By Brian Bennion
THE winning ways of Locky Brown on the football field have not only helped with team spirit but lead to a dream job.
Former Ipswich Jets CEO Wayne Wendt noticed how much of a good sport Locky was through his association with Alara Jets touch football and with the help of recruitment agency Advanced Personnel Management disability, secured a job for him in hospitality at the club.
It is the first paid, full-time job for Locky, 26, who has an intellectual disability, and has given him a new independence he is revelling in.
He is already doing a hospitality course through APM to further his career.
"Everybody loves me here," Locky said with a smile on his face.
"It's good getting a wage. My family are so proud of me. Sometimes they come by for dinner and lunch.
"They are good people to work with here.
"I feel happy that I am working."
Club operations manager Patrick McCarthey said Locky was very popular and doing an exceptional job.
"The staff enjoy being around him, he has formed some good relationships, and the patrons love him also," he said.
"He greets everyone with a smile and asks how they are doing."
APM employment consultant Daniel Brown said finding a placement for people like Locky was rewarding work.
"It is difficult to find the right employer, who is going to support people. As soon as people hear the word disability, you are up against it to start with, so you really have to find people who are willing to give these guys a go," he said.
Mr Brown said they found Locky work experience at Busy Bee Cafe which gave him the grounding in hospitality he needed for the job.
"People like Locky, he is a really good worker. He is polite, friendly and the clients that come here love him because he is so polite.
"It is good just to give him a go.
"He is making new relationships now, his family is really proud of him; you can just see he has come alive. It gives him a bit of independence."
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