Dedication ceremony recognises Tas Textiles quality products and wonderful supported employees.

(L-R) Tas Textiles Business Manager, Linda Goram-Aitken, with Mathew Midgley, and St Vincent de Paul Society State President, Mark Gaetani.

The St Vincent de Paul Society has rededicated its Special Work, Tas Textiles, at a ceremony in
Hobart today. Since 1946, the company has produced high-quality Tasmanian knitwear, while
offering meaningful employment to people with intellectual disabilities.

St Vincent de Paul Society CEO, Heather Kent said that for over 75 years, Tas Textiles has offered
people living with an intellectual disability the opportunity to enjoy a high level of social
independence, built on the dignity of employment, in a supportive environment.

“Tas Textile’s mission statement is to enable people with intellectual disabilities to experience
meaningful employment in a supportive environment. The supported employees and supervisory
staff at Tas Textiles live this mission every day, while building confidence and self-esteem,” Heather
said.

“When the Society resumed oversight and management of Tas Textiles in 2021, we used the
opportunity to look at ways to improve the business. Our priority was to identify programmes that
encouraged independence and offered opportunity, freedom of choice, and quality of life to all
of our supported employees.

“Tas Textiles is one of Tasmania’s most successful Australian Disability Enterprises and, more recently,
an NDIS participant workplace. Many of our supported employees have worked at Tas Textiles for
30 to 40 years and take immense pride in producing some of the highest quality knitwear in
Australia. Tas Textiles’ range of Envirowoollies – soft toys based on a range of Australia’s unique
fauna – have found homes with thousands of children around the world. It is a testament to the
fact that with a little commitment and the right opportunity, anyone can have a worthwhile career
making something beautiful that others will enjoy.

“Our supported employees receive ongoing training, not only to improve their work skills, but also to
help them to develop social skills that will offer them improved lifestyle opportunities.

“It is an amazing feeling when you see our supported employees master new skills and achieve
their goals. We help them to embrace challenges within the workplace and the wider community,
and work with them to find pathways to success. We offer supported employees employment, and
training in a caring, supportive environment; as a valued member of the wider Vinnies family. As
they grow as a person, and they build their confidence, we assist them to participate in their local
communities by building friendships and take part in Tas Textiles’ social functions,” Heather said

Tas Textiles produces a wide range of premium textile products and services, including woollen
knitwear for schools and corporate markets, embroidery services, a range of hand-made soft toys,
and much more. The company works closely with schools, businesses, sporting teams, and the
general public across Tasmania and Australia who depend on Tas Textiles to deliver unsurpassed
quality and workmanship.

MEDIA NOTES: The St Vincent de Paul Society was founded in Paris, France in 1833 by a 20-year old Italian student, Frederic Ozanam. Today, the Society operates in 153 countries and has over 800,000 members. Australia has over 60,000 members, dedicated to assisting people in need and combating social injustice. The Society started in Tasmania in 1899 when founders established a Conference in Launceston. From humble beginnings, the Society has grown to 25 Conferences within three Regional Councils across Tasmania. Each Conference undertake a variety of good works, the most recognised being the traditional Vincentian home visits and the annual CEO Sleep-out to draw attention to homelessness.

_{Media contact, Mark Wells: +61 414 015 966 (24-hours)
© St Vincent de Paul Society and MWPA.}