SOAR! - Celebrating and Strengthening Student Placements - (April 2025)

Episode 1 – Welcome to the Outback Experience! 

Welcome to Episode 1 of our Student Placements Showcase Series —a four-part online "lunchbox" series elevating the breadth of student placements, internships and life-changing work integrated learning opportunities available in Queensland's Domestic and Family Violence (DFV), sexual violence, and women’s health and wellbeing sector. 

In this episode, Alison Casey, Manager at Lifeline Darling Downs, alongside the WorkUP team will take you through unique placement opportunities in remote Queensland areas like Charleville. Students gain hands-on experience and make a meaningful contribution to these communities. 

We will explore: 

• Outback Experience Overview: Learn about the placement opportunities in regional and remote Queensland. 
• Support Systems: Discover accommodation, financial assistance, professional development, and student supports available during placements. 
• Career Growth: See how placements open doors to long-term career opportunities in the sector and life in rural / remote communities 
• Personal Stories: Hear from current student-on-placement Harry and graduate / sector specialist Chantelle as they share their transformative journeys. 
• Q&A Session: Get your questions answered by industry leaders and students. 

Whether you're a sector organisation or leader, student exploring placement options, or an education provider, this series will connect you with the resources and information to navigate the placement process and inspire. 

Join us to learn, engage, and become part of a growing, impactful workforce! 

Save the Date for further planned episodes through 2025:  

• 12 June, 12pm-1pm: Placement journeys and emerging practitioners in St George and Roma 
• 27 August, 12pm-1pm: Men’s Behaviour Change internships and placements within Women’s Health and Wellbeing Services 
• 15 October, 12pm-1pm: Celebration, reflections, short-term industry placements and connecting with universities 

Stay tuned for further details as they are released and please email at workforce@healingfoundation.org.au if you would like to hear more about what’s coming up.  

Learning outcomes

• Increased awareness and understanding about student placements in the QLD “Outback” and how these could be adapted / replicated across communities 
• Identified resources and tools that may contribute positively to a student placement 
• Shared learning and knowledge including direct student experiences  
• Promotes sector and academia collaboration in work integrated learning for students 

Event details

Date: Wednesday, 16th April 2025
Time: 12:00pm - 1:00pm AEST 
Location: Online

Who should attend

• Students undertaking courses / programs (VET/Tertiary) requiring completion of a placement  
• Relevant academic providers  
• Specialist DFV, sexual violence and women’s health and wellbeing services interested in / supporting students on placement within their service 

About the facilitator

Alison Casey
Human Service Manager | DFV Specialist | Advocate for Growth & Success

As a dedicated Human Service Manager, I oversee 12 government-funded programs, providing essential therapy and support to families and individuals experiencing domestic and family violence. With a deep commitment to social justice, I specialise in risk assessment, intervention, and multi-agency collaboration to enhance safety and well-being. I am passionate about ensuring justice and accountability for individuals using violence, advocating for systemic change to break the cycle of abuse.

Beyond my professional role, I take great pride in being a Mum and ‘Granny,’ bringing a compassionate, family-centered perspective to my work. I am also deeply committed to teaching and mentoring both students and staff, helping them grow to their full capacity so they can make a meaningful impact in their communities. By empowering future professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to make a meaningful impact in the sector. My expertise lies in strategic leadership, program development, and fostering community partnerships to drive impactful, client-centered outcomes.