environment in which to work and optimise opportunities for each one to develop to their full potential," she says.
Allyson also believes the input from those who work there, the spacious design and the attention to detail as part of the redevelopment of Ozanam Industries Stanmore will also give Vinnies supported workers a feeling of just how much they are respected and valued.
With the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NIDS), now known as DisabilityCare together with events such as last year's Paralympics in London, Australians have belatedly become far more aware that a disability is no handicap to achievement, and what is important is what those with a disability can do rather than what they cannot.
Vinnies and people like Allyson have long known this and since 1978 Ozanam Industries has given supported paid work to men and women with disabilities and seen them grow in confidence, self esteem and ability. Earning their own living has brought them dignity, a feeling of being in control and much needed sense of independence.
Ozanam Industries employ supported workers with disabilities and help change their lives
Working at Ozanam has also enabled them to make make new and lasting friendships with other workers.
"Work is important for most people and it is no different for people with a disability," says Allyson Morrison. "They want to be part of the economic and social interactions a work place provides and are also keen to be productive and to contribute."
The supported workers at Ozanam Industries have a range of disabilities including intellectual, physiatrist, physical, hearing and vision impairments.
What they don't have is a lack of enthusiasm, humour and dedication and commitment to their work.
To find out more about Vinnies Ozanam Industries and Disability Services log on to www.vinnies.org.au/home-nsw
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