Jobseekers gain skills and bring a smile to peoples’ faces

Hedland jobseekers have been blitzing backyards across town in a bid to brighten the lives of the elderly and disadvantaged.

Under the Neighbourhood Beautification program, the work-for-the-dole teams pruned trees, mowed lawns and cleared debris from homes across town.

AAC region manager Gabrielle Edis said the program helped the jobseekers gain new skills and put back in to the community.

She said in some cases the teams literally opened up new horizons.

“There was an elderly gentleman, who couldn’t get out of his backdoor for 10 years because of the foliage (blocking his way),” she said.

“There was just too much to clear away – you know how it gets to the point where there is just too much to do on your own.”

“He also had a very bad heart and could only walk 10 steps at a time.”

“So after we went in there and cleared it up, he just stood there crying.”

Ms Edis said the teams had already helped clean the backyards of up to 50 homes.

However, she said the program was only designed to assist the elderly, disadvantaged or those with a disability.

She said those who could afford to pay a landscaper to do the work were not eligible for the program, with an AAC supervisor assessing each request for help.

She also joked the program occasionally challenged her jobseekers’ any other ways.

She said when the elderly gentleman burst into tears after they cleared his yard, her team shuffled their feet and mumbled “don’t mention it” awkwardly.

“(Our) men-being men all scratched their heads and looked away,” she said with a laugh.