Home Sweet Home: Renae’s Story

Meet Renae, one of our very first dedicated Work From Home employees at The Deaf Lottery!

Renae Ward lives in Tannum Sands near Gladstone, and began work as a dedicated Work From Home Contact Centre Officer in July, at the height of COVID lockdowns. We asked her if she could share her story about working remotely in her own words. 

I worked as a Beauty Therapist for eight years and ran my own salon, but due to health issues I was unable to sustain my business. I started work for a company administering support to car dealerships across Australia, and worked my way up to Assistant Manager.  

Unfortunately, my role was severely impacted by COVID and I began to lose a lot of work shifts. I took a hit financially and mentally as there was so much uncertainty. I’m the sort of person who likes to plan everything and have my ducks in a row, so to speak.  

Renae calls the beautiful Tannum Sands home.

I came across the job ad for the Contact Centre Officer role and was impressed with the organisation and the support it provided to the community. I was qualified, so I popped in my resume and hoped for the best! 

I had not had any experience with the Deaf community before starting this job, but I’m happy to say I now have a whole new understanding and appreciation for the community and I hope the work I do makes a difference.  

Renae’s work supports our work with community members like Kate. [deaflottery.com.au/news/kate-finds-her-place]

Even though I’m far away from the rest of the team, the support from my Team Leaders and connection to my colleagues has been amazing. The best part has been no commuting, and the fact that my beautiful cats can sleep next to me while I work! 

I think one silver lining from COVID has been that companies realise they don’t always need a full office and that there are certainly capable people in remote and regional areas who have so much to offer to companies who want people who get work done not matter where they live. 

Renae, like many of us, worked closely with furry friends in 2020!

I would definitely encourage anyone considering remote work to go for it, especially if your job lets you make a positive difference. My role is great and I hope for a long and successful career with Deaf Services and the Deaf Society.