UPDATE: Since this story was shared, Lachlan has been awarded Scholar Trainee of the Year at the NAIDOC SA Community Awards held on 6 July 2026! Congratulations, Lachlan – a well-deserved recognition of your hard work, growth and the impact you’ve made.
12 months into his 18-month traineeship with Maxima and Host Employer the Department for Health and Wellbeing (DHW) operating in SA Health, Lachlan is thriving in a role that has opened doors professionally and personally.
Based in the heart of Adelaide’s medical precinct on North Terrace, Lachlan works as a Human Resources Administration Officer Trainee, supporting the department with everything from contracts and reports to recruitment support, payroll documents and handling staff queries. Since starting the traineeship in March 2025, he has grown into a valued member of the team – so much so that discussions are already underway about opportunities beyond the traineeship.
For Lachlan, the move into a professional office environment was a major change after working in fast food, where long night shifts and customer service were part of everyday life. While the transition came with challenges, he says the support around him has made all the difference.
“The experience has been fantastic overall,” he said. “It’s a different kind of stress in an office environment, but it’s a healthy type of stress. The team has been really supportive and welcoming, and I’ve learned so much from the people around me.”
Lachlan credits his customer service background with helping him build strong communication skills and confidence, which have translated well into the workplace. Today, he plays a significant role helping processes run smoothly and supporting staff across the department.
“I enjoy being able to help people and keep things progressing,” he said. “There are people in the team with decades of experience, so being able to learn from them and apply their knowledge has been really valuable.”
The opportunity came about after Lachlan’s mum encouraged him to apply for a traineeship through Maxima. His brother was already completing an apprenticeship through Maxima, and Lachlan saw the traineeship as a chance to gain experience and take the next step in his career.
Since starting, Lachlan has embraced every opportunity that has come his way – including recently attending a Yarning Circle hosted by Maxima, which gave him the chance to further connect with culture, community and history. Having discovered his Aboriginal heritage later in life, Lachlan said he is looking forward to continuing to honour, share and strengthen that connection.
“It’s been really meaningful learning more about culture and connecting with my roots,” he said. “I enjoyed hearing people’s stories, asking questions and learning more about the different mobs and tribes across Australia.”
He also praised DHW’s commitment to creating culturally safe and inclusive workplaces.
“There’s a strong focus on Aboriginal culture in the workplace, whether that’s awareness initiatives, events or opportunities to connect and have conversations,” he said. “It’s great to see that support there.”
Throughout the traineeship, Lachlan said Maxima’s support team has been there every step of the way.
“Communication has always been really open and supportive,” he said. “Whenever I’ve had concerns or needed help, the team has been there quickly to support me.”
Lachlan’s supervisor, Katrina, said he had become an integral part of the HR Operations Team.
“From day one, Lachlan was immersed in our busy working environment and quickly became a valued member of our team,” she said. “I truly cannot imagine coming to work and not seeing him.”
Katrina said Lachlan’s willingness to learn, and genuine curiosity had made a significant impact.
“Rather than merely learning the processes, Lachlan is genuinely interested in understanding their purpose and exploring how we can improve them,” she said. “He loves going down rabbit holes.”
Over the course of the traineeship, Lachlan has continued to grow in confidence and capability, even taking on responsibility for training newer team members and providing advice to veteran members of the team. Alongside his day-to-day role, he has completed additional study including a Diploma in Web Content and a Certificate in Accessible Content, helping broaden his skills across the department. He has also been nominated as one of his floor’s First Aid Officers.
“Lachlan has fully immersed himself in his work and surroundings,” Katrina said. “We are incredibly proud of the progress he has made and the positive impact he has had on our team.”
Looking ahead, Lachlan hopes to continue building a career in the public sector, with an interest in potentially pursuing further study in HR and continuing to develop his skills and experience.
For other First Nations people considering a traineeship or entering the workforce for the first time, his advice is simple – back yourself.
“Don’t let other people tell you what you can and can’t do,” he said. “Even if you don’t think you have all the skills yet, these opportunities help you grow, gain experience and mature in the workplace. So many people could benefit from giving it a go and believing in their own capabilities.”
Reflecting on how far he has come already, Lachlan said he is proud of the progress he has made and grateful for the opportunity.
“I’ve tried to take advantage of every opportunity that’s been made available to me,” he said. “I couldn’t have done it all myself – there have been a lot of helping hands along the way.”
Want to know more about Indigenous Employment Pathways through Maxima? Visit https://maxima.com.au/indigenous-employment-programs