Our History
WANGARANG THROUGH THE YEARS
1962
4 Employees
Orange Regional Sheltered Workshop Committee was founded! Mr John Payten was the first President, and it was originally called Orange Regional Sheltered Workshop Committee. Wangarang originally only had one supervisor and four employees in the back of a small house in Anson Street.
The first work was dismantling nut and bolt assemblies!
Some of the other jobs included:
- Salvaging electrical fittings
- Taking bulbs from reflector units
- Sorting nuts and bolts
- Packing replacement parts for electrical appliances
- Measuring remnant
- Packaging biscuits
- Tagging
- Servicing cords
- Cleaning
- Stapling cheque books
- Collating sheets for receipt books.
1963
9 Employees
Wangarang receives funding from the Cherry Blossom Festival! Local Orchards all generously donate fruit and funding.
Wangarang employs five more employees, in total nine!
1964
18 Employees
A new supervisor starts working, Mrs Millen.
1965
20-30 employees
Wangarang succeeds as a non-for-profit organisation and does not require government funding to stay afloat.
1967
The Department of Public Health dedicates 5 acres of land for a workshop site! This will be used for the old Bloomfield Aerodome on Forest Road.
“The building will be a credit to the city and district, and do justice to the site” – Dr. Huxtable
1968
30 employees
Prime Minister Gough Whitlam comes to visit for Festival Week! All proceeds go towards building a new sheltered workshop instead of the Kite Street building.
The Orange Cherry Blossoms Festival, two Apex clubs and the Orange District raise $18,000 out of the $20 000 needed for a new workshop!
Three Trustees are appointed: Mrs. Frecklington, Mr A. Raymond, and Dr. Huxtable, the Chairman
1969
Workshop reaches capacity for 75 employees!
A workshop vehicle is purchased with the help of the Lions Club!
The main clients are Email Limited, and Orange Plant.
1970
A new workshop is completed!
1972
Mr. Bill Baker is appointed CEO.
“There’s nothing Mr. Bill Baker likes more than to have people call into the Orange Regional sheltered Workshop on the Forest Rd. and ask to be shown around.”
A welding machine is gifted to Wangarang and is used by employee John McKay.
The first two students from Anson Street Special School, Chris and Ruby, join Wangarang!
1973
55 Employees
Main clients: Email, Rogers Meat Co., Macquarie Worsteds, Compak Products, Central West Linen Service.
1974
Work begins on extending the Moad Street Hostel.
Government funds two housing commission workshop houses for key employees.
1975
Forest Road Site is extended.
1976
Workshop hostel is completed and opened for accommodation in May!
1977
Buxton Industries (the manufacturing division) begins operations in Tynan Street in October.
A Gala day with tent pegging, a raffle and a show with stunts by the Orange Sports Motorcycle Club raises $3 500.
1978
A royal couple from the Netherlands visits!
Recognition of need for experts to train employees rather than volunteers.
1979
Renamed as Wangarang!
No longer named the Orange Regional Sheltered Workshop (ORSW), renamed to reflect the slow industry of Wangarang keeping up with the urban industries. Wangarang means tortoise.
Wangarang now owns two industries, Forest Road and Buxton Industries.
Mr Trevor Solomon is the Manager of Wangarang Industries.
1981
International Year of the Disabled Person
Committee held at Festival Day with 200 disabled persons to raise community awareness of the disabled and to create an opportunity to get together
1983
Lifeline trip to America and Disneyland for 16 days!
$19 000 Toyota Coaster bus purchased with three wheelchair spaces and a hydraulic lift!
A safe is stolen from Wangarang Industries and found at Honeyma’s Quarry
Narra Social Club is formed as a social club for persons with disabilities.
1986
16 medals are won at the special Olympics!
17 people from Buxton and Wangarang Industries participate in the Special Olympics.
1987
25th Anniversary of Wangarang Industries with a special dinner at Duntry League.
1988
Thieves ransack the office and cost Wangarang Industries $1 650.
Wangarang Industries hosts an exhibition by Malcolm Mathieson, which Peter Kent and John Rudd attend.
A special period dress-up Colonial Night is held for the staff at Wangarang and Buxton to celebrate the Bicentenary.
1989
Trip to Disneyland at Eastertime!
30 people from Wangarang attend, with 21 employees, 2 staff, and family and friends. They travel to LA, Mexico, San Francisco, and Honolulu.
Wangarang Industries hosts a transitional education project, which helps employees make the transition from education to the workforce.
The Vocational Training Centre at Wangarang Industries and Buxton Industries is established.
1990
New venture: top drawer linen!
A new venture is started Wangarang Industries; top drawer linen! Employees begin making towels, linen, blankets, and tea-towels of excellent quality.
Employees work for Stockman’s, packaging birdseed and fitting in with the Orange Community. A team of three made up of John Cameron, Peter Kent, Bob Fowler work every Wednesday and Thursday from 10:00am to 4:00pm.
Access Day in May highlights problems faced by those with disability nationally and in Orange.
1990
Timber Products at Barrett Court begin to be produced.
1991
Meg Bannigan joins the Board of Directors.
Workshops try to offer more dignity for staff.
Wangarang Chief Bill Baker retires.
1992
Anne Frecklington passes away.
Bill Baker’s Farewell Dinner is held in May.
1995
80-100 employees
Competency based training is introduced.
2000
Wangarang employees begin working with a small business named Forrest Berry Jams, which later is merged with Wangarang Industries.
2004
Wangarang makes local hampers for the community.
2011
Wangarang starts a water tank and gardening operation to provide fresh food to local community members who experience financial hardship. Gardens are started on the 5 acres of Wangarang
2012
Barrett Court closed and sold.
David Thomas retires, and Kevin McGuire becomes General Manager.
The 50th Anniversary of Wangarang Industries
Day Programs begin.
2013
Electrolux, at its peak worth up to up to 90% of Wangarang’s annual revenue, closes. Wangarang sells Pinnacle, which was Wangarang’s workspace at Electrolux, and rents the space back for several more years until the onsite Forrest Road workshop is completed and all the supported employees move to working there.
2015
Women’s shed begins operating in a three walled open shed, without electricity or concreted floors.
2016
Wangarang wins the Banjo Business Awards Excellence in Community Services award.
Newcastle Permanent considers funding the Women’s shed for $40 000
2017
The NDIS is introduced, allowing for personalized funding and more choice.
2018
More than 125 employees
Women’s shed opens.
Wangarang wins the Premier’s Partnership Award for their contract between other businesses. This recognition came from successfully obtaining a long-term government cleaning contract at Trade and Investment in Orange
2020
Remained open during the COVID pandemic as an essential service.
2023
Ceased gardening services
Building commences on the new Return and Earn Depot
2024
105 Employees
Return and Earn Depot starts operations.
Operation of Orange Recovery Shop transitions back to Orange City Council.
Completed building of new sensory room for Life Skills and Recreation participants.
2025
Retirement of CEO Kevin Maguire
Appointment of Chris Rawlins as new CEO
Return and Ean depot processes 10 millionth container
Wangarang wins Outstanding Community Organisation and Excellence in Innovation at Business Orange awards
Get In Touch
1635 Forest Rd
ORANGE NSW 2800
Phone: (02) 6365 6500
enquiries@wangarang.com.au