Move fired up

By Kath Gannaway
WESLEY Fire and Clay’s move from wall tiles to fine ceramics and glassware opened up a brave new world of opportunity for its workforce.
For many years the Fire and Clay’s Lilydale factory produced functional and decorative wall tiles, each one beautiful and unique. A job well done.
Now, however, the factory is so much more a creative workspace for the 40 workers with disabilities who produce an impressive range of hand-crafted products, many of them art works in their own right.
Co-ordinator Gerard McAdam said the production is a team effort with a focus on each person’s ability.
“Each worker has a valued role and is respected for their individual skills,” he said.
“Some people do decoration, some production, some tackle a variety of tasks while others stick to one aspect,” he added.
“It’s a real team effort.”
The result is impressive.
The showroom offers a glimpse of the range of products available from tableware and one-off ceramic pieces and a new line in glass bowls, platters and jewellery. There is a definite ‘wow factor’ to many of the pieces.
Mr McAdam said Wesley Fire and Clay offers the opportunity for employment.
“One of the first things people ask when they meet you is ‘what do you do’.
“For a lot of our people the answer for a long time has been ‘nothing’. Now they say ‘I’m a potter’. It gives a real sense of identity.”
The range of products, and particularly the artwork, is as varied and as interesting as the people who create them.
Fire and Clay can also personalise items by putting logos and designs on glassware and ceramics and reproduce photographs on mugs, mouse mats, T-shirts and jigsaws.
The inaugural Wesley Fire and Clay Annual Art Exhibition and sale will take place on 7 and 8 August.