“Our son has transitioned into employment and into an independent adult”
James Lee joined the team at Chatswood this year after successfully completing his 2 years Transition to Work (TTW) Program with Sunnyfield. Over the course of his individually tailored program, James had the opportunity to develop work skills, gain independent living skills and increase his self-esteem in preparation for his working future.
James had the opportunity to participate in a number of open employment work placements as well as learning the skills to work in a Sunnyfield business Services factory. When James graduated from TTW, he decided to apply for a position as a supported employee with Sunnyfield.
James had established social networks with his peers at Chatswood and decided he would like to seek employment with Sunnyfield on full time basis. James’s parents were extremely pleased with this decision and are delighted that their son has not only transitioned into employment with Sunnyfield but has also transitioned to a young, independent adult who is fully participating in the community.

Dylan Simms says “I would like to work in Human Resources Administration”
Dylan Simms joined Sunnyfield Enterprises in 2007 and over the last 6 years has proven to be a highly skilled and determined young man. Dylan first started working in our Allambie factory on the assembly line completing packaging and relabeling work.
With career aspirations to transition from supported employment into open employment, Dylan has been studying Business Management at TAFE over the last 4 years. To date, he has completed his Certificate III and IV in Business Administration and is currently completing and Advanced Diploma in Human Resources. Dylan has been achieving distinction levels for a number of his subjects. When he has completed his course, he hopes to work in Human Resources Administration.
To assist Dylan with his course requirements, Sunnyfield have been able to provide him with the opportunity to gain on-the-job training in different function areas of employment. This includes working with Human Resources, Finance, Fundraising and Marketing to help increase his skills and to pursue his goal of transitioning into open employment.

Shari Richardson Story TGA - Pharmaceutical Packaging
Shari Richardson is a young woman of many talents and contributes a wealth of skills and experience to her job at Sunnyfield. Shari joined Sunnyfield over 18 years ago and has spent the last 3 years working in our TGA Clean Rooms. Shari likes working in the cleanroom as it is a small working team and is always quiet.
Shari especially likes the variety of job products that come into the Clean Room including packaging of Pregnancy test kits, and a large assortment of pharmaceutical products such as Fish Oils Capsules, Inner Health Choc Balls and Gummi Bear Vitamins.
Shari and the rest of the team always achieve production targets and meet high quality assurance standards.
Shari has a wonderful work ethic; she is extremely diligent and takes great pride in her work. Shari always arrived at work with a smile on her face and a never ending enthusiasm to get the job done.
Shari is a great team player and thrives in a team work environment.
Shari said “I love my job at Sunnyfield and spending time with all my work friends”. Shari has been working hard to save her wages for an upcoming family holiday to Cairns.
We would like to thank Shari for all her hard work and wish Shari a well-deserved holiday with her family.

Jessica said: “I like coming to Sunnyfield to be here with all of my friends and enjoy being able to be trained on lots of different jobs”.
During Jess’s TTW program with Centre Care, Jessica attended Sunnyfield to gain on the job work experience in a commercial environment. Jessica immediately enjoyed being able to work on a variety of tasks as well as getting to know many of the supported employees. In October 2011, due to Jess’s ability to competently demonstrate a high skill level in the work tasks required and her positive attitude she was offered employment at Sunnyfield and immediately accepted. Jess works 5 days a week and is pleased she has now transitioned into a full time working adult.
Jessica always comes to work happy and with a positive ready to work attitude. Every morning when Jess arrives at work, she will always stop and say good morning to every employee and staff member and ask how they are.
Jessica is able to work on a variety of different tasks including complex labelling tasks, packaging and providing assistance in the canteen. Jess is always looking for ways she can help out in the workplace and puts in 100% into everything she does without any complaint.
Jessica is very popular with all the supported employees and has a great social circle around her. She looks out for everyone around her and will assist anyone when needed without hesitation.

No Barriers to Employment for Matthew : Matthew commenced work at Sunnyfield over 11 years ago in 2003, and since this time has proven that barriers to employment can be overcome and that successful and rewarding employment can be achieved. Matthew’s primary disability is a visual impairment. He is only able to see light refractions such as shadows and outlines of objects and people.
Matthew is a dedicated employee, who works in our secondary TGA area assisting supervisors in packing of products and the stacking pallets for dispatch. Matthew enjoys work and always has a positive “can do” attitude, and he states “I like coming to work to earn money and I like working in the TGA area on the jobs I’m given.”
Matthew worked closely with the Guide Dogs Association in learning to travel independently to and from work, as well as assistance in being able to manoeuvre around in the work place.
Upon recommendations from the Guide Dogs Association, additional training was provided to the ESO to assist Matthew in navigating around his work environment. This included helping him to independently identify locations, placement of machinery, pallets, hazardous areas, and the Café and bathroom facilities. Well done Mathew.

My 15-year-old daughter looks forward to her regular visits to our local ADE with a group from her high school support unit. She has got to know many of the ADE employees and loves being there, but just as important, she’s learning work skills that will stand her in good stead when she leaves school. And who knows, she may end up following in the footsteps of many of their supported employees, who started out as work experience kids just like her.

Hi my name is Matt and I work at Wallara Industries in Keysborough, Vic. I love going to work everyday as I have so much to do. My main job is using the forklift and receiving and sending jobs on trucks. I am also training to get my truck licence and that is very exciting. I really like having friends as work and also working with Daniel who helps me learn new things and we go out in the truck together. Wallara is the best place to work.

Peter is not afraid of hard work. Before his bipolar disorder set in, he had a budding career as a jeweller and was also a very talented musician and songwriter to top it off. Unbeknown to Pete, he had bipolar disorder. He has always had a positive attitude towards life but when his family unit broke down, the bipolar disorder took control and he really hit rock bottom. "I couldn’t get out of bed for days at a time and didn’t have the energy or motivation to do anything", said Pete. His creativity faded and the demands of jewellery manufacturing and open employment were no longer an option. After studying horticulture at TAFE Pete is now a valued member of the House with No Steps site maintenance team in Sydney where he proudly looks after the garden among other things. "For someone with a mental illness, work gives you a reason to keep on going”, said Pete. Supported employment with an ADE works for him because of the flexibility.
"ADE’s understand the challenges that people with mental health issues can face. A boss in open employment wouldn’t handle coming in with no reason for being late or having no reason for being off work".

Shane Chamberlain, has a learning difficulty, has autism and poor verbal communication skills and had failed in many of his previous work roles. Shane had worked mainly in the gardening industry being involved in bush regeneration, mulching and other related work placements. Shane had also spent time doing process work.
The attributes that make Shane and many autistic people unemployable have made him an asset to CNS Precision Assembly. Shane has a dependence on routine, a keen eye for detail, enjoyment of repetitive tasks and also has limited communication skills which would make it difficult for him to fit into most work environments.
The skills rejected by other workplaces have proved valuable to CNS Precision Assembly. Shane was trained in the insertion of components into Printed Circuit Boards (PCB’s). Shane quickly adapted and presently inserts small and complicated components into Printed Circuit Board (PCB’s). Shane’s eye for detail alerted staff to mistakes on the boards whilst Shane enjoys the repetitive and challenging nature of this work.
CNS Precision Assembly is not a specialist service for people with autism, but it values the autistic traits and tendencies of some of its workers whom have a disability. The routine and structure afforded to persons with a disability often ensures a feeling of safety and comfort.
Over a period of approximately 5 years CNS Precision Assembly staff have nurtured Shane’s skills and provided him with a workforce where he feels safe and valued. Presently Shane is one of the most productive members at CNS Precision Assembly
CNS Precision Assembly is a not for profit charitable entity which was established in Hornsby in 1984 as a Business Service offering long term support for individuals with an intellectual disability whom had few work options. Over the years CNS Precision Assembly (ADE) has tried to stay committed to the principle of providing valued work to people with an intellectual disability, whom have limited work options or high barriers to work.
Shane is just one of the many success stories at CNS Precision Assembly.

My name is Kelly and I have worked for a Valmar ADE in Tumut for 18 years. During this time I have achieved a lot, with the most important thing being able to buy my own flat. I did this through working hard, gaining skills including an industry National competency(cert1) with Valmar supporting me and allowing me extended learning time lines that I needed to achieve this. I have many friends through my work at Valmar, and when I go to the Club every Thursday I meet lots of people in town I have got to know because I have a job.