Social Enterprises Archives

Myhorizon gifted $4000 from local Freemasons

A generous donation of $4000 was recently gifted to Myhorizon from local Freemasons Redlands Lodge 252 and their charitable arm, Hand Heart Pocket.

Photo Left to Right: WD Ken Rose – Secretary Redlands Lodge 252; Tim Walton – Social Enterprises Manager; Bush Pantry Café staff members Thomas Gregory and Michelle Menzel; and WD Russell Tedds – Chaplain Redlands Lodge 252

The funds were used to purchase a much needed commercial microwave oven for The Bush Pantry Café, Myhorizon’s award-winning Social Enterprise on Runnymede Rd, Capalaba, which employs many individuals with disability.

“Having reliable commercial grade equipment means that we can continue to provide high quality food and service that our customers know us for, so we are very grateful to the Freemason Redlands Lodge for this generous gift.” Said Tim Walton, Social Enterprises Manager at Myhorizon.

“The continued success of our Cafe means that individuals with disability continue to have meaningful employment, empowering them to gain a variety of news skills and experience, both in the Café, Myhorizon Event Centre and commercial kitchen, and so community donations are therefore always very appreciated.” Said Tim.

The donation from Freemasons Redlands Lodge 252 and Hand Heart Pocket was also used to purchase much needed new wardrobes for Myhorizon’s Accommodation service, where several of the Bush Pantry staff reside nearby in Capalaba.

Many local charities and schools have benefited over the years from the benevolence of Redlands Lodge, and as an independent charity founded by the Freemasons of Queensland, Hand Heart Pocket also collaborate with Masonic Lodges all across Queensland, helping in areas of statewide and local need that have limited access to other funding.

For more information about Hand Heart Pocket, visit www.handheartpocket.org.au or for more about the Freemasons in Queensland, go to www.uglq.org.au

Visit The Bush Pantry Café at Myhorizon, 1-15A Runnymede Rd, Capalaba – Monday to Friday, 8am-2pm.

And the WINNER is… The Bush Pantry Cafe

The Bush Pantry Café are thrilled to have been chosen as a WINNER in the recent Redlands Business and Retail Awards 2019. These awards have grown to become the largest event of its type on the Redland City calendar and recognise and celebrate business excellence in the local region.

The Bush Pantry Café, owned and operated by Myhorizon, were up against some stiff competition within the Café and Casual Dining Category, but came out on top, tying as the category winner with Chillers Café at Point Lookout, Nth Stradbroke Island.

Tim Walton, Social Enterprises Manager at Myhorizon said this was a great achievement, recognising the hard work and passion of his Bush Pantry team, and also attributes the café’s success to strong local community support.

“We are very grateful to the local community who have supported our social enterprise café from the beginning. It’s because of our loyal customers that has enabled us to grow and continue supporting the employment of people with disability, while delivering a great café experience to all who visit.” Said Tim.

The Bush Pantry Café is open Monday to Friday 7.30am-2pm and offers a great menu selection for breakfast, morning tea, and lunch. They also have a range of affordable high teas, are fully licenced, and are child and pet friendly. Click here to follow them on Facebook.

Adrian is Brisbane Bullets’ biggest fan!

Adrian Addicott from Myhorizon’s very own Social Enterprises team is the biggest Brisbane Bullets fan by a mile, and regularly volunteers his time at their games and training sessions.

We are always inspired by Adrian’s passion for volunteering and his support for the community. Watch this video and be inspired too.

Government Secretaries visit Myhorizon

What a pleasure it was to host a number of departmental secretaries, who requested a visit this week to Myhorizon’s Main Centre at Capalaba.

We were humbled to be able to take them through some of our wonderful facilities, such as our Cafe, Event Centre, and Packaging Room showcasing the hard work our supported employees do each day.

It was also a great opportunity to discuss NDIS related opportunities and challenges with Kathryn Campbell (the Secretary of the Department of Social Services), Renee Leon (Secretary of Department of Human Services), Kerri Hartland (Secretary of Department of Jobs and Small Business), and also visiting members of the New Zealand Ministry of Social Development.

The secretaries came together as part of the regular bilateral Australia-New Zealand Chief Executive Meeting (ANZCEM) this week.

Paul retires after 35 years with Myhorizon

After thirty-five years with local disability services provider, Myhorizon, Paul Ballard is officially retiring, and is excited about taking time out to enjoy the things he loves.

Paul joined Myhorizon as a service user back in 1984 when it went by the name of H.A.R.D and provided an activity therapy centre in Capalaba for local residents with disability.

“I remember back in the mid 1980’s when Myhorizon grew to include more service areas like Independent Living and Social Enterprises, which opened up supported employment opportunities for me.” Says Paul.

Paul talks fondly about his accomplishments within Myhorizon’s previous ‘Wire and Wood’ enterprise, where he contributed to product design, and was also the Social club’s Treasurer for a period of time.

Paul’s career at the organisation has more recently also included working for The Bush Pantry Café, The Event Centre at Myhorizon, as well as Myhorizon’s packaging and collating service.

“I’ve learnt lots of new skills over the years at Myhorizon, but I’ve also made many great friends who I’ll miss dearly. The people I’ve worked with are like a family, but I won’t be out of touch because I’ll still see them at Rec Club and Sunday bowling and some of my friends on the weekend. I’ve even agreed to help organise the Secret Santa like I have past couple of years.” Says Paul.

Paul says he has enjoyed his work life, but he is also very excited about now catching up on his TV and video games, and going for more walks and exercising at the gym.

Current Production Supervisor at Myhorizon, Troy Morton who has worked with Paul since early 2018 and supervised his daily work, describes Paul as a capable and helpful member of the team.

“Paul would often help others when he could, and he also had some great nicknames for members of the team such as ‘Happy Helen’, ‘Cheryl from the Navy’, and ‘Super Kev’. We will all miss his unique energy, but wish him all the best in his retirement.” Says Troy.

Pets galore at The Bush Pantry Cafe

Myhorizon, is calling all animal lovers and their pets to their Bush Pantry café at Capalaba on Monday 20 August to help raise funds for RSPCA’s Cupcake Day.

They will be baking loads of cupcakes to support the work of the RSPCA and are inviting the whole community to bring along their beloved pet pooches or pussy cats to their pet-friendly café for this worthy cause.

Myhorizon CEO, Joe Gamblin is excited to host such an event, “We’re very proud to be supporting RSPCA’s Cupcake Day, and we invite the whole community to come down with their pets. We have the perfect pet friendly venue with a large outdoor café area which we would love to see filled with people’s pet dogs (or cats) on the day all for a worthy cause” says Joe.

“We’re huge animal lovers and know that a lot of our customers are as well. It means a lot to be able to help vulnerable animals across Australia.”

All the money raised from their special cupcakes will go directly towards helping the abandoned, neglected and surrendered animals around the country that turn to the RSPCA looking for love, safe shelter and a helping hand.

Join the event on Monday 20^th August at the Bush Pantry Café, at Myhorizon Centre, 1-15A Runnymede Rd, Capalaba anytime between 10am and 2pm for some sweet treats, and help fight animal cruelty.

Can’t make it down to our Cafe? No problem, you can also donate whatever you can by visiting our supporter page. Go to www.rspcacupcakeday.com.au and click on ‘Find a Friend’ and search for ‘Myhorizon’.

For more information, telephone 3824 7007 or email bushpantry@myhorizon.org.au

Myhorizon Wins Australia Day Award

The annual Redland City Australia Day Awards were held last night (Tuesday 23^rd January 2018) at Alexandra Hills Hotel where Myhorizon were honoured as winners of the ‘Community Organisation Award’.

Each year Redland City Council recognises residents and community organisations through these awards where they acknowledge members and organisations in our community who have made outstanding contributions to promote the welfare and wellbeing in the Redlands.

Myhorizon has been part of the Redlands Community since 1981 and today supports more than 2000 people with a disability, with a passionate and dedicated team of over 240 staff.

The prestigious award was graciously accepted by Myhorizon CEO, Joe Gamblin on behalf of the entire organisation.

“This award is a wonderful recognition of the leadership at Myhorizon over many years and the contribution made by all the staff. It is great for the organisation to be recognised in this way and it is a strong reflection of goodwill and acceptance of people with disability within the Redlands community.” said Joe.

Myhorizon sincerely thanks the Redlands community and all who took the time to nominate the organisation for these awards, and congratulate all the other worthy nominees and winners on the night.

(Photo: Myhorizon CEO, Joe Gamblin, and Redland City Mayor, Karen Williams)

Myhorizon announces Wayne Clarke as its new Chair

Local disability services provider, Myhorizon, is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr Wayne Clarke as the new Chair of its Board of Directors.

Dr Clarke joined the Board in March 2012 and has held the position of Vice President over the last 2 years, and recently succeeded Louise Dudley as President and Chairman.

Victoria Knight, HBE employee at Myhorizon, and Dr Wayne Clarke, newly appointed President and Chair of the Board.

Spending much of his early career as a Speech therapist, Dr Clarke has worked with people with disability for many years and completing a PhD in the speech of cerebral palsy children has given him a strong understanding of working with people with disability. Dr Clarke has also worked for a number of non-profit organisations in executive roles, more recently for the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute in Sydney, and Mental Illness Fellowship of Qld through which he has gained a strong sense of the importance of community values.

“My view of disability and the role of organisations like Myhorizon is to try and prevent the disabling aspects of disability so that people can grow and lead a positive life and look for education, employment and other services.

“The wider community may not be aware just how many people there are with disability. We need to try to bring them out to be active members of our community and promote a general acceptance by everybody. They all need support in one way or another and as a community I believe we all have a responsibility to support them.” Said Dr Clarke.

It’s a timely message leading up to International Day of People with Disability, celebrated on 3 December. This is a United Nations sanctioned day that promotes inclusivity and celebrates the achievements and contributions of people with disability. It is an opportunity for our community to make positive changes to the lives of 4.3 million Australians living with disability.

A strong example of this year’s theme of empowering people with disability, is the collaboration and job ownership displayed by the HBE team at Myhorizon. Victoria Knight (pictured with Dr Wayne Clarke) is one of many employees who says she enjoys working at Myhorizon because she likes to come and get her jobs done and be with her friends. Myhorizon’s HBE employees work on a variety of mailing and packaging contracts for well-known businesses in the local area such as Sirromet Winery, as well as other businesses requiring similar services.

In addition to the mailing and packaging services offered by Myhorizon at their newly built Centre on Runnymede Road, Capalaba (next to Indigiscapes), they also provide a range of high quality services, all designed to support the ongoing needs of people with disability.

“The investment that has been made in Myhorizon’s new facilities and services is not just about preparing for the launch of NDIS next year, but also about having a modern facility that can be used by everyone in the community.

“You have members of the community coming in here, you’ve got people with disabilities helping in the café, and providing services back into the community. The fact that there is a facility that can provide you a good cup of coffee and you know in doing that you are supporting the community effort, really is important.” Said Dr Clarke.

For more information on Myhorizon’s full range of services, click here.

Fulfilling a Community Vision

Myhorizon proudly celebrates the official Grand Opening of their brand new purpose-built facility in the heart of Redland City.

From L-R: Raymond Walker; CEO of Myhorizon Joe Gamblin; Redland Council Mayor Karen Williams, His Excellency the Honourable Paul de Jersey AC, the Governor of Queensland; Vice President of Myhorizon Louise Dudley with the official plaque presented to Myhorizon Community Centre.

It has been a rewarding journey for Myhorizon to proudly fulfil a community vision after many years, with the opening of their state-of-the-art Community Centre. The event was held on Friday 20 October 2017 at Capalaba, where His Excellency the Honourable Paul de Jersey AC, Governor of Queensland, officially opened the impressive new facility.

Redland City Council Mayor Karen Williams also attended and spoke at the event, and was joined by approximately 200 attendees including local council representatives, government members, and Myhorizon clients and staff.

The multi-million dollar flagship centre on Runnymede Road, next to Indigiscapes, boasts a range of high quality services and purpose built facilities, all designed to support the ongoing needs of people with disabilities in the local community.

CEO of Myhorizon, Joe Gamblin thanked those in the community that supported and contributed to the magnificent community facility, including Redland City Council, Ian McDougall Trust and Redland Foundation.

“What we’ve created has made a real difference to the lives of hundreds of people with disabilities. It has been so rewarding to be able to build on the hard work of our founders and grow the organisation to where it is today, supporting thousands of clients across the state, with the help of so many wonderful people. This ceremony is a wonderful celebration of this rich history and the important work Myhorizon undertakes in the local and wider community” said Mr Gamblin.

Mayor Karen Williams also spoke to the values shared between Myhorizon and Redland City Council. “The Myhorizon community centre shows just what can be achieved when the community comes together, shares a common vision, and gets down and makes it happen. It’s an important, productive and valued community asset and is a true reflection of Myhorizon’s commitment to continuing its important work in the region and council’s support of such services” said Mayor Williams.

Myhorizon employs over 240 passionate staff members across 11 different centres (located from Wynnum through to Tweed Heads). “Our amazing team actively works with 2000 people with disability, from the earliest stages of life through to adulthood” said Mr Gamblin.

Myhorizon’s specialty service areas include Support Coordination, Plan Management, Independent Living, Lifestyle services, Employment & Training and Social Enterprises, as well as Early Intervention services operating out of the new Ian McDougall Centre within the same new facility. This was named after the late Redlands philanthropist whose trust has supported a range of local causes. The Ian McDougall Trust made a $450,000 donation to the early Intervention Centre which is a fantastic place tailoring support to meet the needs of children with disability.

The new centre also doubles as an entertainment venue for public hire with modern event spaces and meeting rooms perfect for corporate meetings, community events, and weddings. The centre’s new cafe The Bush Pantry is open to general public and offers great coffee, refreshments and light snacks, and takes advantage of the picturesque surroundings of Redlands’ Botanical Gardens.

To speak to the friendly staff at Myhorizon and learn how our services can support you, call us on 1300 MYHORIZON today.