The 1980s

Printing, cardboard box manufacturing, woodcraft and sewing business were all functioning well. The sewing section was now manufacturing garments for several leading hospitals while FCB Woodcraft was increasing its range of furniture and selling through Perth’s leading retailers.

In 1983 a Heidelberg offset printing machine and 45 inch programmable guillotine were purchased with the assistance of government funding. By now the canteen was servicing up to 200 people per day.

In 1985 the decision was made to install a computer to handle accounts and manufacturing practices. This followed detailed studies in conjunction with computer experts and the Department of Community Services (DOCS), after which the association were confident that the use of advanced technology would increase the efficiency of their activities.

In 1982 an additional 10 bedroom wing was opened at the Shenton Park hostel and a new 25-seater fully air-conditioned bus was purchased for rehabilitee transport. In February 1985 two units (Margaret Rickard Units) were opened by Sir Charles Court at the hostel and an Independence Training Program for these units was established to enable residents to learn to live independently by providing basic training in household skills, budgeting, shopping and cooking. The Tuberculosis and Chest Association also worked actively with DOCS to provide financial and moral support for rehabilitation of people with disabilities. As part of the policy to assist the disabled to live in the community, the Tuberculosis and Chest Association with DOCS assistance purchased two units in 1986 (Cornerstone Villas in Subiaco) which housed four people. A further eight people would be later housed in two rented Homeswest houses in Kondoola.

The Tuberculosis and Chest Association also continued supporting the international fight against tuberculosis and provided financial support to tuberculosis treatment programmes in Pakistan and Tibet.

In the latter part of the decade the new Federal Disability Services Act was introduced. This legislation required greater emphasis to be placed on training people with disabilities towards independent living and the provision of supported employment schemes as distinct from sheltered workshops.

During this decade there was an average of around 70 new cases of tuberculosis in Western Australia each year. Only one third of those affected were born in Australia with the majority of the others coming from South East Asia.

Canteen during the 1980s