New iMAGE Laundry helps youngster break into the workforce

For 15 months, 21 year old Kara Craig submitted job application after job application.

Yet even with a construction traineeship under her belt, Kara said that no-one would give her the chance she needed to break into the workforce.

“Every email I put in would be unsuccessful or I didn’t hear from them,” Kara said.

“I just said to Mum, what more can I do?”

But Kara was determined to break the cycle of unemployment plaguing her family, and in November 2025, her luck changed.

With support from her employment agency, Kara scored an interview at New iMAGE Laundry. The Bundaberg-based social enterprise, owned by IMPACT Community Services since 2013, is dedicated to offering meaningful job opportunities to people facing employment barriers.

When Kara got the call to say the job was hers, she was ecstatic. Now, nearly four months on from her official start at the laundry in January this year, she’s come a long way.

New iMAGE Laundry Team Leader Marika Svenson, who joined the team just weeks before Kara, said that the two of them learned the ropes directly alongside one another.

“Kara and I spent quite a bit of time together on the folding table,” Marika said.

“A towel is not just a towel; there are different qualities that you don't even think about until you start immersing yourself in the work.”

“If Kara was hesitant and didn't understand something, I took the time to work with her and explain the process.”

For Marika, training Kara has been worth the investment. She said that witnessing and nurturing the growth in Kara’s confidence and ability to tackle new tasks has been incredibly rewarding.

“When she first started, she was a little bit timid and needed reassuring,” Marika said.

“Now if you ask her to do something new, she is keen to learn a new skill, whereas before she was quite daunted by the whole working environment.”

Much of the laundry’s equipment is manually operated rather than automatic, maximising its capacity to employ real people in need of work.

Kara recalled the feeling of learning how to use this equipment for the first time.

“A few months ago, I never knew how to do all this stuff,” Kara said.

“I was always scared to use the big washers when they’d go off.

“For the first couple of weeks, I had someone next to me, watching me pull it out until I was comfortable doing it on my own.

“Now when they go off, I’m like, I got it.”

It was a similar story with the ironing machine, which Kara initially approached with caution as she learned the process step by step.

However, that apprehension is a thing of the past, with Kara now building her confidence feeding pillowcases and napkins into the ironer as she works her way up to larger items like sheets and tablecloths.

Further opportunities for development await Kara as she continues to gain experience, from catching the linen at the tail end of the ironer to administrative work and customer service.

The philosophy at New iMAGE Laundry centres around getting to know everyone’s capabilities and challenges and helping them to take the next step.

Marika’s background in compliance and quality within the disability sector puts her in good stead to champion this open-minded approach. She said that her experience has bolstered her empathy, helping her truly understand that everyone’s unique, including each member of the laundry’s team.

“We have a diverse group of people here, with different capabilities,” Marika said.

“Every single person has limitations or something that they're not confident in doing.

“It's about finding the best way to overcome that and grow their confidence to learn new skills”

The laundry strives to improve employees’ skill sets by doing everything from putting measures in place to ensure the employee can perform a given task to translating work instructions into employees’ native languages.

As for Kara, opportunities to grow her confidence and experience are key. Marika said that, thanks to New iMAGE Laundry’s support, Kara already has the qualities she needs to be an asset to any employer.

“It excites me to see the changes in Kara's confidence in such a short time,” Marika said.

“She's a very good fit here because she's willing to work and learn new skills.

“She will do anything asked of her and is always happy to work extra hours if needed.”

With her amiable personality, it’s no surprise that, above all else, Kara’s favourite part of the job is the people she works with every day.

Looking to the future, Kara doesn’t see herself leaving New iMAGE Laundry any time soon, but she does dream of the potential careers on her horizon.

“Maybe eventually construction or something with animals or woodworking where I can build,” Kara said.

“But for now, I’m happy here.”

Are you a jobseeker in a similar boat to Kara? Or are you a local Bundaberg business in need of commercial laundry services and looking to give back to the community?

As a social enterprise, New iMAGE Laundry is always open to new opportunities to connect and grow its impact. Visit the website to find out more and get in touch: https://newimagelaundry.com.au