Kerrie-Anne was seeking a fresh start – she was ready to embrace a new career that would allow her to help others while providing for herself and her children.  

A Darwin local, she discovered her passion for supporting those facing difficulties, inspired by the kindness she received during her own tough times. 

She enrolled to study through Bamara Training to gain a Certificate II in Community Services in July 2022. 

However, when she had to undergo immediate testing and treatment for a rare brain disease, she had to put her goals on hold. 

Pauline, her trainer, collaborated closely with Kerrie to create a flexible study plan that eased her stress about falling behind. 

The flexibility of her study plan allowed Kerrie to prioritise herself, her family and her health while also making the most of her studies, remaining dedicated to the very end. 

When Kerrie was ready to continue her studies in January 2024, Pauline established weekly sessions to offer continuous support and foster open communication about Kerrie’s progress through the course. 

This also helped create an open dialogue where Kerrie could access both course-related assistance and emotional support, often getting lost in conversations with Pauline, musing on the world of community services. 

Regardless of the setbacks she experienced, she never lost sight of her goal, flying through each module with enthusiasm and completing her training in March 2024. 

Pauline commends Kerrie on her drive, confidence, and ability identify her barriers and strengths. 

“I am so proud of the way that Kerrie continued to focus on achieving her goals,” Pauline said. 

“When faced with health barriers, she re-assessed and re-aligned her goals to ensure that they were still achievable. I work with a lot of people in community services; she would be an asset to any community services team.” 

A significant factor in Kerrie’s success was the strong bond she developed with Pauline, who provided the understanding and support Kerrie needed. 

“She was able to support me in a way that meant the world to me because it meant I could take the time to focus on myself before things got out of control.” Kerrie-Anne said. 

When Kerrie submitted her final module in March 2024, both she and Pauline were emotional, celebrating the milestone of completing her certification despite the obstacles. This achievement was especially meaningful for Kerrie, who had taught herself to read and write at 16. Now, at 32, she takes pride in seeing her work marked with a big green tick. 

But the journey does not stop there; Kerrie is continuing her studies through a Certificate III in Community Services through Bamara Training, with hopes to complete it by Christmas this year and begin her Cert IV in the New Year. 

“Bamara helps many people get back into the workforce or further their education, and the support is incredible. I am forever grateful for Bamara’s role in helping me improve my family’s situation,” Kerrie said. 

Finishing her studies in Community Services will enable her to fulfill her goal of educating young adults about domestic violence. She is committed to helping them understand and build healthy relationships, as well as advocating for those affected by domestic violence. 

We wish Kerrie Anne the best of luck as she continues her studies and can’t wait to see the impact she will make when she begins applying her training. 

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Bamara Training delivers career-focused training and specialised qualifications to equip individuals with relevant skills for entry-level and pre-employment, as well as professional progression through their chosen field of work.

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