Ballina RSL, located along the picturesque NSW North Coast, has teamed up with Biala Disability Support Services to launch a new work experience program designed for people living with disability. This initiative adds to the club’s existing Connect work placement program, marking another step in its commitment to fostering inclusivity in the local community.
Ballina RSL food and beverage operations manager James Rogers explained the program’s significance.
“Our relationship with Connect hadn’t extended to work experience opportunities for young people with disability. Given Ballina RSL Club’s goal of contributing positively and supporting our whole community, the opportunity to establish a program with Biala where people with disabilities can develop their skills and confidence in a supportive environment and gain future employment, we knew this was positive for everyone!”
The first participant in the program is local resident Dylan Lannoy, who had struggled to secure employment despite his keen interest in the hospitality industry. Turning to Biala Disability Support Services for assistance, Lannoy has now embarked on his work experience journey with the support of the program.
“After hearing Dylan’s story, a little bit about his motivation and his amazing personality – including always wearing a bow tie – I knew he would be a big hit amongst our members, guests and staff and we were more than happy to give Dylan the opportunity that he deserves,” Rogers said.
Lannoy’s work experience takes place at the club’s Boardwalk Restaurant, where he initially started with a four-hour lunch shift once a week. He works alongside the front-of-house catering team under the guidance of the club’s restaurant hosts. He clears, cleans, and resets tables and is also involved in food preparation in the kitchen.
“During service, Dylan runs patrons’ meals to their tables, engaging in conversation with our members and guests often telling them knock-knock jokes to make them laugh and put a smile on their face,” Rogers said.
“Dylan will clear, clean and reset tables and is also doing food preparation in the kitchen. Dylan has excelled in this role and has made a huge impression not only on our patrons but on our staff who love working with Dylan each week. Dylan is performing this role with all the standards and expectation we require.”
Lannoy’s ultimate goal is to become a barista, and the club is already planning the next steps for his development.
“We will sit down with Dylan and Petar [Ilic], Employment Transition Coordinator from Biala, and now discuss the potential to increase Dylan’s hours/days per week as long as he is comfortable and that will include Barista training and further food preparation training in the kitchen,” Rogers said.
“Dylan has performed so well and made such an impact that we will be discussing future employment for Dylan at the club when he is ready and comfortable to do so.”
Since the partnership with Biala, other local disability service providers have expressed interest in collaborating with the club. Rogers is eager to expand the program further in 2025, with the understanding that each participant has unique needs.
“Each individual that comes to the club has a different set of needs so we will take things slow and on a case-by-case basis, regularly reviewing with the individual and their support person to ensure they feel supported and comfortable in the team and can continue to develop their skills and confidence for as long as required that they can to gain employment if not at the club then at another establishment.”
This article first appeared in Club Management Autumn. You can view the magazine in full below.