• Duncan Stephen
• Michelle Bernard
• Gerard Ryan
• Ray Huntsman
• Phil Jenyns and Cory Downing
• Jean Huyten
• Tom Connolly

"I worked in the nursing profession for 15 years until one day the strain of lifting patients and equipment took its toll, and I found myself unable to move. My restricted mobility meant I had to leave nursing and search for a new job that would support my disability. But this was not easy as all I had ever wanted to do was be a nurse and I was not trained to do anything else! I came to Good Samaritan Industries as part of my rehabilitation and work assessment, and began some volunteer work for the organisation. I loved the work, and was later employed in an administrative role that provided me with the necessary support and training to get back on my feet.

I am still here today, 17 years later, as Good Samaritan Industries' Community Liaison Officer - conducting tours of the Canning Vale warehouse for visitors and talks to external groups on the activities of the organisation."

While working as a cleaner and janitor at both UWA and Perth TAFE six years ago, I developed Crohn's Disease, a debilitating illness that completely disrupted my life. I went from 118 to 49 kilos, and was confined at home, unable to work at all. After a year of being unemployed, I desperately wanted to work again, but this was difficult as I only had the strength to work a few hours a day.

I got in touch with Good Samaritan Industries, and was very pleased when they offered me a part-time job in their cleaning team. I loved the interaction with people again. I was promoted to a 2IC position, while also participating in the Leadership Program and the Action Team, a workplace improvements committee. Last year, I found a position advertised for cleaning at UWA. Options Employment contacted UWA on my behalf, and arranged an interview - I got the job!

I'm thrilled! In six years, I've gone from someone who was reasonably fit, to being put out of work due to an illness - and returning to employment again. I'm back at UWA and feel that I've come full circle.

"One moment I was buying milk and tap washers at the local co-op, and then...
three weeks later I was found in Port Augusta, South Australia. I had completely lost my memory during those three weeks, and doctors said that I had suffered a mental breakdown.

Frequent memory lapses, panic attacks and a reliance on heavy medication meant that I needed to make some major lifestyle adjustments, not just for myself, but for my wife and three small children. I began work at Good Samaritan Industries with their maintenance team, and for eight years was on a disability support pension. My manager was a great role model to me and when he retired, I was approached to take up the position of Maintenance Supervisor, and became an award wage staff member.

I love my job, and consider myself more a friend than a boss. I find great satisfaction in working alongside my team - many of whom have a disability. I believe in multi-skilling my staff, so that they are confident in a variety of jobs, such as welding, spray-painting, and carpentry. At Good Samaritan Industries, everybody is an equal, regardless of position, skills or disability."

Phil and Cory work with the Ground Services team at Murdoch University, assisting in new landscaping projects, and mowing and watering the many campus gardens.

Both Cory and Phil have high support needs and were referred to Options Employment to help them find a job. They enjoy outdoor activities and are keen gardeners, so the opportunity of working with Murdoch was a great match with their hobbies and skills.

According to their Manager, Mr Ron Pease, they are an integral part of the Grounds team, and their commitment to completing a task to a required standard is exemplary. Phil and Cory work independently and as part of a team. Their co-workers have introduced them to many new skills, including operating motorbikes and mowers.

Jean was referred to Good Samaritan Industries' employment services division, Options Employment, by Centrelink, and had not worked for 10 years. She suffered from anxiety, and as a side effect of her medication, was nervous and jittery, and found it difficult to communicate with others. Options Employment found work experience for Jean in the fabrics department at Spotlight, It proved a good choice, and Jean was employed on a part-time basis. Now, two years later, Jean is multi-skilled in two Spotlight departments and loves her job. Options Employment recently negotiated some extra duties, which have further built Jean's skills, productivity, and self-esteem.

Jean is one of several Spotlight employees whose lives have been transformed through employment. As a measure of her new confidence, Jean was one of the Spotlight team that went to Canberra to accept the 1999 Employer of the Year Award from Prime Minister John Howard. It was the first time in many years that she had had the confidence to travel by plane.

"I immigrated to Australia in 1958 to begin a life in farming. In that same year, I was involved in an accident on the farm, and became a paraplegic. As you can imagine, my disability had an enormous impact on my dreams of farming!

A contact suggested that I use my skills as a trained electrician, and approach the newly established organisation, Good Samaritan Industries, for a job. I began work in their electrical assembly division in 1962, and later became Manager, working with various customers, such as Western Power, Atkins Carlyle and the Public Works Department. I found great satisfaction in helping the organization to build up the assembly business to its current size, now providing employment and training opportunities for more than 30 people with disabilities. However, after 39 years I felt it was time to leave Good Samaritan Industries and enjoy a well-earned retirement!

As a person with a disability, I have witnessed significant changes in the disability sector over the past few decades. In the past, people with disabilities weren't allowed to borrow money for a house, or even get a full-time job. Good Samaritan Industries has been a leader in this field, and has helped thousands of people with disabilities earn a living and achieve independence."