At the Third Annual Employer Awards, Suzanne was named the winner of the Outstanding Achiever Award, which recognises an Asuria participant who has demonstrated exceptional determination, resilience, and meaningful employment in a priority industry.
In the year leading up to her 60th birthday, Suzanne completed a Certificate II in Animal Care with a 95% average, volunteered more than 20 hours a week at RSPCA Yagoona, wrote a cover letter so compelling that the hiring manager replied with “Wow. What a way to start a Monday. I needed to read this. Thank you.” — and started the job she had dreamed of for years.
To understand what Suzanne’s achievement means, you need to understand where she started. She came to Asuria having overcome domestic violence, financial insecurity, anxiety, the challenges of single parenting across countries, and a profound loss of confidence that she rebuilt – as she describes it – piece by piece. When she connected with her Asuria mentor Gabi in late 2024, she was approaching her 60th birthday with a lifelong passion for animals and a determination to finally pursue it formally.
What followed was a masterclass in commitment. Suzanne enrolled in RSPCA’s fast-tracked 12-week Certificate II in Animal Care at their Yagoona site – a 50-minute commute each way requiring two buses. She was studying three full days a week, volunteering up to 20 hours weekly, managing her family, looking after her health, and meeting regularly with Gabi to plan, debrief, and prevent burnout. She graduated on 4 December 2024 with 100% completion.
Her dedication earned her a program extension – granted because of her 95% achievement average, her integral role in the RSPCA’s Enrichment project, and the commitment she had demonstrated throughout. Post-certification, she kept volunteering more than 20 hours a week, while Gabi helped her craft the cover letter that opened the door.
Suzanne began her RSPCA role in January 2025. By her six-month review, leadership had named her an organisational asset and awarded her a certificate for her wholehearted contributions to animal care, enrichment, and team support. She has since become involved in onboarding and inclusion processes, advocates for her own continued support through Inclusive Employment Australia, and manages the emotional demands of the work with openness and self-awareness.
Her longer-term ambition is to move into RSPCA’s administration, adoptions, or foster care team – a goal her employer actively supports.
The judges said: “Suzanne started working with her Asuria mentor, Gabi, in 2024, with 12 months remaining before her 60th birthday. As a single parent who had raised two children while living with domestic violence, she had lost confidence in her abilities, but she had a dream and the grit to pursue it despite the challenges... Her journey from self-doubt to becoming a valued, resilient team member is a powerful testament to her strength.”
Asuria CEO Nicole Grainger-Marsh said Suzanne’s story was the heart of everything the awards stand for. “Suzanne didn’t just find employment – she rebuilt herself. She took a dream she had carried for years, found the courage to pursue it under the most demanding of circumstances, and arrived at her 60th birthday not just employed but valued, recognised, and thriving. This is exactly why we do what we do.”