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Mission Australia - Gold Coast Region

Newsletter

November 2003 Mission Australia Coolangatta
Ph (07) 5536 7596 www.mission.com.au

Mission Australia Coolangatta has completed the transition period from Employment Services contract 2 to contract 3 positively. With a little more than six weeks to Christmas we can boast having placed over 250 people into work since July 1st and of those 250 people 120 people have been unemployed for a long time. This has been a great effort by the entire Coolangatta team.

We have welcomed many new staff, struggled to master the new technology, assisted many of our customers who have found the transition period stressful and very confusing and at all times maintained a high level of customer service to both Job Seekers and Employers in the Southern Gold Coast. Mission Australia launched its Wage Support Program in September and has a number of employers in our local community benefiting from this program and more importantly, as a result of this program we are able to provide opportunities for some our more disadvantaged job seekers. If you are interested in discussing how You can benefit from this program/ assist one of our more disadvantaged job seekers please talk to one of our experienced Sales Team – Amanda, Jo or Helen.

Mission Australia welcomes Leonard our Indigenous Trainee who is one of 10 indigenous trainees who commenced work with Mission Australia in the new contract round in Queensland. Mission Australia is committed to providing pathways for indigenous people. We congratulate Mleeka Hart on her successful studies thus far, a pass and three distinctions.
Mleeka was employed with Mission Australia in Employment Services Contract 2 and went on to tertiary studies at Bachelor College in the Northern Territory.

Providing a holistic service has always been a high priority of Mission Australia and in an effort to do this effectively we are able to offer complimentary programs such as Work for the Dole, Community Employment Assistance Program, Community Training Partnerships, Transition to Work, BITES and Personal Support Program. Information regarding all of these programs is available by contacting the office on 55 36 75 96 or dropping in to 17 Griffith Street Coolangatta.

Mary Pennell
Service Manger

Success Story
Christine was looking for work, she came into our office in search of a full-time, local secretarial role.
She met with our placement officer, Joh and soon had an interview with Tweed Heads Real Estate who was pleased with Christine’s experience. Her history stretched from real estate to marketing, customer service, through to accounts and administration.

Christine was told she had the job and started within that week. Once again Mission Australia’s involvement brings the right people together.

Employer Highlight
2B Kids at Burleigh recently contacted us in need of a Café Supervisor. We easily placed Sue into the role and because of the high level of quality skills Mission Australia supplied, the employer was so pleased they have since requested we help find staff for three other busy areas of their business.

Staff Profiles
Johanna…
In recent months we welcomed our newest staff member, Johanna to the team. Joh comes to us with a wealth of experience from the hospitality, office, pharmacy and tourism industries. She is working hard to find the right person for your position.

Her role as the placement officer is to liaise with you, the employer to organize interviews with prospective employees and ensuring the best fit for your business.

Davina…..
Originally hailing from Melbourne, Davina arrived as a client at the Coolangatta Office.

Davina’s motivation for helping others was identified early by staff in the office and we were pleased to offer her the role of personal assistant to the Services Manager and office all-rounder. She has been an asset to the team since her arrival and brings professionalism and personality to the office.

Davina has brought with her a strong background of accountancy and office administration.

David…
For the past 4 years David Costanzo has been an outgoing member of our team that has worked with a number of businesses in the local area in his time with us.

David is transferring his position to be closer to his home and pregnant wife Jo. They are expecting a baby on Easter Monday.

Everyone at Mission Coolangatta and businesses that have worked with David, wish him and his family all the best for the future. We will miss his smiling face in the office.

Mission Australia working with the community
Mission Australia continued our tradition of commitment to the local community by co-sponsoring a business breakfast for business on the Southern Gold Coast.

John Herds Business Excellence Breakfasts are held on the first Tuesday of the month and have been a great opportunity to learn about what other businesses are doing to promote themselves and find out what is happening in our local area that businesses can be part of. A number of businesses have benefited by Mission Australia’s involvement in the Breakfasts.

Mission Australia has recently achieved its highest employment figures ever for the Coolangatta office. We placed a record number of job seekers in work and gave employers the right people for their jobs.

The government has given funds to job network members of which Mission is part of to disperse for the benefit of job seekers and employers. We have provided job seekers with qualifications and skills by sending them on courses to increase and hone their skill base. The courses run have been reflected by the needs of employers. We have run courses in retail, administration and hospitality, and provided jobseekers with various licenses. Once again providing employers with as little disruption possible.

Mission Australia
17 Griffith Street
Coolangatta
Qld 4225
Tel: 075536 7596
Fax: 07 55364587