DESPITE not being open for browsing in-store like many regional businesses, Billabong Garden Complex is excited to still be able to provide customers their gardening needs with ‘drive-thru sales’ and keep their staff who are able to work busy.
“Spring is here, blossoms are bursting, new foliage growth is lush and the days are getting longer and are warming up,” said Billabong Garden Complex Manager Tracy Lamont.
“Since being forced to close, we have had customers contact us daily wanting plants and gardening supplies; it has been heart-breaking that we have been unable to supply them.”
Not wanting to let their customers down, the Billabong team got creative and are now offering the unique service for locals to put a spring back in their step.
Billabong is a social enterprise of disability service provider, ConnectGV. It provides training and employment for people with a disability in its onsite propagation nursery. Billabong was established almost 20 years ago, and along with supplying the community with quality locally grown plants, its main reason for existence is to provide and encourage the benefits of horticultural therapy.
“Being a social enterprise, Billabong is a part of a greater whole, that being ConnectGV. Maintaining staffing for the people we support has been first and foremost on everyone’s minds,” said ConnectGV CEO, Carolynne Frost.
“Over the last couple of weeks, we have seen our team step outside their comfort zone. This includes our Billabong team whom have put their hands up as back up staff in the event that we have required a surge workforce to maintain our core support programs for people with a disability.
“It is times like this that you really cannot find the words to express how truly grateful we are for the amazing teams around us.”
During the lockdown period Billabong Garden Complex is open Monday to Friday from 10am to 3pm for drive-thru sales, call and collect and local deliveries. For delivery and call and collect please call 5821 8632 to order.
