Cairns local overcomes the odds

By Isabella Guzman Gonzalez

AFTER losing his business due to COVID, local man with a disability, Jeff Arcos, went through a challenging journey that would take him from unemployment to his dream job as a disability support worker.

Mr Arcos was left feeling defeated after COVID forced him to close the finance business he had founded over 12 years prior.

Finding himself unemployed, Mr Arcos was also deeply concerned about his employment options as someone with chronic shoulder and back pain.

“As COVID hit, we started to lose clients, companies couldn’t endorse me anymore, and suddenly I had to close my business,” Mr Arcos said.

“Apart from that, after years of working in front of a computer, I developed some physical issues in my shoulder and spine, which my doctor had been treating for years and years.

“Once I closed my business, I didn’t know what to do, and I’m already 57, so I can’t do any physical work, especially with my disability.”

Mr Arcos tried to find support through Centrelink, and they referred him to APM Employment Services.

“In my 27 years living in Australia, I went through many employment services organisations, but they were all helpless,” he said.

“I didn’t have much hope when Centrelink referred me to APM, but to my surprise, I found an angel in this company.”

The angel Mr Arcos refers to is APM Employment Services, Employment Consultant at the time, Glaiza Purcell, who would fight for his case until the end.

“When Jeff came to us, he had had a negative experience with employment agencies,” Ms Purcell said.

“I wanted to show him that I cared about his situation and was there to help.

“First, I wanted to help him find confidence, and I started to put forward ideas on how to use his transferrable skills.”

Mr Arcos said that it was Ms Purcell’s determination to help him that ended up landing him his ideal job as a disability support worker.

“Glaiza was a very persistent person because even I couldn’t, and she was the one who persisted in training me and helping me find a new job,” he said.

“She was always there, and she would cheer me up and say, ‘Jeff, don’t worry, you’re going to get through it’.”

Ms Purcell has been working with APM Employment for eight years, initially as an employment consultant; since then, she has been promoted to Business Manager within APM, where she manages other employment consultants.

With the help of Ms Purcell, Mr Arcos discovered an affinity for supporting others and found a job suitable for his practical skills in disability support.

“Going through his resume, we found he had volunteered with the church for many years and in other roles supporting people,” Ms Purcell said.

“I thought he would want to do something meaningful, giving back to the community.”

“The first step was finding an employer supportive in taking someone who didn’t have the experience and making sure of what Jeff felt about the position and if he was willing to give it a go.”

Mr Arcos went on to work for Abilities NQ as a disability support worker, and after the three-month trial, he was employed full-time.

“I don’t know where I would be without Glaiza,” he said.

“And once I started helping other people, I started feeling better; I still have spine problems, but my shoulder completely recovered.

“Glaiza and APM were 100 per cent supportive; they would schedule meetings with companies, help you with your courses to apply for your yellow card, blue card, etc., and they really cater for people with disabilities.”

Referring to other locals living with disability who may be struggling to find a job, Mr Arcos said that it was critical to face your fears and ask for help.

“First of all, overcome the fear,” he said.

“I was afraid of doing something I hadn’t done before, so give it a try.

“And without help, I wouldn’t be where I am. Glaiza went beyond; she took my case with heart and passion for helping me.”

Ms Purcell said her most crucial advice was not to let disability take over.

“My advice is not to let your disability overcome your life,” she said.

“Most participants think that disability can stop them from doing everything entirely.

“But if you’re working with someone with injury, illness or disability and working towards finding an alternative avenue, it’s about giving them the confidence and courage to take that step.

“We want them to come out feeling like they can do anything.”

For more information on APM Employment Cairns, visit https://apm.net.au/find-us/cairns

AUSTRALIA was the greatest place to live once upon a time. Deny this pollies: since you allowed any riff raff to settle in this land, the place has become a garbage dump. Not one of you lot have had the guts or sense to go live in the migrants countries, just bring them over, tell us to lock our doors, put bars on all points of entry, disable your car, chain your bike up. Then you take our guns off us. The ones who are doing the majority of these crimes must have had a bad night laughing their heads off as there was no chance that dad could defend his family and or his property. Bloody refuse dump -that’s what this place has become, not all of them but a great percentage. Do the crime and expect to be returned back to where they came from, not our prisons and get three meals, TV, free Dr, dentist, etc. Ross,

Cairns

A watershed moment for Australia’s health

THERE are daily media reports about Australia’s desperate battle with youth vaping and rampant black-market sales. The current regulations on vaping have been a resounding failure. Illegally imported disposable vaping products are flooding the market and youth vaping rates are skyrocketing.

Meanwhile, adult smokers are unable to legally access an effective substitute which could help them live longer and healthier lives. Up to two in three continuing smokers will die from their smoking. Vaping nicotine is a way out.

Now, the Australian government has admitted its mistakes and it working to change its ap-

Never drive, ride or walk through flooded waters

CAIRNS residents are being urged not to walk, ride or drive through flood waters and to adhere to signs advising that roads are closed.

Deputy Mayor and Chair of the Cairns Local Disaster Management Group, Terry James, said that an Initial Flood Watch is already in place for the Barron and Mulgrave Rivers, as well as a severe weather warning North Tropical Coast, which includes Cairns.

“With significant wet weather forecast and local catchments already wet, this can lead to significant amounts of fast-flowing water rushing into our water systems,” Cr James said.

proach to vaping regulation.

But if the Therapeutic Goods Administration proceeds with its proposal to tighten regulations even further, the situation will continue to deteriorate, and public health may never recover.

Australia went against the grain on its vaping policy.

While the rest of the world listened to the science and made vaping products available as adult consumer products, the Australian government created a unique prescription-only model, severely restricting legal access to vapes. It is easier to buy deadly cigarettes than a far safer alternative.

Dr Colin Mendelsohn

Sandbags available ahead of heavy rain

FREE sandbags are available for Cairns region residents ahead of consistent heavy rain forecast across the coming week.

“Residents in low-lying areas should prepare their properties for potential flooding,” Cr James said.

“Sandbags should be placed at least three courses high across doorways and other points where water can enter your home.”

Bags will be made available for residents to fill with sand on site at Council’s waste transfer stations. Scoops for filling will be provided.

Sandbags are for residential use only and will be available until supplies run out. Limits will apply per person.

Sandbags and sand will be available from the at the Portsmith, Smithfield, Gordonvale, and Babinda Transfer Stations, seven days a week, from 8.30am to 5.15pm, until supplies run out.

“Fast flowing water can be dangerous, and the quality of water can deteriorate during heavy rainfall.

“Whether you are an experienced driver, if the vehicle before you got through, or if you are familiar with the road, people need to be aware that floodwaters can change road conditions without warning.

“If you can’t see the bottom, you don’t know if it’s still there or washed away.

“The best advice is that if there is water over the road, just wait until it subsides.

“While it is tempting to make it to the other side of a flooded road, motorists should also apply the simply rule that ‘if it’s flooded, forget it’,” he said.

Cr James said that flood waters can cover and obscure many dangers.

“They can hide uneven ground, strong currents, trees and other debris, have electrical currents from fallen powerlines, contain sewage and chemicals, and even have potentially deadly animals in them,” he said.

“I would urge residents, and especially children, to refrain from playing in or near flood waters – quite simply that can be dangerous.”

Council News

Rates notices due

Ratepayers are reminded that the current round of rates notices are due for payment on Wednesday 22 February.

A variety of convenient online and phone payment options are available, including: n Via the Online Self Service payment page on Council’s website. For multiple properties, use the shopping cart facility, n Payment by credit card can be made by phone via BPoint on 1300 276 468 using biller code 49346 and the assessment number on the rates notice, n BPay, n Mailed cheque or money order, n Direct debit arrangements.

For more information contact Council’s customer service team on 1300 692 247.