Television personality Shane Jacobson celebrates Toowoomba-based Ability Enterprises’ 10 year anniversary

Helping 480 people in the past 10 years, Ability Enterprises had plenty of reason to celebrate at a special Christmas barbecue where they were joined by an Australian TV great. Check out the photos here.

The Ability Enterprises Board, CEO Tracey Scanlan and special guest Shane Jacobson. Photo: Tamara Silvester.

For the past 10 years, Ability Enterprises has helped some 480 vulnerable people in the Toowoomba community gain meaningful employment, and their amazing feats were cause for celebration last week.

Joined by award-winning actor and comedian Shane Jacobson, the social enterprise held a special event to recognise their impact on the Toowoomba community and thank those who have helped make it happen.

“Ten years on and Ability Enterprises is going from strength to strength,” their CEO Tracey Scanlan said.

“We currently have 92 staff employed across 11 service provision contracts and we are being recognised, locally and nationally for our commitment to creating a sustainable business model that offers full time employment opportunities to people with a disability.”

Ms Scanlan said their work in providing employment to people with a disability was made possible through service-related contracts in waste management, specialist cleaning services, manufacturing and recycling.

This month will see Ability Enterprises move into plastics recycling, a move that Ms Scanlan said would create up to 45 new jobs and divert 175,000 tonnes of single-use plastics from landfill.

“The Board of Directors and management team have been working hard to diversify our enterprise model, remain relevant and map our future direction,” Ms Scanlan said.

At their special Christmas barbecue Mr Jacobson was the guest of honour, with the television personality sharing personal stories of his family life, experiences in lockdown, online bullying and how he pitched an American adaptation of the hit Australian movie Kenny.

Imparting words of wisdom to the Ability Enterprises crew, Mr Jacobson said “let’s try to laugh more, let’s not take life too seriously”.

Ability staff member Connagh Peat and board member Erin O'Shea. Photo: Tamara Silvester.

Shane Jacobson chats to Craig Gooderem and Adam Thomas from Performance Building Group. Photo: Tamara Silvester.

Will, Sarah and Henry McVeigh with Shane Jacobson celebrating 10 years of Toowoomba-based Ability Enterprises. Photo: Tamara Silvester.

Ability Enterprises CEO Tracey Scanlan speaks at an event celebrating 10 years of helping vulnerable people in the Toowoomba community find employment. Photo: Tamara Silvester.

Toowoomba Councillors Nancy Sommerfield and Melissa Taylor celebrate 10 years of Ability Enterprises. Photo: Tamara Silvester.

Jo Capp, Claire Torkington and Simon Mills. Photo: Tamara Silvester.

Award-winning actor Shane Jacobson helps celebrate 10 years of Ability Enterprises. Photo: Tamara Silvester.

The Ability Enterprises Board, CEO Tracey Scanlan and special guest Shane Jacobson. Photo: Tamara Silvester.