Image: Kevin and Support Worker Dayna Volunteering at Landcare Nursery
Long term client Kevin loves to volunteer at Geographe Community Landcare Nursery just outside Busselton. Kevin has been volunteering here for over 10 years. He attends weekly with his Support Worker.
Originally from Victoria. Kevin came to WA and worked for many years before retiring. Kevin was born Deaf and from the age of 5 learned Auslan at the Victorian College for the Deaf. He recently attended his school reunion when they celebrated their 150th anniversary.
Kevin has been supported by Dayna for eight years and the pair use Auslan to communicate.
“I decided to come to WA to live because I thought it was a beautiful place. I have been in Busselton for over 30 years.
I really enjoy coming to the nursery, working with the plants and meeting my friends. I mainly work with propagating the plants, taking the cuttings from the tunnel, checking to see if they have healthy roots and repotting them into bigger pots. A lot of the plants go to local Shires and are used for community planting around towns and parks.
It’s not just about the plants, each week the Monday team bring their lunch and have lunch together. We share and try new dishes like home-made curry and people bring vegetables and fruit they grow in their gardens, for others to take home.
I had my birthday here, everyone sung in Auslan and we had a big cake with candles. We also celebrated International Day of People with Disability at morning tea.
I have lots of other hobbies. I play bowls, watch football and cricket and go fishing at the jetty. I go to a community art class, attend SensesWA physio group and Auslan chat group. I am very busy.” Kevin
Support Worker Dayna furthering her Auslan skills
“I’ve been working with Kevin for nearly eight years. We have a great relationship and have lots of laughs together.
I really enjoy signing. It’s fun to learn and engage with people. It’s also great to have a second language and be able to communicate with Auslan users. It’s a language totally unique to Australia. It’s not just a language it’s a culture, and I’m very fortunate to be part of it.
I started learning Auslan by completing Certificate 1 and 2 at TAFE. I knew I wanted to work using Auslan and started as a Support Worker with SensesWA in 2015 using my skills with Deaf clients. While working, I completed my Certificate 3 and following that an Advanced Certificate in Auslan run by Access Plus. SensesWA supported me to complete the Advanced Certificate. I want to continue my studies and further my knowledge, I have registered for a Diploma of Interpreting.“ Dayna – Support Worker
