Pat joined TADSA in July 2008. He’s worked on many projects since then, mostly in woodwork – a number of access ramps, bowling ramp for a foam ball, modifications to baby cots and wheelchair hockey stick to name a few. This is from a gentleman that spent his working life as a toolmaker working with steel!
Pat prefers timberwork, which has always been a hobby since school days.
Why Pat joined TADSA
Pat’s answer to this question was “looking for something useful to do”. Fits perfectly with TADSA’s ethos.
What Pat did in his working life
Pat completed a toolmaking apprenticeship in the United Kingdom before he immigrated to Australia with wife Beryl in 1964.
Pat has worked as a toolmaker for a number of companies including SA Tool and Gauges making tools for car industry body panels, Philips making moulds and circuit board tooling for colour TV’s and Gerard Industries making moulds for power points and metal tools.
Pat’s most memorable project
Pat’s most memorable project was for a young adult male disabled client who could not speak and had no movement in his hands but enjoyed bowling. Pat made a bowling ramp attached to the client’s wheelchair so he could bowl a 150 mm foam ball and knock down the skittles – all in the privacy of his home.
Pat’s other interests
Pat and wife Beryl who have been married 55 years. They enjoy bushwalking, camping, and caravanning. They have 3 children and 7 grandchildren. They’ve had many adventures including visiting Cape York, the Kimberley’s and the Pilbara. They have also walked across the Simpson Desert in relay with 24 people (and vehicles) over 10 days. They are members of the Australian Retired People Association and will be undertaking another trip soon.
Patt working on an access ramp for one of our clients
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