Bright future for Kirsty GETTING up every day to go to work was something Frankston’s Kirsty Biswas thought she might never have the opportunity to do. But the 22-year-old, who has overcome long-term unemployment and now works as a membership sales consultant at Peninsula Aquatic Recreation Centre in Frankston, said her life is back on track. “I feel like a weight has been lifted off my chest. Now I can function and feel normal, and have a life for myself and my son, and hopefully his father too,” she said. Ms Biswas is one of more than 160 young people in the Frankston-Mornington Peninsula region who have been given a hand to get job ready through a Brotherhood of St Laurence program that started 12 months ago.
Like many parents, Kirsty said she struggled to get back into the workforce after becoming a mother. When her son, Kayden, turned five months, Kirsty – who had been on maternity leave - tried to return to her old fulltime job, but it was not available. She had also separated from Kayden’s father, and things started to go downhill fast. That’s until she was referred to the Creating Futures for Youth program, run by the Brotherhood at its High St centre in Frankston, and funded by the Citi Foundation – the philanthropic arm of global bank, Citi. Citi Australia’s head of corporate affairs, Guy Matthews, said giving young people job skills was essential in securing sustainable employment. Transition to Work manager Nick
Orchard said the 85 businesses involved had found the participantfocused approach of Creating Futures refreshing. “They’re excited by the vision of the program, and the ability to get involved,” he said. “As well as providing employment opportunities, businesses have been hungry to facilitate hands-on learning sessions and work-experience placements to help young people gain invaluable experience in their industry.” Peninsula Aquatic Recreation Centre manager Simon Beqir said he would recommend other local employers get on board. “After meeting Kirsty it was clear she was a great match for this role. Her passion for the fitness industry is infectious.”
Get ready: Kirsty Biswas, with youth development coach Julia Baron, has plenty of reasons to get up early every day now.
Pure pleasure for rugby fans The 2016 Frankston Festival of Rugby (FFR) incorporating the 2016 Melbourne International Sevens was a huge success following the inaugural event held in 2015. Six teams from Fiji participated alongside one team from South Australia and five Victorian teams in the men’s draw, as well as four Victorian teams in the women’s competition. The entertaining Rugby Sevens, Pacific Island performances, food stalls and kids’ activities provided a carnival for all. Results: Melbourne Fiji defeated the Victorian Rebels (woman’s cup final); Box Hill Rugby Club defeated Festival State Bula Boys (men’s cup final); Melbourne Sinali defeated Bula Quins (men’s plate final); and Melbourne Fiji defeated Newborn (men’s bowl final). Hands on: There was plenty of action at the 2016 Frankston Festival of Rugby/Melbourne International 7s at Frankston Park, as Seniboro tussled with Bula Quins. Pictures: Gary Sissons
Saturday 22nd October at 7pm $ 55 x $100 1 x $500 1 x $999 1 x $2000 1 x $3000 1 x $4000 1 x $5000 Lots of giveaways inc.
Big screen TV
$20 per set includes flyer
21,000
IN PRIZES
Roasts from 5pm
www.carrumdownsbingo.com.au 554-556 Frankston-Dandenong Road, Carrum Downs Phone: 9775 0065 Frankston Times 17 October 2016
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