Yackandandah's Scoop 21 opens to provide employment

Scoop 21 currently employs about 10 people with disabilities from the North East and Border region, and is the first hospitality venture for owner and former physio Stefan Heintjes.

Mr Heintjes said he had worked and volunteered throughout his career to support people with a range of different disabilities.

"In today's world I think there is too few real employment opportunities for people with a disability and I think we can do way more as a society," he said.

"Often people with a disability apply for a job or go to the interview and don't hear back, they don't get a chance because people look at the disability more than the person."

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Mr Heintjes said a couple of weeks ago he held staff trials before hiring a number of employees.

"They were over the moon," he said of his employees. "At the moment we have about 10 staff, all locals, from Yackandandah, Beechworth and Wodonga and it's a range of people from people with autism to people with down syndrome. Everyone loves having a chance to contribute to society and to be viewed as full members of the community."

Mr Heintjes said the shop had a 'soft open' last month, but celebrated its grand opening on Sunday where staff and their families had the chance to get to know their customers.

For more information visit Scoop 21's Facebook page.