Blog
Meet MTC – Julie-Anne
As advocates for inclusive hiring practices, at MTC FutureReady we pride ourselves on practicing what we preach. Our workforce consists of more than 500 people from diverse backgrounds. Many of them have experienced the same challenges our clients might face.
By supporting over 22,000 people in overcoming barriers to meaningful work, we strive to provide the best support to our clients and employers. We are able to do so because of our people.
Meet Julie-Anne, a Health and Wellbeing Consultant at MTC FutureReady Redcliffe. Proudly calling Redcliffe home, Julie-Anne lives by the beach in the 100-year-old Queenslander she always dreamed of owning. A former Surf Life Saver on the very beach she now overlooks, she has spent much of her life giving back to her community while raising her son and supporting him to achieve his own goals. Her career has taken her across Australia, including working on state government infrastructure projects in remote Aboriginal communities throughout the Kimberley region. She has also fundraised for charities such as the Royal Flying Doctor Service and worked in education as Head House Mother at Nudgee College.
Julie-Anne has also been heavily involved in high-performance sport with Swimming Australia. Outside of work, she enjoys playing chess, has a passion for Aboriginal rock art, and is an active participant in the arts community, recently becoming the subject of an exhibition in Sydney.
How did you come to join MTC FutureReady?
I joined MTC FutureReady almost five years ago after being contacted by a recruitment agency about an opportunity at the Redcliffe site. At the time, I wasn’t actively looking to return to full-time work, but I’d admired the Redcliffe team for quite some time and thought I’d be happy to lend a hand for what I expected would be a short-term opportunity.
After interviewing with Karin via Microsoft Teams, I was offered the role and quickly realised it was where I wanted to stay. My first Area Manager was Shelly Blackmur, and today I’m supported by Tracy White. Before joining MTC FutureReady, I worked in Disability Employment Services, an area I was passionate about and thoroughly enjoyed.
What do you enjoy most about supporting clients on their employment journey?
I’m lucky to have a job I love right here in my local community. Every day, I get to help people achieve their goals, build confidence, and overcome barriers that may have been holding them back for years.
What makes this work so meaningful to me is that I understand how it feels to doubt yourself. For a long period of my life, I was a housewife and out of the workforce, so I know firsthand what it’s like to question your abilities and not know where to start. That’s why I love being able to encourage people, help them recognise their strengths, and show them what’s possible. Watching someone grow in confidence, believe in themselves, and achieve a goal they once thought was out of reach never stops making me smile. Helping others is simply in my DNA.
What are some of the biggest barriers your clients face when looking for work, and how do you help them overcome them?
One of the biggest barriers I see is a lack of self-belief. Many people underestimate their skills, experience, and potential, making it difficult for them to see the value they can offer an employer.
Education can also be a challenge for some participants, particularly if they’ve had limited opportunities to learn or build new skills.
What’s one piece of advice you regularly give to job seekers?
Think big and don’t be afraid to set goals for yourself.
I often share my “three ups” with participants: Get up. Dress up. Show up. Once you’ve done those three things, you’re already halfway there. I also believe education and lifelong learning are key to personal and professional growth. Most importantly, don’t be afraid to ask questions. There’s no such thing as a silly question, and you don’t have to do it alone.
The Annual Jobs Drive aims to place 1,000 people into employment by Christmas. What does being part of this initiative mean to you?
For me, this is “push time.”Here in Brisbane, when the jacarandas start flowering and the streets turn purple, I’ve always known it as “cram time”. It’s that final stretch of the year when everyone is working hard to achieve the best outcome possible. The Annual Jobs Drive feels much the same. It’s the last leg of the journey and a chance to make a real difference before Christmas.
A job is about so much more than a pay cheque. It brings confidence, pride, and a sense of self-worth. I love seeing participants head into Christmas with a new role, a bit of extra money in their pocket, and the excitement that comes with new opportunities. It’s wonderful to know they’ve got that extra pep in their step when they’re catching up with family and friends and talking about what they’ve achieved and what they’re now working towards. That’s what makes this initiative so special.
If you could travel anywhere in the world tomorrow, where would you go and why?
My favourite place in the world is on a chairlift next to my son, heading up a mountain in the snow. We chat about life, talk through which runs we’re brave enough to try, and encourage each other to take on new challenges.
For me, it’s less about the destination and more about the person you’re sharing it with. Those moments combine family, adventure, laughter, and the excitement of trying something new; that’s pretty hard to beat.
What would you say to your 21-year-old self?
“Good, better, best. Never let it rest until your good is better and your better is your best.”
That’s the advice I’d give my 21-year-old self, and it’s something I’ve carried with me throughout my life. I’ve always believed that growth comes from being willing to learn, challenge yourself, and keep moving forward, even when things don’t go to plan.