Bedford gala celebrates rich history and 80 years of supporting South Australians
Bedford’s annual gala fundraiser returned to the Adelaide Convention Centre last week, celebrating 80 years of supporting South Australians.
At this year’s Bedford gala, hosted by Georgia Love, close to 500 guests came together raising almost $200,000 – vital funds to ensure Bedford can continue to deliver more opportunities and pathways for people with disability.
The evening, which included entertainment by inclusive group, Thank God it’s Friday, part of Tutti Arts and Baker Boys Band, paid homage to Bedford’s rich 80 year-history.
Bedford is Australia’s second largest employer of people with disability and the event affirmed its commitment to transforming the landscape of disability employment and services in Australia.
Bedford CEO Myron Mann, explained the critical importance of major fundraising opportunities.
“Bedford is not government funded, which means it is through fundraisers such as the gala that we are able to deliver on our purpose of more choice for nearly 2000 people across 22 sites in South Australia,” he said.
“This year’s gala celebrated 80 years of Bedford’s commitment to turning ambition into action, obstacles into opportunities and barriers into breakthroughs, providing people of all abilities with choice and opportunities to lead fulfilling, independent lives.”
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Celebrations on the dance floor. Photo: MILCO
In 1945, Bedford started as a rehabilitation centre for those recovering from tuberculosis.
Humble but purposeful beginnings have powered the organisation’s simple and long-held philosophy, that no matter the circumstances, people should feel empowered to make their own decisions and have choice about how they live.
“As we celebrate this significant milestone, we are proud of Bedford’s rich history, enduring purpose and bold vision for the future,” Mann said.
“For the past 80 years, Bedford has always found ways to address needs in society.”
Mandy, who lives with a disability and is Mum to 3-year-old, Mason, shared her experience working at Bedford Elizabeth with gala guests.
“People said I couldn’t do it, but I can be a working mum because of the support of Bedford,” Mandy said.
Bedford’s 80th year also marks the halfway point in the organisation’s transformative Future Bedford Strategy.
An ambitious 5-year investment plan to provide a more contemporary and inclusive form of employment for the community through a sustainable model of operating.
“Bedford continues to be a beacon of opportunity,” Mann said.
“We proudly provide training employment and support while spearheading major sector change nationally as the only not-for-profit disability employment provider to develop a social enterprise business model.”
This year, Bedford is set to transform the Australian social enterprise landscape with the opening of a retail social enterprise hub at Salisbury South, the largest of its kind in the nation.
The hub will be home to Cultivate Food and Beverage and Dovetail, two thriving Bedford backed social enterprises.
“These Bedford-backed social enterprises are commercial entities that pay award wages and offer pathways to open employment for people with disability,” Mann said.
“All established over the past two years, they fulfil our charter to create jobs, opportunities and pathways for people with disability.”
Bedford’s partnerships with the South Australian business community also continue to offer choice in open employment career pathways for Bedford employees.
This includes innovative partnerships with some of the nation’s most loved brands, such as R.M. Williams.
For more on Bedford and its 80th year, visit the website.
