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QCamel is a commercial camel dairy on the Sunshine Coast that has been making a difference in the lives of people with disability since 2018.

“We always said that once we got big enough we would include people who otherwise found it difficult to gain employment because they have disabilities,” said Lauren, QCamel Director.

EPIC Assist has supported many job seekers with a disability to gain jobs they love at QCamel. One of their hires, Simon, couldn’t imagine a better job.

“I’ve been here for two years now coming onto three years. I’m the Yard’s Person. I clean up the yards. I’m like the run-around man. I make sure the camels are fed well, the yards are kept clean, and they’re nice and healthy, and they produce really nice milk.

“I got learning difficulties, speech problems, ADHD, ADD, but it doesn’t stop me. Me, I got disabilities but I got heaps of skills.

“If no one is on the farm, I can be here and do all the work and no one has to supervise me because Lauren knows I will do the right job.”

General Manager and Head Brewer of Brouhaha Matt Jancauskas was struggling to fill a role at his craft brewery and restaurant in Maleny on the Sunshine Coast.

EPIC job seeker Mitchell Blood, who has Asperger’s syndrome, was put forward for a work trial and started employment within weeks. Mitchell’s keen eye for detail means he has become integral to the business, checking all the beer cans for quality control before they are filled.

“Getting someone to have the attention to detail from 9 AM to 5 PM week in, week out, was difficult.

“It’s reassuring to know that the role is being taken care of 100% of the time, in exactly the same fashion.

“His disability is actively a strength in our business. That attention to detail is so hard to find, and he’s a huge asset to our business as a result,” Matt said.
Matt says the biggest growth he has seen has been in Mitchell’s personality and his passion and enthusiasm for the business.

“Mitchell has always been able to do the role, but he now feels confident to speak up if he feels like he could do something differently or if something isn’t where it should be. He’s proud of the business and has bought his friends and family up here. He asks which beers we’re doing each week and remembers what they look like. He’s really come out of his shell.”

Brett moved to the Sunshine Coast in late 2018, looking for employment. His verbal communication skills were minimal, and when he was able to speak, he had a severe stutter and struggled to get his words out. Talking on the telephone was impossible.

Looking for Brett’s next role, EPIC thought Cutting Edge Cabinets could be a good match.

Cutting Edge Cabinets has been building kitchens on the Sunshine Coast since 2003. Around 12 months ago, they moved into their current, custom build premises at Bell’s Creek near Caloundra.

The company produces a huge 60-70 kitchens a month, which equates to 3-5 per day.

Six months later, Brett is in charge of the forklift operations, receiving orders from the multiple trucks that come in and sorting them into their separate jobs. His role also includes edging boards that form the structure for the kitchens.

“EPIC have been really great because they actively sought work for me and found me employment,” Brett said.

“It’s been great to have them there to find employment and support me now that I have a job.”

Richard, an artist with an obvious sense of humour, was looking for a workplace that understood his mental health. With EPIC’s help, he found work at Your Mates Brewing Company in November 2019.

A self-described bipolar person, Richard affectionately calls his role at Your Mates ‘Packaging gopher’ or ‘Glue boy’.

“I glue together all the boxes for the Larry’s and the Sally’s – all the beer that goes out. All the boxes have my DNA on them,” he laughs.

His role also includes canning, stacking, warehouse duties, and anything else required to get the job done in a brewery.

Richard describes the work environment as a bunch of mates, making beer, having a good time, making it happen, and at the end of the day, having a couple of beers and a laugh together.

His life has changed in lots of ways since starting his role.

“My home relationship has changed enormously. The stability of an ongoing income is very important. My mental wellness is positively affected by the consistency of work,” Richard said.

“It’s also about the socialisation. A group of people that you work with become more than colleagues, they become your mates, which is what Your Mates is all about.”

Madill Motor Group at Noosa has always fostered a feeling of community amongst their staff.

With a focus on clubs within the local community and importance on family, lots of their staff are long-term team members who have been employed for a number of years.

One of these long-term team members is Murray Sharpe, who has been a yard hand and car detailer with Madill Motor Group for 12 years.

Murray was connected with EPIC Assist (EPIC) before he started his role at Madill Motor Group.

“EPIC has been there to support me over the years, but at the end of the day, it’s up to you to do it yourself. But if it wasn’t for them, I wouldn’t be where I am now.”

Sales Manager for Madill Motor Group, Ricky Carvolth, says Murray presents a lot of value to the company.

“He is a valued employee, a hard worker, honest and loyal; you couldn’t ask for a better staff member. Everyone likes and gets on with Murray. He has a ‘can-do’ attitude, whether it be the boring, exciting or frustrating jobs, Murray’s always there to give it his best,” Ricky said.