For over ten years, Kieran Kelleher has been a key member of Bushlink, a not-for-profit community organization dedicated to providing real and valued employment for people with disability
Recently celebrating his ten-year anniversary in the program, Kieran is one of the original members of the hard-working bush regeneration group.
Bushlink employs people with disabilities, empowering them to hold real jobs in the environmental sector, as well as encouraging their social interaction with local community groups.
“I started off in the transition to work program, but when I started with Bushlink I knew that it was something I really wanted to do,” Kieran said.
“I really enjoy the work we do. I live in Manly and it’s really easy for me to catch the bus and get to the office in Brookvale.”
Through a network of working project teams, Kieran has focused in areas such as horticulture, bush regeneration, gardening, and grounds maintenance work.
“One of the best things about the job is getting to pull the weeds out, it’s super satisfying, especially getting those Lantanas.” He chuckled.
Working on numerous sites around the Northern Beaches, Kieran has honed his bush regeneration skills in more than one way.
“Most days we go work somewhere different, it has taught me lots of different skills and I have worked at lots of different sites,” Kieran explained.
“My favorite site to work at is at Carrington Parade in Curl Curl, I really like working at the beach and it’s nice to be out in the open air next to the ocean,” He said
“I love working in the sand dunes and planting natives.”
A well-known Manly local, Kieran enjoys the fact that he gets to work outside and that he can make a real difference to the vibrance of his local community.
The jobs at Bushlink were originally designed to generate self-respect, a high degree of pride, and a sense of self-worth. Whilst at the same time focused on improving the resilience of the Australian bushland, enhancing natural areas, and restoring natural habitats.
Due to the nature of Bushlinks services, Kieran was able to work right through most of the past two years of COVID lockdowns, something that wasn’t available for everyone.
“It was nice to work through Covid, I was working a couple of days a week which was good.”
A people person at heart, Kieran is also happy to facilitate some of Bushlink’s educational opportunities, that see local school kids come join the project teams for a day.
“Getting to help the kids do new things, things they have never done before is really special. Everyone is friendly and we get on really well,” he said.
“I love working with Dee Why Public School, they are the best. But the Balgowlah Boys are pretty funny as well.”
Kieran also gets along well with an older crowd, especially when corporate groups join the team for a bush regeneration program at sites around the Northern Beaches.
“I love doing the corporate groups, it makes the day go so fast and it’s nice to them out of their office.
“We get the work done so fast, it’s great and they are really good listeners.”
With Bushlink looking to expand its team, Kieran is excited about the opportunity to work with more people and continue to develop his leadership skills in the future.
