Staff at a Lithgow employment service transformed themselves and their Mort Street office to help raise over $20,000 for drought-affected farmers.
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Chris Champkin, Annette McPhail, Nichole Strain and Shaylee Thomas participated in a nation-wide ‘Farmers Friday’ run by their employer OCTEC, which contributed $50 to ‘R U Aware We Care’ for each staff member who dressed up.
OCTEC is a not-for-profit service with 140 sites in NSW, ACT, Victoria and Queensland that provides free support programs for job seekers.
“It was Lynda Nash at the Tamworth office’s creation,” Chris Champkin said.
“She got the boss on board, and CEO Andrew McDougall said he was going to donate $5000, and then he’ll top it up $50 per staff member who participates.”
Ms Champkin said she had heard from clients impacted by the big dry.
“It’s impacted our Mudgee clients definitely,” she said.
“The down turn in Mudgee in employment opportunities is phenomenal.
“There’s also a few affected out at Bathurst. Some of our [Lithgow] clients in outer areas, it's affecting some businesses in the area and properties as well.”
Having transformed their office into a veritable farmyard barn, complete with straw and tools, Lithgow Employment Service is waiting to hear if they won any prizes for best dressed or best site decoration.
“They’re still doing the final numbers but pretty much every site got on board,” Nichole Strain said.
“We even had an office that brought in a turkey.”
Lithgow Employment Service wanted to thank Blackheath Community Op-Shop and the Mt Victoria Emporium for their help in putting together their office’s display.
OCTEC offers free, government funded transition to work programs for young people (aged 15-21), people with disabilities and mature aged job seekers.
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