Australian Idol Gets Sureway Transition to Work Participants Songwriting for Success

If you’re a young person preparing for work or study, every experience can help you on your journey – even a workshop with a nationally famous musician like Emerauld.

Originally published by Murray Bridge News

Life is a journey, and you deserve a chance to live it to the fullest no matter how far along you are.

The team at Sureway understand that – that’s why they invited a nationally famous musician to come and work with a group of young people in Murray Bridge last week.

Emilie Suter – also known by her stage name, Emerauld – shot to stardom when she featured on Australian Idol earlier this year.

On Thursday, her incredible voice filled a conference room as she guided participants in Sureway’s Transition to Work program through a songwriting workshop.

Participants took turns suggesting lyrics or talking about the things that made them feel happy.

What does that have to do with getting ready to enter the workforce, or start a new course?

Sureway gets that you’re a person with passions, hopes and dreams – not just a box to be ticked.

The more experience you gain, in any field, the more prepared you’ll be for the next chapter in your life.

The Transition to Work program is open to people between the ages of 15 and 24 who need assistance to get ready for work or education.

The program is designed to build participants’ skills, confidence and readiness for work.

Sureway Youth Consultants can:

• Help you build your pre-employment and personal skills through training, work experience and education.
• Talk to you about apprenticeships and internships.
• Connect you with local community services and job opportunities.

Sureway know that everyone is different, so they tailor the program to your needs to make sure you get the right support.

Photo and story courtesy of Peri Strathearn

Need help to find a career path that works for you? Get in touch with us on 1300 SUREWAY (1300 787 392) or [email protected] to find out how we can help.

Queanbeyan-Palerang Reconciliation Walk

Each year to celebrate National Reconciliation Week, the Queanbeyan NSW Council holds the Queanbeyan-Palerang Reconciliation Walk which is held on the main street of Queanbeyan NSW.

Workforce Australia (WAES) Phillip ACT Employment Consultants- Meaghan and Rachael, WAES Tuggerangong ACT Employment Consultant- Annmaree and WAES Queanbeyan NSW Employment Consultant- Carlie, participated in the walk to celebrate National Reconciliation Week.

The walk started with a Smoking Ceremony at Marj Christian Park before a walk to Sunken Gardens in Queanbeyan Park, where the Welcome to Country is delivered by Ngunnawal Elders.

Diverse speakers from the different cultures of Australians delivered the message that all attendees were able to learn from. Through their speeches, we learned about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.

Need help to find a career path that works for you? Get in touch with us on 1300 SUREWAY (1300 787 392) or [email protected] to find out how we can help.

Cultural Walk for Community with Wiradyuri Elder, Uncle James Ingram

To honour National Reconciliation Week 2023, our Wagga Wagga Workforce Australia team members attended Cultural Walk for Community to work towards the goal of building respectful relationships between the broader Australian community and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Led by local Wiradyuri Elder, Uncle James Ingram from the Bidya Marra Consultancy, the Cultural Walk for Community helped to build our awareness of the significance of Wiradyuri culture in the city of Wagga Wagga NSW.

Wiradyuri Elder, Uncle James Ingram shared his knowledge of the Murrumbidgee River, the Wollundry Lagoon and other significant sites around the local Wagga Wagga area.

Commencing at Riverside, Wagga Wagga Beach with a Welcome to Country, participants experienced stomping on Country and weaving with the Hands-on Weavers group, followed by a tour of the Riverside precinct and the Wollundry Lagoon.

Employer Relationship Coordinator Deb Thacker highly recommends the Cultural Walk for Community.

“There were things that I didn’t know that existed within a 1-2km walk of our culture.”

Deb explains “The day started with a Smoking Ceremony at the Wagga Wagga Beach and later, dancing that led into Ceremony. Significant landmarks and artefacts were explored. We explored the Stolen Generation Rock at the Civic Centre and a tree of significance and gathering at Wagga Wagga Beach.”

“Later participants of the Cultural Walk for Community were invited to a Yarning Circle where stories were shared, with all later participating in Wiradyuri Weaving.”

“The most impactful part of the Cultural Walk for Community was the Smoking Ceremony. We got to participate within the culture. Meanings behind the Smoking Ceremony were given with words and dancing. We were then blessed with the Stone Smoke”.

“The Cultural Walk for Community allowed participants to feel a part of the culture and I highly recommend it to all.”

Need help to find a career path that works for you? Get in touch with us on 1300 SUREWAY (1300 787 392) or [email protected] to find out how we can help.