A long-established partnership between Bega Cheese and Tulgeen is coming to an end it was announced this week.
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The Tulgeen Packaging Service social enterprise has given meaningful employment to people with disability in the Bega Valley for more than 10 years.
However, Bega Cheese's recent business decision to cease aspects of production in Bega means that TPS will no longer have product to process.
The service was announced in 2007 under the federal government's Regional Partnerships program.
At the time, then-Member for Eden-Monaro Gary Nairn announced a grant of $106,000 to develop the new facility in Eden St, Bega.
The two organisations released a joint statement on Wednesday, August 19, expressing regret at the closure.
"Tulgeen would like to thank Bega Cheese for their long standing and continuing support of Tulgeen, and our employees," Tulgeen CEO Jen Russell said.
"Tulgeen will be working with Bega Cheese on a smooth transition to closure in late September. Tulgeen will ensure our workers and supported employees transition to other opportunities."
Bega executive chairman Barry Irvin said his company values the "very positive and long term relationship" it has with Tulgeen, and "will continue to support the important projects and development that Tulgeen undertakes in the Bega region".
"This will include a donation to repurpose the TPS facilities for a new Tulgeen project," Mr Irvin said.
"Bega Cheese would like to acknowledge and thank the team at Tulgeen and staff associated with the TPS project and hope that in the future there may be opportunities to create other innovative initiatives between the two organisations."
Ben Smyth
I have worked as a journalist since 2005 and am now Editor of Australian Community Media mastheads in Bega, Merimbula and Eden
I have worked as a journalist since 2005 and am now Editor of Australian Community Media mastheads in Bega, Merimbula and Eden
