More than 20 Southland disAbility Enterprises staff have experienced the joys and frustrations of returning to work this week after several weeks of staying at home during the COVID-19 lockdown.

The joys included celebrating the news that their workmate Sandra Wilson was the overall winner of SdE’s annual awards, earning her a cash prize and trophy, plus a photograph on SdE’s wall of fame.

Ms Wilson’s win was announced during an Attitude Television programme on TV One last Sunday (May 10). 

While she was not among the workers rostered to return this week, she is expected to be back in the packing room as New Zealand steps down through the COVID-19 response levels and more people can return to work.

A second joy for staff was the arrival of the first recycling truck, which happened to be from Te Anau. 

The recycling contents were clean, correct and ready for manual processing and SdE general manager Hamish McMurdo said he was impressed by the effort of Te Anau’s community.

“We have never seen it looking so good,’’ he said.

Te Anau had made a “really brilliant’’ effort to make the first day of manual processing quite special, he said.

“Our people did really appreciate that. It makes life so much more comfortable. They don’t have to delve through rotten stuff or nappies,’’ he said.

The sorrow was the arrival of another truck with a discarded ceramic toilet on board.

It now features in a photo on SdE’s Facebook page as a reminder of what not to put in your household yellow wheelie bin.

Mr McMurdo said staff were astounded by the arrival of the toilet, especially after reminders had gone out about what could and could not be recycled.

“Who is going to stick their toilet in the recycling bin? What are we going to do with ceramics?’’

Despite the toilet incident, Mr McMurdo said the staff were “thrilled to be back at work.’’

“They were very loud, very boisterous, very jovial,’’ he said.

Southland disAbility Enterprises general manager Hamish McMurdo takes staff through a return to work induction yesterday. PHOTO: Shelley Clark

The returning workforce also includes six people employed as drivers and supervisors.

“The staff were very good at following the rules. We have big distance points going on here. The main issue is keeping a distance during breaks. They have been great, very patient,’’ he said.

More workers are expected to return to work from Monday May 18.

Sandra Wilson has been named the overall winner at the annual Southland disAbility Enterprises awards. PHOTO: Shelley Clark

Watch the Attitude segment on the Southland disAbility Enterprises team below.