Chris Hamilton joined RESQ in January 2020.

Chris has significant executive experience having worked for Ruralco Holdings as a Business Process Manager and as the General Manager of Territory Rural, a subsidiary of Ruralco. Prior to this, he was the Chief Executive Officer of Employment Services Queensland and the Managing Director of the Army and Air Force Canteen Service.

Chris also served in the Australian Army and the Army Reserve in full time and part time positions. His full-time roles saw him working in senior leadership positions in project management, training and infrastructure development in Canberra and Brisbane as well as overseas in Southeast Asia and the Southwest Pacific. 

Chris has a very strong connection with the bush, growing up on the family cattle property “Deearne” in the Taroom/Eidsvold districts. In his early years, he worked for Primac, Primac Elders and Pivot Fertilisers as a merchandise salesman, branch manager and regional sales manager.

He has an MBA in Human Resource Management and Marketing, a Bachelor and Diploma of Applied Science and an Associate Diploma in Horticulture. He is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

As a Senior Employment Consultant for RESQ Plus, she travels to Winton, Muttaburra, Aramac, Barcaldine, Jericho, Alpha, Birdsville and Stonehenge, visiting employers and job seekers. Julie says travelling to the small towns helps her understand the opportunities that are available, so she can match job seekers to the right role. “When I understand what both the employer and job seeker are looking for, I can work on getting a good outcome and longterm, sustainable employment for both parties.”

Based in Longreach, Julie’s role also includes auditing, reporting, quality assurance and training new employment consultants.“A lot of training focuses on how to help job seekers build a resume or how to engage with employers.
“But you also have to show people how to be empathetic without taking on the weight of the world. In these roles, you deal with a lot of other people’s problems. It’s important to keep an eye on your own mental health, as well as others.”

Julie herself has worked for RESQ Plus for three years now. She spent her first year working with disengaged youth, assisting them with looking for apprenticeships and job search and
training opportunities. “This company has given me the ability to grow a lot in myself and my work. I’m very proud of the work I do and the team I work with.”

“The RESQ team is very supportive. It’s a young team in the Longreach area. I’m probably the oldest, so they keep me young. “I can go to them with any questions about how young people are thinking and the struggles young people have. They educate me as much as I educate them.”

In 2019, he and his family left the beachside township of Port Hedland, Western Australia, in search of adventure. Travels across north-west Australia led them all the way to Longreach. When he walked through the doors at RESQ Plus, he didn’t know he’d still be there one year later. Tim says he went in looking for part-time work.“I literally walked in with my one-year-old on my hip and walked out with a job as the new supervisor,” Tim said.

A mechanic and electrician by trade, Tim now manages a team of job seekers, organising community projects that will help build their skills and confidence. He says he tries to find activities that are enjoyable, different and help build self-confidence. “Some people haven’t had an opportunity to see what they’re capable of.” Tim is also working with Camden Park Station, testing spraying fuels that might help control the region’s infestation of prickly acacia. If tests are successful, the project will be turned into an Activity Generating Income (AGI). This gives job seekers an opportunity to earn an income, as well as build skills and contribute to the community. “These activities help job seekers gain the respect of property owners. “People tell us that it’s great to see job seekers out there. We’re showing them what we can do and how we’re making a difference.

While it may have started as an adventure, Tim’s quickly found a place to belong.
“I miss the beach. But the team at RESQ Plus are fantastic. There’s a lovely community feel.”