Madison Eastmond, Murray Pioneer

Calperum Station’s Flood Recovery program is boosting local employment and changing the lives of many Riverlanders in the process.

Run by Workforce Australia provider IntoJobs and delivered by Mas National, the Riverland Flood Recovery program was initially created in response to the devastating 2022 Murray River floods, with job recruitment agencies directing those who are unemployed or underemployed to the clean-up effort.

However, the four-month voluntary program at Calperum Station has expanded to a comprehensive skills and confidence-building initiative for local jobseekers, restoring habitat and community in the towns of Renmark and Berri, and producing two rounds of successful graduates since its inception.

“This program offers so much, from accredited training, work experience, to a holistic approach where we look at mental health and areas of empowerment,” Calperum Station general manager education and business development Julie Robertson said.

“Participants are treated like (our) staff (of) … ecologists, educators, and First Nations Rangers. (They’re) all working together on restoration projects while also reconnecting with the environment and fostering a sense of community and purpose.

“While much of the accreditation and experience gets people job ready, I feel it is our focus on attitude verses skill that makes the real change. We know their employers can train these capable people when they get the job, but it will be their resilience that will help them maintain it.”

Since its beginning, the Flood Program has had a myriad of success stories, including Ward Francis, who has recently acquired employment, confidence, and housing post his graduation of the first round of participants.

Hindered from employment by homelessness, financial difficulties, certification, and his mental health, Mr Francis said before the program “most jobs (he had) been interested in required qualifications, like a forklift licence and a white card”.

“I’ve never been suited to customer service roles due to my issues with anger and mental health,” he said.

“I’ve always been keen on doing something physical outdoors.”

Joining the Flood Program earlier this year, Mr Francis said the scheme also boosted his confidence and sparked an interest in landscaping.

While still continuing to look for an apprenticeship, after only a few months post his graduation, Mr Francis has acquired secure accommodation in Adelaide and is about to complete his forklift licence while working casually as a labourer.

Moving recently to the region to be with her partner, a lack of job opportunities and support systems were also severely impacting Tahlia Smith’s mental health.

However, though only halfway through the program, Ms Smith has been able to gain local employment — yet, she still is determined to finish out her time at Calperum.

“For me, this program is just as much of a priority as employment,” she said.

“I have learnt so much about the environment, the work force, and myself — this program has shown me I can ‘do it’ and find success, it has been life-changing.

“It’s only been three or four weeks and I feel like a completely different person.

“I genuinely feel so good when I come away from (Calperum) — everyone is so friendly, welcoming and knows my name. That’s actually been the most important thing for me… I feel like I have like-minded people and community.

“This is an opportunity I never thought I would been lucky enough to have, so I want to get everything I can out of it.”

Ms Robertson said it is like “Christmas morning” when she hears “results from the program like Ward and Tahlia”.

“It’s why Calperum works so hard to provide programs and opportunities like this for the (Riverland) community,” she said.

This article appeared in the Murray Pioneer, 9 October 2024.