Joblink Times Issue 2 2012 - Greenacres Disability Services

Issue 2, 2012
T H E J O B L I N K T I M E S
INSIDE THIS
ISSUE
Community
Access
2
Easter Show 3
Greenacres
Employment
Solutions
Greenacres
Employment
Solutions
Protective
Behaviours
Ulladulla/ Two
Streams Program
4
5
6
7
Green Thumbs 8
New
Achievements/
Greenacres
Industries
9
NDIS 10
Upcoming
Events
Work Readiness/
Where Are They
Now?
11
12
Joblink, Who are we???
Greenacres Joblink is a Transition to Work program that works
with school leavers with a disability. We provide accredited
training in work associated skills and living skills. We also provide
on-the-job training and support in both open and supported
employment. We are one of the most successful transition
services in the state, assisting school leavers to gain
employment across a wide range of areas.
Joblink is a two year program comprising of a Certificate I in
Work Skills for Life that not only prepares school leavers for the
workplace, but also assists in the transition into adult life in the
community. We combine classroom learning with practical
activities including work experience, community access and
individualised training and support.
We also provide support for students still at school in the areas
of work experience and travel training.
For more information about the program contact our Manager
Sarah Gittoes on 0403 063 389.
Canteen
As part of our work experience program
Greenacres Joblink run the canteen at St
Pius X School in Unanderra every Thursday.
The main duties include: Food preparation
— Nachos, hot foods and sandwiches,
serving, money handling, cleaning and
making lunch orders.
The following participants have so far
participated and deserve a
huge congratulations for all
the hard work that they have
put in: Wade Davie, Michael
Du-Mughn, Aimee Kinlay,
Bradley Marks, Tiffany
Churchill & Hayleh Hamilton.

Page 2
Community Access
Joblink has been really busy over the
past three months with a wide variety
of community access activities.
Community access is driven by the interests of the service users as well as
doing activities that broaden their horizons.
The activities are about service users learning how to access things in the
community independently, so the process involves
researching activities as well as how to get there.
Service users are also supported in using public
transport to get to the places that they are
Interested in.
Completing these activities builds on each
individuals life and social skills.
So far, Joblink have visited Nowra Wildlife Park,
Paddys Markets, Bundeena Ferry ride, Stockland
Shellharbour, Minnamurra rainforest, Hang Dog,
Circular Quay, Mt Keira Lookout, Fitzroy Falls, Wollongong Art Gallery, Sea
Cliff Bridge walk, We have also attended a Dragons training session, just to
name a few. We have caught numerous buses and trains, learning a lot and
having a lot of fun.

Page 3
Easter Show
This year Joblink were lucky enough to visit the Royal Easter Show as part of our
travel training and community access programs.
Community access with Joblink is about a learning experience, this includes
practicing handling money, independent travel, appropriate community behaviour
and learning many other new skills.
So rather than just taking people out,
we teach our participants to access
activities with as much independence
as possible.
Joblink groups had to organise the trip
themselves - researching train times,
location of the show, opening times and
costs involved.
They also researched other important
aspects, such as showbags!

Greenacres Employment Solutions
After completion of the 1st year in Joblnk’s Transition to Work program, participants
who have set “open employment” as a goal for thems
elves will move across to the 2nd year of our program with
Greenacres Employment Solutions (GES)
This program involves intensive job skill training and job
search skills needed to gain and maintain permanent
employment. Some topics covered in the program are time
management, interview skills, communication skills,
resume’s and cover letters, goal setting, learners drivers
knowledge test, touch typing and first aid training.
Congratulations to the following
participants on their hard work! Great job
guys!!!
Amy McGuire is completing work experience at Greenacres Industries & also Huskisson
Tourist park. Amy also volunteers one day a week in a ladies fashion store.
Congratulations to Amy for also now travelling independently to two new training sites.
Anthony Penno is about to commence a TAFE course in Tyre Fitting. He is also currently
completing work experience at Bob Jane in Wollongong and has done work experience
at C2C LED & Huskisson Tourist Park.
Bradley Nakken is attending TAFE full time completing his Cert III In Web Design. Brad
is now also travelling independently on public transport.
Brenna Hamilton has recently completed work experience at both Labourco South
Coast and also at Huskisson Tourist Park.
Christen Dittmer is at TAFE studying Certificate III in Children’s Services and is also
busy practicing online for her learners permit.
Daniel Sonnleitner has completed work experience at Huskisson Tourist park and is
scheduled to complete some work experience at Bunnings in May. Daniel is also
studying two courses at TAFE—”introduction to computers” & “ Learners Permit
Theory”.
Dean Frier completed some work experience and casual shifts at International House
(University of Wollongong) and from this has secured himself a
traineeship (Certificate III in Hospitality) - GREAT WORK DEAN!!!

Evan Reid is currently at TAFE completing his “learners
permit theory” & “introduction to computers”. He is now
travelling independently to and from the centre's and the
TAFE. Evan has also completed work experience at the
Huskisson Tourist Park.
Fitzroy Ford is currently completing a full time TAFE
course—III in Bricklaying and block laying. Good luck with
your studies!!!
Isaac Cahill is currently completing his Cert II in Business and has completed work
experience at Labourco South coast & also at Huskisson Tourist Park.
Jasmine Gaskell has completed work experience at Huskisson Tourist Park and is
booked in to complete work experience at Bunnings in June. Jasmine is also at TAFE
studying “introduction to computers”.
Jessica Marks is currently studying her Certificate III in Children’s Services and is also
building up her hours of driving practice to attain her Provisional Licence.
Joshua Kerma is demonstrating great work skills at work experience at Huskisson
Tourist Park and is also completing the “introduction to computers” course at TAFE.
Matthew Zielinski has now attained his P1 driving licence and is completing work
experience at the University of Wollongong Library.
Michael Woerz is attending TAFE and studying Certificate III in Signage. He has also
demonstrated some great workskills at Huskisson Tourist Park on work experience.
Myfanwy Corish is currently volunteering at Lifeline and she has also recently attained
her Learner Driver Licence.
Ryan Williams has and is
currently completing work
experience at the following places:
C2C LED, Huskisson
Tourist Park, Bunnings &
Lakeside Butchery. Ryan has also
obtained his learners drivers
licence.
Wayne Herbert is attending TAFE full
time studying his Diploma of Sport
Development.
Wade Smith has completed administrative work experience this year at TTW and is
completing a TAFE course in introduction to computers.

Prote
tect
ctive
Beh
ehav
aviou
iours
So far this year a lot of our groups have
participated in visits to various local
emergency services throughout the Illawarra,
including Fire, Ambulance and Police stations.
These visits were all tied in with our
Certificate I in Workskills for Life module—
Protective behaviours.
We would like to send out a massive Thank you to
all of our local heroes who serve and protect us.

Ulladulla Joblink
The Ulladulla group are progressing well through WSFL
and all of our participants now have a resume and have
learnt some new job search skills.
The Ulladulla group are also attending a ten week cooking
program that is being delivered by the local Youth Centre.
All group members are learning a lot and we have made
some lovely meals including Burritos, Spaghetti and pasta
dishes!!
We are now looking at travel training Rachael in the coming weeks. Good luck
Rachael!!!
We are also hopeful that Tim can begin a work experience placement at a caravan
park in the next couple of weeks.
Ulladulla is a beautiful area and we have done some gorgeous walks for exercise/
community access, including the hike up Pigeon House Mountain – which left most
staff and clients in a little bit of pain—Ouch!
We have been regularly incorporating Literacy and Numeracy exercises in to our
week, with pleasing results. Well done guys, keep up the good work!!!
Two Streams
Two Streams has once again
kicked off for term 2!
The students have all returned
from their break and are eager to
start the program.
We started this term with a bang;
having the Honorable Peter
Garrett- Federal Minister for
Education, youth and early
childhood over for a visit and a
sausage sandwich!!!
He started his visit with a tour of Shoalhaven High School and had a quick chat
to the students before heading over to our Two Streams Centre to have lunch and
chat with our Two Streams students and staff. His visit to our neck of the woods
was much appreciated and we hope we left him with a good impression of our
organisation and the programs we have to offer.

Page 8
GREEN
THUMBS
What a strange season it has been so far. However despite the winds, rains, storms
and the heat waves, the gardening team have strived to maintain & service 9 of our
Greenacres properties and what a marvelous job they are doing!!!
You can’t miss our gardening crews as
they head out to work each day now
as each participant has now been
issued with their own
personal protective clothing &
equipment. They look amazing!!!
Michael sporting this seasons
finest!!

NEW ACHIEVEMENTS
Nearly all of our Joblink participants are now travelling independently
to and from work and TAFE. The Joblink trainers have
worked alongside each
participant to travel train through rain hail or shine.
Congratulations to the following guys for reaching such an
exciting goal: Geoffrey Deans, Cameron Moore, Tiffany Churchill,
Jacob Kaplantzi, Michael Du-Mughn, Collin Heck & Ethan Arnold
We also have quite a few participants completing TAFE
certificates this year, we wish the following people well as they continue to study hard:
• Ethan Arnold is currently enrolled in the Café Skills
course
• Hayleh Hamilton is studying computers
• Tiffany Churchill is completing the Learners Permit Theory course
• Harrison Young is completing the Learners Permit Theory courses as well as the
Café Skills course.
Page 9
Greenacres
Industries
A big congratulations to Petra Gerloff, Jye Patzold &
Natasha Gregoratto who have
successfully gained fulltime employment with Greenacres Industries.
A huge achievement guys, well done!!!
Well done also to the 6 Joblink Second Year participants Melanie Sierra, Ray Divine,
Reece Stocken, Brooke Alexander, Andrew Salvatuci & Matthew Nason who have been
offered a paid work trial with
Greenacres Industries.
The work trials commenced
on the 18th of April and will
run for three months and if
successful with the work trial;
participants could be offered
permanent employment with
Greenacres!!!

Page 10
Make It Real Rally
Rally events were held in the 6 capital cities across Australia on
Monday the 30th of April and this was a great way for
Greenacres to get behind the NDIS and show our support.
The aim was to get at least 10,000 people to
rally events across the country.
Greenacres Joblink all travelled up to Sydney
Olympic Park on the 30th of April to join in the
Rally at 12 Noon.
The day was a real success and we look forward
to hearing of some amazing outcomes in the
near future.
What is NDIS
Every Australian Counts is a people’s campaign sweeping across the country,
demanding the introduction of a National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), as
recommended by the Productivity Commission.
The NDIS will revolutionise the way people with a disability, their families and carers
are supported in Australia. It will replace all the current state and territory disability
systems!
The NDIS will be a modern, person-centered support system, helping hundreds of
thousands of Australians with disability and their families to have the opportunity to
participate actively in their communities by providing targeted supports aligned to their
needs.
The NDIS will be portable – your entitlement to support will be the same wherever you
live in Australia.
The NDIS was devised and recommended by the Productivity Commission in July 2011,
following an intensive 18-month investigation of the unmet
needs of people with disability and their families and carers
across Australia, and analysis of high-functioning disability
support systems overseas.
The Productivity Commission’s recommendations for the NDIS
have been welcomed by people with disability and their families,
carers and support organisations across the country.

Page 11
Canberra
UPCOMING
EVENTS
In July Joblink participants from all of our centers
will head to Canberra for three days (July 17th—July 19th) this ties in as part of our Australian
Politics module. This trip also enables us to assess the progress participants
have made in many of the Workskills For Life modules, including: Money Management,
Communication, Dress & Hygiene & Communication. The highlight of this trip is always
our visit to the snow—something many participants have never previously experienced.
Duke of Edinburgh’s (D.O.E) Award
A number of Joblink participants have enrolled in the
D.O.E Award at the bronze level. This is an
internationally recognised award that promotes
individual empowerment through exploring
potential. Participants must show commitment to
goals In the areas of Physical Recreation, Community
Service (Volunteering) and development of a new skill of their choosing for a period of
3-6 months. At the completion of these three sections, participants will then attend a 5
day “Adventurous Journey” at Stanwell Tops. Joblink congratulates those who have accepted
the challenge of completing their Bronze Award!!!
IP Reviews
It is almost half way through the year and as such, Individual Plan Review meetings will
soon be occurring again. Goals will be reviewed, progress discussed and action plans
created for new or modified goals. Participants and parents will be contacted to
arrange a time and date for these meetings.
Work Experience Placements
For those seeking to enter Open Employment following the
completion of the Joblink program, Work Experience placements will
begin soon. Participants and their trainers have begun sourcing
placements, working on appropriate skills and presentation for the
Industry of their choice and identifying possible career options that
may lead from these placements.

WORK READINESS
PROGRAM 2012
Joblink’s Work Readiness Program is well
underway for 2012. We still have plenty of
openings available. This program generally runs for
two days a week, over a five week period, and is
targeted at senior students.
Page 12
The program’s aim is to give students a ’taste’ of
what Joblink actually does, and focuses on independent
living, and work skills as well as community access.
If you or anyone else you know is interested in participating or would like some
more information, please contact Lisa Vaughan or Sarah Gittoes on
02 4225 3478 or 0403 063 389 or email lisav@greenac.com.au
Joblink Offices
Wollongong
31 Auburn Street
Ph: 4225 3478
Fax: 4225 3572
Albion Park Rail
8 Hickory Street
Ph: 4256 0161
Fax: 4256 0152
Nowra
24 Vendetta Street
Ph: 4422 8954
Fax: 4422 9012
Ulladulla
62 Princess Highway
Ph: 4454 1004
Fax:4454 1032
Sarah Gittoes
Manager
Greenacres
Joblink
0403 063 389
Where are
they now?
We just had a visit from Jai Fenwick and
his Dad, Jai came to us back in 2009
and after a lot of hard work and growth
he Graduated the Joblink program last
year.
Jai has recently been employed in his
dream job as an Apprentice
Diesel Fitter Mechanic in Unanderra, servicing the area’s mines.
He has now commenced work and is really enjoying it.
His dad credits Joblink for accepting him into the Program and was
very thankful. We credit Jai for never giving up on his dream.