b"06 JUNE 2020 The Great Eastern MailSharon's skillsRecovery kits for bushfire victimswork a treat USHFIRErecoverykitsto those in need via the Bushfire Perseverance has finally paid off B arecontinuingtobeCase Support Team. The latest distributedintoEastbatchofkits,pictured,will Gippslandcommunities,afterbedeliveredtoNowaNowa, for this long-term volunteer beinggenerouslysponsoredNicholson,Sarsfield,Clifton byindividuals,businessandCreek and Buchan.A TWORK Australia is afollowing feel-good story is nocommunity organisations. Withover300homes leading employmentexception.Thekitscontainmuchandshedslostthissummer, services providerLate last year in 2019 Jobneededreplacementequip- morekitsarerequiredto working with AustraliansCoach Sam Smith paid a visitment to assist East Gippslandbesponsored.Theycanbe across the nation. Theyto Owner/Manager Warrenbushfire victims who lost theirsponsored for $330, and then empower people withSinclair at The Doggie Denhomes and sheds this summer. afire-affectedGippslander disability, injury or healthin Bairnsdale, hoping thatSofar40kitshavebeenreceives $600 in hardware.condition, supporting them toperhaps Warren had ansponsored,whichequatestoKits can be purchased online build better working lives. opportunity for a client by theWarren Sinclair and Sharon Davies at The Doggie Den approximately$24,000worthatwww.traralgonhardware.Part of MedHealth, atWorkname of Sharon Davies.of tools for bushfire victims tocom.au/product/fire-recovery-Australia deliver DisabilitySharons background, inSam approached Warrenthere is never a dull momenthelp clean up their properties. toolkitoratanyoneofthe Employment Services in overterms of employment, focusedand asked about any positionswith Sharon.AndrewGrahamoffourparticipatinghardware 300 locations around Australia,heavily on her voluntary work,available, and as it turned out,Although, Warren didTraralgonHHardwarewhostores: Traralgon H Hardware, helping thousands of peopleand she had not been in athey had been looking for themention that he had tocreated the program which hasJ&DBuildingSupplies,Home into meaningful work sincepaying job for over 10 years.right person to join their team.constantly remind Sharon ofnowbroughttogethercharityTimber and Hardware supplies 2003. By this stage Sharon hadThrough a program calledthe social distancing rules asGIVITGoodsForGoodMallacoota, The Lakes Timber This year they have seen thelost her self-confidence andNWEP (National WorkSharon is naturally a hugger.CausesandGippslandLakes& Building Supplies. For further start of the year devastated byhad thought that her paid daysExperience Program) SharonBrayden, a Doggie Den co- CompleteHealthwhoaredetails on the program, contact bushfires in East Gippsland were over given her age.had an opportunity to see if sheworker, had also mentioneddistributing them on our behalfMelina Baths electoral office.fast forward a few months andSharon had studiedwas the right fit for The Doggiethat Sharon has established enter the COVID-19 pandemicand gained qualificationsDen. After a few days of worka great rapport with theirto say that this region isin community services,experience, Warren offered hercustomers and they now look resilient is an understatement.record keeping, Businessa part-time position.forward to Sharon serving Bairnsdale, Orbost, LakesAdministration and had justSharon has now been partthem. Entrance, Sale and Yarramnever taken the leap to paidof the Doggie Den team forSharon now looks forward offices have still managedwork.almost 6 months and it hasto work, she is learning to secure employmentHer Job Coach, Sam Smith,changed her life, not onlynew things all the time and opportunities and keep peopleknew that this wasnt as farfinancially but its also givenshe has her purpose and in their jobs. of a reach as she had initiallyher the self confidence thatself-confidence back in With all that has happened,thought.she had lost for so many years.abundance. and still happening in EastSharon has a warm andWarren and the teamLike Sharon, it's never too Gippsland, through doubtgiving nature and Sam knewtrained and supported Sharon,late to start your journey to and uncertainty, we all heldthat she had a love of animals,and now she is just one ofmeaningful employment.Melina Bath MP and John Yiannacou, Executive Manager Corporate on to hope that somethingas she was always housingthem.Contact atWork AustraliaServices at Gippsland Lakes Complete Health; with Lisa Herbert, positive would emerge. Wehomeless animalsparrots,Warren declared that sheon 1300 080 856 or visitEngagement Officer from GIVIT, and Andrew Graham from love hearing good news, thegalahs, cats and dogs.has fit in perfectly and thatatworkaustralia.com.auTraralgon Hardware, Timber & Building SuppliesLOOKINGFOR WORK?We support people with disability, injury or health condition to find work.Well help you understand the local job market, prepare your rsum, ace the interview and find the right job for you. Employers are still hiring.Get in touch with atWork Australia to start your journey to meaningful employment.Amelia found 1300 080 856|atworkaustralia.com.auwork withatWork Australia"