Tasmanian disability employment service, TasTextiles, is proving Tasmanians are believers from the beginning!
Minister for Disability Services, Jo Palmer, visited the local organisation today to see firsthand the merchandise they have knitted for the Tasmanian AFL team, as support continues to build for our very own team.
“To date nearly 500 scarves have been purchased by Tasmanians, and they are being knitted right here in Tasmania by TasTextiles,” Minister Palmer said.
“You can imagine the pride that the TasTextiles team has being involved in such a significant project. It’s so wonderful to have them on board the believer train.”
The scarves were created as part of the commemorative merchandise to mark the milestone year the 19th AFL licence was granted to Tasmania.
TasTextiles’ mission is to support people with a disability to experience meaningful employment in a supportive environment.
“TasTextiles was a natural choice to make the scarves because this company has been producing knitwear in Tasmania since 1946,” Minister Palmer said.
“They’re also a workplace that provides independence, employment and opportunities to 16 of their 30 staff through the NDIS.”
The scarves are a lightweight material 100% knitted and embroidered in Tasmania.
“The team is very focused on getting prototypes right and the embroidery perfected – and that’s evident in the outcome,” Minister Palmer said.
TasTextiles also has the ability to produce at scale and on demand, and were not locked into large minimum orders meaning it has been helpful in managing stock on hand.
Tas Textiles Executive Manager, Linda Goram-Aitken, said it has been very exciting for everyone involved particularly when they had to keep it under wraps.
“There are more than 92,000 people who have joined the Believers to date and so it is potentially a huge and memorable experience for us,” Ms Goram-Aitken said.
“The comments online have been extremely supportive and so nice.”
Tasmania Football Club’s Executive Director Kath McCann said the club is proud to partner with TasTextiles.
“TasTextiles are an incredible community organisation producing great products and creating positive outcomes for their staff, they are a great representation of the Tasmanian brand,” She said.
“The Tasmania Football Club is committed to working with local businesses to deliver exceptional products, services and experiences to our fans, and this partnership is a brilliant example of that.
“The scarves that have been produced are of the highest quality, as well as being handcrafted and made with heart.
“We thank all of the staff at TasTextiles for their hard work and dedication in delivering such an outstanding product in a true Tasmanian partnership.”
The scarves are available for purchase from the Believe Tasmania website. (https://believetasmanian.com.au/product/believer-from-the-beginning-scarf).
