In 2025, Gellibrand formed a partnership with Victoria University to bring Marketing students on board for internships. We talked to our first student, Matthew Alcock, who told us he learnt that marketing in the disability sector is not all about the hard sell.
Matthew, what did you do at Gellibrand and what did you get out of the experience?
Working in a proper marketing setting for the first time had me excited and a little nervous. I got to experience creating marketing content, which I had a lot of fun doing, whether it was posters, social media posts, SIL & SDA vacancy posters or even designing business cards. Kylie and Michelle in Gellibrand’s Marketing team helped push me to do things that I didn’t know I was capable of doing. This made my internship not just a learning experience, but something I can walk away from proud of my achievements.
Working closely with the marketing team allowed me to understand how consistent, inclusive, and authentic communication is essential in the disability support sector. Overall, my experience at Gellibrand gave me a deeper understanding of how marketing can be used not just to promote services, but to tell meaningful stories and build community connections.
What were the key things you learnt about disability sector marketing?
One of the key things I learnt was the importance of being inclusive, respectful, and clear in all communication. It’s not just about promoting a service, but also about making sure the message is accessible and considerate to the audience. For example, I learnt to think carefully about the language used, making sure it wasn’t overwhelming or insensitive, and instead making it supportive and approachable. I also learnt that accessibility in design matters a lot. Things like easy-to-read fonts, colours that are friendly for people with vision impairments, and layouts that are simple but engaging. These are details I hadn’t thought much about before, but they made me realise how important they are when marketing in the disability sector.
Another big takeaway for me was understanding that marketing in this space isn’t about being flashy or sales-driven—it’s about building trust and showing genuine care. People with a disability, and their families, need to know that the services being offered are reliable, safe, and respectful of their individual needs. This really shifted the way I thought about marketing in general. It’s not just about attracting attention; it’s about creating a connection and making people feel comfortable and supported.
What did you learn about disability service organisations through your time at Gellibrand?
Everything was new to me, and it really opened my eyes to the kind of work that goes into supporting people with disabilities. Even though I was only at Gellibrand temporarily, I feel privileged to have worked for an organisation like Gellibrand that actually makes a difference.
I learnt about the values that drive Gellibrand, the day-to-day work that team members put in, and the bigger goals that disability service organisations aim towards. What stood out to me most was the strong focus on person-centred care – making sure clients are always given choice, independence, and dignity.
I also learnt how important it is for disability organisations to build trust with clients and their families, and how much effort goes into making sure services are not only professional but also compassionate. This gave me a new perspective on marketing as well— because it’s not about “selling” in the traditional sense, it’s about sharing a message of support, inclusion, and care.
Whilst completing the work here, knowing that my contributions could have an impact on people’s lives gave me a lot of motivation. I always had the thought in the back of my mind that this work wasn’t just for a company – it was for real people who rely on these services. That made the experience so much more meaningful.
Is there anyone you want to thank for your time at Gellibrand?
First, I would like to say a big thank you to Michelle. I was slightly nervous going into this internship as it was my first step working in a professional setting in the area I want to pursue a career. Michelle helped me get settled and taught me a lot about Gellibrand and working within the disability sector.
I would also like to say a big thanks to Paul. While completing my degree, I haven’t done a lot of work specifically in Communications. He gave me a great understanding of how Gellibrand communicates with its shareholders, and gave me tasks that tested me and helped improve my knowledge.
Lastly, a big thank you to Kylie. Even though I didn’t get to work with her a lot, the work I did with her was great and I can leave Gellibrand satisfied with what I have done. She always greeted me with a big smile and made me feel welcomed.
