The Palm Island Community Development Programme has just seen nine participants complete the Rural Operations Cert III and the whole Campbell Page team couldn’t be prouder.

This course has provided the opportunity for all participants to gain the skills and knowledge to work in a rural setting.  This qualification covers multifunctional roles in agriculture, horticulture and conservation land management, and other related industries. It also covers other industry sectors, such as local government, tourism, hospitality, transport, construction, information technology and metals.

We are very proud of all nine participants who now have job opportunities in mixed farming and agricultural production, retail, agribusiness, local government, tourism, transport, construction and even mining. – Nathan Vinson, Community Development Programme (CDP) Manager

The training was conducted by Industry Training QLD  over four weeks. The first two weeks of the course were theoretical lessons based in Palm Island and the second two weeks were hands on in Townsville. The course was fully funded by Campbell Page, which included meals, accommodation and flights to and from Palm Island.

In the final week of the course the Palm Island participants have gained their tickets to operate skid-steer loaders, backhoes, chainsaws, excavators and elevated work platforms. The participants are so proud of their achievements. – Peter Turner, Campbell Page CDP Activity Supervisor

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Our Community Development Programme (CDP) team work with people to help them learn new skills, find great jobs and to contribute to their communities.  To find out more about the work we do on Palm Island, please click here or contact us directly.

Words by: Tiarne Pattison

tiarne.pattison@campbellpage.org.au 

The team at Campbell Page Sunshine recently delivered a Food Hygiene and Barista course to customers who attend the Sunshine and Watergardens Hubs.

Jesuit Social Services delivered the course for 16 of our customers across Westgate. – Emine Jeffrey, Regional Service Manager, Westgate

A coffee machine was set up to ensure that all customers who attended were given hands-on experience.

All of our customers were enthusiastic, engaged by the trainers and having fun while building new skills.

Our customers took orders from staff and our other customers. It was a great to see them showing interest, being open to feedback and seeking acknowledgment for their coffee making skills. – Emine

The biggest highlight was seeing the customers enjoy learning and putting their new skills into practice. The excitement of the day was felt by all involved, with visitors to the office commenting on the fresh coffee smell as it permeated through the whole office.

Customers were grateful for the opportunity to learn new skills in an environment that they already felt comfortable in. 

All participants received a Certificate of Participation.

A great day was had by all customers, with some now considering careers in hospitality. – Emine

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Campbell Page is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to transforming people’s lives. 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 

Janaya attended the Campbell Page Moruya Youth Centre until 2014 when she moved away from her home in Moruya to attend a High School in Sydney and put her education first. The move away from her mob wasn’t easy, but she is so happy she did it.

Janaya had attended the Youth Centre since she was 12 and had participated in the Youth Connection Program before she moved to Sydney. We are so proud of her! – Felicity Clark, Specialist Youth and Family Case Manager

Janaya’s Story

In 2014 halfway through Year Nine I went to Sydney to start a new life.

I felt nervous because I was going to meet new people and I would be living in a big city and attending a new school. I had a lot of support behind me to get me through any challenges that may arise throughout my journey. These challenges I experienced had shaped me and gained my growth as an independent Aboriginal young female today.

I gained a lot of confidence living away from home and especially building new friendships who were in the same headspace as I, such as missing home, my family and my mob. We all supported each other by being by each other’s side and talking about each other’s communities and lifestyles. The funny thing was, living away from home you realised how much you missed your siblings and the simple things.

Living away from my mob wasn’t an easy choice but I have now realised how much I grew while progressing my education.

While building our peer relationships we all realised we may not be from the same bloodline but we all felt our sisterhood was present. I really didn’t know if I could make it through to  Year 12, but halfway through Year 11  I gained clarity of my achievements. I still contacted Mum to ask if I could come home, in my eyes and in my heart my Mum was my rock who empowered me to believe in myself. Those moments I did not want to let my Mum down and I remained at Biala to complete my school years.

I learnt tools to pick myself up when I was feeling down, I am competent to improve my wellbeing. I am so grateful for the opportunity that was handed to me and grateful for my Mum, my family and everyone involved that had helped me on my journey. My advice to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island brothers and sisters –  if an opportunity comes your way take it by the reins and ride all the way. Don’t hold in your troubles, seek support.

Felicity is currently helping Janaya find accommodation in Sydney through the Campbell Page Eurobodalla Reconnect Program.

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Campbell Page is a not-for-profit dedicated to transforming people’s lives through employment and education. To find out more about our youth services, please with the Youth and Family page on our website. To find out more about Campbell Page, please click here, or contact us directly.

Since launching the Lost Artists of Palm Island Exhibition late last month, some incredible stories have surfaced from the artists. One in particular that stood out to Sotir Kondov (Interim CEO of Campbell Page) was Anthony Joshua Bourne’s story.

Anthony was born in Townsville and moved to Palm Island when he entered high school. He started sketching at a very young age and so naturally, this continued throughout his teenage years.

I used to sketch in class so my teachers would get frustrated with me, but I couldn’t stop. – Anthony Joshua Bourne

Anthony started taking art more seriously when he was 21 and started painting at a local art studio on the Island. With the support of his family, Anthony aims to become paint nature and landscapes full-time and become financially independent.

Everyone is really excited to show off the talents of the Lost Artists of Palm Island – Sotir Kondov is particularly proud of what the community is achieving.

The amazing thing about this exhibition is that it’s giving artists on Palm Island, like Anthony, a platform to display and receive recognition for their artworks.  – Sotir Kondov

On Friday 29th September, together with The Townsville Art Society, we launched the Lost Artists of Palm Island Exhibition.

The exhibition is displaying artworks from the 40+ tribes of the Palm Island and Bwgcolman people to showcase their talents in a way that has not been done on Palm Island before.

The month-long event will host artworks from popular local artists at the Art at the Jezzine Gallery seven days a week from 10 am to 4 pm until October 27th. Click here to visit the event page.

To read more stories from the artists, check out the October Issue of the Palm Island Newsletter. 

We are really proud what the Exhibition is doing for the people of Palm Island – Sotir Kondov

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At Campbell Page, we believe that no-one should be denied the opportunity of secure employment. Our Community Development Programme (CDP) is our remote employment and community development service. We have made it our mission to provide the Palm Island community with access to the opportunity of sustainable employment. To find out more about the work we do on Palm Island, please click here or contact us directly.

Words by: Tiarne Pattison

tiarne.pattison@campbellpage.org.au