Kirsten, Postal Delivery Officer, Chatswood, Sydney
Australia Post, NDRC Employer Partner
Kirsten is proving to be very dedicated in her new role as Postal Delivery Officer for Australia Post. She has been ‘on the beat’ for more than 12 weeks now, following an initial 3 month training period.
The National Disability Recruitment Coordinator has recently partnered with Australia Post to open up more jobs for people with disability such as Kirsten. She was supported in securing her role and settling into it by her Employment Consultant Brent from Job Centre Australia (her local Disability Employment Service).
Kirsten explains a bit about her daily tasks, saying, “I do the Chatswood run (in Sydney). I start up my day by picking up the bags, then I put them in the buggy and deliver the mail. The Australia Post buggy is like a little pram that you push in front of you which carries the mail.”
Kirsten is 46 years old and she has held previous roles in several different industries, but she was initially attracted by the idea of having a job that allowed her to remain physical and active. She says, she is “aware of taking care of myself, that’s the most important part. I quite like walking, I’m always outdoors. I wouldn’t say I’m extremely fit, but I do like walking.”
She says that a great part about her job is working alongside people who support her and whom she admires, stating, “They have been awesome at Australia Post! When you start working you get a buddy to walk around with you; my buddy was Anna and she was great! There are some great people here at Australia Post, including my team leader who is also awesome.”
Kirsten is so comfortable in her role now that she even gets approached by the locals, “Sometimes people come up to me and ask directions and say, ‘You’re doing a god job’ which is nice! I like talking to people. Talking to people is definitely the best part of my job.”
Despite her disability, Kirsten is excelling in her new role and Australia Post has been understanding of some of the limitations that Kirsten may occasionally face. Kirsten says that her particular route, “is meant to take me about four hours but it takes me five. I’m terrible at walking up stairs too.” She mentions some of her physical limitations and how she has overcome these, “Going from hills to flat ground was not good for me, and it hurt my knees but I have realised that I have more muscles than I thought!”
Kirsten has been supported into her role of Postal Delivery Officer by Brent Fleming of Job Centre Australia. Brent says, “As Kirsten’s trainer, I have supported her throughout the induction process and through on the job training and support. I am proud of the dedication that Kirsten has shown resulting in the successful completion of her 3 month probation with Australia Post - well done!"
When asked what she likes to do in her spare time, Kirsten is very direct, “”What spare time? I leave at 8am and I don’t get home until 5pm, so I don’t have much spare time!” Kirsten says that her new role at Aussie Post has helped her gain more independence and confidence in herself, and she is grateful to Australia Post for giving her a go.
As of August 2011, the NDRC had secured 23 Employer Partners, including Australia Post. Other large organisations that have signed up to show their commitment to inclusion and diversity include Woolworths Limited, the Commonwealth Bank and Telstra.
To find out more about the NDRC service, go to www.jobaccess.gov.au
or phone 1800 464 800.
