By Bronwyn Hastings

Shari Porter is this year’s Just Better Care National Possible Award winner, recognising her as the service’s best community support professional in Australia.

Just Better Care’s western Victoria general manager Alison Butler, in presenting the certificate and prize of $2000, said Ms Porter’s nomination described the impact she had made on the nominating customer.

“You’re just the epitome of what a support professional is,” she said.

“You absolutely understand person-centredness and get what goal attainment is for a customer. 

“Your approach so professional – we’re just really, really thrilled that you’re part of our team, and we’re really grateful for the amazing work that you do.”

Ms Porter commenced casual work with Just Better Care in October 2022 and has supported 50 customers with a disability. 

A month into her role, she began working with Murtoa resident Lytton, a teenager with autism, who spent most of his time at home, disengaged from his community – his world was his teddy bears.

Ms Butler said the nomination outlined the rapport Ms Porter built to extend Lytton’s diet from a single, repeated pasta meal three times each day, to include egg and bacon rolls, pizza and chicken parma. 

“Shari utilised her incredible skills, as evidenced by her ability to plan her supports, working with local cafe owners to introduce fruits and different foods, textures and smells to Lytton in a safe and supportive environment, while also allaying his fears of leaving home and integrating with community,” she said.

Ms Porter assisted Lytton to incorporate exercise into his routine, including visits to the swimming pool and gym – all with his teddy bears. 

Ms Porter taught Lytton how to use a camera, which he used to record his adventures and create story books.

Accepting her award, Ms Porter said she had ‘great support’ from Just Better Care staff. 

“There’s always someone to back you up with whatever you need to happen,” she said.

“It’s been rewarding – very rewarding.”

Ms Porter, a hairdresser with a Pimpinio-based salon, said it was a ‘split-second decision’ to enter the care field.

“I had looked after both my parents for six years at home,” she said.

“Once mum passed, I had to do something. And within three weeks, I’d come to the Just Better Care office because I didn’t know what to do.”

Lytton’s parents wrote in their nomination that Ms Porter was ‘amazing’.

‘Lytton is so outgoing now, and Shari is the reason. It’s just amazing what she has achieved.’

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