GOOD news about seniors in employment is sometimes thin on the ground. But at Latrobe Valley Enterprises in Morwell they have a cracker.
Johnny Beddard was one of two LVE employees who received a state government Community Achiever Award at Parliament House recently. He has worked with LVE for 40 years and recently celebrated his 60th birthday.
LVE is a not-for-profit company with a network of commercially viable businesses providing employment for people disadvantaged by disability.
It offers services in grounds maintenance, signmaking, secure document destruction, recycling and business support.
Johnny works in signmaking, carrying out a range of jobs. He is the longest-serving employee at LVE.
CEO Wendy Bezzina said he is a hard worker and a very happy person.
"He walks in every morning with a big smile on his face and waves to everybody," she said.
"We pick him up in the bus in the morning and take him home again at the end of the day. He loves travelling on the bus - it's his favourite part of the day."
Workmate Andrew Schiffman also received a Community Achiever Award. A team leader in the recycling business, he has been with LVE for 19 years.
The company has a staff of 110; all but 15 are people living with a disability.
"The majority are people with intellectual disabilities - many are sight, hearing and/or speech impaired," Ms Bezzina said.
"On any given day there are 60 or 70 people here - not all employees are full-time.
"Our employees see LVE as their family. They like being here and they like to socialise together after hours - we facilitate activities for them outside of work.
"We also offer support services outside of work with personal issues - organising doctors' appointments, arranging meetings and so on.
"We're very protective of our employees inside and outside of the workplace."
Unlike Johnny and Andrew, Wendy is a relative newcomer to LVE, having joined three years ago.
With a professional background in health, she regards the role as her "best job ever".
"It's a workplace where everyone loves to see you every day, they're so happy and get very excited when you arrive.
"I can't think of too many other workplaces like that."
Speaking at the December 16 ceremony, Legislative Council President Shaun Leane paid tribute to the 16 award recipients, all of whom are living with a disability.
"Through their efforts at work and their volunteering these community achievers are helping to build better workplaces and stronger local communities," he said
"With these awards we say thank you."
The awards also acknowledge the social enterprises that employ and support the award recipients,
"These social enterprises provide people with meaningful employment and valuable social connections," said Speaker of the Legislative Assembly Colin Brooks.
"With these awards we also pay tribute to the dedicated staff and senior management at these organisations as they are helping to create a more inclusive community."
Award winners were presented with a trophy and were joined by their families and work colleagues.
The event was streamed live on Facebook so that people across the state could watch the ceremony.
To see the full list of recipients, click here.
