Ralph Sutton

Bernice Moorehouse

In 1956, the Reverend Ralph Sutton, a young and energetic leader from Wesley Mission, was injured in a serious car accident. The physical injuries that Reverend Sutton sustained meant that he experienced first hand the challenges that people with disabilities live with every day. In particular, Reverend Sutton came to understand more fully the loss of independence, the lapses in self-esteem, and the frustration of being treated differently because of his disability.

Two years later, the Reverend Sutton was approached by Bernice Moorhouse, a young woman with a hearing impairment who wanted to find meaningful employment. Her request struck a chord with Reverend Sutton, and he asked members of his parish to donate items of clothing, which were sorted, laundered and mended by Bernice in a small room at the rear of Wesley Mission, and then sold at a small price. This was the beginning of Good Samaritan Industries.

Bernice has been working for Good Samaritan Industries for more than 40 years now. She works alongside more than 450 people with disabilities who are supported in employment by the organisation. Despite many changes over the years, Good Samaritan Industries continues to be guided by the vision and values of its founder, the Reverend Ralph Sutton.

From these humble beginnings, Good Samaritan Industries now offers a much wider choice of employment and training opportunities to people with disabilities in Western Australia, and has helped approximately 5000 people to find meaningful employment over the years.