History

Merrimu Services Inc was founded by a group of parents in 1973, catering for children and adults with an intellectual disability. In 1986 the responsibility of children was taken over by the Department of Education and they remained in the facility at Melton, now called the Melton Specialist School. A building was built for adults in Bacchus Marsh, with funds raised by the parent group and matched by the Department of Human Services. Merrimu is governed by a Committee of Management that is independent of the organisation’s employees.

Today, Merrimu Services Inc. has an adult clientele of 117 and operates out of two community campuses, Melton and Bacchus Marsh. All people who receive day activity options are living with a disability. The organization auspices two shops in the CBD of Bacchus Marsh and Hillside that sells giftware, children’s clothing, furniture, quilts, handbags, maternity wear, baby gifts, cards, to name a few. The shops are conducted as an activity option and are not a profit making venture. Each Campus operates an Op Shop to the public, this provides a good training ground for retail skills and independent living skills.

During the past year the organisation has developed a very successful respite service which is providing individual support in the community, day activities during the holidays and overnight holiday options to Merrimu’s clientele.

This year Merrimu is conducting Certificate 1 in Work Education at Victoria University, Melton. Ten people from Merrimu have commenced the course part time. In 2009, Merrimu will offer it to school leavers as a full time option.

Team

Staff are employed for their expertise in delivering activity options. Staff who do not hold a disability qualification are supported by the organisation in work time, to gain their qualification. The service has 28 full time and 18 part time staff; this includes Management, Instructors, Administration, Bus Drivers and Chaperones. The service has a pool of 9 casual staff that receives the same opportunities for training as the permanent staff; Merrimu believes that clients are entitled to receive expert support when the regular person is unavailable. Merrimu has volunteers in Woodwork, Op Shop and Horticulture activities.