Shocked staff have been scrambling to secure new employment after only receiving three weeks’ notice about the closure of five Distinctive Options enterprises in Sunbury and Gisborne.
Twenty-five supported staff were out of jobs as of Friday 10 October following the shutdown of five DO enterprises – DO Honey (Sunbury); DO Food Project Cafe (Gisborne); The Goodwill Gardener (Sunbury); DO Good Wood (Sunbury); and DO Experiences, due to their lack of profitability.
The news shocked and saddened staff and their families who were left with limited time to say goodbye to customers.
One parent, Ruth Mulkearns, decided to take action to try to save the affected services.
Her son Liam, was working for the DO Food Project Cafe in Gisborne, where she circulated a petition in-store for the community to sign. Ms Mulkearns personally delivered the 145 signature petition to Distinctive Options chief executive officer Andre Carvalho.
In her petition, Ms Mulkearns said she wished concerns about the profitability of the cafe had been raised before the decision was taken to shut the doors.
“This came as a great shock to the cafe’s management and staff as at no time has the management of Distinctive Options raised these concerns with the management of the cafe or included them in discussions regarding how the cafe can become profitable,“ she said.
She also wrote that the cafe provides supported employment to NDIS participants, who have not been able to find or remain in mainstream employment.
“This cafe has given these participants a chance to learn workplace skills, improve confidence, integrate with the community, and form friendships with work colleagues and customers,“ she said.
Liam worked at DO Food Project Cafe one day a week washing dishes, working the register, and prepping food.
“I worked here for three years,” he said.
“I like serving customers and saying hello, I really like it here.”
Liam said serving the customers and interacting with the community was his favourite part of the job and something he would miss.
“I’m a bit sad, but it’s okay, it’s their choice,” he said.
“(I’m going to miss) seeing those people who came from their exercise group and other people, the other workers who come here too.”
Another staff member, Jessica Hall, studied barista training at the Romsey Neighbourhood House before securing a job at the DO Food Project Cafe two days a week.
“I’ve been here for just over two years,” she said.
“I love that not every day is the same as the one before, and meeting new customers that come through the door.”
Ms Hall said work was a highlight of her week, and she was upset to hear about the closure.
“At first I was a bit shocked to find out we’re closing, and then I was sad because I knew I wouldn’t have anything to go on with after that when it closed.
“I enjoyed coming to work because it gave me something to look forward to during the week.”
Ms Hall said she will be looking for a new job, once the loss isn’t so fresh on her mind.
“I enjoyed meeting new people along the way and I’ve also enjoyed making coffees as well.”
The closure comes after Mr Carvalho shared with staff, participants and families that the enterprises had been operating at a significant loss.
“While these enterprises have been valued and much-loved, a number are no longer financially sustainable,” he said.
“Collectively, they have recorded losses each year, including almost $1 million in the last financial year alone. Continuing in the same way would have placed the wider organisation at risk.”
Mr Carvalho said that the remaining enterprises in Sunbury and Bairnsdale would remain open and operational.
