Rebecca Kerrison and Joshua Reid were the inaugural winners of Blueline Laundry’s Charles Mansfield Award. 

Blueline’s Grant Coker-Williams said the award was in memory of a former worker.

“There was a guy by the man of Charles Mansfield who was sent down to Blueline in Hobart in 1990 to shut the factory down,” he said. 

“But, then realised there were some real benefits in changing Blueline to what it is today.”

The company now employs more than 25 Launceston residents who are living with an intellectual disability, and about 90 other employees. 

“We selected workers that have proven to excel at what they’re doing and have continued to learn all the time and are dedicated to their jobs,” Mr Coker-Williams said. 

He said picking the award winners was a difficult task, but the recipients were chosen because of their commitment to work and to the community. 

“Rebecca and Josh are doing a certificate one in workplace operations at the moment and they’re three parts the way through it, which is great,” Mr Coker-Williams said. 

“But, It’s also about doing things outside of work too. With Joshua he is involved with art and he has had some of his art put on display.”

Rebecca is involved in TasPop, the organisation that runs Tasmania’s AICon and MyCon events. 

“Bec is involved in Hobart. She now travels down to Hobart by herself sometimes to attend functions and be part of the committee,” Mr Coker-Williams said.  

“So, we also look at their involvement in the community as well.” 

Rebecca, who has worked at the laundry factory for about 18 months, said winning the award was not expected. 

“I was actually really surprised, if anything,” she said. 

The award will be given in 2018, too. Mr Coker-Williams said the selection criteria would be very similar. 

“It will really be about their enthusiasm that the person shows and their willingness to learn,” he said.