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The closure of a Bendigo disability service has left more than 100 supported workers no choice but to make ends meet without their weekly wage.
Radius Disability Services entered voluntary administration on Monday after a budget audit predicted it could lose as much as $500,000 over the next financial year.
California Gully woman Madeline Howard became a Radius client last year and began working at Morley’s Emporium every Monday, Wednesday and Thursday morning when the cafe and retail outlet opened in 2016.
Her last shift was on Monday, just hours before the shop closed its doors.
While the 23-year-old said she received a government pension and financial support from her family, unemployment meant she had to be wary about how she spent her cash.
In April, supported employees’ shifts were cut to a maximum of just 12 hours per week.
But Ms Howard, who has an intellectual disability, said she was most disappointed about the way she learnt of the organisation’s demise, finding out from social media instead of from Radius bosses.
“I'm very angry that they didn't tell me on Monday because they (some staff) were cleaning up their desk, and I knew something was going on,” she said.
“They should've told us, and they should've called most of the people, parents or carers.”
She believed supported employees were not told of the impending closure for fear their disability would stop them understanding.
"But I would've understood. I'm fairly independent and mature, as are most of the other people,” she said.
She and her colleagues now await their final payday, amounts chairman Russell Robertson said this week there was “adequate enough funds” to honour. He also said remaining funds should cover entitlements.
Health Workers Union secretary Diana Asmar said her organisation would “watch Radius like a hawk” until “every single cent” owed to staff was paid.
“Too often, we’ve seen workers put into the position where they are the last cab off the rank when it comes to getting paid what they are owed,” Ms Asmar said.
Madeline Howard has always wanted to work with animals.
The former Radius client had hoped the disability service would be able to find her a job in which she could apply her passion for four-legged creatures.
But the organisation’s sudden closure means she is taking the job hunt into her own hands, beginning a dog-walking and pet care business while she waits to learn if she’ll be found a role inside another organisation.
Ms Howard said while her enterprise was off to a slow start, she had already received some calls and even agreed to grooming a rabbit this week.
Her customers needed to be located in the California Gully or Eaglehawk areas, close to where she lived. She is dependent on walking and public transport to get around Bendigo.
Radius chairman Russell Robertson hoped clients like Madeline would find work with another disability agency.
Clients with “complex” needs were still receiving care this week, he said.