Koora-Yey-Benang (Service) Award Winners’ Stories – Gemma Graham
Six of our long-service award winners told us about their roles and why they love working at Richmind WA. Each month, we’ll share their stories and find out what motivates them to continue to ‘live and breathe recovery’ in their roles.
Meet Gemma, our Senior Residential Manager of 15 years, who began her career as a casual Recovery Support Worker and has grown into a leadership role, supporting teams and shaping services that help people build connection, trust and safety.
- How did your journey at Richmind WA start, and can you remember your first day?
I found the Richmond Fellowship job ad in the paper. I had a background in hospitality and the Salvation Army’s crisis suicide intervention line, and I wanted to take the next step. I liked the idea of coming out into the community and started work as a casual Recovery Support Worker in 2010. On the first day, I was a little bit shellshocked, so there were lots of learnings. I loved the community space and spending more than just an hour with people in a shared collective space. I worked up through various roles across residential services to leadership and management.
- Can you tell us about your role and what you enjoy most?
Offering direct support for service managers. I like still having some form of connection with residents and young people. I like the ability to step into more strategic work and influence organisational change and direction, and change in the sector.
- What motivates you to get out of bed in the morning?
That motivation to support change and recognition that people deserve to have care and identity outside of their mental health. I want to help diminish their isolation and create connection, trust and safety. Helping the teams create this, being challenged and doing the hard work with the team. We still have a laugh and a human connection.
- What is the most challenging part of your role and what skills do you think you need to overcome these challenges?
Some of the systemic barriers hold vulnerable people in that space. Transitioning people out when there’s no housing, and people aren’t able to move forward. It can be a challenging space to hold, to continue a forward momentum. It also motivates me!
- What is your proudest accomplishment or career highlight at Richmind WA?
I was working at Kelmscott in a long-term care model and there was a resident who experienced extreme distress all day, every day. It took a real team to be able to support her and I realised the depth of growth of my trauma-informed practice was needed to support her. She came out of her room one day after months, and said, ‘Good morning, how are you?’ It was the realisation and confirmation that our support led to her trust and safety. Those pivotal moments make you realise what we are doing works, and that’s what we’re there for.
- Why have you stayed at Richmind WA and what makes you feel like you belong?
I feel fortunate that I have been able to progress here and the opportunities that I have had to sit in various roles and work my way up to a leadership role, where I can use what I have gained along the way. I can contribute and support, and I’m able to help.
- What is the key to finding a good work/life balance?
I do a lot outside of work and have a teenager, so I do a lot of work in the soccer club and love giving back to the community and connecting with a ‘second’ family.
- If you were CEO for a day, what would you do or change?
We’d have an onsite shopping centre with a café, op shop and supermarket. Consumers could come to get work experience and shop and staff could shop before they go home.
- What’s your hidden talent or party trick?
My love of tarot; it guides a lot of my life.
- If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
I want to fly – love the freedom in that and to have the aerial view.
Our people stay because the work has real meaning
Gemma’s ‘Good Morning Moment’ with a resident was a small moment, but for her and the team, it meant everything. It showed that trust had been built and that their support was working. These are the quiet breakthroughs that define the work we do.
Many staff spoke about the privilege of supporting people through recovery and seeing the impact of that work over time. Staff said:
- “The best part is having clients share their lives with me – that’s quite a privilege.”
- “Helping diminish isolation and create connection, trust and safety.”
- “I just enjoy walking alongside the people we are supporting.”
- “Years later, people call to say the support made a difference.”
The work at Richmind WA matters deeply to the people who do it. Staff stay because they see the difference they make in people’s lives. They are passionate about connection, belonging and having a positive impact on people’s recovery journey.
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.
