Alyshia Shines Bright at the Business disABILITY Awards

If you’re in need of a good news story to brighten your day, this one is sure to do the trick. 

AimBig participant Alyshia, based in Chinchilla, QLD, has faced more than her fair share of challenges. But through it all, she has defied the odds and taken everything life has thrown at her in her stride. 

Alyshia is a single mum to five children, some of whom have chronic medical conditions that require extra care. When she joined the Disability Employment Services (DES) program in July last year, she came to AimBig looking for a job that would allow her to support her family while offering flexible hours to suit school times. 

Caring for five children is an incredible feat on its own—but add in chronic back pain, diabetes, and the fact that Alyshia is a domestic violence survivor, and you’ve got a real-life superwoman. 

In September, Alyshia began a new role with Southern Cross Care as a Support Worker. To help her prepare for this new chapter, AimBig team member Marie supported her through essential checks like Police and Disability Worker Screening, and provided the basics needed to start strong—work clothing, supportive back-friendly shoes, and even a new phone so she could access rosters and complete checklists. 

Since starting her role, Alyshia has found deep fulfillment in supporting people in her community within their own homes. She especially enjoys the meaningful connections she’s built with her regular clients. 

Beyond the rewarding nature of the work, Alyshia is also loving the financial stability and the ability to both care for and provide for her family. 

Recognising her incredible journey and achievements, the AimBig team nominated Alyshia for the 2025 Business disABILITY Awards of Australia under the Elissa Flanagan ‘Aim High’ Scholarship Award. The nomination came as a complete surprise to Alyshia—and when she heard the news, she was over the moon. Her manager at Southern Cross Care was so proud, she immediately booked a ticket to attend the awards and support Alyshia in person. 

To make the night truly unforgettable, the AimBig team went all out. They took Alyshia shopping for a glamorous outfit, arranged for her hair and makeup to be done, and even organised a babysitter for her five children. 

We’re thrilled to share that Alyshia was crowned the winner of the award at Saturday’s event in Toowoomba! As part of her prize, she received a laptop to support her studies and a cheque to help her with professional development, training and/or education in her chosen field. 

Alyshia attended the awards with a whole team of AimBig employees there to celebrate her success on the night, including Marie and Sharon who ensured she returned home safely the next day. 

We are so proud of Alyshia and everything that she has achieved. The team at AimBig have thoroughly enjoyed watching her blossom and can’t wait to see what her future brings. Congratulations Alyshia! 

If you’d like to find out how one of our friendly AimBig team can help, get in touch with us here.