When Aaron Heffernan walked out of prison in late 2025, wearing an ankle monitor and bound by a strict 10pm–6am parole curfew, the world felt both familiar and foreign. 

At 36, he’d spent more than a decade cycling in and out of custody serving eight sentences in eleven years. Most had been short, but each one carved a deeper groove in a life he was no longer willing to repeat. 

Aaron has two children, eight and three who are a major motivation for him to turn his life around. 

Focused advocacy for employment 

Before Aaron was released, CVGT Employment Business Development Consultant Rhiannon Pell was already preparing to support him through the Workforce Australia program. Although they hadn’t met yet, she advocated for him from day one by completing security checks, organising documents, and ensuring everything was in place so he could access services immediately. 

By January 2026, Aaron had joined the CVGT Employment Workforce Australia program, and Rhiannon’s priority was clear: “Help him meet his parole conditions first and then build from there.” 

From the beginning, I provided a flexible and responsive service that worked around his parole conditions and reintegration needs. He attended everything. He communicated. He genuinely wanted employment.
Rhiannon Pell
Business Development Consultant
CVGT Employment

Aaron says Parole gave him “structure that he didn’t realise he needed.” But it also brought challenges when looking for work. Twice weekly reporting. A curfew that shut down any chance of late shift work. A ban on leaving the state, which is complicated when you live right near the NSW to Victorian border. 

On top of that Aaron had no licence, recent work history and an entire life to rebuild.  

Steady work is the quiet turning point 

Work, Aaron says, is the key to staying on track. He’s seen the truth of that play out more than once. 

In 2021, after eight months in rehab, he walked straight into employment. His employer even gave him cleaning shifts through the off-season just so he could keep stable income long enough to buy a house. And he did, purchasing his first home in Shepparton. 

But when he was made redundant, the financial pressure and the fear of losing the house pushed him back to old habits. 

Now, with CVGT Employment supporting him, stability is the goal again. 

A new beginning at Kagome 

With Rhiannon’s help and employment related financial support for fuel vouchers, personal protective equipment (PPE), a uniform, phone credit, a full year of vehicle registration, and even a phone screen repair, Aaron was able to remove every practical barrier that could have derailed his fresh start. 

He began work at Kagome, Australia’s largest tomato processor and a major fruit and vegetable manufacturer, in January 2026 as a forklift operator. 

It’s steady work. And it’s nice to be good at something again. It feels good when people acknowledge that.
Aaron Heffernan
CVGT Employment Participant

Employer feedback has been positive, particularly about his honesty and reliability. 

He’s juggling work and parole; ankle monitor and all. “It didn’t scare the employer,” he says. “They appreciated the honesty”

 “CVGT Employment helped me with everything I’ve needed.” 

Aaron speaks openly about the role CVGT Employment played in helping him rebuild his life, describing the support as nothing short of transformative. 

“They’ve been amazing and supported me with everything I’ve needed,” he says. From the beginning, practical assistance paved the way with financial help where needed, guidance through job applications, and hands-on support during onboarding and settling into his new role. Weekly check-ins ensured he never felt like he was navigating the process alone. “They always ask what else they can do to help — they show real care and ongoing support.” 

Now that he’s employed, that connection hasn’t faded. If anything, it’s become even more important. 

“CVGT support me by staying in contact through SMS and phone calls,” he explains. “Rhiannon checks in regularly without being overbearing. She’s always genuinely interested in how things are going at work.” 

Because his job is seasonal and he no longer receives government income support, the next step is planning how to support Aaron to stay engaged when the work slows.

Aaron’s advice to others walking a similar road

“Head down, bum up. Stay focused. Keep pushing forward.”  

Don’t get disheartened if you don’t get the first few jobs you apply for. Stay openminded. I would’ve taken any job just to get started again. And listen to your CVGT Employment consultant. They know what they’re talking about and want to help.
Aaron Heffernan
CVGT Employment Participant

He laughs when he recalls a picture he saw online, a Coke bottle screwed into a lightbulb socket captioned ‘Just because you fit in doesn’t mean you belong there.’ “That’s spot on,” he says. “If you want to grow, you’ve got to leave the places and people that keep you stuck.”

A life rebuilding, this time, for good 

The road is still long for Aaron. But it’s steady with employment.  

And he has a message for anyone in the same position: 

“If you need help, see Rhiannon at CVGT Employment Echuca. From the moment I was referred to CVGT Employment, Rhiannon has gone above and beyond in every possible way. She has treated me with respect, dignity, and genuine belief- something that can be rare for people coming out of the justice system. Her support has not only helped me secure employment but has also helped me build confidence in myself again.” 

If every person released from prison received the level of care, respect, and commitment that I have received from Rhiannon, I am certain that far more people would be able to find work, keep work, and stay out of the justice system for good.
Aaron Heffernan
CVGT Employment Participant