Featured, Stories - October 15, 2025
Intereach carers finding strength in connection: Melissa’s story
Pictured above: Intereach Carers Reference Group member Melissa (left) with her family.
At Intereach, caring is part of who we are. One in three of our staff identify as carers — people who balance their professional roles with the demands of supporting a loved one.
During National Carers Week 2025, we’re celebrating the three million Australians who provide unpaid care to family and friends, and the strength, compassion and community that unite us all.
For Melissa, Program Manager for Local Area Coordination in Goulburn, that sense of connection has been life-changing.
As both a leader at Intereach and a lifelong carer for her son, Melissa has found understanding, encouragement and purpose through the Intereach Carers Reference Group (CRG) — a staff-led initiative that provides peer support and promotes carer-friendly policies.
“The CRG has been an immense support,” Melissa said.
“It’s made up of people experiencing caring in many different forms, presenting their own unique challenges. Having people who understand the highs and lows really helps.”
Pictured: Melissa and son Jack are mad Collingwood supporters.
The CRG helps shape initiatives that make Intereach an even more inclusive and supportive workplace. Members meet regularly to exchange ideas, discuss challenges, and promote awareness about the many forms of caring — from supporting children or ageing parents to neighbours, community members, or people living with disability.
“What I love about this group that we are having an impact in our organisation, and we are there for each other during tough times,” Melissa said.
“Sometimes it’s just a catch up and cuppa, and other times we are attempting to effect change and educate people about what caring is.”
Melissa is extremely grateful to work in an organisation that truly values carers.
“Intereach has always been supportive of my needs as a carer, and this support has been integral to my mental health and wellbeing,” she said.
Pictured: Melissa and Jack at his 2023 football grand final dinner.
It’s a topic Melissa knows intimately. Her own caring journey began 24 years ago, when her son Jack was born at just 31 weeks’ gestation.
“All the odds were against him,” Melissa recalled.
“He was tiny — 1.7kg — and a viral infection attacked his heart. He was flown to the Royal Children’s Hospital just hours after birth, and we came very close to losing him.”
Pictured: Melissa and husband Ben with their son Jack in the neonatal unit at the Royal Children’s Hospital.
After surviving those early challenges, Jack was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at 18 months.
“There were surgeries, therapies, splints, physio and long stays in hospital,” Melissa said.
“Watching your child in pain, knowing it’s necessary, is one of the hardest things I have had to do as a Mum.
“As a family, we struggled through many difficult times trying to assist Jack and keep his muscles functioning and keep him as physically capable as possible.”
But through the tears, Melissa saw her son’s determination shine – transitioning from a rolling walking frame to crutches, which he uses to this day.
“Since a young age, Jack has been so driven. If he wanted to do something, he found a way,” she said.
“My husband and I always encouraged him to try new things — horse riding, knee boarding, wheelchair basketball — but his biggest passion has always been AFL and the Collingwood Football Club.”
Pictured: Jack is part of the Collingwood Wheelchair Football Team, which won the premiership in 2024.
That passion turned into purpose when Jack joined the Collingwood Wheelchair Football Team three years ago.
“He trains and plays three times a week in Melbourne,” Melissa said.
Seeing him live his life on his terms is the best reward,” she said.
Jack’s dedication has earned him multiple awards — including best and fairest, coaches award, and a premiership in 2024 as vice-captain.
“Commentators call him the best celebrator in the league, and I can vouch for that,” Melissa laughed.
Now 24, Jack lives independently and is pursuing a career in cyber security — a milestone that fills his mum with pride.
“Watching him compete and seeing his confidence grow makes all the years of hard work worth it,” she said.
Jack holding his Premiership Cup with his partner Olivia (back left), sister Mia and parents Melissa and Ben.
Melissa’s experiences caring for Jack has even inspired her career in disability services.
After years in direct support, she joined Intereach as a local area coordinator during the early years of the National Disability Insurance Services (NDIS) rollout.
“That was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made,” she said.
“The work we do — helping people engage with the NDIS and access the supports they need — changes lives. I know how much the right support matters, because I’ve lived it.”
Melissa said the support of her colleagues and the CRG had been vital to maintaining her wellbeing.
“The CRG reminds me that while caring can be overwhelming, I’m not alone,” she said.
“It’s an amazing initiative, and I am so impressed by how inclusive Intereach is. Not many community organisations think about this for their staff.”
This year’s National Carers Week theme, ‘You Are One, Know One, or Will Be One’ reminds us that caring touches everyone. It celebrates the diversity, dedication and resilience of carers like Melissa — people who embody compassion, perseverance and love in everything they do.
Her message for other carers is one of encouragement and self-compassion.
“Do your best, use the supports around you and don’t put limitations on what you can achieve with the right support,” she said.
“Just remember, you can’t care for others if you don’t take care of yourself.”
If you’d like to join an inclusive organisation that supports carers, explore our career opportunities at: Careers – Intereach
Share
