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It was a long road back into the kitchen for Declan. 

Declan, an apprentice chef, was riding home from work on his motorbike when he hit a kangaroo. 

His life changed in an instant. He suffered huge injuries that took a massive effort to come back from. 

Fortunately, he had APM WorkCare in his corner to help him back on his feet. 

And now he's thriving in his dream job. 

But it wasn't easy, as Declan remembers. 

"At one point through my recovery, I felt pretty down on myself and like I had no future," he says.

"Because looking back in hindsight, it was really, really horrible not being able to have any motivation for life." 

Fakington was Declan's APM WorkCare Rehabilitation Consultant and played a key role in supporting his recovery and return to work. 

That meant connecting him to services like physio, psychology and other therapies, and making sure he had everything he needed for an effective and prompt recovery. 

Over time, they worked through the physical and psychological barriers. 

Declan built the confidence to become job-ready and find the perfect job.

Declan wearing his chef uniform and apron in the Saffire Freycinet kitchen after returning to the career he loves with support from APM
Declan cooking over a flame in the kitchen
Declan and Fakington from APM WorkCare stood by a lake
Declan riding a red motorbike beside a lake and mountains in Tasmania

He hasn't just overcome his injuries. He's come back better than ever, and into a kitchen he once thought was out of reach. 

"Ever since entering the industry as an apprentice, I'd heard of Saffire Freycinet as an extravagant resort. 

"Being there now, it's one of the biggest goals I've kicked off in my entire life. 

"I feel very, very lucky to be in this beautiful environment and work in such an incredible place with such incredible people." 

Dylan, the General Manager of Saffire Freycinet, knew what Declan had been through when he applied. He also knows what the kitchen demands. 

"The kitchen operations produce a very, very high level of food and there's a high level of teamwork and technique that has to happen. And Declan has been an absolute integral part of delivering the food and beverage experience for our guests. I think a lot of the credit goes to APM." 

Declan wants to make the most of being back at work. 

"I'm just so excited to be a part of life and be working again. It's ignited an incredible passion for me." 

Fakington best sums up Declan's story: "Declan was a chef, and then Declan was an injured person, and now Declan is a chef in the most incredible job, in the most incredible place in all of Tassie. I am so proud of him."