A right to work: Courtney's story

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0:06

At Southern Metropolitan Cemetery Trust, we as an organisation recognise the importance of reflecting the diversity of our community within our Workforce. We've really thought about how we can work outside the box, [?using some] new recruitment strategies which has led to our partnership with Wallara.

0:22

Hi my name is Courtney, I'm here today at Bunnerong Cafe and I serve customers. I do coffees and I also do preparing food.

0:34

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0:36

Courtney's been a great asset to the team down here at Bunnerong in the cafe. She brings with her so much joy and care in all the interactions that she has, whether it's with the staff or the customers - and the feedback that we've been getting from the team and even some of the customers has been fantastic. It has been amazing having Courtney here, she's become part of the team very quickly... she brings a smile to everybody every day and she has gained so much confidence since she started here.

1:09

When I first started I was a bit nervous, a bit shy... but then when I got used to it I felt amazing - proud and just enjoying myself. I like making customers to feel happy.

1:24

Courtney's success is due to the ongoing support from Wallara, the support from my entire team here at Bunnerong and the fact that Courtney fit the role perfectly.

Working with Carolyn at Wallara has been a great experience, Carolyn came out to really understand our business operating model and what we had to offer... and in time she showed insight about how Wallara operates and their needs as well through a lot of site visits and meets and greets and training with our respective Hospitality teams we were able to broker an arrangement.

2:00

I was a little unsure in the beginning as I've never worked with somebody with a disability, but Wallara was extremely supportive and now it was the best decision that we've ever made - taking on somebody within the organisation with a disability has been a different take for us as an organisation... but like any other differences across the diversity
spectrum it's about understanding what are the support mechanisms that the individual needs to be able to thrive. I would highly recommend employing somebody with a disability, it is amazing for your own business as well as for their progression. 

2:40

Thank you for helping me, I really appreciate it. I really do like my job here.