Disability services boost

By Nicole Williams
A NEW logistics facility marks exciting times for a Greater Dandenong disability services provider.
Wallara Industries launched its new logistics premises in Keysborough last week so it can now open its services to a wider range of businesses.
Wallara Logistics currently handles all the Australian operations for Beanie Kids, including warehouse, packaging, storage, and distribution, as well as doing work for Oxfam, Myer, and Twinnings.
The new facility has 10 staff and 97 support employees, who are people with disabilities.
Wallara Industries chief executive Phil Hayes-Brown said it was exciting times for the disability enterprise.
“This new logistics facility can handle warehousing, storage, and distribution for our existing clients,” he said.
“We are delighted to work with well-known serious companies.
“Our guys walk into Myer or see Beanie Kids and can say ‘I did that’.”
Mr Hayes-Brown said opening the new facility had tripled the company’s capacity and it was now looking for new clients.
“And are hoping major companies think of our work and join with disability services,” he said.
“We want to be part of someone’s business, not just doing one-off jobs.”
Wallara is now majority funded by private companies, which is unusual for the disability services provider.
Queensland Senator Claire Moore attended the official opening and praised Wallara’s work.
“It is a good opportunity to see the exceptionally good work which is done here,” she said.
“It was great to hear about the many jobs Wallara Industries has on the go at the moment and hear the potential for it to increase the amount of people they support with disabilities to contribute to the workforce.”