APM First Nations - Clare transcript

Clare: Hi, my name's Clare. I'm 32 and I'm a Business Manager for APM in Collie, WA. I have been with APM for just under 7 years. I live local to Collie. I manage two sites within the southwest region, one where I was living, Collie, and the other one being Manjimup. I'm a mum of two boys. I've done both my pregnancies with APM, so they're APM babies. There was a stereotypical, being raised by a single mum that I wasn't going to amount to anything. Proving the fact that yes, I went through school, I got to where I am, and it was all like, from the hard conscientious work of my mum and myself. Like, that was the biggest thing because I didn't want to be a statistic. So I'm actually very lucky. I, my mum and one of my teachers actually from when I was at college, kept me in line a fair bit, advocated for me. And that's why I actually came into this industry is because I wanted to advocate for those that couldn't do it for themselves. My role is not stereotypical, it's variety. There's no days ever the same. You can learn everything. The admin stuff can be taught, the language can be taught. You need to have empathy for the people that we're working with because they don't all have the same things that we have. They don't have the family support, they don't have a car. My family are First Nations, but my indigenous identity doesn't come into play within my role. Yes, it does break the ice for clients however at the end of the day we are all still people. My leaders have been supportive, I will say that. And I am very, very grateful for the fact that they are. And knowing that they have your back is amazing. The vibe here is really, really good. It's a positive team. I always want my team to feel included. Yes, we are employees, but we're also part of a bigger family. And the regular check-ins, the “Are you OK?” Just, yeah, the constant communication just to support. My advice to an indigenous person wanting to join APM. Do it, be the change, have a crack. You'll be surprised. If I have a good day, it's because something good happened. Or it doesn't even have to be like someone getting a job you know, something big, it could be the fact that someone's gone and got a house, or someone's got their kids back or, you know, we've gone and had a conversation with the local fines and enforcements to get them back on their licensing. That's what we're here for. If I could change one person's life a day or even a week, I know I'm doing my job.