Frontline Support Worker and contributor to carecareers' True Stories, Emily Ninnes, asked carecareers to help spread the word about a fundraising dinner St Vincent de Paul Society Mary Mackillop Outreach are hosting. It's great to see staff so engaged in workplace events. Why not support the fundraising by heading along to Canada Bay Club for a great night of entertainment?

Event details:
2 course dinner, with a performance by Ashleigh Grace
Canada Bay Club
2th of November 2011, 7pm.
Tickets: $50

Lucky door prize: 32 inch Toshiba LCD TV

There will be a silent auction on the night:

• Mantra Fishing Rod
• Signed 2010 Sydney Roosters Jersey
• Wests Tigers supporters memorabilia
• Australian Women’s Cricket team signed bat
• Webber BBQ
• Apple Iphone 4

There will also be a general raffle. Prizes include:

• Chocolate hampers
• Wine hampers
• Savoury hampers
• Coffee hamper
• Picnic set
• Perfume
• Cook Books
• Cordless Phone
• Talking collectable Betty Boop dolls
• More items to collect

For tickets, phone Lauren: 0449 013 417, Rhonda: 0409 927 939 or Donna: 0402 941 156

"I’ve been working with people with a disability since I was 14. As a lot of adolescent girls do, I was babysitting for extra pocket money, in Armidale, where I grew up. One of the kids I was babysitting turned out to have a disability. When I was 14 and 9 months (thus officially able to work) I got registered as her respite carer.

Now, 13 years later, I am a Case Manager for the St Vincent de Paul Society’s Mary MacKillop Outreach.

After I finished school, I started uni and was working in home care to get me through study. But I thought I was only doing it til I got a “real job.” I ended up moving to Sydney because I got a “real job” as a personal assistant in a big office in the city, but I lasted my 12 month contract and then I was gone so fast! It turns out I am not suited at all to office work like that. It was really dull. I went straight back to work in the disability and community care sector.

For me, the sector is a safe space. As a rule the staff I’ve worked with are more socially aware and accepting. You can be as gay as you like, have whatever colour hair, be from any cultural or religious background... Just do your job well..."

Read Emily's full carecareers story or learn more about frontline support roles in the disability and community care sector.