Our Place’s powerhouse community facilitators Deb Kaak and Amanda McLean were behind the smooth operation of the All Abilities Pathways Expo.
Photo by
Billie Davern
There comes a time when every young person needs to look forward, no matter their ability.
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In the heart of Seymour, an important expo recently sparked discussions between students and their families on what the future holds.
Named the All Abilities Pathways Expo, the event on Thursday, September 18 was the result of a collaboration between Seymour College’s Inclusive Education program and Our Place.
The Seymour Family and Children’s Centre at the college’s campus was packed with local service providers, and even some organisations that had employment and volunteering opportunities on offer for attendees.
Diversity and inclusion officer Wendy Kelly and nurse Sarah Pyle from Nexus Primary Health were touting the inclusive sport program.
Photo by
Billie Davern
Our Place community facilitator Deb Kaak, who was among the team which made the day a possibility, said she was grateful to all the organisations who participated.
“I would like to thank everybody for being willing to come out and just be available to families, showing them what they can offer,” Ms Kaak said.
“People don’t know what they don’t know, so it’s important for them to realise what is available here in town.
“I’m also so excited to have (organisations) who have been willing to come and be part of employment or work placement, like Gnarly Neighbours and the Seymour Fire Brigade.”
Seymour Health director of people and culture Jason King and clinical nurse educator Emily Wakeman had an interesting display.
Photo by
Billie Davern
Gnarly Neighbours administrative staff member Brittany Williamson and treasurer/operations manager Nathan Wiggett were spruiking the not-for-profit’s employment pathways program.
Photo by
Billie Davern
Among the lengthy list of attendees were representatives from Nexus Primary Health, Seymour Health, Services Australia, Yooralla, CVGT Employment and Riding for the Disabled Australia.
Seymour Health director of people and culture Jason King said it was wonderful for the organisation to be part of the event for the first time.
Multicultural services officer Asmahan Ali and Indigenous services officer Margaret Capron were thrilled to promote what Services Australia could provide.
Photo by
Billie Davern
Yooralla site co-ordinator Roselee Judge-Williams and supervisor Nicole Adams had the centre spot in the middle of the expo.
Photo by
Billie Davern
“It’s a really important event to support the community, which opens pathways for people in our community, especially young people,” he said.
“From our perspective, as a large employer and one of the major employers in town, we’re very proud to participate.
“There’s a dual benefit here: as we have conversations with attendees — and young people in particular — about their career prospects and what they might be thinking about while they’re at school, or when they’re leaving school, we can discuss how, as an employer, we might be able to provide opportunities to them; which in turn builds upon us having a workforce that both reflects the community we serve and is sustained locally.”
Daniel Fifield, Peter and Kylie Comte, and Tony Gooden from the Seymour Fire Brigade said they had seen interest from prospective volunteers on the day.
Photo by
Billie Davern
Secretary Sue Cross and treasurer Jenny Dibben from Riding for the Disabled Australia said it was nice to connect with service providers in the region.
Photo by
Billie Davern
CVGT Employment manager Kathryn Lord and senior mentor Kristie Walker spoke about what pathways the company could provide.
Photo by
Billie Davern
Aside from providing young people with potential future pathways, the expo also offered a valuable opportunity for local organisations to network.
“It’s nice to be in an environment where everyone’s looking for something relating to disability services,” Riding for the Disabled Australia Seymour branch secretary Sue Cross said.
“We’ve exchanged brochures with the different providers, and I’m sure we’ll get some clients out of those interactions.”
Seymour College assistant principal Kristie Luckman said the day was a wonderful opportunity for inclusive education students and their families to explore options post-school.
Photo by
Billie Davern
Seymour College assistant principal Kristie Luckman said the expo was a success.
“It’s been great to see the services are supporting our families and students, and that they see the importance of coming to an event like this,” Ms Luckman said.
“It’s not just networking with each other, but networking with the broader community and the families, and the staff that I work with as well.”
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