Endeavour Foundation, a disability support organisation, will not grow flowers at its Bundaberg farm after this year’s Mother’s Day harvest. The farm has supplied flowers to the community for 35 years.
The organisation harvested about 40,000 flowers this year, down from a peak of 70,000 in previous years. Acting site manager Shaun Nortje attributed the decline to extreme weather and late planting. The decision to stop growing flowers was also influenced by a shift in the business model toward packaging solutions.
No job losses are expected; employees will be retrained in packaging work. The organisation will retain the site, including packing sheds, but will no longer grow flowers.
“The community understands the impact of extreme rain events earlier in the month,” said Acting site manager Shaun Nortje. He added that employees will benefit from upskilling in a packaging work environment and that the organisation aims to provide sustainable employment.
Aron Mercer, a Griffith University PhD student in inclusive employment, said secure employment improves confidence, financial independence, and social networks for people with disabilities. Mercer added that Australian companies need to increase workplace inclusivity for neurodivergent people.