A passion for the wellbeing of her Indigenous peers has led a Bendigo woman to be named the city’s employee of the year.  

Speaking three days after being recognised at the Bendigo Business Excellence awards, Indigenous employment officer Rhonda Penney still sounded stunned. 

A CVGT staff member for almost eight years, it is Ms Penney’s role to introduce Aboriginal job-seekers to prospective employers. 

It’s a skill she has also plied inside several of the state’s prisons. 

Early in her career with the recruitment agency, Ms Penney would meet with Indigenous prisoners every week, preparing them for a life of work once their sentence was complete. 

Her proudest moments included watching a newly employed chef at Echuca’s hospital “unable to wipe the smile off his face”, and encouraging a shy, young woman to sign up with the Australian Defence Force.

“I'm really passionate about it,” she said, explaining she too had Indigenous heritage.

“It makes you really proud to see them come so far.” 

The new recruit met her employer at a networking session Ms Penney organised, an event she said gave Indigenous people the chance to meet with prospective workplaces in a supportive environment.

“Employment is something that might not otherwise happen,” she said.

A lack of confidence was often what stood in the way of her clients taking on the world of work, she said.

“Especially the young ones,” Ms Penney added. 

The award-winning employee said her colleagues and family – including her 22 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren – were proud of her achievements.

The winner’s statuette had since taken pride of place in her lounge room.