'We can do so much more': After Radius closure, work is slowly returning for people with disabilities in Bendigo

“I didn’t think we would have jobs anymore, it happened all of a sudden,” he said.

Radius had 132 employees with a disability, many of which faced an uncertain future without work and with a loss of independence after the closure in October.

Nine months later, some of those who lost work have been able to regain employment – but there’s still work to be done.

Connecting Skills Australia took on 65 of the Department of Social Services spots previously allocated to Radius. So far, 47 have been filled.

CSA took over the workshop at Harcourt Park on Gittens Lane in Strathdale, and have slowly been regaining contracts from before. 

A gardening team also operates out of Victoria Lane in Eaglehawk, tending to the La Trobe University grounds.

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At the moment they can take on small packaging contracts, including for a nuts and bolts company and a tent business. They do shredding work and make saw boxes, door stoppers and other items.

Mr Smith is one of those who works in the assembly lines at CSA. He said they were eager for more work.

“We can do so much more from here,” Mr Smith said.

A new workshop has been built at their Gittens Lane site with space for screen printing and sewing, increasing the capacity of their work.

A vegetable garden has also been established on the property. CSA hopes to supply produce to restaurants and the public.

Work crew supervisor Jodie Donnellan said a lot of work had gone into ensuring there were still employment opportunities available for people with disabilities in Bendigo.

“CSA bought all of the equipment from the closure of Morley’s Emporium and moved it to Gittens Lane,” she said.

“We kept a lot of the gardening contracts. We would appreciate more work in assembly and packaging though.

“We want to make the community aware that these services are still being offered in Bendigo.”