Rebecca Barnes
Koah,Australia
Summary
Reliable, energetic and hands-on professional with extensive experience in organic farming, gardening, sustainable living and customer-facing roles. Strong background in Permaculture, Biodynamic and Syntropic practices, supported by practical farm work, internships and workshops. Combines physical capability, initiative and a genuine passion for land care, herbs and food production with proven retail, management and teamwork skills.
Overview
29
29
years of professional experience
Work History
NDIS Support Worker
NDIS Support Worker
Cairns, QLD
04.2023 - 12.2025
- Assisting people with disabilities to live independently and achieve goals in their NDIS plans.
- Offering personalized support with daily living (personal care, meals, cleaning), community participation (transport, social events), skill development, and emotional support, all while adhering to NDIS guidelines and ensuring participant safety, dignity, and choice.
Retail Sales Assistant
Happy Herb Shop
Port Douglas, QLD
01.2022 - 04.2023
- Assist customers with herbal and natural health product selection tailored to individual needs.
- Maintain strong product knowledge to confidently answer customer enquiries.
- Process sales, refunds, exchanges and store credits accurately.
- Receive, check, price and display stock.
- Create engaging in-store and window displays.
- Open and close the store independently.
Part-time/Full-time Farm Worker
Speewah Gardens
Speewah, QLD
08.2021 - 12.2022
- Management of full market garden, growing seasonal vegetables.
- Picking and packing produce.
- Marketing, liaison and delivery to wholesalers.
- Bookkeeping recording.
Casual Farm Worker
River Sun Farm
Koah, QLD
08.2021 - 06.2022
- Support organic food production and daily farm operations.
- Assist with garden maintenance, planting and harvesting.
- Contribute to sustainable land management and rural property upkeep.
Store Manager
Rare Earth Oils
Kuranda, QLD
11.2018 - 08.2021
- Managed day-to-day store operations including purchasing, stock control and maintenance.
- Mentored and supported staff to deliver high-quality customer service and sales outcomes.
- Ensured correct pricing and attractive merchandising standards.
- Provided hands-on customer assistance, including brief product massage applications where appropriate.
Youth Worker
Uniting Community Care
Cairns, QLD
05.2012 - 08.2015
- Supported youth clients in daily routines, appointments and community activities.
- Maintained safety during crisis situations using clinical and behavioural knowledge.
- Completed detailed reports and accurate case documentation.
- Encouraged independence, leadership skills and healthy lifestyle habits.
Pharmacy Assistant
Cape Tribulation Pharmacy
Cape Tribulation, QLD
01.2005 - 08.2006
- Assisted customers and relayed relevant information to the pharmacist.
- Created and maintained sales displays.
- Supported daily retail and customer service operations.
Resort Attendant
Anne & Roy Turner
Haggerstone Island, QLD
06.2004 - 11.2005
- Supported sustainable remote living practices in an island environment.
- Assisted with food production, gardening and compost systems.
- Prepared and served meals using seasonal tropical produce.
- Maintained resort facilities, gardens and grounds.
Hairdresser
Altitude Hair Design
Mareeba, QLD
02.1998 - 01.2004
- Delivered professional haircutting and colouring services.
- Maintained equipment and hygiene standards.
- Promoted and sold haircare products.
Marketing & Office Manager
Top End Helicopters
01.1997 - 01.2004
- Managed bookings, accounts, payroll and BAS statements.
- Liaised with tour operators, councils and clients.
- Delivered customer service, safety briefings and tour commentary.
- Supported scenic flights, transfers and general aviation operations.
Education
Arvigo Mayan Abdominal Therapy -
Massage
01.2017
Level 6 Kahuna Massage -
High Spirits
01.2014
Hairdressing Apprenticeship -
Cairns TAFE
01.2001
Diploma of Arts & Design -
Cairns TAFE / Bunbury WA TAFE
01.1993
High School Diploma -
Harvey High School
01.1992
Skills
- Excellent communication skills
- Strong physical fitness and outdoor work capacity
- Emergency response awareness and first aid training
- Works effectively independently or as part of a team
- Organic farming and food production
- Gardening, planting and maintenance
- Permaculture
- Biodynamic practices
- Syntropic practices
- Crop rotation
- Composting
- Soil health
- Pest and disease management
- Herbal knowledge
- Natural health products
- Retail sales
- Customer service excellence
- Store operations
- Merchandising
References
Available on request
Timeline
NDIS Support Worker
NDIS Support Worker
04.2023 - 12.2025
Retail Sales Assistant
Happy Herb Shop
01.2022 - 04.2023
Part-time/Full-time Farm Worker
Speewah Gardens
08.2021 - 12.2022
Casual Farm Worker
River Sun Farm
08.2021 - 06.2022
Store Manager
Rare Earth Oils
11.2018 - 08.2021
Youth Worker
Uniting Community Care
05.2012 - 08.2015
Pharmacy Assistant
Cape Tribulation Pharmacy
01.2005 - 08.2006
Resort Attendant
Anne & Roy Turner
06.2004 - 11.2005
Hairdresser
Altitude Hair Design
02.1998 - 01.2004
Marketing & Office Manager
Top End Helicopters
01.1997 - 01.2004
Arvigo Mayan Abdominal Therapy -
Massage
Level 6 Kahuna Massage -
High Spirits
Hairdressing Apprenticeship -
Cairns TAFE
Diploma of Arts & Design -
Cairns TAFE / Bunbury WA TAFE
High School Diploma -
Harvey High School