108 Bargara Rd
Bundaberg East, Qld, 4670
When Amanda Fyfe walked into the room of about 60 people, her heart sank.
Amanda was amazed at how many people had turned up for an information session where they were all looking to secure one of 10 traineeships in Conservation and Land Management, through IMPACT Community Services.
But her worries proved unfounded.
“It was after the session and I was with my daughter at a bus stop when I got the call from (supervisor) Rob (Alder) asking me to come in for an interview,” Amanda (pictured in the yellow and blue shirt) said.
“It felt great. I was really surprised by the call considering how many people were at that information session.
“I just started jumping up and down.”
The mother-of-four was successful in her interview and is now in her first week of the 22-week traineeship.
Most of the first week has been spent on site at IMPACT Community Services’ Bargara Rd site, where the trainees have gone through White Card training, Inductions, Health & Safety, Risk Assessments and organising PPE clothing. They have also taken a few tours of their future work sites.
Next week they will hit the road, and of course Rob the supervisor can’t wait.
With the support of Bundaberg Regional Council, Rob has a big project at Baldwin Swamp on the horizon for the team with plans for a new pathway.
Given the current unfolding Covid-19 situation, Rob has worked closely with management at IMPACT to put in place measures to protect the trainees.
The crew will follow social distancing protocols, including when getting to and from the job sites.
“Most of the time we’re working outdoors, which is the best place to be,” Rob said.
“Council has been great in working with us.
“Nothing else has changed and we’re really keen as a group to get out into the field.”
Once she found out about the traineeships, Amanda said she was really excited.
“It’s something I want to do. It’s still early days, but everyone has been great.”
Rob has been supervising the Green Gang Trainees since 2018.
Previous groups have planted hundreds of trees in the Steptoe St area, erected fencing, installed irrigation, restored and painted footbridges, helped with projects at Baldwin Swamp and installed protective cages for baby turtles at Elliott Heads and Moore Park.
“My goal is to build trust and have the trainees trust me,” Rob said.
“We do everything with the crew, even help them look for jobs once the course is completed.”
This Skilling Queenslanders for Work project is proudly funded by the Queensland Government.
Please note: This website may contain references to, or feature images, videos, and voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples who have passed away.