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Success Stories
| Shaun Fagan Deep Water Aquatics Deep Water Aquatics, a local business that imports aquarium fish and freshwater marine life, has put the abilities of new employee Shaun Fagan ahead of his disability according to Deep Water Aquatics owners Catrina and Wayne Waltisbuhl. Mr Fagan was a dedicated and able worker, passionate about his job as a rigger but a near fatal work place accident in 2002 changed all of that. |
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Ron Powell from Sarina Russo Job Access Caboolture said he recognised Mr Fagan abilities and felt his skills were the right match for Deep Water Aquatics. “Sarina Russo Job Access Caboolture is a leader in placing people with a disability into employment because we assess the person based on their ability not their disability, Mr Powell said. Mrs Waltisbuhl said Wayne and I both understand how difficult it is to come back into the workforce after suffering a horrific injury.
“In 1995 Wayne was the victim of a home invasion which left him with a permanent disability. To Wayne’s credit he has worked incredibly hard to overcome his injuries and now not only runs a successful business but is also trains champion trotters. Mr Fagan's disability did not faze us, he explained that his disability would have no impact upon the position and we felt he was capable to take on the workload and his enthusiasm was very impressive.
| Robert Hudd ProteaFlora Nursery ProteaFlora Nursery, a local business suppling proteas flowers to nurseries, garden centres and cut flower growers across Australia and overseas, has put the abilities of new employee Robert Hudd ahead of his disability. ProteaFlora Nursery manager, Mrs Ilse Matthews said Robert is the first person with a disability we have employed. |
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We’ve been so impressed with his commitment and work ethic that he won’t be the last. “Robert’s got a gregarious personality and even with his hearing impairment he has fitted in extremely well with the team at ProteaFlora Nursery,” Ms Matthews said. Mr Hudd said he was determined to overcome his hearing impairment and prove his abilities as a productive worker. “I had a great passion to work with people but my hearing problem was a hurdle that was too big for some employers to overcome.
I turned to Sarina Job Access Lillydale to assist me in developing the skills required to re-enter the workforce,” Mr Hudd said. David Barclay from Sarina Russo Job Access Lillydale said he recognised Mr Hudd’s abilities and felt his skills were the right match for the ProteaFlora Nursery. “To assist Robert make the successful transition to work Sarina Russo Job Access Lilydale purchased an new hearing aide for him which has made a huge difference in Robert’s ability to interact with people. Sarina Russo Job Access Lillydale is a leader in placing people with a disability into employment because we assess the person based on their ability not their disability, Mr Powell said.
Mrs Matthews said Robert’s disability did not faze us, he explained that his disability would have no impact upon the position and we felt he was capable to take on the workload and his enthusiasm is very impressive. "I am so glad that we saw Robert’s potential and realised his ability - he has become a great asset to our business,” Mrs Matthews said. Mr Hudd said he is excited to work for a company where he helps grow beautiful flowers which are supplied to nurseries and garden centres throughout Australia and across the world. “I'm so thankful to Sarina Russo Job Access Lillydale and ProteaFlora Nursery for believing in me," Mr Hudd said.
