On 4 August 2026, Civil Safety’s Yardsman/Trainer, Gerard, was honoured to speak at the Eastern Goldfields Regional Prison 10th Anniversary Celebration in Boulder, Western Australia.
Invited as a guest speaker, Gerard shared his personal story of change, resilience and opportunity - a journey that has taken him from a challenging period in his life to becoming a qualified trainer, mentor and role model within his community.
Celebrating 10 Years of Eastern Goldfields Regional Prison
Eastern Goldfields Regional Prison
The 10th Anniversary Celebration recognised the prison’s decade of service to the Goldfields community and brought together invited guests, staff, stakeholders and community representatives to reflect on the prison’s history and its role in rehabilitation and reintegration.
Gerard’s invitation to speak was particularly meaningful because he once walked through the same prison gates as an inmate. Returning years later as a trainer and mentor highlighted the importance of rehabilitation, education and providing people with opportunities to change their future.
A Journey of Change
Gerard’s story is one of perseverance, determination and transformation.
On 24 May 2024, Gerard walked out of prison and began a new chapter of his life. He made the decision not to allow his past to define him, but instead to use it as motivation to create a better life for himself, his family and his community.
Reconnecting with his loved ones became his first priority. Their encouragement and belief in him gave him the strength to keep moving forward and embrace every opportunity that came his way.
Gerard knew that changing his life required more than simply making a decision - he also needed an opportunity.
Building a New Future
Determined to create a better future, Gerard enrolled in a Civil Construction course with Civil Safety in February 2026.
Gerard’s commitment, determination and willingness to learn quickly became evident. While completing his training, he was offered a position with Civil Safety - an opportunity that changed the direction of his life and allowed him to continue developing his skills and building a career.
Since then, Gerard has continued to develop his skills and qualifications, including:
Working at Heights
Elevated Work Platform (EWP)
Dogging
Rigging
C6 60-tonne Crane
Certificate IV in Training and Assessment (TAE)
For Gerard, these qualifications represent more than just tickets. Each achievement represents progress, commitment and the opportunities he was given to build a new career and life.
Turning Experience into Purpose
Today, Gerard is proud to be a trainer with Civil Safety, where he helps others build practical skills and confidence to begin successful careers in the construction and resources industries.
As an Aboriginal man from the Goldfields, Gerard is passionate about supporting his community and encouraging others - especially young Aboriginal people - to believe in themselves and understand that their past does not determine their future.
During his presentation, Gerard shared a powerful message about second chances, reminding everyone that while we cannot change the past, we can choose what comes next.
"My past is a chapter in my life, not the whole story. Civil Safety gave me the opportunity to prove myself, learn new skills and build a career I can be proud of. The support and belief they showed in me gave me the confidence to keep moving forward, and now I have the chance to help others do the same."
A Symbol of How Far He Has Come
One of Gerard’s proudest achievements was purchasing his 2021 Toyota Prado.
To many people, it may simply be a vehicle. For Gerard, it represents much more - independence, stability and proof of how far he has come.
It serves as a daily reminder that commitment, perseverance and believing in yourself can lead to meaningful change.
A Full-Circle Moment
Speaking at the Eastern Goldfields Regional Prison 10th Anniversary Celebration was a significant milestone in Gerard’s journey.
Returning to Eastern Goldfields Regional Prison - not as an inmate, but as a trainer, mentor and guest speaker - was a powerful reminder of the change that can happen when people are supported, given opportunities and encouraged to believe in themselves.
His story offered hope to those in attendance and demonstrated that education, employment and positive role models can make a lasting difference.
Civil Safety’s Commitment
At Civil Safety, we believe that education has the power to transform lives.
We are incredibly proud of Gerard and grateful for the opportunity to support him on his journey. His story reflects the positive impact that education, mentoring, meaningful employment and genuine support can have on individuals and communities.
Gerard’s journey is a reminder that people should not be defined by their past, but by the choices they make and the future they continue to build.
We congratulate Gerard on this significant milestone and look forward to seeing him continue to inspire others through his leadership, his work and his commitment to creating opportunities for future generations.