James Cormack has made himself a part of the furniture at Barbecues Galore in Bundaberg.

James’ main duty is to safely fill gas bottles, checking that they are not leaking within date, and that the safety plug is working properly, but he also helps with the tidying and assembles furniture when he has time.

“We can turn his hand to other things as well,” says owner Peter Prange. “James is very good with his hands. He’s not so strong on administration as he has a memory issue that affects his literacy, but he is a brilliant hands-on person.”

James joined the crew at Barbecues Galore in January, 2009, and finds that the busier, the better.

“When a big load is coming in, he will come in and put the stock together and on to the floor of the store,” Mr Prange said.

“We have also appreciated that STEPS has followed up and come to check how James is going in the job. At first they come in weekly and now they come in regularly to see how things are going and seek feedback. They are always in contact and very supportive.”

He said STEPS had responded to their call for someone to come in to fill the gas bottles and do odd jobs and when James called in “he looked a good candidate, was employed straight away and has been here since.”