Sanctuary Lakes

Senator Mitch Fifield, the Federal Assistant Minister for Social Services, will be getting some hands on experience in a unique gardening program today at Sanctuary Lakes Resort, in the west of Melbourne.

The Senator will join a special team of gardeners to plant a tree to celebrate the success of a gardening program to help people with special challenges gain employment.

The Mambourin Gardening Team at Sanctuary Lakes Resort

For the past four years Sanctuary Lakes Resort Services Ltd, in partnership with Mambourin Enterprises Inc., an organisation that provides services for people living with a disability across western Melbourne, has run a special gardening project.

Through Sanctuary Lakes Resort Services Ltd., the resident owned and resident run company that manages Sanctuary Lakes Resort, Mambourin has an ongoing contract for its garden team to work at Sanctuary Lakes as part of the Resort's maintenance program.

Mr Ian Brown, Chairman of Sanctuary Lakes Resort Services said, "The main aim the program is to provide ongoing employment in a situation where workers can progress from Mambourin to potentially become full time employees of Sanctuary Lakes Resort Service Ltd whilst providing a workplace where the team felt at home and developed a relationship with the existing workforce and community.

Senator Fifield will meet two graduates of the program - Daniel Collins and Jason Wickham, who have now progressed to become full time staff with Sanctuary Lakes Resort Services.

Rohan Braddy, CEO of Mambourin said the program has been an ongoing and outstanding success demonstrating the strength of the support from the community for services provided by organisations such as Mambourin.

The Sanctuary Lakes community and Golf Club members have an eight year history with Mambourin with the Sanctuary Lakes Mambourin Charity Golf Day, organised by John and Jeanne Burbidge and Friends of Mambourin. Over the years the Golf Day has raised almost $140,000.

The purchase of a work truck for the Mambourin gardening team from the Charity Golf Day funds has also produced extra opportunities for Mambourin to expand its operations in this area.

Media Enquiries:
Ron Smith, Corporate Media Communications, Sanctuary Lakes Resort - Mobile: 0417 329 201