Let us introduce our Nature Freedom Marketing Team

Do you enjoy any of Nature Freedom’s activities, websites, and branding designs? Have you ever wondered how they are done? This blog post will be bringing the lovely Nature Freedom Marketing Team out backstage and introducing their experiences and opportunities that come with working for an organization focused on inclusion and diversity.

Zara Craggs – Marketing Coordinator

My name is Zara, and I am Nature Freedom’s volunteer Marketing Coordinator. I am currently in my final year of studying a Bachelor of Business (International) at the Queensland University of Technology and while studying and my classes are great, I was looking for something more. In late 2020, I was lucky enough to meet one of Nature Freedom’s board members, Liesl at a university Networking Night and this was the beginning of my story at Nature Freedom.

Since then, I’ve worked on two website redesigns, reinvigorated our social media outreach – including the creation of our Instagram page and helped form a marketing team. This experience has helped me to learn so much about myself, social enterprises, and the disability sector, the rewards, and challenges that come when working in a small team, and allowed me to cultivate the skills I’ve learned at uni.

One of my favorite experiences with Nature Freedom was when I went on an inclusive paddle in Shorncliffe. To experience first-hand the joy, we bring as an organization, and the beauty of our local environment was really rewarding and only increased my belief in the work we do.

Nature Freedom has experienced so much growth since I first joined the team, and I am so proud to be a part of that journey. With that said, I can’t wait to see where we go next!

Stephanie Faber – Graphic Designer

My name is Stephanie (or Steph), and I am a Graphic Designer. Here is a bit about me; and how I came to be involved with Nature Freedom.

It was around the age of 9 or 10 when I began feeling that I was different from the other kids in my class. A couple of years later, I was diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome (or high-functioning Autism), and that, explained so much about myself. My life changed immensely after that. 

Although I received a lot of support in reaching university and completing my Bachelor of Creative Writing, finding a job remained challenging. I did not have the same level of support that I had received during my degree, and having Autism was a significant barrier. I decided to expand my qualifications by studying for an Advanced Diploma of Graphic Design, but this was a highly competitive industry, made even harder to navigate by disability. 

My mum was who first discovered the Volunteer Graphic Designer position at Nature Freedom. I applied because I can relate to both Mathew and Nature Freedom’s participants. I want to support others like myself who live with disabilities. Even more so when the organization also focuses on protecting the environment, another value of mine.

In the last few months, I have had the chance to utilize my skills in creating new logos, graphics, and content for Nature Freedom’s website and social media, which I find very enjoyable and satisfying. I have also received the opportunity to learn more about social media and websites through the NDS Digital Solutions program. I believe it is important for Graphic Designers to broaden their skill base, and I am finding the program very informative (though there can be a lot to take on at once!)

A few weeks ago, I was able to attend my first proper event for Nature Freedom, a Sausage Sizzle at Manly West Bunnings. I was a bit nervous going into it since I do not have a lot of experience or confidence in doing customer service, but I did end up enjoying myself. The afternoon was relatively laid-back, and it was interesting observing people’s preferences in sauces. In the next few months, I hope to attend a paddling event as well. I keep seeing all the photos of everyone paddling after each event, and I’m looking forward to finally taking part myself.