Happy NAIDOC Week everyone.
As an Indigenous business with a focus on social and Indigenous procurement, we wanted to showcase some of the success stories from within our business, in particular our Indigenous staff. So NAIDOC Week is the perfect opportunity for us to share a yarn about our Indigenous workforce, and our heritage. This week we’ll be sharing some stories from our proud Indigenous staff across our various divisions, so keep an eye out across our social channels and website.
What is NAIDOC Week?
If you didn’t already know, NAIDOC Week stands for National Aboriginal and Islanders Day Observance Committee. The history behind the annual celebration actually started as a protest. In 1938, around 100 Aboriginal people came together for the first Day of Mourning, on the 150th anniversary of the British arrival in Australia. This continued annually, until in 1955, the day was moved to the first Sunday in July, after which it was decided that it should be a celebration as well as a protest. From there, NAIDOC became a celebration of history, cultures, and achievements spread across a week.
So to celebrate NAIDOC Week, we wanted to showcase some of our Indigenous staff we’re proud to have as part of our workforce and want to share their achievements within Agile Group.
First up…
Staff Showcase: Brett Sinclair
Division: Agile Hospitality
Role: Customer Service & Operations Manager
Length of time at Agile: 2 years
Indigenous heritage: Arrernte people
Brett has been with Agile Group for 2 years, under our Agile Hospitality division. Brett is 19, and following his participation in the Ice Factor program throughout school, developed a love for sports and recreation. This led him to apply to join Agile Group to work at one of the sports venues we staff and manage - the IceArenA in Adelaide.
When leaving school, Brett struggled to find a suitable full time job as he had no prior work experience or formal tertiary education. We’re pleased to have given Brett his first job.
Brett started out as a Skate Marshall and manned the skate hire desk - an entry level customer service role providing patrons their ice skates and keeping children safe on the ice.
Brett showed a great work ethic and quickly progressed to roles with more responsibility such as bar and food service, handling cash and managing reception. In order for Brett to continue growing in his role within Agile Group, we provided formal training for him to qualify him with a Responsible Service of Alcohol certificate, Responsible Person certificate, his First Aid certificate, and his White Card.
In addition to his hospitality role at the Ice ArenA, Brett got to experience working with our events clients on projects such as the Van Gogh Alive exhibition, and interstate at Bluesfest in Byron Bay.
From working at a sports and recreation centre, Brett realised his passion for fitness and health. He decided to undertake his Certificate IV in Fitness and is now a qualified PT. Whilst studying we were able to offer him flexible working hours to support his study schedule.
After qualifying, we adapted his job role to split his time between the Ice ArenA, and he became a key member of staff at another gym facility we operate. He runs fitness classes, supports in business operations, and is responsible for the administration of the membership management system. We’ve also been providing in-house training in marketing and graphic design, so Brett additionally takes an active role in the Agile Group marketing team. This has encouraged Brett to study further, and he’s about to undertake a Diploma of Marketing & Communication or Business Studies.
Brett’s career goals are to eventually gain enough health and fitness, business and marketing experience to become a Venue or Facility Manager in the Health and Sporting sector.
We're really pleased to have Brett onboard, we're proud of what he has achieved in just 2 short years. We're committed to helping him achieve his goals and can't wait to see what the future holds for him.
“It was difficult to find a company to give you a chance when you’re young with no prior work experience, so I’m really pleased that Agile Group did.
Prior to starting work I struggled to find my footing or direction for a successful life, but since joining Agile Group I feel like I’ve focussed more on building my career, and I’m on a better track in life in general.
I feel I’ve been taught a lot about work, business and life skills through my roles at Agile Group. I’m passionate about my role, particularly in the gym sector, and where my career is headed.”
Brett Sinclair
We’ll be sharing more stories this week. Keep an eye out on our LinkedIn page and website.
