Supportive employer helps Teska flourish

For proud Torres-Strait Islander Teska, a secure job with a supportive employer has given her confidence and helped ease her depression.

Since joining MAX, Teska’s team have witnessed and supported her journey. While her depression initially presented itself in symptoms like panic attacks and sleep issues, her determination to work never wavered.

Ms Gagai admitted she had struggled to find steady employment despite a strong desire to work, which exacerbated her depression.

She worked a number of short-term jobs over the course of her time with MAX, consistently proving herself a great employee. 

Working in partnership with Multhana Property Services, Teska’s MAX team supported her into a role with a Multhana cleaning crew in Redbank. 

Multhana Property Services is an Indigenous led business creating training and employment for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the landscaping, building maintenance and cleaning industries.

While having a job doesn’t mean Teska’s depression is cured, working in a stable and supportive environment has helped improve her confidence, provided her with purpose and a sense of team, while also alleviating her symptoms. 

Teska also shares about another health benefit the cleaning work has provided: “We clean a large area and since I’ve started there, I’ve also lost heaps of weight walking around and cleaning,” she says. 

Teska reflects on how this opportunity has changed things for her.

Congratulations to Teska and her MAX team for giving her every opportunity to succeed.

And thank you to Multhana for continuing to provide valuable employment and training pathways for our Indigenous and non-Indigenous customers. 

Our Employer Business Centre is pleased to work with MAX offices around south-east Queensland to support Multhana’s recruitment efforts on an ongoing basis. Our partnership is strengthened by our shared desire to support Indigenous Australians into work and address gaps in outcomes.

In late 2021 Multhana was recognised in the Lord Mayor’s Business Awards as a finalist in the Outstanding Social Enterprise category – congratulations to the Multhana team, a well-deserved accolade.