TEAM
our
Les
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Starting off in the community through volunteer youth work at the local PCYC in 2008, I began my introduction to Armidale through Friday night discos and very early Sunday morning markets cooking the BBQ. Not long after this I began tutoring a young man with a disability which changed my trajectory forever.
Completing my Bachelor in Social Science in 2009 I applied for a traineeship at a local disability support provider and stayed for nearly decade of support work. Supporting people in their homes and community was a truly rewarding and humbling experience – witnessing the dignity and resilience during difficult times and the pure enjoyment during the fun times. I have been able to support people through their homes and communities, adventure holidays, charity fashion parades, surgeries, grief, joy and almost everything in between.
Through these experiences I often sought to learn more, while doing support work, I also completed a Cert III in Disability, Diploma of Counselling, Certificates in OHS, Mental Health First Aid and became a Person-Centred Planning Facilitator. I have recently completed a Graduate Certificate in NDIS Business development and am trying to master the unicycle. Variety is the spice of life and all that...
Joel
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I began a life of service and helping people when I joined the Australian Regular Army in 2005 as a Chef, whilst feeding people is an important role I found the community support and outreach side of the armed forces much more rewarding, being posted to Darwin the cyclone recovery crew was our main way of helping people outside the armed forces.
It took me 10 years of working retail and industrial sales jobs in Sydney, while supporting close friends with mental illness, that I realised I was wasting my time and passion selling glue and should spend it focused towards helping people who need it.
Knowing Les since I was 16 years old, it was easy to reach out and get the support to transition into helping others. My experience with business operations and structured work/learning I felt that we could expand our ideas and knowledge to help a wider array of people.
Trevor
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Hello there, it's a pleasure to meet you! My name is Trev, and I have found my calling with the MCS team and engaging with individual-focused support work. I've spent years having a go at a bit of everything, but helping people has always been the foundation that I have derived the most satisfaction from.
Moving into support work has been a culmination of years of different experiences (retail, real estate, uni, law, journalism, policy, mining and more), giving me the opportunity to synergise all of my skills into something extremely rewarding. It has been a joy to meet all of our clients and I am grateful to be invited to be a part of their day-to-day lives.
In my extra-curricular time, I am a keen astrophotographer (here are some of my images: https://www.astrobin.com/users/Theinimitable/), Lego builder, gardener, Raspberry Pie tinkerer, cricket fanatic and a gamer. My favourite dinosaur is the Stegosaur (you can't beat the Thagomizer!) and I take my coffee white with no sugar, thanks.
Jess
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Born and raised in Armidale, I'm a familiar face to many. I have previously worked in retail and the Insurance Industy for over 10 years obtaining my Certificate 3 in Financial Services and Diploma in Insurance Broking.
Having family connections tied to the Disability Sector this piqued my interest in a career change to a position more rewarding.
I was recently offered an amazing opportunity to join the MCS team in an administrative role, which I'm absolutely loving. I bring to the team my organisational skills, efficiency and friendly personality.
Outside of work, I cherish my roles as a wife and loving mother of three.
Balancing work and family life, I enjoy spending quality time with my family, cheering on the sidelines at weekend sports and exploring the hidden gems around the New England and beautiful coast lines.
Lee
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I was born in Armidale a long time ago, my father’s job in Local Government took us to many new places while growing up. I returned to Armidale when I was 18 to attend UNE, and soon after I joined the ANZ EMANZA Centre in North Sydney and after several years there, I put on a backpack and travelled the world for 4 years. Upon my return to Australia I moved back to Sydney and joined OPTUS.
Returning to Armidale in 1996 I finally put down stumps and decided to stay. In 1997 I became a mum to 2 beautiful boy’s (twins) Alex and Angus. The boys started school and once again I attended UNE where I earned my Bachelor of Education Degree and became a teacher. While teaching I met and taught children with disabilities which piqued my interest in pursuing a career in the disability sector. I was lucky enough to be able to continue teaching as well as begin my new role as a support worker with a large disability support organisation. Eventually I retired from teaching in 2017 and I began my full-time career in disability. I have worked as a support worker, a support coordinator and a Local Area Coordinator, so I am familiar with all aspects of the NDIS sector and the challenges in our regional community.
In early 2023 I was offered the opportunity to join the MCS Team as the Community Outreach Manager where I will be reaching out to those in the community who are seeking advice, support, and assistance in contacting the support they may need to assist them with their everyday life. This is not only provided for our NDIS clients at MCS, but for any community member who is seeking assistance to find the appropriate support that they may need.
These are a few of my favourite things: -
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My family including my fur babies.
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Talking (a lot)
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Diplodocus is my favourite dinosaur.
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Coffee in the sunshine with friends.
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Binge watching on Netflix and Amazon Prime
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Card night with the family, Euchre and Frustration are the go-to games with nice.
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My job.