Ashley completed a school-based traineeship in community services work whilst attending Matthew Flinders Girls Secondary College in 2015. Ashley went about her training and work placement in a quiet, unassuming manner. She always contributed in class and encouraged others at the Gordon TAFE. She was hosted by Diversitat through Gforce, in their Multi-Cultural aged care facility in Geelong West. She showed the elderly wonderful compassion and gentleness despite language barriers. One of her task was to write the life stories of these elderly participants. This was a task which was important to Ashley an assisted her to get to know the participants better and have a great understanding of the elderly generally and immigrants to Australia. It was beneficial to the participants as well who relished in telling their stories despite their memories failing them, often their earlier memories were very clear. Ashley also showed her supervisors, colleagues and fellow student’s great respect at her placement.
She cares for her mother who has a disability which is where her desire to help others derives from.
During her traineeship, she completed the Kokoda Track as part of Kokoda Youth Geelong. She raised money for one of the porters on her return whose home was lost. Ashley seeks out opportunities to help others in need. She recently won a Rotary Award for Trainee of the Year due to her achievements and the photos attached were taken at this event.
Ashley is an ambassador for the community services industry and it is clear she has a passion for it and has matured into lovely lady who is able to speak at the Kokoda breakfast with ease and confidence.