Geelong Golf Club providing opportunities for all

LEISURE Networks is celebrating a long partnership with the Geelong Golf Club who continue to support employment opportunities for people of all-abilities.

For the past four years, the Geelong Golf Club has partnered with Leisure Networks to provide work experience for young school leavers with disability.

The work experience has involved washing down and driving the golf carts as well as driving the range picker to go and collect the balls on site.

According to Geelong Golf Club venue manager Paul Christie, the work experience has been a fantastic opportunity for school leavers like his team-mate Jackson to develop confidence and life skills.

“It opens them to different ideas and having some confidence in themselves – understanding what they can and can’t do.

“It’s been an incredible opportunity for Jackson … he’s very passionate and each week, week by week, he has gotten more confident.

“For us, it’s about giving him an opportunity…we love having him here.”

Jackson’s confidence has grown exponentially during the program and has also resulted in him getting his L plates to learn to drive.

Due to Jackson’s hard work and dedication, the Geelong Golf Club is also exploring the possibility of making Jackson a paid employee.

“He’s educated himself enough to do things on his own and for us, he now becomes a part of the team.

“When we get Jackson through another six-months and he is simply employed by us, then we can start someone in his footsteps, and he can help that person and guide them through.

“That gives him some more leadership.”

Jackson said it gives him great pride in knowing he is contributing to the team and making the business run smoothly.

“It’s good. I like it. I enjoy it. More people should get on board.”