Despite the COVID-19 distancing restrictions, the Tulgeen Group were recently able to produce 150 conference bags in record time for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) to be used at an international conference.
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In under 10 days, Tulgeen's team of supported employees measured, cut, sewed and screen printed the conference bags.
Physical distancing restrictions meant only two people per day for three days a week were able to work on the project.
"The team really stepped up to the challenge and finished the job a day ahead of the deadline," Tulgeen's business development and marketing manager Lisa Miller Bradley said.
"This job gave our team a real buzz of excitement and was an enormous boost after what has been a difficult time with bushfires and then COVID-19."
She said the biggest challenge for the organisation is finding outlets for their products.
The opportunity to fulfill this order came through the National Bushfire Recovery Agency, in support of bushfire-affected regions.
Bega Valley Shire Council had forwarded a list of local businesses to the DFAT product purchasing program earlier this year.
"This sort of order is ideal, and we were delighted that DFAT chose an Australian social enterprise located in regional NSW rather than going offshore," Ms Miller Bradley said.
"In effect, DFAT have invested in the social capital of the Bega Valley, which is priceless."
She said ongoing orders would help them immensely in securing employment for people with disability in the Bega Valley.
"We have made a short video about the project and what it means to our employees," she said.
