What began in 2019 as a project to support the Victorian Baby Bundle has grown into a powerhouse of inclusive employment. Last week, we were delighted to celebrate this incredible journey by hosting our partners from Bao&Co for a casual BBQ and a walkthrough of our production lines at Civic Industries.
It was a fantastic opportunity to showcase our team in action. Currently, a dedicated crew of six employees works to pack and distribute the Victorian Baby Bundles, while another team handles the popular BaoBag line, distributing approximately 2,500 bags every single week.
The atmosphere at the BBQ was one of pride and shared success. “It feels really good knowing that the bags we pack are going to help new mums and dads all over Victoria,” shared one of our team members. That sense of purpose is backed by staggering numbers: to date, this partnership has generated over 55,000 hours of meaningful employment for individuals with disability. In practical terms, this collaboration sustains the equivalent of more than seven full-time roles every single year.
However, as Peter Moore, General Manager of Civic Industries, noted during the visit, the true impact goes far beyond the numbers. We have seen employees who started out unsure of themselves grow into confident leaders who take full ownership of their workstations and coach their peers.
Murray Hawkins, General Manager of Bao&Co, echoed this sentiment, noting that you don’t have to choose between high-quality output and social responsibility. “With the right partner,” he said, “they go hand in hand.”
A big thank you to the entire Bao&Co crew for joining us and most importantly, for your ongoing commitment to partnering with purpose. We look forward to seeing this partnership go from strength to strength in the years to come!
The partnership with Bao&Co isn’t just about the numbers; it’s about the people on the floor every day. To get a closer look at the action, we sent Elia from our Gap Year program downstairs to Civic Industries. During her marketing work experience, she captured some incredible shots of the team in the middle of a high-speed packing session. Check out her ‘Behind the Lens’ story below!
Elia’s Day with the Civic Marketing Team!
