NEWS & IN THE MEDIA
“Give your old tech a new home!” Campaign kicks off 28th April 2022 with the launch of Enable’s 2022 Yarra Trams Community Partnerships Program tram.
27th April, 2022
Enable’s latest drive to get 1,000s of refurbished affordable laptops, notebooks and tablets into the hands of those most in need is through a “Give your old tech a new home!” campaign. The campaign kicks off with the launch of an Enable-branded tram made possible through the Yarra Trams Community Partnership Program that provides in-kind advertising annually to community organisations committed to create a more sustainable and equitable Melbourne.
Yarra Trams’ CEO Julien Dehornoy also celebrated the partnership, saying, “Enable was a stand-out applicant to take part in the 2022 Community Partnerships Program, and they make a real difference to hundreds of Melburnians every year. I can’t wait to see their tram out on the network encouraging our passengers to donate their old, unused tech to a new home.”
During the campaign Enable will seek to receive working order working order laptops, notebooks, and tablets from consumers through a network of Community-driven Drop Point partners and invite the business and government sector to join in with a corporate giving collection-drive style event with staff, family, friends, and others.
Founder and Managing Director, Julie McKay says “we are thrilled to be involved with the Yarra Trams Community Partnership Program and we will be looking out for the Enable tram travelling along routes 48 and 109 over the next four months to promote our vital community service to provide refurbished, affordable technology for those in need whilst creating full award wage jobs for young people with disability”.
Organisations can get involved by becoming a Drop Point Partner, or host a Corporate Social Responsibility collection event at your organisations site. Full media release here
Read more about Yarra Trams Community Partnership Program.
Banksia Foundation Awards 2022 annouce Enable as Small and Medium Enterprise Transformation Category winner
6th April, 2022
The Banksia Foundation is a not-for-profit organisation that believes in the power of social and environment impact through community engagement and sustainable businesses practices. Through the National Banksia Sustainability Awards, now in its 33rd year, it recognises and encourages sustainability excellence, showcasing changemakers that inspire and enable sustainability innovation, and builds purposeful communities for sustainable development across Australia. Learn more about the awards https://banksiafdn.com/award/
The judges were excited about how Enable Social Enterprise used the Sustainable Development Goals to look at amazing solutions to address disadvantages and help improve job prospects for people experiencing or at risk of severe hardship. Employment barriers are being overcome by this program that needs to be expanded right across Australia.
Learn more about how Enable's work is delivering social, environmental and economic impact.
Global Learning Festival: Reimagining Inclusive Economic Futures through a Social Enterprise lens
November 2021
Join Enable Managing Director, Julie McKay with Pascal Observatory at the Global Learning Festival 2021 looking at
Reimaging Inclusive Economic Futures and discussing Entrepreneurial Learning through a Social Enterprise lens.
For more information about Enable's social, environmental and social impact click here
Enable awarded Circular Heart Award, 2020 KMPG Circular Advantage Program
February 2021
Take a journey with Julie McKay, Enable Founder and Managing Director and Dr Scott Valentine of KPMG exploring the 2020 Circular Advantage program, supported by Hume City Council.
Julie says "receiving the KPMG Circular Heart Award is a great opportunity to showcase how collaborative approaches like the one with Hume City Council community grants program, Enable and 4 local community services has resulted in over 50 refurbished laptops getting to those most in need."
For more information on Enable's Renewed (Affordable) Tech for Good initiative creating social, environmental and local jobs for people with disability, visit www.intheclick.org.au
Banksia Foundation announce Enable as Community and Charity Award Finalist
1th February 2021
The Banksia Sustainability Awards have earned the reputation as the most prestigious sustainability awards in Australia and longest-running sustainability awards in the world! Enable's recent nomination as Finalist in the Community and Charity category was awarded on the back of how Enable's work is aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals #SDG1, #SDG8, #SDG9, #SDG11, #SDG12 and #SDG17.
Learn more about the 2020 Banksia Finalists
https://banksiafdn.com/2020-banksia-sustainability-award-finalists/
Enable launches Renew Tech for Good campaign
25 September 2020
Watch how Enable is delivering on our mission to renew old tech for good by providing affordable technology to help disadvantaged community stay connected with and accessible to family, friends, teachers and support and community service workers. This video was produced by our Marketing Intern, Amy McKernan with support from our friends at Digital Story Tellers and SENVIC.
Tech Giant feature Channel 9 news with Allan Raskall
August 2020
ENABLE IS HELPING PEOPLE STAY CONNECTED WITH AFFORDABLE TECH DURING THE PANDEMIC
Channel 9 news good news story on how Enable is rising to the challenge of lock-down during the pandemic for those in need
Meet the enterprise fighting e-waste and the disability employment crisis in one
4th December, 2019
PRO BONO AUSTRALIA'S SOCIAL ENTERPRISE IN THE SPOTLIGHT FEATURE
Pro Bono Australia feature on Enable Social Enterprises and interview with Founder and Managing Director, Julie McKay.
Social enterprise takes Sustainability Award at 2019 Hume Business Awards
Media Release
27th November, 2019
The business award for Sustainability was won by Enable IT Recycling at the recent Hume Business Awards, recognising significant social, environmental and economic impact being created by the growing social enterprise.
Founder and Managing Director, Julie McKay says "It means a lot to us to be recognised at the local level. It's truly been a massive year with significant growth in our asset decommissioning services and e-waste recycling services - this growth has resulting in us working with over 200 participants in our Employability programs this year".
Enable have been partnering with Hume City Council since 2018 as part of the council's Community Grant program, providing a vital contribution to the popular Greener Futures Employability program through to 2020.
McKay says, "we look forward to working with Hume City Council again in 2020 and in particular, continuing our robust discussions on how to social enterprise can play a big part in assisting disadvantaged community to access jobs, both now and in the future in the exciting and innovative sustainability space".
Read more what others are saying about Enable's win.
Enable joins 3AW's Sustainable Sally for a chat about the Sustainability Awards
15th October, 2019
Join Denis Walter, Sustainable Sally Williams and
Enable's Julie McKay chatting about what it means to
win the Premier's Recognition Award at the 2019 Victorian
Sustainability Awards
e-waste social enterprise wins Premier’s Sustainability Award
Sustainability Victoria Media Release
14th October, 2019
The Premier’s Recognition Award was won at last night’s Premier’s Sustainability Awards by Enable Social Enterprises for their work employing disadvantaged people in a successful e-waste business.
Enable is a social enterprise whose mission is to break unemployment cycles by helping disadvantaged jobseekers to connect with community, environment, and improve prospects of participating in gainful employment through supportive work and learning programs.
Enable achieves its goals via commercial ventures: Enable IT Recycling, an online shop, fulfilment and storage services. These businesses reuse, repair or recycle technology whilst providing vital work and learning opportunities for those in need. In 2018, their IT Recycling business created 10 employment pathways while diverting 133,046kgs of e-waste from landfill.
Earlier in the evening Enable Social Enterprises won the Innovative Products or Services category.
Premier of Victoria, The Hon. Daniel Andrews congratulated and thanked the finalists for their hard work helping to achieve a stronger, more sustainable Victoria in his message at the awards ceremony.
The Finnigan family farm in Warrnambool, Kia Ora, was selected by the Premier as the winner of the Premier's Regional Recognition Award for their program, E.S.P. or Ethical, Sustainable, Profitable Wool. The team had earlier won the Small and Medium Enterprises category award.
In 2018 Kia Ora, as part of the Fox and Lillie Genneys Group, was accredited under the International Wool Textile Organisation’s Responsible Wool Standard. There is no higher wool quality standard.
The inaugural Environmental Volunteering category was won by Electrifying Industry Volunteer Working Group, expert volunteers who produced a report, Electrifying Industry, a world’s first that shows how to eliminate greenhouse gas emissions from manufacturing.
For more information visit sustainabilityawards.vic.gov.au
Enable, a social enterprise for all abilities
October, 2019
Quest Magazine, Adult Learning Australia
Mick Hodgson, who has a background in IT testing and repairs, is rigorous when it comes to on-the-job training. ‘We have a very thorough induction process that’s very hands-on with the emphasis on occupational health and safety so people get trained in the safe use of equipment such as hand tools and drills. People get proficient very quickly. By the end of a term they can disassemble a floor printer that’s taller than me!’ Julie laughs.
Enable announced as finalist in 3 categories at the 2019 Victorian
Premier’s Sustainability Awards
Media Release 26th September, 2019
The Premier’s Sustainability Awards is one of Victoria’s major sustainability programs, celebrating people working to reduce the impact of climate change and to create a better future for us all.
We are proud that our leadership in creating a socially, environmentally and economically connected community without disadvantage is being recognised, with Enable securing finalist positions in the categories for Community, Environmental Justice and Innovative Products or Services.
Interim CEO of Sustainability Victoria, Carl Muller, says “delivering these Awards means we continue to discover and celebrate the talent and enthusiasm Victorians have for thinking creatively about new models of sustainability.”
Environmental sustainability and breaking unemployment cycles for disadvantaged people is the driving force behind our operations and is making a real impact in our community.
As of June, Enable has diverted a total of 151,662 kgs of e-waste from landfill and provided 24,414 hours of employability skills to 760 participants likely to experience barriers to employment.
Julie McKay, Managing Director says "the acknowledgement of our social and environmental impact through the awards really pays homage to the significant contribution from Enable's supporters, customers, impact partners, staff, volunteers and Board of Directors. The power of connectedness and community to tackle serious social and environmental issues is at the heart of our being"
Winners will be announced at the Awards ceremony on Thursday 10 October at Forum Melbourne.
For more information go to https://www.sustainabilityawards.vic.gov.au
Enable announces partnership with E-Waste Industry heavy hitter,
E-Cycle Solutions
15th March, 2019
Since May 2016, Enable IT Recycling have diverted approximately 120,000 tonnes of E-waste from landfill whilst creating over 8,000 hours of employabiliy skills for over 300 of disadvantaged community across Melbourne's north.
To support the delivery of Enable's Strategic Plan 2022 and growth of social and environmental impact, Enable have linked arms with E-Waste Industry heavy hitter and Co-regulator under the National Television & Computers Recycling Scheme (NTCRS), E-Cycle Solutions.
In support of Enable's strategy to win new sources of e-waste business which is responsibly recycled, Chris Tangey, General Manager of E-Cycle Solutions said "Enable Social Enterprise Ltd is a well-managed business, with sound business operations policies and procedures. They are compliant with AS5377 which is the far reaching standard required of recyclers involved in the National Television & Computers Recycling Scheme".
Julie McKay, Managing Director said "The relationship with E-Cycle Solutions is a significant step for Enable, one that has built our capabilities to attract and deliver additional large scale Social Procurement opportunities - very exciting for our current and future customers".
Enable feature by Small Business Victoria
20th November, 2018
Small Business Victoria explores Enable's journey from 2013 until now with
Founder and Managing Director, Julie McKay.
Enable announced as finalist in 2018 Victorian
Premier’s Sustainability Awards
Media Release 23rd August, 2018
Enable Social Enterprises from Broadmeadows has been named a finalist in the prestigious Victorian Premier’s Sustainability Awards Community category for a project that provides environmental employability skills to disadvantaged job-seekers.
CEO of Sustainability Victoria, Stan Krpan, describes the project as ‘exceptional’.
“Enable Social Enterprises demonstrated to the judges that they have translated the principles of sustainability into practice to achieve outstanding results for our environment and the state of our future.”
“Victoria is an amazing place to live and Enable is helping to keep it that way, we congratulate them as a finalist,” he said.
The Premier’s Sustainability Awards are the highest profile program of their kind in Victoria. Winners will be announced at the Premier’s Sustainability Awards gala dinner at The Forum in Melbourne on Thursday 11 October.
Julie McKay, Managing Director said "A huge thank you to all our Participants, Supporters, Customers, Staff, Volunteers and Board of Directors. It's great acknowledgement for the direct support Enable provides to hundreds of participants who may experience significant barriers to work whilst diverting 1,000's of kgs of computer equipment from landfill each month. We are proud our Not for Profit is delivering big on our social and environmental impact in Broadmeadows".
Enable IT recycling program hitting a new high
5th July 2018
ENABLE RECYCLING CONTRIBUTES TO 128.8KM OF ROAD
Close the Loop Australia advised today of Enable IT Recycling contribution to
diverting toner cartridges from landfill is resulting in the laying of 128.80km
of road. Definitely some great news worth sharing.
As at 30th June, 2018 Enable IT Recycling has diverted 92.752 tonnes of e-waste
so far.
Enable expands Greener Futures Employability Program to support offenders
27 June 2018
COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP WITH DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE SUPPORTS OFFENDERS WITH THEIR MANDATORY COMMUNITY WORK ORDERS TO GAIN VITAL EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS
Enable was recognised in 2017 Victorian Premier’s Awards with two Finalist nominations (Environmental Justice and Community categories) for the Greener Futures Employability Program. As at December 2017 Enable has delivered 6,835 hours of employability skills to 218 participants most likely to experience barriers to employment to improve their chances of getting work as well as diverted 81.6 tonne of e-waste from Landfill through accredited recycling services.
During early 2017, Enable embarked upon a partnership with Department of Justice Community Work Program in Derrimut to initially, pilot a “clone” of the Enable’s existing Greener Futures program to support offenders with employability skills within the growing e-waste sector whilst meeting obligations of their mandated community work court orders.
Through the partnership the program has since moved from Pilot stage. As at 27th June 2018 the program has supported 111 offenders with 2439.70 hours of employability skills. Offenders are provided the opportunity to learn new work skills operating under robust Quality Management systems respondent to the national e-waste standards including computer equipment disassembly, parts identification and sorting as well as robust OH&S and relating work instructions – all serving to assist with offenders with future employment prospects. There are also benefits if a sense of community and common environmental cause with Enable diverting e-waste from landfill.
Chair of Enable, Bernadette O’Connor says “Great things happen with collaboration and through this Community partnership with Department of Justice we have seen significant growth in our social and environmental impact whist supporting participants in the justice system with future employability.”
Enable’s next Social Impact Report is due to be released in December 2018.
Offenders participating
111
Employability skills hours
2,440
as at 27th June 2018
Enable receives certification from Social Traders Australia
27 April 2018
ENABLE JOINS THE SOCIAL PROCUREMENT SURGE IN VICTORIA
Hard work and excellence in customer service brings great reward. Enable IT Recycling is now certified with Social Traders Australia, providing business and government buyers assurance as a trusted social enterprise.
Managing Director, Julie McKay says "Our corporate customers are really embracing Social Procurement with Enable IT Recycling. Aside from the high quality of our service, procuring from Enable is a double down on corporate social responsibility with computer recycling contracts generating both social and environmental impact".
Enable IT Recycling's latest Social Impact Report sets out the overall impact delivered so far.
October, 2017
HUME COUNCIL PROFILES ENABLE - OCT 2017 ECONOMIC UPDATE
Read more about how Enable IT Recycling is contributing to Hume's community, economic development and environmental outcomes in the Hume Council October 2017 edition of the Economic update Magazine.
A Social Enterprise Creating Meaningful Pathways
The Social Enterprise Using Innovation to Break Unemployment Cycles
October, 2017
PRO BONO AUSTRALIA'S CHANGEMAKER OF THE WEEK
Check out Pro Bono Australia's article about Enable's Founder and Managing Director, Julie McKay
Enable Social Enterprises announced as finalist in
2017 Victorian Premier’s Sustainability Awards
13th September, 2017
Enable Social Enterprises has been announced as a finalist in two categories - Community and Environmental Justice - for this year's Premier's Sustainability Awards for their Greener Futures Employability Program.
The interim Chief Executive of Sustainability Victoria, Stephanie Ziersch, praised the team for their creative and insightful work towards building a more sustainable environment.
“Delivering these Awards each year means we continue to discover the talent and enthusiasm Victorians have for protecting their environment and thinking creatively about new models of sustainability.
“These Awards represent Victoria’s highest recognition for sustainability and acknowledge leadership, innovation and achievement. Each finalist should be congratulated for improving sustainable outcomes across business, government and within the community."
Enable is a social enterprise with a vision for a ‘connected community without disadvantage’.
To break unemployment cycles by enabling disadvantaged jobseekers to connect with community and improve their employment prospects, Enable’s Greener Futures Employability Program provides employability skill programs that create paid work opportunities in the community.
The Enable IT Recycling social enterprise offers a full suite of recycling services to integrate environmental, social and economic value propositions – not only diverting e-waste from landfill but providing meaningful work.
Now in its 15th year, the Premier's Sustainability Awards continue to promote leadership and innovation in sustainability, and encourage all Victorians to step up.
The winners will be announced at the Awards ceremony, hosted by media personality Charlie Pickering on Thursday 26 October at the Plaza Ballroom, in Melbourne.
The Premier of Victoria, Daniel Andrews, will personally select the winners of the Premier's Regional Recognition Award and the Premier's Recognition Award, which will be presented at the Awards ceremony.
For more information on the Awards, finalists and to purchase tickets for the award ceremony, visit www.sustainabilityawards.vic.gov.au
Enable appoints new Chairperson to drive 2020 Strategy
10th May, 2017
lNTRODUCING BERNADETTE O'CONNOR
Bernadette officially took over today from Acting Chair, Simon Scrase who says “It has been a pleasure to be the acting Chair and I will continue as a Board member”. Scrase says “It is fortunate to now have Bernadette’s expertise and leadership on the Board as we move to the critical growth phase of Enable’s Strategic Plan”. Bernadette has extensive knowledge & understanding of the disability sector and extensive governance experience with previous roles as a Chair, Non-Executive Board Director and CEO in the not for profit and government sectors.
Bernadette has over 18 years CEO experience in not for profit training, employment and disability services. She established Management Governance Australia (MGA) in 2014 to focus on developing the adaptive expertise of Directors, CEOs and Managers to successfully navigate the challenges of leading in rapidly changing work environments.
Possessing a robust breadth and depth of qualifications including Masters in Public Policy & Management, Bachelor of Applied Science (Mathematics), Graduate Diploma in Education (Mathematics);Associate Degree in Applied Science (Amenity Horticulture);Associate Diploma in Applied Science (Therapy Radiography);Diploma in Frontline Management;TAE 40110 Certificate IV in Training & Assessment and Adaptive Expertise Developer, Accreditation, Bernadette is a welcomed leader of to the Board of Directors.
Enable IT Recycling is on the move!
27th November, 2016
Enable brings large-scale Computer Recycling Centre to Hume City Hub, 60 Belfast Street, Broadmeadows, helping vulnerable residents to improve job prospects
Enable’s latest venture is a large-scale Computer Recycling Centre. Due to significant demand for their socially and environmentally responsible accredited recycling services, Enable is moving their Social Enterprise from Maribyrnong to much larger premises located in the Hume Community Hub, 60 Belfast Street, Broadmeadows.
Founder and Managing Director, Julie McKay says “we are thrilled to be delivering our services in
Broadmeadows at the vibrant Hume Community Hub, expanding the scale and reach of our Social Impact Programs and computer recycling services across Melbourne’s north”.
Read more in the Media Release and Hume Leader article 17/1/2017
It's official! Enable IT Recycling is one of Australia's "Coolest Companies"
27th November, 2016
TOP 100 SHORTLISTED TO FINALIST IN AUSTRALIA'S COOL COMPANY AWARDS
WOW! It's true, our latest venture Enable IT Recycling is officially a "Cool Organisation". We have just been nominated as a Finalist in the Social Capitalist Award Category among the Top 100 coolest in Australia out of over 700 organisations. Award Ceremony 8th December, 2016 here we come!
Jeremy Johnson set in the starting blocks as new Company Secretary
20th October, 2016
ENABLE WELCOMES NEWCOMER TO JOIN OUR MISSION TO TACKLE DISADVANTAGE HEAD ON
Jeremy is currently employed by Western Leisure Services as the Occupational, Health, Safety and Risk Manager. Jeremy is currently undertaking a graduate diploma in Legal Practice through the College of Law, and a diploma in Risk Management and Business Continuity through the Paladin Risk Management training academy. Jeremy holds a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) Bachelor of Criminology from Deakin University. Passionate, about health and leisure, Jeremy is a Lifeguard. Jeremy describes himself as being committed to lifelong learning and professional development.
Enable bids farewell to founding Director and Chair
14th September, 2016
CON O'BRIEN CLOCKS OFF AFTER THREE YEAR APPOINTMENT
Con joined Enable in September 2013 as a founding Director and Chair. Recently reaching his three year milestone, it is now time to bid farewell to our fearless leader.
Con's contributions span start up and early development phases and include overseeing the establishment of the organisational entity structure, constitution, ACNC applications and chariable status as well as set up of the governance policies, systems and process. In addition, Con was integral in the approval of Enable's first business plan and successful application for seed funding to kick of Enable's commercial ventures in mid 2014. Most recently Con led the Board to sign off stage of the Enable 2020 Strategic Plan and IT recycling commercial venture and provided invaluable mentoring and support to Founder and Managing Director, Julie McKay.
Con has been integral in positioning our Social Enterprise as a viable and sustainable venture that in turn is assisting Enable to deliver Work Skill programs for disadvantaged community across Melbourne's north. We wish Con all the very best and a big thanks for coming on the journey with us.
Enable launches IT Recycling Centre as latest social enterprise venture
30th May, 2016,
LAUCHED! NEW SOCIAL ENTERPRISE DELIVERS ON SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
IT Recycling is the latest offering from not for profit Enable
in their suite of Social Enterprise activities supporting
disadvantagd jobseekers across Melbourne's north.
Founder and Managing Director, Julie McKay says
"we are thrilled with the launch of our latest enterprise in
Maribrynong that serves to increase both social and
environmental impact".
Enable will be calling on Corporate, Business, Government
and Schools to join Enable's cause for Social and Environmental
impact by arranging for end of life and end of use IT hardware
to come to Enable's IT Recycling Centre.
McKay says "Our Work Skill programs are tailor-made and
designed to provide an upbeat and supportive learning
environment for people struggling to access mainstream
employment in Industries of the future such as IT recycling"
Contact Julie McKay on (03) 9486 5563 or 0402 141 947 or email for more information.
Enable welcomes new Director joining our cause to tackle disadvantage
12th May 2016
INTRODUCING WARRICK LOUEY
Warrick is lawyer with approximately 10 years of corporate law experience. He specialises in capital markets transactions, mergers and acquisitions, corporate structuring, general corporate law and regulatory issues. Warrick currently works for a top tier law firm in Australia and has previously worked in the UK for one of the world's largest law firms. He has experience acting for listed companies, private companies and not-for-profits. He has a Bachelor of Laws (Hons) / Bachelor of Commerce from Monash University.
Currently participating in the Committee of Melbourne's Future Focus Group leadership program, which involves the design and implementation of a community-enriching project for Melbourne, Warrick has a long-standing interest in social justice and is committed to improving the well-being of (and the opportunities available to) disadvantaged, vulnerable and marginalised members of our community.
Jumping for JOY's Community Service annoucements
1st April, 2015
Thanks JOY 94.9 for your support and encourangement for www.intheclick.org.au and our social cause to tackle disadvantage head on in Melbourne's north. Check out our advertisement currently playing and sponsored by Melbourne's JOY 94.9.
Social Enterprise Vision Clicking Into Place
Nadia Boyce, Pro Bono Australia, 11th March 2015
A digital twist on the classic model of supported employment is the culmination of personal struggles with depression, a career as a social sector executive and almost a decade of study for one Melbourne woman, writes Nadia Boyce in this week’s Spotlight on Social Enterprise.