11/08/2026
Introducing Orlando!
Orlando first completed the Dreamtime Swag Program in December 2024 at the young age of 16. In 2025 he then went on to complete some paid work experience during April and May and proved himself to be a real asset to Kalano so he was placed into employment in June 2025 as a Community Projects Supervisor. He enjoyed making the swags and went on to be able to sew up swags on his own when Dan was away from Katherine. These swags were given to participants who were sleeping rough or needed them at the time to commence paid work. In June this year, we sat down with Orlando and to chat about his experience with the program and with Kalano RAES.
Orlando said him and the other participants thought the program was going to be hard and it would put pressure on them, but he was surprised at how easy the program was and at how they were all supported by Dan. He said Dan follows a process and at first you just learn how to use the machine to sew, how to get it neat and right, you learn how to measure out the swags and bags, cut them all out and then each part of the process is done as a team step by step. After the first swag program Orlando said he enjoyed coming in to assist others to learn and maintained his interest in learning how to produce a quality swag. He has since been able to go onto other things and support the Kalano RAES team with day-to-day duties including doing pick ups of participants, supporting other people to get to work and interviews, Mowing and maintenance in local surrounding communities, making purchases of food and materials for other training programs and anything that comes up from day to day. He also still comes back and assists with the swags as required.
When we asked how Kalano Remote Australia Employment Service (RAES) has supported him, he replied that the team has supported him in so many ways including getting his Ochre card, Whitecard, Chainsaw ticket, Driving lessons, Licencing and some 4WD training. He said the most important thing was that he had been given responsibility and that he had earnt this responsibility and feels like an important part of his team. He also added that between Kalano RAES and Kalano Children and Family Centre working together to support him, they managed to keep him engaged and on the right path to employment when the going got tough, his words were “They really helped me by giving me more than one chance and I have really grown from this.”
When we asked what he sees for himself in the future, he responded by saying he wants to get some tickets under his belt including Backhoe, Truck Licence, Rigging and work on the Oil Rigs or at McArthur River Mine.
Before we finished, Orlando said he wanted to add something. He said “I appreciate the opportunity and that when Dan taught me to make the swag, he told me to just do it, and it does not matter if I make a mistake, he showed me its ok if you try, and that I will get better with practice. I now have this knowledge for life!” Good on you Orlando.👍🏼Kalano Community Association IncDreamtime Swags Dan Fischer All Follower's Julie Fischer
