It’s a credit to her, that no matter what is asked of Ms Jacobs, it’s always done with a smile on her face.
Sitting down with the Riverine Herald on Friday for International Day of People with Disability, Ms Jacobs spoke sincerely of her love for her job.
“I love coming here, and getting some money,” she said.
“I like to put some money aside, like for Christmas, savings and a holiday.”
Ms Jacobs, 45, has worked with Vivid Work Crew for 16 years, a staple of the business throughout numerous name changes, including More Than Pots and Task Force.
Over the years, she’s worked alongside various co-workers and support staff.
“I love all the support staff, they have been really good with me, and I’ve never had any trouble,” she said.
“I like working with Wendy Austin, and Wendy Quinn, and Rhett (Schuyler), and a few of the other guys.”
In her time at Work Crew, which offers meaningful employment for people with disability, Ms Jacobs has dabbled in just about everything the service has to offer.
Currently, you would describe her as an all-rounder, from working in reception and administration one day to heading off site to work on the Echuca Moama Bridge Project, with which Work Crew holds a cleaning contract with, the next.
“I mainly do reception work on a Wednesday and Thursday, and I do a little bit on the bridge (contract), cleaning down the bridge,” she said.
“(At reception) I like to say, ”Good Morning, Work Crew, Janette speaking, how may I help you?“
But despite Ms Jacobs’ cheery disposition, there is also a resoluteness to do the job right.
Mr Schuyler explained Ms Jacobs had become instrumental in enforcing Covid-19 vaccination requirements for visitors, as well as implementing a landfill program at the offices.
“We’ve been trying to reduce landfill here, and we’ve been able to cut back a lot in the two days Janette is here,” Mr Schuyler said.
“It might sound simple, but Janette’s been instrumental in making sure people are putting their bananas, their paper, their recyclables all in those right bins.”
Living independently in Echuca, Ms Jacobs said she was also looking forward to a return of some of Vivid’s social work events, including ‘Pizza and Pool“ night, which have been on hiatus throughout Covid-19 restrictions.
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