The Anthony Albanese show came to Bangalow yesterday as the Prime Minister officially opened the latest White Box Enterprises project, Beacon the Bangalow Social Enterprise Laundry.
Complete with local and federal police, and men talking into their cufflinks, around 200 stakeholders, workers and members of the community as well as two smaller groups protesting for Palestine and Wallum, gathered in the carpark of the Dudgeons Lane laundry to see Mr Albanese, who was accompanied by the Member for Richmond, Justine Elliot.
Creating Sheet Loads of Good
Beacon, whose motto is ‘Creating Sheet Loads of Good’, is a jobs-focused social enterprise commercial laundry, whose mission is to create local jobs, career pathways, and a workplace where people from all backgrounds can thrive.
In a carefully curated visit, the PM and Mrs Elliot were whisked through the facility to shake hands with staff and check out the equipment, before the official part of the event that was set up in front of a very large pillow case press.
Arakwal woman Shanti Kelly-Torrens gave a Welcome to Country and White Box Enterprises CEO, Luke Terry, spoke about the support the project was given at both local and federal government levels, as well as from the private sector, in particular noting the role that Richard and Lorena Uechtritz played in supporting the laundry.
Grateful for the team at Beacon
Laundry employee Mel was very grateful for the team at Beacon. ‘My mental health started to take a downward slide – I took to drugs and alcohol to help me cope with that and I ended up in a residential rehab and unfortunately, I finished the programme and just went right back to where I was.
‘I lost my job, I lost my wife – I ended up homeless and I felt really useless.’
Mel says a friend in recovery spoke about Beacon. ‘I hadn’t heard of it. I jumped on Google, and I found the website, and I guess I immediately knew that this was something that could work.
‘I did get a start at Beacon – and the team here really met me where I was at. I could show up exactly how I was and I didn’t need to put on this brave face. I could just step into work and be really honest about my journey and where I was at.
‘So fast forward to today; I stand here really proudly, six months and 25 days clean and sober.
‘The obvious benefit to having a job here is that I have money today, I’m no longer at risk of homelessness, I can afford to pay my bills, I can afford to pay my rent, I’ve got a bit of on-the-street money, and I can afford to buy bread for myself…’
Much more than a job
Mel is grateful for those who created the project. ‘Thanks to whoever contributed to this space and helped bring it to life. It’s much more, I guess, than just the job for me, I think I can speak for the team as well – we’re all just loving each other back to life.’
The Prime Minister congratulated everyone involved on an extraordinary achievement. ’As I went around this room and talked with the wonderful people in the black T-shirts, about their experience and how they came to have work here, everyone had a great story – but what is really obvious as well is that everyone had a smile; everyone is proud of the work that they are doing.
‘The other thing that is obvious from talking to people here is the importance of social interaction that occurs in individuals, if they’re going through a difficult time in life, they can spiral downwards very quickly, if they don’t have the support of coming to work each and every day, and being surrounded by people who are supportive, including people who might be going through difficult periods in their life. And not being judgmental – just being able to come in here and have a chat.
A contribution to humanity
‘I want to acknowledge the donors and philanthropists who have supported this social enterprise here as well. Thank you for your contribution to humanity, and to making a difference to your local community. But importantly, just changing lives in the best way possible.’
Mr Albanese said there was another plus side of the laundry. ‘This is pretty good for the economy. This is supporting commercial enterprises in the tourism sector, the resorts and hotels and motels, getting their sheets and towels and everything else washed, and in an efficient and good way, helping to support local industry.’
Luke Terry spoke about local hardship. ‘This region, we all know, has been hit super hard over the last decade with droughts, bushfires and devastating floods, especially in 2022. It’s taken its toll on local people, and it’s through projects like this that we’re able to give that little bit of hope.
75 people working at Beacon
‘There’s 75 people working here today, we hired another fifteen people in the last week,’ he said.
‘Thank you to to local businesses. We’ve been getting out and talking to you and many of you here today are customers who have put your trust in us to be able to do your laundry and stop it going down to Coffs or across the border – it’s incredible. Look at the impact that you’ve made as customers, we just can’t believe it.
‘We knew this community needed Beacon, but you’ve just really helped shape that,’ said Mr Terry.
‘So, it’s all about the people. To get a job at Beacon you need a willingness to work and maybe a willingness to do something else. And I just can’t believe what you, as a community, have been able to bring together.’
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