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Need Bourke basics? Contact your local Welcome Connector


Bourke’s new Welcome Connector – Kelly Lienesch. Photo TWH
Bourke’s new Welcome Connector – Kelly Lienesch. Photo TWH

Just moved to the Bourke or Walgett districts and need help settling in?

The Welcome Experience is a free service supporting essential workers and their families who are considering moving or have made the move to Bourke or Walgett.

As the official host for the Orana region, RDA Orana works directly with essential workers across several regions, and while Walgett’s service has already been estab-lished, Bourke is now lucky enough to have its own local Welcome Connector – Kelly Lienesch.

“I have worked in healthcare for a very long time, and when I saw the Welcome Connector position, I though it looked amazing,” Kelly said.

“I’m proud of Bourke and passionate about the Bourke community and I’ve lived here for a long time.

“I was excited to think that I could help people experience Bourke like I have and help them make positive connections.”

Originally a pilot project in Walgett, the Welcome Experience has since expanded to several more NSW sites. RDA Orana Dubbo hosts the program, with connecters in Dubbo/Wellington, Walgett and now Bourke.

The program is aimed at essential workers and through The Welcome Experience, new workers are matched with local resources and community connections to ensure a smoother transition into a new community.

“I’ve had several people come through the program since I started,” Kelly said.

“These include health workers, police, one teacher, and I’m hoping more teachers will start coming through when school goes back. I’ve been in touch with local schools to promote the program.”

“I’ve got a strong relationship with the Health Service Manager at the hospital, so when she knows she’s getting new staff, she sets a date for me to go up there and we talk about the program. It’s designed to help workers feel more at home and connect them with what they need beyond the work environment.”

Kelly said that ideally workers would contact her prior to coming to the community.

“This path has shown the most success,” she said. “Often I get referrals through the Welcome Experience page, and we follow through from there.”

By connecting new residents with the local community—whether it’s finding housing, joining local clubs, or securing job opportunities for partners – it’s hoped newcomers will feel at home faster.

The Welcome Experience data shows that when workers feel integrated and supported in their new environment, they’re more likely to stay in regional communities longer.

“I don’t focus on work, it’s more things like housing, which is particularly important for health workers as they don’t have supported housing,” Kelly said. “If their partners and families come with them, it’s also about education options, and the leisure and recreation connections in the community.”

“At the moment I’m working on an in-depth local service directory that I can give to people. Ultimately, my role is to support people and show them the options that exist in the community.

“For example, if a mum with a couple of young kids wants to meet other young mums, I might go with her to playgroup and help with that connection to people. I also help with partner employment, not as an employment agency but I have local knowledge of available jobs in the area.”

While Kelly has had several one-on-one meetings with newcomers to Bourke, she is in the planning stage of organising monthly group catch ups.

“There’s no pressure with this,” she said. “If people can’t make it, I’m happy to meet up for a coffee or something like that.”

“In partnership with the local Rotary Club and Bourke Shire Council, there will be a Welcome to Bourke event, probably around March. This sort of event has run for several years now, and it a good way for new people to get to know each other.”

“The Welcome Experience program is available to non-government and government workers. It covers sectors like aged care, health, early childhood education, disability support workers, Fire and Rescue, ambulance services, child protection, Corrections and Justice, NSW Police and paid Rural Fire Service personnel. The program has re-cently been expanded to include veterinary services.”

Kelly said that while the program is aimed at government employees, she is open to any new workers in Bourke to make contact.

“While I’ve got capacity, I certainly would help them. If nothing else, I could give them some information and point them in the right direction for their needs,” she said, “The Welcome Experience is a free program and it’s my role to ensure new workers have a smooth transition in and that connection that makes them feel like a local.”

For more information about The Welcome Experience, pop into the RDA Orana Office at 27 Mitchell Street in Bourke or call Kelly Lienesch on 0460 295 153.

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New South Wales Australia

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