10 Minutes With Sheryl Colton

This month we sat down with Sheryl Colton, who recently celebrated her 17.5 Years of Service with the organisation! Sheryl provided a glimpse into her life and her role at Rural Lifestyle Options Australia as a Lifestyle Support Worker.

What are you responsible for? As a Lifestyle Support Worker, I am responsible for following RLOA’s mission of ‘Supporting a life of choice’. I am responsible for keeping up to date with relevant training, with the intent to gain the knowledge to be able to support the participants better; advocate for the participants; and support the participants to achieve their goals and what they would like to do. My favourite aspect of this role is seeing the participants exercise ‘choice’ and ‘control’. I love showing the participants options, which may be as simple as picking out what to wear for the day or what they would like for breakfast and letting them decide. I love it. What do you consider to be your strengths? Advocacy. With the knowledge I have gained over the past 40 years in this industry, I have the confidence to advocate for our participants with higher powers. When you advocate, my rule is if you don’t win, at least you’ve tried. I love doing it. For the participants. What is an unknown fact about you? An unknown fact about me is that I really like watching movies. I like comedy movies, they are my favourite. What drives you nuts? Nothing really. Well, sometimes my partner, Garry. What are your interests? My interests are watching movies and spending time with my friends. I also like going shopping, but I have been a bit reluctant to go shopping since COVID-19 hit.

What is your favourite food?

My favourite cuisine is Chinese food. My favourite dish is curried prawns.

What was the last song you listened to?

‘Take it to the limit’ by The Eagles.

What was the last TV show you binge watched?

Inspector Morse. I was watching it just last night.

What is your favourite work tip?  When it comes to work, make sure you enjoy what you do, enjoy the learning, enjoy everything. How do you like to receive feedback?  By email. However really.

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10 Minutes With John Hollingworth

This month we sat down with John Hollingworth, who provided a glimpse into his life and his role at Rural Lifestyle Options Australia as a Lifestyle Support Worker.

What are you responsible for? I'm responsible for supporting the participants in their lives. Whatever they decide to do, and however they want to do it, it is my role to support them to make it happen. My role is to empower participants to experience things they didn't realise they could do. In a respectful manner, my role is to remove any feelings of limitations to what the participant thinks they can do. What do you consider to be your strengths? My strengths are to connect with the participants to listen and to give them space to grow. I don't go in with any pre-conceived notions. I don't try and change who they are. I just support them to be the best versions of themselves. What is an unknown fact about you? I enjoy camping and fishing and I'm currently getting into kayaking. I like getting out into nature. I guess that isn't necessarily an unknown fact about me but it is definitely something I enjoy. What drives you nuts? When people overlook the simplicity of life. You need to enjoy the small things. What are your interests? My interests are around how people tick; how people interact with life; and how they react to circumstances. I'm currently studying a course on Indigenous Studies which is exploring the impact of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures in today's society. It fascinates me how much of the history is lost; and how it has influenced and is continuing to influence today's society. This is what I'm interested in at the moment.

What is your favourite food?

My favourite food is Indian. My favourite restaurant at the moment is a place at High Gate Hill. They do fantastic Indian and it is very cheap. It's beautiful. I enjoy all the hot foods there but if I had to pick a dish, my favourite would be the Chicken Biryani.

What was the last song you listened to?

'The Wall' by Pink Floyd. It is reminiscence of my childhood and I recently bought the CD.

What was the last TV show you binge watched?

The last TV show I binge watched was The Marvellous Mrs Maisel. It is set in the late 1950s and is about a female comedian who is struggling against society's norm about what a comedian should be.

What is your favourite work tip?  My favourite work tip is the 'Three M's' - the meals, the meds and the money. Get all three right and the rest of your shift will be fine. How do you like to receive feedback?  I like it given straight and direct. Don't try and sugar coat it.

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10 Minutes With Annett Reeves

This month we sat down with Annett Reeves, who provided a glimpse into her life and her role at Rural Lifestyle Options Australia as Office Manager.

What are you responsible for? I'm responsible for mentoring, training and supporting the Customer Service Team members at all three of our Offices. My role encompasses providing efficient and effective administrative support to staff and provide outstanding customer service to visiting participants, families and stakeholders. What do you consider to be your strengths? As far as my strengths go, I really pride myself on getting in and getting it done to meet the needs of our Team. I don't like to make people wait. What is an unknown fact about you? When I was younger I was an avid BMX rider, and I even went to the State Championships for it. What drives you nuts? When people say they are going to do something by a specific time and they don't do it and then don't let you know that it is not going to be done in time. What are your interests? I like going out and riding bikes with my kids, exploring the local national parks and fishing. I also enjoy a glass of wine (or three) and socialising with friends.

What is your favourite food?

I’m well known with friends for having the best Cobloaf, whenever there is a gathering I’m asked to bring along my signature dish to share with everyone. I’m also partial to sweet treats such as Cadbury Popping Candy Chocolate or Mars Bar Ice Creams.

What was the last TV show you binge watched?

I am binge watching 'The Flash' at the moment with my children.

What is your favourite work tip?  Close the loop. How do you like to receive feedback?  I like direct feedback. If someone is happy with what our team does or how we are doing it let us know. If there is something me or my Team is not doing that we could do better let me know, if I don’t know I can't fix it. I appreciate open communication. What is the best way to contact you?  People can get in touch with me by emailing annett.reeves@rloa.org.au

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