Fantastic launch of the publication, Tasmanian Social Enterprises; Capturing their stories last week in Launceston. Ben from Two Hands Coffee spoke about the importance of social enterprises that can engage, train and employ young people and his own personal experience of volunteering and then working for Two Hands. The publication is available as hard copy and also will be online soon through the Institute for Regional Development's website. 

Thanks to Deputy Mayor, Alderman Jeremy Ball and all who attended the launch. The day may have been grey, but the stories were inspiring and the coffee was excellent.

Capturing Tasmanian Social Enterprise Stories

A publication profiling the stories of Tasmania’s expanding social enterprise sector will be launched in Launceston tomorrow (Wednesday May 23).

Tasmanian Social Enterprises: Capturing their stories profiles 13 organisations across the state, all of whom generate profits for public benefit from enterprises as diverse as a wildlife sanctuary and commercial printing business. 

“Following the release of the Tasmanian Social Enterprise Study this time last year, there was a general call from the sector to build awareness about successful social enterprises, and there is no better way to do so than through stories,”  according to the publication’s author, Kylie Eastley.

 “The publication is designed as a resource for organisations seeking to establish a social enterprise and highlights the critical success factors as well as the challenges, both big and small,” she said.

Ms Eastley, who has had a long involvement in community arts social enterprises, said the publication would support the work of the newly formed Tasmanian Social Enterprise Network which has 150 organisations registered. 

“We have worked closely with the University of Tasmania’s Institute for Regional Development to put this publication together with support from the Tasmanian Leaders program and Tasmanian Regional Arts.

“Many of the organisations profiled have been working away quietly in communities, developing the skills of people marginalised by circumstance,  giving them the opportunity to be employed and productive contributors in ways that really matter,”  Ms Eastley said.

Wednesday’s launch will be conducted by the Deputy Mayor of Launceston City Council, Ald Jeremy Ball and will be catered for by the social enterprises, Two Hands Coffee Cart and Big Bickies.

For further information contact:

Eliza Wood

Media and Events Officer

UTAS Cradle Coast campus

Phone: 6430 4949

Email: Eliza.Wood@utas.edu.au

Foresters Community Finance, Social Enterprise Solutions & Community Asset Building

Join us for an interactive and educational (and free) workshop designed to help you understand:

• recent shifts in community finance
• how a loan for asset purchase could help your social enterprise
• the barriers that exist to accessing finance for asset purchase and business development

Is your social enterprise considering:

• growth & expansion
• property purchase
• business development
• refurbishment
• new products
• new equipment

The Tasmanian Social Enterprise Network is pleased to offer you the opportunity to take advantage of one of three venues in Tasmania:

Hobart:           Tuesday May 1 9am-1pm
Launceston:     Wednesday May 2 9am-1pm
Burnie:            Wednesday May 2 3-6pm

Spaces are limited to 50, please register online today at www.foresters.org.au/knowledge-exchance/events.html

Working Groups

A core working group of passionate individuals is maintaining the momentum of social enterprise in Tasmania. These all head up the small working groups that are addressing the objectives identified at last years workshop. This is a true collaboration which includes business, government, the community sector and the arts working together to explore the possibilities. So sign up as a member of the blog, get onto the facebook page and become involved in the conversation.

Social Enterprise Network Objectives

Great outcomes from the social enterprise workshop that was held in December. 


The group identified 5 key objectives to focus on that included:

1. Raise awareness of social enterprise

2. Increase access to funds and financial products

3. Increase access to markets

4. Build trading capacity of social enterprises

5. Coordination of support for social enterprises