By Angel Cuerpo
Filipino-Australian social worker Arminda Graves was awarded for her efforts in supporting vulnerable families and individuals at the AASW South Australian Social Worker of the Year Awards.
Out of the six awards handed out, Graves received an award on rural and remote impact. Working for Centacare Catholic Country SA’s Ceduna office, Graves provided support for individuals and families in the broader area.
“I felt honoured and humbled receiving the award. It felt good to be recognised for the effort that I do to support the community in remote locations,” said Graves.
Graves lives in the town of Elliston, located 641km west of Adelaide, and she works in the town of Ceduna, located a further 786km northwest of Adelaide.
Having moved to Australia in 2009 from Manila, the award made Graves feel justified for her efforts as a mature-aged student studying a Masters in Social Work.
“It also validated the fact that I can start a career and be successful after moving from Manila 11 years ago,” she said.
Whilst living in Manila, Graves worked with NGOs and corporations, curating strong partnerships with customers and clients.
Graves worked with NGOs such as Green Forum Philippines, working towards environmental and sustainability development. She also worked with NGO Kanlungan Center Foundation, advocating for policy intervention for Filipino migrant workers who were victims of human trafficking.
Much of Graves’s work experience from the Philippines can be seen emulated in her work as a social worker in Australia.
“I work with families and individuals across the life span who are experiencing socio-emotional distress due to interpersonal dispute, relationship breakdown, loss and grief, trauma, domestic violence, and mental health,” said Graves.
The Awards highlight diverse, professional, and committed social workers who play a role in creating a cohesive community in South Australia.
“Social workers play a critical role in improving the health and wellbeing of individuals, families and communities, particularly those who are vulnerable,” said Department for Child Protection (DCP) Chief Executive Cathy Taylor.
Graves’s efforts as a social worker with a strong sense of cultural competency were recognised by her supervisor, who nominated her without her knowledge.
“I received an email from the AASW a few weeks before the awards night stating that I was shortlisted for the awards. I thought the email was SPAM, so I moved it to junk mail,” she said.
Selection criteria for the Awards were open to those in the public, private, or voluntary sector. Graves was in the same category for Rural and Remote Impact with three other social workers.
In her spare time, Graves enjoys immersing herself in nature, taking long walks, and camping. She is even a certified Scuba Diver, where she takes to the seas paddle boarding.
Feature photo courtesy of Centacare
