Hi, my name is Adelle and I’m a Senior Activities Officer for Recreation at Royal Far West (RFW).

What does your role involve?

I help run the recreation sessions that children who stay at RFW participate in. We run after school programs and holiday programs that include fun activities such as Lego therapy and sensory play, plus plenty of offsite activities such as rock climbing, beach and bush walks, bowling, fast ferry rides, and city adventures. We try to give our families and children experiences that they either haven’t been able to do or can’t do back in their hometown and always include a therapeutic approach into our recreation program. It is important for the kids as they get a break from their appointments and get to build connections with other peers.

How long have you been here? Have you seen any changes in the sorts of issues children have during this time?

I have been working at RFW for five years now. During this time I have noticed that the children we are supporting are experiencing more complex issues than what we have seen in the past.

What led you to work at RFW?

I felt lost after having my son and wanted to do something to give back and fill my cup again. I started studying and during this time I undertook a placement here at RFW. I fell in love with the work and what RFW stands for and was lucky to get a role here once I graduated.

What does a typical day look like for you?

A typical day for me includes a range of tasks, such as creating programs, making sure we have the correct stock, booking activities for kids, picking the children up from RFW school, and spending the afternoon doing our recreation activities.

What’s your favourite festive activity to do with the children?

One of my favourite things to do with the children in the lead-up to Christmas day is to take them to look at the Christmas lights in the local area. I don’t know who loves it more – me or the kids!

What’s the best thing about working with families from rural and remote Australia?

One of the best things about working with children from remote & rural Australia is seeing their faces when they experience something new for the first time in the big city. For example, hearing about children going swimming at the beach and their absolute shock that the water tasted like salt.

What do you think makes RFW unique?

I believe RFW is unique because everyone that works here truly wants to give their all and help make an impact.

Tell us about a family’s positive outcomes through working with RFW

There are many positive outcomes with the families at RFW, but one that is close to me would be a time when we took a family out to the city. One of the children had never left the family before and we managed to let the family sit and have a coffee while we took the child up to the Opera House and up the stairs, even though the child was normally scared of heights. We raced back to the child’s family to tell them what that child had overcome and the excitement and happiness for that whole family will stay with me forever.