​By IPS Bookkeeper Melinda Ely

Last week I was asked if I could accompany IPS Business Consultant Joanne Hill to Albany, as she had already traveled so much that week.

As a bookkeeper, I don’t get to leave the office within my role very often - so this was a great opportunity for me to get out and see what our consultants do.

WOW was I blown away. I read these contracts but don’t have a true understanding of the work that goes on. The jobs that Joanne co-facilitates are real jobs that make a real difference in the community.

The first workshop we attended was a co-facilitation with NOUS for the WA Police department. I was able to join in and be a part of the discussions.

From there we went to a stakeholder engagement for the Aboriginal Business Capability project, with local people in a position to let the Albany Community know what we are doing.

Again, some very interesting discussions were had and I was able to get a better understanding of the work that IPS are doing out in the field.

After this very long day Jo took me for a drive around Albany, as I hadn't been before. We then went to dinner at the Stirling Club Inc., where we ended up staying for a lovely dinner in the company of some locals that Jo suggested we sit with.

We got up early the next morning and headed home the inland way, travelling through some of the little old towns in our South West.

I saw some great sights and had some great conversations with Jo, learning the extent of work that she puts in not only for IPS, but voluntary work for different community groups as well.