Many changes in 25 years with Intereach

Trish Khalil has seen many changes throughout her career as a family support worker.

That is not surprising when you consider she is the longest-serving employee with community service provider Intereach, having recently achieved the 25-year milestone.

This was recently recognised by Intereach with a celebratory morning tea for Trish and other team members who have reached significant work anniversaries. She was presented with flowers, a framed keepsake and a gift voucher by Intereach chair Pat Fogarty.

While technology and infrastructure have changed enormously since she started, the work Trish undertakes helping families who need support remains much the same.

One of the biggest differences she has experienced is the physical work environment.

“I started with playgroup under the Deniliquin Council for Social Development when it was located in Wood Street. DCSD had various services, but they were scattered all over town. We were in a small three-bedroom house, with an office in one bedroom and an interview room in another bedroom. The photocopier was in the shower recess of the bathroom, with stationary on a board in the bath,” Trish recalled with some amusement. There were initially no computers until five second-hand ones were donated.

After a stint leasing premises from Country Energy on Barham Road, Trish and other support staff moved to the modern, purpose-built Intereach building at the corner of Napier and Trickett Streets.

There have also been numerous name changes, including funding programs, with Trish currently working under the Targeted Earlier Intervention program, funded through the NSW Department of Communities and Justice. The organisation with which she works has also undergone name changes. When she started, the local organisation was known as Deniliquin Council for Social Development, which became Regional Social Development Group and more recently Intereach.

The other major change she has seen is in technology.

“With today’s computers and communication we can now work from home or the office. Intereach supports us to work from home, where I have my laptop and mobile phone, and access to everything I need. However, wherever possible we still need to have face-to-face contact. This is important to identify issues, develop a rapport and observe individual situations so we can help provide the strategies and build the skills required so those we support can be better parents,” Trish explained.

She is grateful that Intereach has provided a work environment that has enabled her to assist local families for so many years.

Trish described Intereach as a “very family orientated organisation” which provides support for team members whenever it is required. “That’s why many of us have been here for a long time,” she said.

And what does she see for her future?

“I have a few years until retirement, so I’d like to stay with Intereach until then. After that, if possible we would like to travel, especially to Western Australia to spend more time with family.”

At the morning tea, other team members who received recognition for their years of service were:

• 20 years – Janette Cowhan (Community Support Worker – Deniliquin).
• 10 years – Aaron Bright (CSW – Deniliquin), Heather Hussey (CSW – Deniliquin), Leonie O’Brien (CSW – Deniliquin), Carla White (Early Childhood Early
• Intervention Program Manager – Deniliquin), Peter Taylor (Community Transport Driver – Griffith), Catherine Velthuis (Community Linker Customer Support – Wagga).
• Five years – Debbie Rowbottom (CSW – Albury), Nathan Lorenzon (Community Links Senior Manager – Albury), Karma Newman (Local Area Coordinator – Deniliquin), Vickie Wigg (Child, Youth and Family Worker – Griffith), Chris Johnson (Child, Youth and Family Worker – Mildura), Kerein Mullins (LAC Community Linker – Wagga).

Intereach has a total staff of more than 440, working across its 17 offices in the Murray and Riverina regions of NSW, as well as north and central Victoria. The organisation supports children and families, older people, people living with disability, mental health and carers. If you, or someone you know, needs support you can contact the team at Intereach on the toll free number 1300 488 226, or go to www.intereach.com.au .