Swag and Sleeping Bag Library Helping Mornington Peninsulas’ Homeless

Late last Friday, two customers from our Campbell Page Frankston and Rosebud locations advised us they had no accommodation for the upcoming weekend. Team Peninsula where quick to jump to action, contacting all the available after hours resources in an effort to secure emergency accommodation.

Unfortunately, due to the shortage of available accommodation on the Peninsula, there were no safe placements. Undeterred, the team created their very own resource- the Swag and Sleeping Bag Library.

While it is not ideal that anyone has to sleep rough the Swag and Sleeping Bag Library means our customers have shelter and warmth when they need it most. The team donated their own money to purchase the swags and staff donated sleeping bags to ensure our customers have a warm and dry place to sleep until they can obtain more permanent accommodation.

Our staff now get to say we can help you. The swags are light, portable and weather proof so they can be easily carried and have room to fit personal belongings.- Jackie Hamilton, Job Support Officer.

Jackie and Joanne from the Frankston office also participated in the Fusion Sleep in Your Car campaign last year where they raised funds for youth homelessness on the Mornington Peninsula. That night showed how significant the problem of homelessness is in the area. The team are proud to be contributing to a solution in offering the Swag and Sleeping Bag Library. 

We are in it together and we want to do what is right and sometimes you get to do that by daring to be different.- Jackie Hamilton, Job Support Officer.


Campbell Page is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to making a difference in our communities. Our Disability Employment Services team work with people who have a disability, illness, injury or mental health condition to help them find great jobs and a brighter future. To find out more about our Disability Employment Services, please visit the DES page on our website. To find out more about Campbell Page please click here, or contact us directly.

Words by: Ella Driver

ella.driver@campbellpage.org.au

Palm Island is Preparing for the Deadly Didge N Dance Festival

To prepare for the Deadly Didge N Dance Festival being held on Palm Island from 20th April to 22nd April the Palm Island Community Development Programme Recycling Team assisted the local Bwygcolman Community State School in area beautification.

Through the utilisation of ladders and small trowels they were able to clean overgrown and blocked gutters around the school’s major buildings. The school grounds will be used as a camping ground for visitors who wish to camp overnight or over the three days of celebrations.

Our recycling team has been working hard to remove recyclable waste from Palm Island to the mainland. with the assistance of Reef Logistics, they have been able to send 6 x 44 gallon drums filled with copper wiring and 8 x pallets of old batteries to Sims Metals in Townsville. – Nathan Vinson, Palm Island community Development Programme

The removal of recyclable waste has enable the team to generate a small income, which they have been using to supplement their workplace with a sandwich maker, hot water urn and healthy morning teas.

2018 marks the centenary of the first forced placement of people on Palm Island and we, the Palm Island Community. The centenary provides an opportunity to reflect on the past 100 years, to celebrate our time now and to invest in a new future for our people. The Island’s Present will be celebrated with a 3-day, 2 night music festival, the “Deadly Didge ‘n’ Dance Festival”, which will feature performances by musicians and artists such as Isaiah Firebrace as well as local dancers, workshops, storytelling, poetry, markets and more. The festival will also feature attempts to break two Guinness World Records.


The Palm Island Community Development Programme (CDP) is a remote employment and community development service. Palm Island CDP aims to help people find work, while allowing them to contribute to their communities and gain skills at the same time. To find out more visit our CDP page or Contact us.

Words by: Tiarne Pattison

tiarne.pattison@campbellpage.org.au

Going for Gold: Heath Davidson has never let his disability hold him back

Heath Davidson isn’t your typical 30-year-old. He has achieved more than many dream of achieving in a lifetime – from World Team Cup doubles title in 2016 to winning the Men’s Quad Doubles gold medal at Rio and the doubles at the 2018 Australian Open.

One is for sure; Heath Davidson isn’t going to let his disability define his ability.

We met Heath in March 2015, just after he ended a ten-year hiatus from the tennis world. He was more motivated than ever before to succeed on the global stage alongside his wheelchair tennis doubles partner Dylan Alcott, but being a realist, he also knew that this was going to be tough.

He knew that it wasn’t a sure thing. So to back himself he looked at what courses he could do to compliment his passion for wheelchair tennis. – Monique Coates, Campbell Page Job Support Officer

After some consultation, Heath decided that a Fitness Diploma at Sage Institute of Fitness was the right path for him. Soon after enrolling, Heath qualified to compete in the World Team Cup in Japan, where he claimed his first title on an international stage, with his wheelchair tennis doubles partner, Dylan Alcott.  Following his success in Japan, he partnered with Alcott again in the 2016 Rio Olympic Games where the pair won gold for Australia in doubles wheelchair tennis.

Upon his return to Australia, the team in the Rosebud office were so excited to see Heath. Once the congratulations were said, Heath was eager to get back to work on how he could link his international success as a wheelchair tennis player to a career once he hangs up the racket. A big thing for Heath was also being able to help remove the stigma around disabilities and encourage and inspire others to work hard to reach their goals no matter what stands in their way.

It was at this point that Heath decided that Public Speaking could be a great route for him because it would allow him to share his story of determination and drive to succeed. – Ken Sheppard, Campbell Page Disability Employment Services (DES) Employment Consultant

Just this year, Heath competed in the 2018 Australian Open in both the singles and doubles wheelchair tennis competitions. He took out the doubles title with Alcott. Heath is currently a member of the Australian Institue of Sport and was recently announced as a top 5 wheelchair tennis player in the world and featured in an ANZ nationwide advertisement.

Heath is still currently a customer at Campbell Page and when he is available, he is always prepared to work hard to reach his next goals.

Congratulations on all of your successes Heath. We cannot wait to see what great thing you achieve next!


 

Palm Island locals reap the rewards for their hard work

Clarence and Thomas have both lived on Palm Island for the majority of their lives. They have both been a part of several of the Palm Island Community Development Programme activities in the last 18 to 24 months. Late last year they were a part of the nine participants who completed their Certificate III in Rural Operations – now they have both been jobs with Hutchinson Builders.

Both Clarence and Thomas have partners and five children each, so when they were offered the opportunity to upskill and gain their Certificate III in Rural Operations last year, both men were very keen to get involved and give themselves and their families a headstart.

Because Clarence and Thomas were so keen to get their formal qualification, no one on Palm Island was surprised they were offered the jobs with Hutchinson Builders. – Nathan Vinson, Palm Island Community Development Programme Manager

Clarence and Thomas’ new jobs mean that both men will be able to work and live on Palm Island while providing for their families as Hutchinson Builders have been contracted to build and develop the new Health Precinct on Palm Island.

We couldn’t be prouder of Thomas and Clarence! Their hard work and determination is proving to be the key to their success. – Nathan


The Palm Island Community Development Programme (CDP) is a remote employment and community development service. Palm Island CDP aims to help people find work, while allowing them to contribute to their communities and gain skills at the same time. To find out more visit our CDP page or Contact us.

Words by: Tiarne Pattison

tiarne.pattison@campbellpage.org.au

Interview confidence from interview outfit

Last week, our customer Teia from Campbell Page Box Hill gained the confidence she needed for her upcoming job interview through a brand new outfit that was completely free of charge.

This is not an uncommon occurrence for many of our customers because we partner with Wear for Success.

Wear for Success are a not-for-profit organisation that provides professional clothing and work skills training to help people put the best foot forward in the workplace.

Two volunteers assisted Teia over an hour, dressing her in outfits that she could potentially wear to her job interview – or even as an everyday uniform once she found a job that was right for her.

Teia was so excited to attend her job interview

She kept coming out and showing us all the clothes she was getting and in all honestly it was an incredible thing to see how comfortable, confident and engaged she was – like an entirely different person. – David Crichton, Campbell Page Box Hill Service Leader

This trip to Wear for Success wasn’t the regular trip that David had come to get used to after many years working with Jodie from Wear for Success – when Teia was being dressed professionally for her interview, our partnership with Wear for Success Melbourne was highlighted on the 9News Jo Hall Special Report. Click here to view the clip.

Interviews are touch - luckily Teia had some help from our partners Wear for Success

By the end of the day, Teia was feeling confident and ready to attend her interviews.

The smile that is on Teia is HUGE! I haven’t seen this much of a smile on her and it got bigger and bigger throughout the day. – David

Teia had found the confidence to ace her job interview

I feel like I could ace my next interview. Honestly, I feel great. – Teia

Wear for Success commenced in 2011 and is a not-for-profit organisation run by a dedicated group of volunteers and management team, including a Volunteer Board. Since then they have helped over 3,800 people needing support on their journey back to work.


Campbell Page is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to making a difference in our communities. Our Disability Employment Services team work with people who have a disability, illness, injury or mental health condition to help them find great jobs and a brighter future. To find out more about our Disability Employment Services, please visit the DES page on our website. To find out more about Campbell Page please click here, or contact us directly.

Words by: Tiarne Pattison

tiarne.pattison@campbellpage.org.au 

Dapto community continues to thrive 3 years on from grant

Three years ago, Campbell Page was celebrating its 30th birthday by making a total of $30,000 in grants across the many communities we operate in and community organisations we partner with. Now, three years on we check in with Jill at the Dapto Anglican Café.

In the time since we began working with Jill, she has supported over 50 Work for the Dole participants, mentoring them and helping them to change their perspective on their abilities.

Jill and the Dapto Anglican Café partnered with Campbell Page Dapto to help make a difference in the community by providing opportunities for Work for the Dole participants to learn new skills and build their confidence.

The support Jill and her team have provided, and continue to provide to our customers and the wider community is phenomenal.

Below are three examples of the fantastic work Jill and the team at the Dapto Anglican Café are doing for the community:

  • A young woman who was not interested in working in hospitality began her placement at the Café. Jill worked with her to build her confidence and her skill set. Over time, she came to develop a love of cooking and began looking for Chef Apprenticeship positions. A Campbell Page team member worked with Jill to get her customer closer to achieving her goals.  She is now 6 months into her apprenticeship and still regularly visits Jill to keep her updated on her progress.
  • Helena came to Campbell Page very reserved and lacking in confidence. She didn’t believe that anyone would hire her. Campbell Page referred her to Jill for Work for the Dole and she discovered she really enjoyed serving the customers which built up her confidence to a point where she felt comfortable interacting with people. Jill supported and helped Helena apply for a job where she has now been employed at for over four months.
  • Blake is a young man from a troubled background and a family of long-term generational unemployment. He really resisted doing Work for the Dole but found a connection with Jill and the team. Blake began to believe he could contribute more and realised he wanted a better future for himself. Jill discovered that Blake had a passion for working with motors and encouraged this passion by assisting him to find the confidence to apply for positions. Blake is now employed in a local lawn mower repair shop, doing what he loves.

The work experience that Work for the Dole provides is invaluable, but it is the extra effort that Jill puts into each and every person in their program that makes it truly successful. – Louise Sedgewick, Campbell Page


Campbell Page is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to making a difference in our communities. Our jobactive team work with people to help build their strengths to find great jobs and a brighter future.  If you would like to find out more about what we do, please click here to view our About Us page or here to Contact Us directly.

Words by: Tiarne Pattison

tiarne.pattison@campbellpage.org.au 

Getting back to work has been the best thing for Bill’s health

Getting back to work was a priority for Bill when he first came to the Campbell Page Sunshine office. He was anxious and nervous but knew that finding a job would be the best thing for his health.

Bill is a qualified Electrical Engineer and had previously had roles in that industry. He was frustrated at not being able to manage and control his health but knew that if he had a little bit of help getting back to work wouldn’t be so bad.

I was set on getting back to work but from my health to my low self-esteem I didn’t think I’d be able to do it alone. – Bill

Together, Bill and his Employment Consultant, Corinna, worked together on finding a job that was right for him and wouldn’t have a negative impact on his health.

Bill was always very accommodating and flexible, advising that he was willing to accept any reasonable job. – Corinna Lafontaine, Employment Consultant

There were a few jobs available at the time, however, none were 100% right for Bill, until Cecilia Hoang, the Sunshine Service Leader, advised that Ozstaff were looking to fill a picker packer role.

We discussed this role with Bill and although he had never worked in this capacity, he was willing to give it a go. – Cecilia Hoang, Service Leader

Bill was accepted for a job interview, passed his induction, and soon commenced as a picker packer. Since commencing employment, Bill has found different methods of coping with, and managing, his health. He has impressed the employer so much, that they asked him to do his forklift course, so that they could train him for another role.

Corinna sourced the course and Campbell Page financially assisted me. I’m now the proud owner of a forklift license and am working full time hours! I couldn’t have done it without Corinna or Cecilia’s help. – Bill

Bill went on to explain that he is grateful for the support Campbell Page provided to him and how much this job has raised his confidence and self-esteem again.


Campbell Page is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to making a difference in our communities.Our Disability Employment Services team work with people who have a disability, illness, injury or mental health condition to help them find great jobs and a brighter future. To find out more about our Disability Employment Services, please visit the DES page on our website. To find out more about Campbell Page please click here, or contact us directly.

Words by: Tiarne Pattison

tiarne.pattison@campbellpage.org.au 

Proud Single Mother Turns Dream into Reality

Katherine is a single mother from Eden who has always wanted to pursue a career in aged care. Unfortunately, like so many other single mothers, she had been through many trials and tribulations throughout her life which had stopped her from reaching her goals.

Katherine first came to Campbell Page in 2013 because her daughter was struggling to stay in school. Together, Katherine and her teenage daughter began receiving support through the Campbell Page Reconnect Program, which helps young Australians at risk of leaving home or school.

At this time Katherine mentioned her desire to work within the aged care industry, however, she knew that finding and affording childcare as a single mother studying would be a huge feat. Her dream was tabled for several years while she focused on raising her children and ensuring her daughter stayed on the right path.

It was three years later when Katherine revisited her dream and signed up to become an NCAP customer. The NCAP Program is specifically designed to help Indigenous Australians over the age of 16 into training and eventually a job.

single mother of 5, Katherine, is proud to have finally reached her goals!

Three years later and we finally got closer to helping Katherine achieve her dream and the first step was getting her qualified. – Maryanne Griffiths, Campbell Page Indigenous and Youth Programs Manager

Before Katherine was enrolled in a Certificate III in Individual Support, she had already begun to build her skill set by gaining her First Aid and CPR qualifications, so once she started the course she already had some knowledge behind her to build her confidence.

While she was completing the course, Katherine faced a number of challenges, but she was able to work her way through it all, and even ended up inspiring her daughter to join her in completing the course while figuring out what she wanted to do after school.

Being a single mother on Centerlink, I didn’t have much money for child care, internet or even a computer so I would handwrite all of my assessments.  – Katherine

Together with her Cert III and other related qualifications, Katherine successfully landed a work placement at Bupa Aged Care Homes. Following her work placement, Katherine applied for a job with Bupa Aged Care Homes and got it!

Getting the job has been amazing for me and my family! See my success has even inspired my daughter to complete Year 10 at school while completing a school-based traineeship in aged care. I couldn’t be prouder! – Katherine

Katherine’s daughter only has 2 modules left to complete in her school-based traineeship and has been working six days per week in the school holidays as a cleaner. Katherine’s other daughter has also been motivated by her mother and older sister and has started an after-school job.

I am incredibly proud of Katherine and her girls! I can’t wait to see what is next for the whole family! – Maryanne

It has been a long road for Katherine, but after four years with Campbell Page, this single mother has now reached her goals and inspired her family to do so too. Congratulations Katherine!


Campbell Page is a not-for-profit dedicated to making a difference in our communities. Throughout the South Coast of NSW, we run programs to help Indigenous Australians and young people find the right path in life. If you would like to find out more, please click here, or contact us directly.

Youth Services

Indigenous Services

Words by: Tiarne Pattison

tiarne.pattison@campbellpage.org.au 

Spotlight on our Palm Island Artists: Robert Nugent

Robert Nugent was born on Palm Island and has lived there his entire life.

When he was younger he found going to school to be very difficult. He was very withdrawn and shy, so the social aspect of it became increasingly difficult for Robert to handle.

As he grew into a teenager, these feelings morphed into disrespect for authority.

 I became wild and acted dangerously. I had no respect for the law, and that is when I landed myself in jail.

While in jail, Robert said he was angry, stressed about his future and felt like a lost soul looking for answers. It was at this point in his life when Robert picked up a paintbrush for the first time.

It was like a bolt out the blue when I picked up a paintbrush and began creating art.  I felt uplifted – I felt at peace finally.

Robert is now 36 and living on the Island with his mother who he is very close with. He loves to paint the animals that live on Palm Island, bush tucker and experiment with traditional Indigenous Australian art techniques.


Campbell Page is a not for profit organisation, dedicated to making a difference in our communities. To find out more about our Community programs and Indigenous Support services, Contact us or email hello@campbellpage.org.au

Words by: Tiarne Pattison

tiarne.pattison@campbellpage.org.au 

Landing a Job in Customer Service – Ghada’s Inspiring Story

Landing a job was a priority for Ghada when came to the Campbell Page Epping Hub after moving from Perth. She was determined, but she lacked the confidence to achieve her goals.

Ghada was going through a lot in her personal life, from homelessness and depression to family issues. Ghada was struggling but her Employment Consultant, Con, believed in her.

Ghada could not see all the potential she had, however, I could and I wanted to do anything I could to help her achieve her goals. – Con Petropoulos, Campbell Page Employment Consultant

Unsure of how she was going to go about landing a job,  Ghada and Con started by reflecting on the tough times she was going through and discussing the potential positive qualities Ghada had gained from her experiences. Determination, empathy and perseverance were two qualities that Con continued to see in Ghada.

Together, they began working on Ghada’s self-esteem by highlighting the skills that she already possessed and identifying what roles she would be perfect for. This journey towards building Ghada’s confidence was not something that happened overnight, but instead of letting it hold her back, Ghada pushed herself to start using the skills she had identified with Con and start applying for jobs.

Con never gave up on me. He knew I was determined to get my life back on track and made sure he was available to help me through my journey. I’m now the most confident I have ever been in my life. – Ghada

After 12 months with Con at the Campbell Page, Ghada’s hard work paid off when she landed a job as a National Customer Service Manager.

Ghada still struggles with her confidence occasionally but she now feels stronger and more focused on where her life is headed.

 I am now employed full time as the National Customer Service Manager! The future for me looks bright and stable and I give most of the credit to Con for not letting me give up. – Ghada


Campbell Page is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to making a difference in our communities.Our Disability Employment Services team work with people who have a disability, illness, injury or mental health condition to help them find great jobs and a brighter future. To find out more about our Disability Employment Services, please visit the DES page on our website. To find out more about Campbell Page please click here, or contact us directly.

Words by: Tiarne Pattison

tiarne.pattison@campbellpage.org.au