Sunbury-based charity Distinctive Options will close five of its social enterprises in October after recording significant financial losses, among them is honey production operation – DO Honey.
The organisation’s CEO Andre Carvalho said the closures were necessary to protect the future of the wider organisation.
“Over the past three years, we’ve started ten small social enterprises across Sunbury, Gisborne and Bairnsdale,” he said.
“While they have been wonderful businesses, several are no longer financially sustainable. Collectively, they have recorded losses each year, including almost $1 million in the last financial year alone. Continuing in the same way would have placed the wider organisation at risk.”
The enterprises to close on 10 october include:
- DO Honey (Sunbury)
- The Goodwill Gardener (Sunbury)
- DO Good Wood (Sunbury)
- DO Food Project Café (Gisborne)
- DO Experiences
Other enterprises in Sunbury and Bairnsdale will continue to operate, along with core services across Sunbury, Brimbank, Bendigo and Bairnsdale, including Group Support, Independent Living Support and Supported Living Accommodation.
Mr Carvalho, who joined the charity in February, also confirmed Distinctive Options will withdraw from Financial Plan Management later this year, in line with recommendations from the Disability Royal Commission. The move will affect four families in Sunbury and others in Bairnsdale, with transitions to new providers to be completed by mid-November.
“These have been very difficult decisions, and we know they affect people in our community,” Mr Carvalho said.
“Behind every enterprise are staff, supported employees, participants and families who have given their time, energy and care. We want to acknowledge the disappointment and uncertainty some may feel, and we are deeply grateful for the contributions each person has made.”
He said the organisation’s priority now was to support affected staff and participants through the transition while ensuring Distinctive Options remains sustainable into the future.
“On redundancies, our focus right now is on supporting the people impacted,” he said. “While some roles are affected, we are working closely with each person to explore redeployment opportunities wherever possible.”
Listen to the Distinctive Options show on Sunbury Radio, Fridays 11am to 12-noon.