Flood Recovery Program Restoring Habitat and Hope

When Ward Francis joined the Riverland Flood Recovery program to help give back to his community, little did he know it would have a lifechanging effect.

Developed in response to the devastating Murray River floods in 2022, the voluntary program has seen three rounds of successful graduates since its inception. What was once a cleanup effort has expanded to comprehensive skills and confidence-building initiative for local jobseekers, restoring habitat and hope in the rural towns of Renmark and Berri in South Australia.

Unable to find work, Ward was sleeping rough at the time and hindered by financial difficulties, lack of necessary certifications and mental health challenges, “Most jobs I’ve been interested in require qualifications, like a forklift licence and a white card. I’ve never been suited to customer service roles due to my issues with anger and mental health. I’ve always been keen on doing something physical outdoors,” he said.

Ready to try something new, Ward signed up for the program in May 2024. Over the next four months, he visited the culturally and environmentally important Calperum Station twice a week. The program not only enabled him to gain vital qualifications and work experience, but it also sparked an unexpected interest in landscaping and boosted his confidence.

Now, Ward is looking forward to starting a career in landscaping or bricklaying in Adelaide, where he’s secured accommodation and potential job opportunities, “Completing the program definitely boosted my confidence to put myself out there and seek employment,” he said.

Run by Workforce Australia provider, IntoJobs and delivered by Mas National (both part of the IntoWork Group), the program assists individuals and jobseekers like Ward by providing hands-on experience in wetland restoration along with accredited training and work experience, including how to manage mental health in the workplace.

Julie Robertson, General Manager for Education Development at Calperum Station, oversees the program and highlighted its effectiveness in helping jobseekers overcome significant employment barriers. “This program is excellent for re-engaging jobseekers with skill development, enhancing their confidence, and integrating them into a team setting, which closely reflects a real work environment,” Ms Robertson said.

The initiative has been particularly successful for those facing long-term unemployment and for First Nations jobseekers, “Our team includes ecologists, educators, and First Nations Rangers. Participants are treated like staff, working together on restoration projects while also reconnecting with the environment and fostering a sense of community and purpose,” she said.

Ward feels the program offered him more than just job skills and training, “It taught me to keep our land tidy, not to litter, and that I enjoy learning how to restore and maintain it. It really helps you appreciate the environment more,” he reflected.

Workforce Australia Local Jobs program is funded by the Australian Government Department of Employment and Workplace Relations.