This August, a powerful collaboration of community organisations, employment services, education providers, and local employers will come together to deliver The Comeback Collective, an innovative program designed to support mature-age women as they rebuild confidence, reconnect with opportunity, and take the next step in their employment journey.
Delivered through a partnership between the Local Jobs Program, Skills and Jobs Centre, Asuria, Sureway, are-able, and Women’s Health and Wellbeing Barwon South West, The Comeback Collective recognises that returning to work is about more than finding a job. For many women, it involves navigating health challenges, caring responsibilities, changing career identities, and the rapidly evolving world of work.
Over four workshop days in August, participants will engage in practical learning, self-discovery, wellbeing education, employer connections, and professional development activities designed to create sustainable pathways back into employment or self-employment.
Learning from Inspiring Experts
The program features an exceptional line-up of speakers and facilitators who bring expertise, lived experience, and practical strategies to support participants on their return-to-work journey.
Coach Star, founder of Awaken Divine, confidence coach and women’s health specialist, will guide participants through sessions focused on rebuilding self-belief, reconnecting with personal strengths, and creating a positive mindset for career reinvention. Her work empowers women to overcome self-doubt and embrace new possibilities with confidence.
Jo Surkitt, wellness educator and holistic practitioner, will provide practical strategies for maintaining wellbeing, resilience, and personal sustainability while navigating life’s transitions.
Jessica Fishburn, Pelvic Health and Pain Physiotherapist, will explore the relationship between health, chronic pain, and workforce participation, helping women understand how to manage health challenges while pursuing career goals.
Lynne Cazaly, renowned author and workplace futurist, will share insights from her latest book Clever Skills encouraging participants to recognise the human skills that remain essential in an ever-changing workplace and overcome fears of becoming obsolete.
Participants will also hear from Jan Mackenzie, Skills and Jobs Centre and the Local Jobs Programs Jen Fitzgerald, who will contribute valuable perspectives on identifying your existing skills, balancing self-care in the sandwich generation and career transitions, embracing our hidden networks.
Jacinta Lenehan from Womens Health and Wellbeing Barwon South West will support participants to understand the initiatives that create more inclusive and equitable workplaces and how organisations are taking action to support safety and respect.
Together, these sessions will help participants identify their strengths, build self-belief, and develop practical tools for future employment success.
A Community-Wide Collaboration
One of the program’s standout features is its strong emphasis on collaboration and local opportunity.
A series of interactive panel discussions will bring together representatives from education, training, community services, and industry to share insights on local employment pathways, skills development, and workforce participation.
Organisations contributing to numerous collaborative conversations include:
- Learn Local
- Warrnambool Library and Learning Hub
- Qualify Education and Training
- South West TAFE
- Wannon Water
- Serco
- Women’s Health and Wellbeing Barwon South West
- Timboon District Healthcare
- Forty Winks
- VP Management
- Employment service providers and additional regional employers
These panel sessions will give participants direct access to employers, educators, and support organisations, creating valuable opportunities to ask questions, explore career options, and build meaningful professional networks.
The program concludes with professional styling support through volunteers from Dress for Success, empowering women with professional clothing and renewed confidence as they prepare for interviews and employment opportunities.
Building Stronger Workforce Participation in South West Victoria
The Comeback Collective reflects what can be achieved when local organisations work together to remove barriers and create inclusive opportunities. Through shared expertise, employer engagement, and a commitment to supporting women at every stage of their journey, the program aims to strengthen workforce participation while helping women rediscover their confidence, capability, and career potential.
This initiative demonstrates the power of partnership, bringing together community organisations, training providers, employers, and health professionals to ensure women in our region have the support they need to make their comeback.
