After years of experiencing unemployment, Joanne Lynn was keen to make a change in her life. With the help of a caseworker, she entered the Launch into Work program with Compass Group Australia, an initiative funded by the Federal Government to support and upskill long-term unemployed women to enter or re-enter the workforce. She commenced work with ESS in 2020.
Starting as a Utility with ESS at Gorgon Village, Joanne instantly shone in the role, working hard and developing her skills in housekeeping and cleaning. However, she had bigger dreams. With a passion and love for cooking she expressed her interest of becoming a Chef to her managers, who were more than happy to support her achieve this. She entered the Chef Apprentice program and transferred to Wheatstone Village.
As a proud Indigenous woman from the Bunurong peoples, Joanne loves incorporating Indigenous ingredients into her cooking, particularly into desserts and pastries. She displays natural cooking ability and many workers and her kitchen team on site love learning through her.
A beloved addition to the ESS portfolio, Joanne’s dedication was recognised when she became a finalist for the 2022 Star Awards, Compass Group Australia’s annual awards, celebrating talent, innovation and excellence. Now two years into her three-year apprenticeship program, she has found her feet and feels confident about her future.
What’s next for Joanne? Once she finishes her apprenticeship, she hopes to return to Gorgon Village and one day lead the kitchen as Head Chef. She considers getting into the Launch into Work program as one of her proudest achievements.
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