Kununurra Staff

John holds a certificate of Trade Studies, has a Diploma in Business, a Diploma in Company Directorship, and is a qualified safety practitioner and holds a certificate IV in Assessment and Workplace Training. John was a heavy plant lecturer at Central West College of TAFE and then worked for the ‘Apprentice and Traineeship Company - Mid West' as a Field Officer before moving on to be the General Manager at Kimberley Group Training. John looks after the operations of KGT, always looking for innovative ways to engage and keep engaged the trainees and apprentices. His future objective is to make sure that the trainees and apprentices remain in stable employment on completing their traineeship, “In order to do this we create a job readiness program around their training so as to get them ready for the workforce once they finish their traineeship.”

Ian has worked with Aboriginal Communities and organisations for many years as a Book Keeper and Administrator. At KGT Ian makes sure that the company outcomes are being met. What he appreciates about the company is that the outcomes are sustainable and that there is a great culture amongst the team members, “Everyone has the same goal of wanting to assist people to get jobs.” His future goal is to improve the quality of the apprenticeships and traineeships on offer so that he can improve outcomes and engage better with other organisations and job networks.

When Lina joined Kimberley Group Training she had 18 years experience working with youth as a Pharmacy Laboratory Manager at Monash University. Now she works with indigenous school based trainees who are in their final years of high school. She advises the students on career opportunities and helps them find a path to their future goals. She is also a mentor and role model to the students, as a lot of time is spent supporting the youth with their daily challenges so that they can ascend through their traineeship or apprenticeship. What she loves about her job is the personal growth she sees in the young people going through the training. “It is very satisfying when you see them progress and get their apprenticeships and some even go on to university which they couldn’t have done without this school based training.” She also believes that her program benefits the local business community because the students learn to be driven and they have the support from KGT to achieve their goals, “They end up more mature and stable individuals and then they can put back into the community”.

Natasha’s commitment to her work paid off in 2007 when she received the prestigious state industry award GROUP TRAINING WA FIELD OFFICER OF THE YEAR. Natasha works with Aboriginal and Non Aboriginal youth, placing them in apprenticeships at the Argyle Diamond Mine. In her job she witnesses the New Apprentices mature into young adults and become role models, “Other young Aboriginal youth want to follow in their footsteps, they want to get off CDEP so that they can achieve their goals and help out their community.” In the many years that Natasha has worked at KGT she has helped over fifty young people get into jobs locally, some have even gone overseas with their trade certificates as well as Australia wide, even starting their own business’s. Natasha feels that KGT has supported her by giving her the many skills that she implements in her job as well as building her confidence so that now she is also studying at university, completing her Diploma in Business.

Chad travels thousands of kilometres through the East Kimberley putting young people into jobs. He gains their trust and respect by leading by example “I need to be reliable and follow through with what I say to them.” In his job he mediates and creates opportunities for the Apprentices and Trainees with the Host Employer. Chad likes working for Kimberley Group Training because he believes it is making a real dent in indigenous unemployment. He is immediately seeing the results that training is providing young people “It’s taking people off welfare and creating role models”.

Kristen supervises the administration team and thrives on the challenge of keeping up to date with new government policies and funding opportunities created by the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations which she implements into the admin system. Kristen believes that Kimberley Group Training is a leader in its field because it’s focused on helping people move on and make a better life for themselves. Her job requires multi tasking and managing people and she believes in leading by example. Kristen enjoys working with the senior people at all levels of the organisation and looks forward to being a part of defining KGT’s future as it continues to develop as an organisation.

Bronwyn supervises the day to day accounting functions of payroll, debtors, creditors and account reconciliations. Bronwyn has a degree in accounting from LaTrobe University. Originally from Victoria, she moved to Kununurra several years ago because she loved the weather, the countryside and the people. In the future Bronwyn would like to keep on working at KGT helping indigenous people build a healthy and sustainable future."I am proud of being part of a company that is able to help youth achieve their goals, especially at risk and disengaged kids."

Charmaine has a background in Finance and Administration. After completing her traineeship in Business Administration Charmaine commenced her job as finance officer at KGT. She likes the opportunities and challenges that Kimberley Group Training provides, as well as working for a company that helps people get jobs. Her work involves handling the creditors and payroll. "I enjoy the team spirit at KGT, the staff are fun, enthusiastic and positive."

Before commencing with KGT Craig was running his own Drainage business for 10 years in Perth. He relocated to Kununurra to experience a different way of life. "Working at KGT gives me the opportunity to help young guys starting out in the building industry as first year apprentices and then working with them through the course of their apprenticeship, in order for them to qualify as a tradesman." On a day to day basis Craig meets with the apprentices to monitor their performances and to go through any issues that may be occurring.

Kerrin previously worked in accounts at Wunan, an Aboriginal Development Organisation in Kununurra. This built a strong foundation for her responsible position at KGT, taking care of the government incentives funding that KGT are entitled to. "I like what KGT does, how they look after their apprentices and put them through their training." Kerrin is making most of the training support KGT offers by undertaking a Cert III in business to further develop her business skills. In the future she will look into doing a business degree at University.

Shan is the chief financial officer at Kimberley Group Training and his focus has been financially strengthening the organisation and provide all necessary resources to KGT to meet it's long and short term objective. Shan has a degree in Business Studies from Massey University New Zealand and is he is a member of the institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia and New Zealand as well as a member of the Australian Professional National Accountants.

After working for both Not For Profit and the commercial organisations in metropolitan areas for over 20 years in Finance sector, he now calls Kununurra 'Home away from Home' "I like that fact that it is remote, and has no traffic and good weather throughout the year."

Mark has 22 years experience in a number of specialist fields in psychology. He also has a Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts with Honours in Applied Psychology from Queensland University. Mark has held senior positions in health and corrective services and functioned in the role of psychologist and clinical consultant in the areas of specialist mental health and vocational rehabilitation. He has a background in the treatment of drug and alcohol problems, trauma, violence and family issues.

Mark provides practical assistance and support to young Apprentices on-site and assists them in overcoming any barriers or issues they may have in their job or workplace. He also offers an in-house assessment and counselling service for Apprentices.

Mark is the author of two self-help books and has produced a television series called "It's Your Life". "I'm committed to establishing practical and effective psychological services for Kimberley Group Training and interested in developing culturally specific psychological tests for indigenous populations.v

Hayley has a Public Relations Degree with a Major in Marketing under her belt. Always having a desire to experience the East Kimberley Hayley packed her bags in 2009 and headed north, leaving Victoria and her Advertising and Sales background.

In her role as a Field Officer Hayley supports both the Employers and the Apprentices in the workplace. She assists the Employers by recruiting Apprentices and through regular site visits identifies any issues and assists in resolving them. Hayley monitors the Apprentices progress and gives advice and support, also co-ordinating their training with the relevant training organisation. "I support Apprentices in their education, training and employment journey and look forward to seeing them complete their workplace training."

Clare is born and bred in Kununurra and would love to travel around the world. Clare plays a lot of sport and loves fishing and camping. Whilst working at KGT Clare has completed her Cert II in Business and is furthering her career options by undergoing a Cert III in Business. Clare's goal is to go to university and undertake further studies, possibly in business. "I want to give it a go and see what I can achieve."

After completing school Clare worked as an admin office at the Indigenous Coordination Centre and then joined KGT to further her training. "At school I wasn't thinking about further education, I was just going with the flow but now I have changed my mind through working and getting encouragement from people at work."

Caroline likes to study business and languages and enjoys travelling. She has travelled from across the globe to live in Kununurra. Originally from Brazil, Caroline prefers the peaceful landscape of the Kimberley to the noisy streets of Brazil's capital city Rio de Janeiro. "I prefer it here because it's a higher quality of life, you don't waste time commuting, and the landscape is amazing."

Caroline enjoys studying and is undertaking studies in business whilst working at KGT. "I'm trying to achieve and grow a career, go forward and get further qualifications in admin and training." Caroline would like to get a chance to try a lot of areas in business before settling into one career.

Rhoda finished her Bachelor's degree in Psychology in 2001 and acquired her professional Licence in teaching in the same year. She has 7 years extensive experience in Human Resources in the Philippines before moving to Australia. "Moving from the Philippines to Kununurra was a huge change, after living in the busy city of Manila it seems very quiet and simple here. It's a positive change because it's peaceful, and overwhelming that everyone at Kimberley Group Training is so supportive."

Rhoda enjoys working at Kimberley Group Training because it gives her the opportunity to work in the same field as when she was in the Philippines, where she was working in the recruitment area of human resources for a Japanese company and a local Philippine business. In her Administration role at KGT Rhoda gives support to both Admin and Finance Departments. Her future plan is to boost her career by undertaking university courses, possibly in Business Administration.