Ability Enterprises celebrates Australian first

TOOWOOMBA’S Ability Enterprises has achieved an Australian first.

AUSTRALIAN FIRST: Bruce Russell (left) and Josh Lugon are all smiles at the Ability Enterprises celebrations. Picture: Bev Lacey

TOOWOOMBA’S Ability Enterprises has achieved an Australian first.

It is the country’s first social enterprise to repay its social impact fund loan.

Ability Enterprises is a not-for-profit business and registered charity.

It provides work for people who experience barriers to employment, including people with a disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, older people, and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

Very few social enterprises in Australia are able to operate without any extra support from other sources such as government grants or loans.

The achievement was celebrated earlier this week with Ability Enterprises staff and Toowoomba region councillors.

Ability Enterprises general manager Bruce Russell said it was exciting to reach such a significant milestone.

“The business started in 2012 and we had nothing but a name and a board,” he said.

“We got the loan through Social Ventures Australia and paid it off late last year.

“It’s a tremendous achievement. The message we have sent to people is that we are a sustainable business and have created something successful.

“So many lives have been changed because of the work generated over the years.”

Ability Enterprises operates the gatehouses at the region’s waste management facilities on behalf of Toowoomba Regional Council.

Josh Lugon secured employment through the business and now works as the gate-keeper at the Yarraman waste facility.

“As part of my job I tell all the cars where to go, nicely of course,” he said.

“I’ve had the job for more than a year and life is improving since I started working which is good.

“Ability Enterprises is a great business that helps lots of people.”

Originally published as Ability Enterprises celebrates Australian first