BAppSc (Physical Education)
PostGrad (Ageing & Recreation)
Max
Peer Mentor
I work in parks and gardens and love being outdoors. I have a passion for restoring classic cars. Health and fitness is a keen interest of mine and I enjoy encouraging others to improve their overall wellbeing. Spending time with my family is important to me and going on long drives with some good music playing. I have a passion for helping people and believing in them to achieve and overcome whatever hurdles are in their way.
Ellie
Youth Mental Health
I'm passionate about youth mental health, knowing it can be an exciting but can also a particularly hard stage in life with a lot of uncertainty. I love encouraging people to explore their interests, accomplish goals or create new ones. I love assisting with study support and doing exciting outings such as Piano Bar, horse riding and musicals. I have great empathy and understanding for the challenges experienced by people living with disability, as I have lived experience with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome since my teen years. I'm a keen problem solver and take challenges as an opportunity to learn and grow - a motivating mindset I bring to my work
Peter
Peer Mentor
A retired professor and librarian. Peter has a BA in librarianship; a MAppSc in information studies; and a PhD in education. While his qualifications may be academic, he is empathetic in nature and committed to enriching lifestyle experiences and choices. Peter is an avid bike rider and uses his tandem to provide people with visual impairment the freedom to ride. He is acutely aware of how life challenges us, and he has a focus on lowering anxiety. Peter can also assist with writing and study-related tasks.
Mark
Support Worker
I'm a dedicated support worker and utilise a calm and reassuring presence towards the people I support. With a Certificate IV in Disability and years of experience in providing compassionate care, I bring a quiet strength and a steady hand to this role. I am highly attentive to the needs of each person and strive to make each shift a positive and fun experience. I have collaborated with a broader care team for many people I support and have experience with utilising the guidance of behaviour support plans. My approach is centred around respect, flexibility and understanding, ensuring that every individual feels valued and cared for. My interests are: camping, fishing, walking and coaching (with previous experience as a sporting coach)
Dot
Support Worker
I enjoy supporting individuals and helping them where they are at, to live their life as they want, and to achieve their goals. I am from a large sibling family of 11, in the past I have been a Sewing machinist, Printer by trade, and an inhouse foster carer for 10 years. My experience as a Foster carer involved supporting a child with Autism, and children with emotional needs and other disabilities. I am Qualified with a Certificate III in Age Care worked as an Age Carer with clients in their homes for 14 years. I have managed a soup kitchen for 3 years and continue to support a sister with disabilities and ongoing experience as a Disability support worker in my present role with Life Is Worth Living. In the last 5 years have enjoyed fishing, camping, boating and metal detecting! Since I was young I have enjoyed all Sci-fi, from movies and tv series to collecting memorabilia.
Sharee
Support Worker/Assistance Dog Trainer
Animals, especially assistance dogs have always had a positive impact on helping me through life's challenges. I love nothing more than supporting others to achieve new goals and extend any of their perceived limitations. I have a strong love for all animals and am passionate about assistance animals increasing a person's independence. I am a qualified disability support worker and an assistance dog trainer sometimes combining the two in my sessions. I am caring and empathetic and bring with me genuine understanding due to my own lived experience.
Keith
Peer Mentor
I'm someone with many interests and talents including photography, cooking, cycling and walking by the water, l have an interest in providing photos of willing and approved participants in and around our great landscape in our local area and provide them with great memories for both them and their families. I am a Peer Mentor and have been working in the field for over 3 years. A previous employer was Public Transport Victoria where I was able to include, in my role as a senior member, emphasis on Disability assistance and Disability requirements on pubic transport around Victoria. I live in the Geelong local area and l pride myself on community engagement experiences throughout the region with participants.
Geoffrey
Expert Paper Shredder & PR Representative
Geoffrey was introduced to the Life Is Worth Living team a couple of years ago and is now also a part of our team where his role has extended into doing some promotional and office work. He assists us by providing valuable feedback from having lived experience and fits in well with the culture of our organistaion welcoming others into our support network to share the experiences with our team at The Nest.
Matt
Support Worker
I have been working in the disability support sector for over 2 years and have enjoyed assisting people to move towards their goals. This aligns with my work as a Bowen therapist, NLP coach and football trainer, helping people live out happier lives. I like being able to help others achieve their goals. I think it is very rewarding to help people grow and see them thrive doing what they love. I have great organisation and tech skills, which are enhanced by my strengths of patience and understanding. I especially like assisting participants in accessing their passions, whether it be football, fishing, food, small business enterprises, shopping or being more social. I enjoy watching my kids play sports, taking photos, getting down to the beach each day, camping and great coffee.
Joanna
Support Worker
I am an enthusiastic, energetic and committed Mental Health and Community Service professional with 10+ years’ experience working under pressure in challenging disability, mental health and aged care environments. I hold a Diploma of Community Service, a Certificate IV in Mental Health and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Venezuela. I’m a proactive professional with proven experience delivering high quality, best practice assessment and treatment to individuals and children experiencing complex behavioural needs and overseeing behaviour supports according to the PBS Capability Framework. I have knowledge in art therapy, colour therapy, circle of personal fulfillment with the objective of planning and developing the different aspects or/or areas that life offers for our personal growth. Hardworking, physically fit and healthy professional with a positive attitude and the ability to build strong respectful relationships with all members of the community.
Gracie
Peer Mentor
My name is Belinda Grace. I am a bubbly, outgoing person with loads of energy, empathy and patience. Working with clients with special attributes is my forte, and helping them to achieve their best selves is where I excel. Hardworking, honest, respectful, loyal and always ready to jump in to ensure that everything is as it should be. Excellent communication skills, time management and work equally as well in a team or independently. My jobs have ranged from working as an Integration Aide to a Communication Assistant for Deaf in both ASL and Auslan, to a SCUBA diving instructor, where I set up my own deaf diving business to ensure deaf were able to access the incredible underwater world also. After traveling the world and working in different countries: England, Honduras, Israel and America, I have now returned home. Currently, I am looking for a way to use all my skills to enrich people's lives and therefore enriching mine.
Adam
Peer Mentor
Being a peer mentor allows me to make a positive impact in people's lives. I love having the opportunity to do something I'm passionate about, which is to connect with individuals, understand their unique needs, and provide the support they require. Studying Cert IV in disability is an exciting step towards furthering my knowledge and skills in this field. It's all about making a difference and creating a more inclusive and supportive community for everyone!
ABN: 96 706 288 763
We acknowledge the traditional country throughout Australia on which we gather, live, work and stand. We acknowledge all traditional custodians, their Elders past, present and emerging and we pay our respects to their continuing connection to their culture, community, land, sea and rivers.
