University of WA Bachelor of Commerce student Edwina Squire recently returned to her Great Southern roots to complete her McCusker Centre for Citizenship internship at the Men’s Resource Centre in Albany.
The 21-year-old grew up in Tenterden, a small farming community about an hour north-west of Albany, and moved to Perth to attend university.
During her 100-hour community service internship, Ms Squire assisted the Centre in marketing their Well Man Tour presentation (providing information, resources and practical skills on men’s wellbeing) and the Well Man mobile app, which was designed by former McCusker Centre for Citizenship intern Alex Arnold in 2017.
“Although the Centre is based in Albany, they are reaching out to people and communities nationally and globally through their services,” she said.
“The social impact of my work was increasing the reach of the Well Man Tour resources and to provide information on their services, so that all men can have the opportunity to improve their physical, mental and social wellbeing.”
A highlight was joining Men’s Resource Centre chief executive officer Grant Westthorp during his regular fortnightly Triple M Albany radio interviews.
Mr Westthorp said Ms Squire’s impact on the Centre would “continue on for quite a while”.
“She has lifted the bar regarding our marketing campaign,” he said.
“Edwina went well beyond her brief and contributed to a new campaign and new design of infographics to promote the free Well Man app.
“The upside is that the free Well Man app looks much more professional with Edwina’s input of images and is more popular due to the marketing campaign. Sometimes when you are around a project on a daily basis it is easy to miss opportunities, so the McCusker Centre for Citizenship interns bring a totally different perspective spiced with enthusiasm.”
Ms Squire said the most challenging aspect of the internship was assisting Mr Westthorp to change the Centre’s operating model in response to a reduction in funding.
“Although it represents a challenge in the short-term, altering the model will ensure the longevity of the service and the continued effort of addressing men’s wellbeing in the community,” she explained.
“I’ve learnt that an organisation must adapt over time to continue serving the community’s needs.”
Ms Squire said the four-week internship experience inspired her to learn more about the WA public and private health systems and possibly integrate that knowledge into her future career.
“The difference that a grassroots organisation such as the Men’s Resource Centre can make in the community is astounding, and the experience has taught me the significance in participating in positive social and cultural change,” she said.
“Learning about the challenges faced by our communities gave me a new perspective of the issues around me. It was very rewarding and satisfying to learn, apply and experience outcomes of new skills.”