Q&A with Benjamin Pilipowski, Community Development Project Administrator – City of Ryde
Introducing Ben Pilipowski, Community Development Project Administrator at the City of Ryde. Ben, who has an intellectual disability, brings a wealth of experience, passion, and a unique perspective to his role. His new-found career in local government is testament to the City of Ryde’s dedication to empowering people with disability. In this Q&A, we explore Ben’s experiences, the support systems in place at the City of Ryde, and his message to other councils about the importance of inclusion.
Q. Tell us a bit about yourself and how long you have been working in your current role.
A. My name is Ben, and I’m the Community Development Project Administrator at the City of Ryde. I’ve been in this role since June 2024, and it’s my first time working for a council. I am also on the board of Side-by-Side Advocacy, which supports people with intellectual disability.
I have a Bachelor’s degree in social work from Western Sydney University and qualifications in mental health, alcohol and drug addiction, and youth work. Before joining the council, I worked in youth mental health and disability services. I love reading mysteries and psychological thrillers, and I enjoy bushwalking too!
Q. How was your recruitment experience at the City of Ryde?
A. The recruitment process was very supportive and different from what I’ve experienced before. I found the job advertisement on the City of Ryde website, and it really stood out to me because it was written in plain English and the job description was available in an Easy Read version. This made it easy for me to understand.
What also really helped was that the council sent me the interview questions two days in advance. I’ve never had any organisation do that before. It made a huge difference because, as someone with an intellectual disability, interviews can be very stressful. Even when I know the right answers, it can be hard to express them.
I was then able to call with any questions I had about the interview and the job itself, and they gave me the option to bring a family member or carer to the interview if I wanted. I received clear instructions by both phone and email how to get to the office, what would happen on the day and offered to have a break during the interview. This approach really helped my anxiety and allowed me to focus on communicating my abilities.
I think more councils should adopt these practices because they provide people with disability a fairer chance to succeed in both the interview and the job itself. It’s about making sure that everyone, regardless of their abilities, has the opportunity to show what they can do.
Q. Can you explain what your main responsibilities are in your role?
A. I work with my leader Jennie on different projects and events, like Mental Health Month. I help the community services team with admin tasks. I also give feedback and check documents, flyers, and webpages to make sure they’re easy to read. I help out at community events, and I contact our volunteers with disabilities to tell them about upcoming events.
Q. What does a typical day look like in your role?
A. I am currently working part-time on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
The first thing I do in the morning is checking my emails and organising my day.
I then have a meeting with Jennie to go through the tasks of the week; if there are any events or meetings I need to attend. We also review my assigned tasks and Jennie will give me feedback, so I learn to do the tasks better myself. I will then start doing the tasks needed for the day and make sure they are completed by the deadline.
On some occasions I will go out to assist my team with community events by setting up the registration table, greet people, read out the Acknowledgement of Country and housekeeping.
Jennie and I have set some professional development goals that I would like to work on and we keep track of those.
Q. What do you like about working at the City of Ryde?
A. The support I receive here is incredible. My team gives me the space and assistance I need to do my job well, which is important since this is my first time working for a council. They also respect my work-life balance by encouraging me to take regular breaks and offering flexible working hours.
I’ve also had the chance to meet and connect with a lot of people, both in the community and across the council. It’s been a great experience so far, and I feel like I’m part of something important.
Q. Is there a particular project that you’ve been involved with at the City of Ryde that you’re proudest of?
A. I’m really excited about the Mental Health Month event we’re organising for October. It’s going to include chair yoga, a guest speaker from Black Dog Institute, and stalls from Lifeline, Headspace, and Mission Australia. Mental health is a topic I’m passionate about, and I’m proud to be helping people in the community understand more about mental health and well-being.
Q. Do you have a message that you wish to share with all councils across NSW?
A. I’d like to encourage all councils in NSW to open their doors to people with disability, especially those with intellectual disability. We have a lot of skills to offer, but we need the opportunity to show what we can do.
It’s important for councils to understand how to support and work with people with disability, just like the City of Ryde has done with me. This empowers people with disability to excel in roles where they might not usually have the chance to demonstrate their value. I hope more councils will follow this example and become places where everyone feels welcome and supported.
Through a thoughtful, inclusive approach to recruitment and by providing ongoing, expert support, the City of Ryde is not just offering jobs – they’re building careers and changing lives. Ben’s success in his role as Community Development Project Administrator is a powerful reminder of what can be achieved when everyone is given the opportunity to shine.
Looking for a fulfilling role where you can make a real difference in your community just like Ben? Explore community services opportunities across Australia here and start making an impact today!
