Koora-Yey-Benang (Service) Award Winners’ Stories – Melissa Addison-Edgar
We asked some of our long-service award winners about their roles and why they love working at Richmind WA. Each month, we share their stories and discover what motivates them to continue to live and breathe Richmind WA values each day in their roles.
Meet Melissa Addison-Edgar – Recovery Support Worker at Bassendean Individualised Support. Melissa has spent ten years walking alongside residents, supporting their goals and championing inclusion through her leadership in areas such as cultural awareness and LGBTQIA+ support.
- How did your journey at Richmind WA start, and can you remember your first day?
My first day was in Outreach, one-on-one, shadowing an Outreach Worker. I studied a Certificate 4 in Mental Health and I was looking at where I wanted to work and what organisations aligned with my values. Everything about Richmond Wellbeing (name at the time) was where I wanted to be. Initially, I offered to volunteer, did it a couple of times and then was placed on the relief list. I got the opportunity to work at most sites as relief, then after 7 months, I was offered a contract at Bassendean, and the rest is history.
- Can you tell us about your role and what you enjoy most?
My primary role is Recovery Support Worker at Bassendean, but I have worn several hats as LGBTQIA+ Lead, Aboriginal Cultural Awareness Lead and Work Health and Safety rep for a long time. I spend a lot of time with residents supporting daily living, shopping, cooking, outings, budgeting etc. I just enjoy walking alongside the people we are supporting.
- What motivates you to get out of bed in the morning?
Each day is a new day. I’m a very positive person.
- What is the most challenging part of your role and what skills do you think you need to overcome these challenges?
Nothing! I don’t really know what the hardest part is – no matter what, we work through it. My passion lies in being with people.
- What is your proudest accomplishment or career highlight at Richmind WA?
I love the team I work with at Bassendean, but a highlight is supporting residents at the Pride Parade; 11 of us went along. And doing the HBF 4km walk – the people we support thought they couldn’t walk 4km, but they achieved what they thought wasn’t possible and I love kicking goals with them. Also, when residents have left the service, years down the track, they may phone to let you know that the work you did with them made a difference. Last February at our 50-year event, a person with lived experience, Dean, who was a speaker on the day, remembered me – he hugged me, and I was mentioned in his speech.
- Why have you stayed at Richmind WA and what makes you feel like you belong?
Everybody is included. We walk the walk and talk the talk – walk together and work together. I’m extremely passionate about the organisation – it’s an amazing group of people who do amazing work.
- What is the key to finding a good work/life balance?
The working hours and days are not 9-5, so those hours are tailored around my family, and they work for us. Also, you have to take time for self-care – I do yoga, which is really important, and I’m very social, so I spend time with my friends.
- If you were CEO for a day, what would you do or change?
I think our CEO, Adrian, does an amazing job and his shoes would be very big to fill.
- What’s your hidden talent or party trick?
A juggler of many hats!
- If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?
I’d come back as a butterfly to just flutter around.
Working together to achieve what seemed impossible
Melissa told us that many of the Bassendean service residents believed they could never complete the 4km HBF walk. But together they walked, encouraged one another and crossed the finish line. It became a moment of pride not just for the residents, but for the staff walking beside them. Like Melissa, many staff members highlighted how they have a true sense of purpose, belonging and inclusion at Richmind WA. They are committed to working together and walking together to deliver a trauma-informed, recovery-focused service underpinned by lived experience. They have an unwavering commitment to one of our values, “we are inclusive and promote belonging”. Our people told us:
- “I like my team and I like our residents.”
- “Everyone understands that I have a life outside of work and I’m really supported.”
- “It’s an amazing group of people who do amazing work.”
If you’d like to work alongside people like this, join Richmind WA. You’ll be part of an inclusive, values-driven team supporting recovery through innovation, diversity, and compassion.
