Townsville: Thinking About Work - 1 Day Conference

About the Conference:

Join us as we explore why employment is important for all people who live with disability, and what you can do to help the young person in your life find and keep a job. 

Hear personal stories from young people with disability and their families, and delve into the different strategies they used, to see if they are useful to you. 

Through practical activities, question time and networking, we will cover topics of customised employment, and microenterprise, along with:

• Starting with the person
• Having a vision & high expectations for work
• Uncover individual strengths & interests that can guide potential work roles
• Identifying connections & contacts to approach for work
• Practical strategies & tips to work well with professionals
• How to find the right people to support your young person
  
  

Download the flyer here (pdf)
Download an accessible version here (word)

This event is for people with disability, their families, and friends. 
We also welcome support workers, teachers & professionals who are interested in exploring how we can generate meaningful employment for people with disabilities.

About the Presenters:

Join us as we look forward to hearing personal stories from these young people and family members throughout the day: 

Jack Kruger
Jack Kruger is an Oztag player, world traveller, movie enthusiast, employee, Learner driver, friend and who happens to have Down syndrome. Jack finished school in 2020 at Daramalan College in Canberra, Australia. Jack attended his local schools for his education and as a result is widely known within his community. Since finishing school Jack has worked as an After-School Care Educator, a Government House Household officer and is studying fitness at the local college. Jack is now crafting a meaningful week of work in a new job, study, sport and leisure.

Jan Kruger
Jan is the Executive Director of Imagine More, a family led organisation in Canberra. Jan is a wife to Paul and mother to 4 fabulous young adults. Her youngest, Jack, is a CrossFit member, friend, AFL supporter and Government Household officer who happens to have Down syndrome. Jan has been drawing on Social Role Valorisation together with customised employment principles to find and maintain meaningful paid work and volunteer roles for Jack. Jan and her family continuously work towards building an ordinary, inclusive life for Jack, where he enjoys a sense of belonging as a valued member of his community.

Erosha Bakmiwewa

Erosha is a mother of three beautiful children - Sethmi, Jayden and Keisha - and wife to her wonderfully supportive husband, Suranga. Previously, Erosha was a financial analyst, and she is now one of Imagine More’s fabulous facilitators and a postgraduate student at the University of Canberra. Erosha came across Imagine More at a crucial time in her oldest daughter’s life and, as a result, successfully advocated for Sethmi’s inclusion in mainstream education. She has since used the principles of Social Role Valorisation to carve a pathway for getting the good things in life for Sethmi and her other children.

Sethmi is a wonderful daughter, sister, Year 9 student, dancer, speaker, and a proud micro business owner. Her favourite place to be is the beach. Through the support of her family, Sethmi established a micro-enterprise in September 2022, Serendib Treats, which shares her Sri Lankan heritage. As a micro business owner, Sethmi has been making gains in finding what motivates her to run a food business. She has proven that nothing is impossible for young people with disability when the right kind of attitude and supports are available!

Will Coventry

Will graduated from school in 2016. Since leaving school, Will has worked part-time as an administrative assistant in three businesses in Brisbane's CBD. He also volunteers at Meals on Wheels one day a week.  Will enjoys sports and is a member of The Renegades, a touch football team. He is a Broncos and Reds rugby supporter. He also loves taking photos, listening to music, and hanging out with friends and family.

Anna Coventry

Anna is an Occupational Therapist who has a private practice in Brisbane, conducting functional and care needs assessments. She is married to Keith, and they have two adult sons, Henry and Will. Will lives with a complex disability. Anna self-manages Will's NDIS plan and is involved in Will's Circle of Support. The circle consists of significant people in Will's life who support Will in fulfilling his vision of living a good life, including work, contributing to his community, and planning to live in a home of his own.

Please contact us if you have any questions or concerns about your ability to participate.

* The cost of this event is partially subsidised as part of the Community Inclusion Capacity Development program through The Department of Social Services.
If cost is a barrier, please get in touch with us to discuss what may be possible.

About CRU:

For over 30 years, Community Resource Unit has been working across Queensland to help people with disability take control of their lives and take their place in their community.

CRU (QLD), Resourcing Inclusive Communities, an initiative of Family Advocacy (NSW) and Imagine More (ACT) will work together on a new three year project called ‘School to Work’.

'School to Work’ aims to inspire, increase confidence and motivate students with disability to seek and find meaningful employment with the help and support of their family and community.

The project is being provided as part of the Community Inclusion Capacity Development program through The Department of Social Services.