Meet Charlie Parkman

Published on 05 December 2023

Before joining the Jerra Crew, Charlie Parkman was working at Design Craft in Hume making cabinets part-time. When looking for more full-time work, Charlie’s mum came across a role with Council’s Jerra Crew.

The Jerra Crew is a core part of Council’s Urban Landscapes and Parks teams and has been a contracted part of the organisation for nearly 30 years. It began as two team members and a disability support worker who would assist Council’s horticultural team with maintenance. The crew now consists of four teams that are supported by disability support workers from LEAD Employment who provide specialist disability employment services and support in our region.

Charlie joined the Jerra Crew three and a half years ago and has recently joined Council’s Open Spaces team as a General Equipment Operator on a full-time six-month contract.

When Coordinator of Open Spaces, Jason Robinson, learnt that Charlie had his license he jumped on the chance to have Charlie join his team.

In his new role, Charlie enjoys working one on one with his new crew mate Drew Scott and listening to country music while he cuts grass all day.

Charlie says his experience growing up on a farm gave him important skills that have helped him with his work at Council like learning to drive a mower.

As much as he’s enjoying his new job, Charlie admits he’s still getting used to working full time.

The first few weeks were ‘pretty full on’ and he’d often find his legs to be tired and sore halfway through the day.

‘That’s all part of the job I’d say. I don’t mind it,’ says Charlie.

Charlie’s new role is more than just a job to him though, it’s helped him to think more about his future. 

‘It’s a good thing and a good life and I’d like to keep going here,’ he said.

‘I want to move to Queanbeyan because I live in Crace now so it’s too far for me to drive but I want to try and find a house here in Queanbeyan if I can.’

Having Jason’s support has also meant a lot to Charlie.

‘He’s always behind me and everything else and always got my back if something goes wrong or anything, so it’s pretty good.’

Jason admits he was a bit apprehensive when Charlie joined his team. He and Drew didn’t want to see Charlie fail.

Jason’s first challenge was helping Charlie to fill out his timesheet but he quickly realised that he wasn’t giving Charlie enough credit and needed to stop being the protective boss.

‘He was actually picking [it] up faster than I was actually teaching him.’

When Charlie first started his GEO role there was an opportunity for him to have support from LEAD but Jason declined it.

‘I really wanted to give my staff the opportunity to support Charlie first and to see how they would bond,’ Jason said.

‘The staff within the lunch-room have really taken Charlie under their wing and they include him in all of their conversations and so he’s befriended a lot of people. So, so far it’s been nothing but positive.’

With Charlie’s friendly nature and always-waving hands, it was inevitable that he’d become fast friends with his new colleagues.

While they might deny it, Jason says his team can’t help but smile when Charlie makes his way through the yard in the mornings — even when they’re having a particularly hard day.

‘He stops and says hello to everyone, which is good. It doesn’t happen enough in the yard.’

‘We get stuck in our little world and our own problems, but Charlie makes us aware that a smile is free.’

The Jerra Crew includes people of all ages and abilities and Council proudly recognises the contributions they make to the organisation and the wider community.