Koora-Yey-Benang (Service) Award Winners’ Stories – Katie Roberts
Six of our long-service award winners were happy to be interviewed 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 ‘be brave and explore’ in their roles.
Meet Katie, Recovery Support Worker for 10 years at Albany Fellowship House, who began her journey at Richmind WA as a student volunteer and never left. Ten years later, she continues to support people with compassion and a deep sense of purpose.
- How did your journey at Richmind WA start, and can you remember your first day?
No, don’t remember my first day, but I was already working here for Albany Schizophrenic Fellowship in the kitchen. I originally started as a student, volunteered, gained work, and I just never left! When Richmind WA took over, I was interviewed by a panel; I was so intimidated and thought I’d done terribly, but I got the job.
- Is this role something you thought you would be doing for 10 years?
Yes and no; I guess I didn’t expect to still be here, but I wanted to be here for this long.
- What motivates you to get out of bed in the morning?
Because I’m coming to work and I like what we do. I like my team and I like our members.
- What is the best part of your role?
The best part is to have clients share their lives with me – I think that’s quite a privilege.
- What is the most challenging part of your role and what skills do you think you need to overcome these challenges?
Not being able to do the things that our members need us to do for them sometimes. I want to help, and I think having the skill to be self-aware and the ability to step back and let them do what they need to do on their own is a good skill.
- What do you consider your proudest accomplishment or career highlight at Richmind WA?
I was the Acting Manager for a short while, maybe a year and a half. I’m proud that I was trusted to do that, and it gave me more insight into the organisation and made me grow massively.
- Why have you stayed at Richmind WA/what’s great about the organisation?
It’s just the great people in every department. Everyone understands that I also have a life outside of here, and I feel so supported by everyone.
- What is the key to finding a good work/life balance?
Being able to tell my team that I need time to do things for myself. It’s a trust thing – that I can go to my manager and say I need time to do something and know that I will be understood. I’m also comfortable saying no to something, as I need my time.
- If you could change one thing about your role or Richmind WA, what would it be?
That I don’t have to write up notes!
- If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?
To just click my fingers and be wherever I want to be because I don’t like travelling.
Our people stay for different reasons
One of the key themes that emerged in conversations with many of our award winners was that growth and opportunities in the organisation keep people engaged. Several staff members described how their roles have evolved over the years, some saying:
- “I’ve changed roles a few times over 15 years.”
- “I worked up through various roles to leadership.”
- “Being Acting Manager made me grow massively.”
Long service is often built on opportunities to learn, grow and take on new challenges, and we are committed to utilising our internal resources where possible when an opportunity arises for a new, seconded or extended role.
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.
