Passionate job seeker, Kylie has always wanted to work with animals but was clear that she might need a helping hand to see her dream become her career.

Campbell Page Employment Broker, Tracy Stammers worked with Kylie to assist her in finding employment with animals. After contacting a number of employers, Tracy got in touch with Trent Pennuto of TJP Racing.

Trent mentioned that he had a Stable Hand position available and expressed interest in meeting with Kylie. As Trent is a well-known horse trainer and has had one of his horse run in The Melbourne Cup, you can imagine how excited Kylie was for this opportunity. – Tracy Stammers

Together, Kylie and Tracy got to work on mastering Kylie’s interview skills and ensuring that she was well presented for her interview. This included attending an appointment at Dress for Success. On the day of the interview Tracy offered to drive Kylie to and from the interview so she could support her both before and after, and go over some quick last minute interview tips.

Kylie was nervous that she wouldn’t get the job because she had mentioned that she would prefer not to work on a Saturday due to parental commitments. Tracy supported her decision and spoke with Trent to negotiate this.

I was worried that I would have to work Saturday shifts – not because I didn’t want the work, but because it is important for me to maintain a relationship with my daughter. And spending time with her is a big part of that – Kylie

Kylie was offered the job that day and was asked whether she could start the following day at 4am.

Of course I said yes! I was so excited to finally begin working in an industry that I was passionate about. None of it would have been possible without Tracy’s ongoing support.

Congratulations Kylie! If you are interested in finding employment that allows you to be passionate and enthusiastic about your work, contact us or visit our about us page to find out how Campbell Page can help you.

At 54, Heba was inspired to make a positive change in her life and pursue her dream career. At the same time, she was unsure on how to make her dream a reality – which is what Campbell Page helped with.
Heba met with her Campbell Page Employment Consultant Jo. Together they started working on a career plan that would see her moving out of the Hospitality industry and into massage therapy.

Despite Heba’s strong desire and motivation to reach her goals, she revealed to Jo that she suffers from a severe form of depression in conjunction with various other medical conditions. This was a constant factor that was affecting her confidence to take this step towards her dream career.

One of my biggest concerns about pursuing my dream career was that I wouldn’t be able to find training or employment that allowed me to have flexible work hours. I knew this was something I needed to allow for the days where my mental health had to be put first. – Heba

Jo and Heba discussed the course options available over a few consultations. They found a course that would  see her get the qualifications she needed to take this important step in her career plan, but also flexible. As Heba was nearing the end of her course, she and Jo began looking at potential employment opportunities.

Heba announced that she would ideally love to be able to work for herself – and we ran with that! – Jo Remedios, Employment Consultant

Immediately, Jo suggested the Campbell Page NEIS Program that assists people gain the skills and knowledge needed to start their own business.

I was provided with the building blocks for establishing a successful business through the NEIS Program and the support, guidance and encouragement I desperately needed from Jo.

Having her own business meant that Heba was in full control over her hours and did not have to stress about having to go to work when she needed to have some time to put herself first.

Heba has now been running her business for over three months, is earning an income that is sustainable and is building her business with high hopes for the future.
Congratulations Heba for taking a huge step forward, and also to Jo from Campbell Page, for her ongoing support and guidance.

Campbell Page is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to transforming people’s lives. If you or someone you know is struggling with their mental health please visit the Lifeline website or call them on 13 11 14.
If you would like to find out more about what we do, or would like to get in contact with your closest Campbell Page Hub, please visit out website.

Words by: Tiarne Pattison

tiarne.pattison@campbellpage.org.au

Paul came to Campbell Page as a highly skilled job seeker, who had been struggling to find steady employment for 10 years. Having previously worked as a fully qualified electrician, Paul’s long stretch of troubles maintaining employment was not due to his inability to work hard – it was due to his health.

As a young man, Paul was fit, sociable, healthy and a hard worker. Friends and family were shocked when he had a heart attack, that left him with a pacemaker and therefore unable to continue his employment as an electrician.

After my heart attack, I felt horrible knowing that I could no longer work in my chosen field. I began to pull away from my friends and family, because I didn’t want to burden them with my problems. – Paul

Time passed by and 10 years later Paul was still struggling to not only get an interview, but maintain employment for more than a week.

That is when Paul met with his Employment Consultant Shamir and the Employment Broker at Frankston, Tracy to discuss different employment options.

After many discussions with Paul, Shamir and myself, we decided that a courier position at Brakes and More would be a perfect fit. – Tracy Stamers, Campbell Page Employment Broker.

The job only had short hours of work, but Shamir and Tracy were confident they could get the hours increased if Paul demonstrated his work ethic.

I drove Paul to meet with the employer at Brakes and More. He was nervous, so we went through some interview techniques on the way. By the time we arrived, Paul was feeling confident that he could land the job. – Tracy.

Paul went in for his informal interview, and afterwards Tracy met with the employer to discuss Paul participating in a premedical check before moving forward in the recruitment process.

I passed the premedical and thankfully was offered a second interview! – Paul

Paul did so well in the interview they offered him the job and asked him to start the following week. Tracy and Shamir continue to provide support for both the employer and Paul – even arranging new work boots for Paul.

Together with Paul, Tracy and Shamir have put some strategies in place for Paul to let the employer know if he needs any further assistance or support during the transition period.

I feel so much better about myself! I am sleeping better and looking forward to my future. It’s honestly not just the money that will come from my employment, but I am socialising with co-workers and getting more enjoyment out of my day to day life. – Paul

Campbell Page is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to transforming people’s lives. If you are struggling to find employment or want to find out more about Campbell Page, please visit our website or alternatively, contact your nearest Campbell Page Hub directly.

Words by: Tiarne Pattison

tiarne.pattison@campbellpage.org.au

Our Community Development Programme (CDP) is our remote employment and community development service on Palm Island. CDP has two parts; helping people find work,and allowing them to contribute to their communities and gain skills while looking for work.

Corrina Ross is a 20 year old Indigenous woman from Palm Island. Campbell Page CDP assisted Corrina in gaining work ready skills and eventually employment.
While receiving Youth Allowance, Corrina was determined to build her skillet, find long-term employment and give back to her community.

At this point in time, Campbell Page CDP was running a program through the Arts Centre. While Corrina was only a participant in this program for two weeks, she gained confidence in herself, experienced a rise in self-esteem, learnt team building skills and further developed her verbal and nonverbal communication skills.

After these two weeks within the program, Corrina applied for a job with Campbell Page and got it! She came on board in November 2015 and has not slowed down since.

I have worked across a variety of tasks in the company which has given me the opportunity to develop a range of skills and learn about the business at different levels. – Corrina Ross

Employment with Campbell Page has allowed Corrina to stay on Palm Island and assist in developing the community and seeing it thrive. The position has given Corrina financial security and a sense of achievement and belonging.

I wanted to contribute to my community. Gaining employment from the very people who helped me, inspired me to continue the cycle.

Congratulations Corrina! Campbell Page has benefited greatly from having you apart of our CDP Team on Palm Island.

If you would like to find out more about the CDP and our work on Palm Island please visit our Campbell Page website.

Words: Tiarne Pattison

tiarne.pattison@campbellpage.org.au

This year, the Campbell Page CDP team on Palm Island have been working together to fund the construction of BioWicked garden beds. The garden beds have been located across the community, including at ‘Chook city’, Ferdy’s Haven Rehabilitation Aboriginal Corporation, the Palm Island Children and Family Centre and SOLAS to encourage community engagement.

The largest installations to date have been at the Palm Island Children and Family Centre and Ferdy’s Haven Rehabilitation Aboriginal Corporation. These community sites installed four garden beds consisting of a ‘veggie bed’ with seating and trellising and a built-in worm farm attached to a ‘herb cube’ and a ‘fruit box’. There is also a deeper stand-alone ‘banana box’.

The veggie bed has a large built-in worm farm that recycles food waste and produces nutritious organic food in a climate-friendly manner. The system is being used for community engagement and teaching children both and composting and home food growing.

The purpose of this activity has been increase local community engagement and involvement in growing fresh fruit and vegetables in their gardens at home. Plans are in place to see 100 garden beds built and planted throughout the next 12 months. It is hoped that these garden beds will benefit the community in regards to employment rates, environmental sustainability and Palm Island residents having access to fresh fruit and vegetables all year round.
Purposefully, the garden beds have been placed in highly visible areas to stimulate community engagement and interest.

Our Work for the Dole participants have enjoyed the opportunity to learn about the process involved in building a sustainable garden. – Samara Hanley, Operations Manager CDP

Currently, the participation rate on this project sits at 25 participants per team, with an 80% attendance rate. This is a huge improvement from previous attendance rates when the project first started, which were at approximately 54%.

Campbell Page is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to transforming lives. If you would like to find out more about Campbell Page or the work we do on Palm Island with our Community Development Program, please visit our About us page, Community page, or alternatively, contact us directly.

Words: Tiarne Pattison

tiarne.pattison@campbellpage.org.au 

Maverick joined Green Army in July and he is Green Army’s 1000th participant to be placed with us. He signed up to Green Army to increase his skill set and learn about environmental sustainability. He saw the Green Army as an opportunity that would open a door towards employment in the environmental field.

With a background in irrigation, Maverick was keen to use his skills and knowledge and adapt them to tasks that were foreign to him.

When I was working in irrigation, I had worked on the upkeep of Robina Stadium, which is the Gold Coast Titans home ground. I want to use the knowledge I had gained from that experience and apply it to the work I will be doing with Campbell Page Green Army. – Maverick

Maverick has been working on Scenic Rim 8 under the supervision of Green Army participant turned Green Army Team Supervisor, Anthony Hope.

Maverick is keen to gain employment in the environmental field after his time as a participant. He has even mentioned following my pathway and becoming a Green Army supervisor himself. We are proud that a participant with the motivation he has is Green Army’s 1000th participant. – Anthony Hope

Maverick is enjoying the work he is doing with the Green Army and is a great example of how the Green army not only gives participants a new skill set but motivates them to work hard to reach their goals.

I joined the Green Army to enlarge my current skills. I enjoy being outside all day, even when it gets a bit hot. Planting trees has been my favourite activity, being able to put something in the ground and come back later and say, ‘I did that’.

Campbell Page is a not-for-profit dedicated to transforming people’s lives through securing long-term employment.

Learn about the green army. 

Words by: Tiarne Pattison

tiarne.pattison@campbellpage.org.au