Laurel’s journey through the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme transformed her life professionally and personally. From leading quality assurance on a citrus farm in Australia to coordinating sales at a major resort in Vanuatu, Laurel’s story is a powerful example of how working under the PALM scheme builds lasting skills and confidence.
Building skills on the farm
Laurel was a team leader on the farm, in charge of quality assurance – making certain the first class fruit grown there was ready for international export.
“In the morning, I did the weighing of the fruits and checked the quality of the fruits. I made sure it was packaged and weighed correctly, then it’s ready to be sent off,” Laurel said.
“On the farm everything we do has a time limit and everything has to be done on time.”
The skills Laurel learned during her time on the PALM scheme have been used back in Vanuatu where she now works as a sales coordinator at the Warwick Le Lagon in Port Vila.
Communication, patience and time management were key skills she developed – skills that are now essential in her job, according to her boss.
“My time on PALM scheme has really pushed me to be a different person based on my skills. I’ve grown so much with I how I interact with people.”
Life after the PALM scheme
Laurel worked on the PALM scheme for five years and says it was a valuable experience. She said it was not an easy decision to leave her family and friends behind.
“I’m a single mum with two children. They stayed with my parents while I was away in Australia,” Laurel said.
“I supported them financially and I talked to them every morning before I went to work and, in the afternoon, before I went to sleep.”
Laurel was able to return home during her five-year stint on the PALM scheme, and she also brought her children to Australia for a holiday.
“After COVID once all the borders reopened, I managed to bring them to Australia. We managed to go to Movie World, and they’ve seen Superman, Batman and Cinderella in real life.
“They loved it and went back home and told everyone.”
Laurel’s goals always revolve around supporting her children and helping with their education. She hopes to one day have a home of her own and is working towards that goal.
“I’ve started looking at living on my own away from my parents and am building a house. Being a single mum is not easy. When I joined the PALM scheme I had to sacrifice a lot.
“It’s been challenging but I’ve learned to deal with whatever situation comes my way,” she said.
“I encourage those who are still on the PALM scheme to finish (your contract) and stay positive always.”
Laurel’s cheerful optimism has made her a valuable employee at the Warwick Le Lagon. Her boss Ramsay is impressed by her dedication and ‘can do’ attitude – attributes he looks for when hiring staff.
“We always look for commitment and a willingness to learn. Laurel brings a lot of skills of her own to the job – she’s very committed and hard working,” Ramsay said.
“I’m sure working in Australia with different cultures opened her eyes to a lot of other skills. The exposure of working overseas will always strengthen the skills of a person.”
Despite the challenges of being away from family, Laurel remembers her time in Australia fondly and the positive impact the experience had on her.
Laurel’s story is one of resilience, growth, and hope. Her experience under the PALM scheme serves as an inspiration for others seeking to build a better future through labour mobility.
