Don reckons he can shuck and trim abalone as fast as anyone on the island. It’s an acquired skill that he has honed over the last year working for Tasmanian Seafoods. ‘I’d never done it before,’ he explains, ‘but I’m pretty good at it now!’

Don first approached WISE’s Disability Employment Network in Hobart over two years ago, looking for a career change. What he got was a seachange. After completing a Language, Literacy and Numeracy Program (LLNP) and a series of work trials WISE helped Don secure rewarding work as a factory hand with one of Tasmania’s leading seafood producers.

Don is also a keen AFL fan and a fierce St Kilda follower, but until recently he had never been to see the Saints play in Melbourne. Earlier this year, his WISE consultant, Michael, suggested starting a footy trip fund. Don’s favourite part of the LLNP course was ‘adding up the money’ so he immediately began putting away a percentage of each pay packet to pay for his pilgrimage.

Earlier this season Don brought his footy dream to fruition when he and a work colleague flew to Melbourne for a long weekend to see his beloved St Kilda play. They lost on the day but like any red-blooded Saints fan, Don has already started saving up for next year.

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