Please meet our new social work student.

Please meet our social work student.

My name is Ellyn Duffus and I am a 4th year Social Work student from Victoria. I have travelled to Broken Hill to complete my final year social work placement with Big Sky Stories.  

I have a passion for travel, writing, reading, music and exercise and when focused on daily these five things impact positively on my life and help to expand my capabilities and curiosity.   

After a very long gap year, I finally decided to enrol in Victoria University, choosing a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) as I felt it aligned with my desire to understand people and the world in a greater context whilst allowing me the flexibility to incorporate my own strengths into learning and soon my future practice. From my travel experiences I have developed a sense of independence, greater self-awareness and skills in problem-solving, that I will carry throughout my working and personal life.  

I started my working life in the hospitality industry, one that I am still passionate about today, though more recently I have begun working in the disability sector and through this I have been able to continue working alongside people in a different capacity.

Since beginning my studies I have discovered a passion for social policy, human rights and social work theory. Additionally, my time working in the disability sector has provided me with an understanding of client-centered practice and how to best support people to recognise their strengths and capabilities. I am a big believer in self-determination and hope to demonstrate, though my own actions, that every person is capable of achieving more.  

I am excited to work alongside both Nicky and Jane at Big Sky Stories and to learn all that I can about creativity, play-based learning, storytelling, language and literacy. I can’t wait to see where this placement leads me on my social work journey.