Bindi Enterprises is an innovative social enterprise providing supported employment and training opportunities for people with disability. Bindi is the only organisation of its kind in Central Australia providing all people with equal recognition, equal treatment and equal opportunity.
Bindi has been operating as an employment and community access provider in Alice Springs since 1978. The centre was established by parents of people living with disability to address the lack of employment and community engagement opportunities for those marginalised by mainstream workforces. Today, Bindi Enterprises continues to do this within four departments; The Contracts Department, the Bindi Workshop, the Bindi Mwerre Anthurre Artists and the Bindi Digital Arts Program.
Bindi also provides community participation options for individuals to develop skills in a range of art and craft, work practices, commercial industries and independent living skills.
These services are complemented by tailored case management to enhance outcomes for people. This involves liaising with relevant service providers and fielding transitions into meaningful employment.
“I like Bindi because it’s not just about what we do, it’s about valuing people in our community”
— Andrew Harrison
Supported Employee
“I remember and imagine things, and then I paint them. When I imagine something I make it real.”
— Lizzie Trew
Bindi Artist
Our History
Bindi’s Story
The story of Bindi’s conception is one of pioneering and determination, community and care. At the time of its establishment in 1978 it was still common practice for people living with disability to spend their lives in institutions.
Twelve years earlier Telka Williams had founded The Sunny Centre, Alice Springs’ first school catering specifically for young people with disability.
Motivated by the need to provide education and community access to her daughter and other young people living with disability in Alice Springs, Telka saw the first generation of graduates were emerging with no real employment options available to them. Bindi was founded by Telka with the invaluable help of some volunteers and community goodwill on the principle that people living with a disability should have the right to access meaningful employment.
