Not all dreams become reality but Batemans Bay man Wayne Charlton shows with hard work and determination anything is possible.
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Australian Community Media spoke to Mr Charlton in August after he graduated with a Certificate III in Retail from the National College of Vocational Education.
Mr Charlton overcame significant personal challenges to complete his qualification after he sustained an acquired brain injury due to an accident.
He said his dream job was to work at Bunnings because he "loves helping people".
After a successful interview, Mr Charlton was offered the job and completed his induction course at the beginning of November and was rostered on for the first time the following week.
"I was very happy to find out I got the job," Mr Charlton said.
"My course helped me get the job and made me good about working here because I felt confident."
Mr Charlton joined the Bunnings customer service team as a car park attendant.
"I like being the trolley boy, and collecting trolley's for people to bring back into the shop for other people," Mr Charlton said.
"I'm a helpful person so I enjoy doing that.
"The team here is also very friendly and showed me how to work."
During his shifts, Mr Charlton is supervised by his support worker Andrew 'Jacko' Jackson-Calway.
"He does all the hard yakka and I'm just there to assist if he needs," he said.
"We're all really proud of him."
Batemans Bay Bunnings complex manager Jeremy Foster said Wayne was "a real people person".
"He has an infectious energy, making him the perfect fit for Bunnings," he said.
"Wayne has been learning the ropes in the customer service team, first starting as a car park attendant collecting trolleys with a view to add additional duties around the store such as plant watering, helping customers to the car and people greeting.
"We're so pleased to be making Wayne's dream a reality and we're lucky to have him as part of the team."
Mr Charlton works 10-hours per week on Fridays and Saturdays.
He said everything he earns goes straight into savings to one day buy a house.
"I like to say hello to customers when they come in and out to make sure they have a good day," he said.
I'm a journalist for the Bay Post/Moruya Examiner and Narooma News. Got a tip? Email maeve.bannister@austcommunitymedia.com.au
I'm a journalist for the Bay Post/Moruya Examiner and Narooma News. Got a tip? Email maeve.bannister@austcommunitymedia.com.au
