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History

An Abbreviated History of Barkuma

1964

Barkuma commenced as a locally based community service in Elizabeth as part of the Mentally Retarded Children's Society (now Orana Inc.), following successful lobbying by parents and supporters

1967

Barkuma was Incorporated [originally in the name of the Central Districts Mentally Handicapped Children's Association. Initially operated as a Special School

1970

Establishment of a Sheltered Workshop and Day Training Centre at Smithfield with 25 supported employees

1975

Establishment of a Residential Care Program (8 clients)

1980

The Association's name was changed to Barkuma [aboriginal word meaning 'to aid']. 110 people with an intellectual disability received support. Services were still largely reliant on donations & fundraising efforts of parents.

Merger discussed with Minda but merger did not proceed.

1981

The Special School was closed

1985

The establishment of an Accommodation Training Unit for 4 young people with challenging behaviours - the first community based unit of this type in SA. Later converted to a long term supported accommodation program

1986

Establishment of Project Employment [changed to Personnel employment in 1989). PE was the first open employment service to be established in SA
Decision to bring all employment services under one management structure

1987

Establishment of first mobile garden maintenance work crew. Five crews operated by 1989, incl. trolley crews.

Relocation of head office and the accommodation service office from Smithfield to the commercial centre of Elizabeth. The factory operations were relocated to Salisbury and Para Hills and were called Silkwood Fine Furniture and NORTHPACK

1988

Barkuma accepted responsibility for the Charles Blaskett Centre from IDSC and was renamed SA Packaging Company (SAPAC)

1989

Barkuma's central administration office was relocated to Dulwich.

1990

Establishment of the Linkworker service. This service remained unfunded and was finally closed in 1997.

1991

Internal reports into the separate incorporation of the employment and accommodation services. The Barkuma Board of Management finally rejected separation of Barkuma's services.

1992

Funding of an ISJ program within PE to assist people in sheltered employment to access open employment.

1994

The Board approved the formal separation of PE and SCE, with both factories trading as SCE.

1995

Establishment of Client Services [called Individual and Family Support Service (IFST) until 1999] by combining the client services resources of PE and SCE.

1998

Achieved ISO 9002 quality assurance certification of all Barkuma services - the first multi-service disability organisation in SA to do so.

1999

Barkuma obtained RTO status and establishes Disability Training
Australia (DTA).

Co-location of PE, DTA, Client Services and Corporate services.

2000

Barkuma purchased the Philip Hwy premises. Officially opened by Minister A. Vandstone
Consumer Sub-committee of the Board was established (Kuma's).

2002

Barkuma launched new corporate logo and branding of services. SCE was renamed Barkuma Industries and Community Living Support to Barkuma Community Support (BCS).

Barkuma, the Onkaparinga Council & Noarlunga TAFE launched 'Able Net' - Adelaide southern suburbs first Internet Cafe for people with a disability.

First Barkuma service in the southern suburbs was opened (PE Morphett Vale Office).

2003

Barkuma held the inaugural Corporate Golf Day at the Gawler Golf Course.

2004

Barkuma negotiated its first Enterprise Bargaining Agreement with supported employees at Barkuma Industries.

Barkuma achieved Disability Services Standards certification.

PE was contracted by the Department of Education and Children Services to coordinate school to work transition services for students with disabilities at all secondary public schools in the metropolitan area.

2005

The Board approved seed funding for a project to implement work to retirement planning for supported employees at Barkuma Industries Barkuma was the first disability organization to be licensed to run though DTA the acclaimed 'Youth Opportunities' program, a very successful leadership program for young people.

PE held its first Employer Awards ceremony at Government House to acknowledge the contributions of employers in the employment success of PE's clients.

An on-line Learning Management System was established to enable the delivery of flexible, on-line training for staff and clients of Barkuma.

2006

Barkuma successfully tendered for a new disability employment [uncapped] program - the three year contract enabled PE to significantly expand employment services for people with a disability.

Barkuma amends its Constitution to enable PE, DTA and Client Services to broaden their service eligibility criteria and provide services to people with a disability other than an intellectual disability.

BCS expanded its 'In Home' tenancy support program in the northern suburbs of Adelaide with recurrent funding support from the state government.

Barkuma and Disability SA jointly funded a new pilot project to support parents with an intellectual disability in their parenting role. The project was conducted by BCS and was the first such service to be trialed in South Australia.

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