By CASEY NEILL
GATEWAY Industries has been providing employment, training and support for people with disabilities for more than 20 years.
But the Dandenong-based not-for-profit needs support itself, to grow and take on more employees.
“I might get four or five calls a day, some days,” CEO Alan Warwick said.
Gateway collects litter and cleans bins and street furniture in Greater Dandenong.
Its gardening division completes mulching, weeding and planting for the City of Casey, and the processing room’s main clients are in the car industry.
Workers are making bathmats in the woodwork room.
“We’ve got orders right up to December for them,” Mr Warwick said.
He said many workers lived in Cranbourne, with Doveton, Hallam and Berwick also highly represented.
“Some of them get referred by Dandenong Valley Job Support, or one of the other jobs services, or through Emerson School,” he said.
“When I came here we had 45 people. We’re up to 52 at the moment.”
He’s been with Gateway for nine years after starting as a volunteer, looking for something to do in retirement.
“We’d like some more volunteers, just even to help in the office,” he said.
“We need a supervisor in the processing area.
“Sometimes they can have 15 people in there and it’s just a bit hard to control them all. Just another person there would be a big help.
“The only thing you’ve got to have these days is a police clearance.”
Nicci Guttery, from Pakenham, has worked at Gateway for seven years next month, and has held a team leader role for the past two.
“It’s so relaxed,” she said.
“Everyone’s so easy to get along with.
“It’s just a great place to work, I love it.”
Ms Guttery said it would have been hard for her to find work without Gateway.
“They cater for everybody,” she said.
“I’ve got a bad back and I can change jobs if I need to relieve the pressure.”
Pat Patching, from Hallam, worked at Gateway for nearly 14 years before retiring last March, and is now back as a casual.
“I couldn’t handle staying at home,” she said.
“I grew up with intellectually disabled people. I’ve been in institutions all my life.
“I’ve come to like them. They’re easy people to get along with.
“And I just like the work they do here.”
Dandenong Rotary’s Ken McDonald said the club helped to establish Gateway in 1983.
It was the brainchild of Arthur Wren from Emerson School.
“He decided they needed something like this which would be the step after they left Emerson,” Mr McDonald said.
“The first step was in the hall in Doveton.”
The growing Gateway moved to Bridge Road, Keysborough, before purchasing a factory in Progress Street, Dandenong, 11 years ago.
The Dandenong and Noble Park Rotary clubs still support it financially. The cash goes toward vehicles, equipment and more.
