CHRIS is as happy as a fish in water!

Fishing is Chris’s favourite activity, usually enjoyed with Simba and his long-time support worker. Yet it was his family’s fishing experiences at a young age that lured him in! Only the one pun this time, maybe.

Chris became a valuable member of HelpAlong in October 2022, and considering one of his early shifts involved an outing with ‘hand-reel guy’ it’s safe to say fishing is Chris’s best memory making activity.

Although, visiting zoos and in particular meerkats are up there for favourite things to do. Probably not so much, the supported cooking activities that have only produced one signature dish of chicken stir-fry. Luckily, Dippin Dots ice cream is a treat that makes up for any underperforming meals, although it’s not so easy to find these days.

Bowling is another interest of Chris’s, and he has set himself a goal of 150 before joining a league team. His 135 average game is getting closer, but his ‘distraction’ shall we call it, of fishing and casting in our beautiful environment baits him every time. Last one!

If only dogs could talk, Simba would surely have loads to say. He might tell us how he is the decision-maker on shift. How he knows when a good run on the sand is needed to stretch the legs. How he is responsible for rehiring Chris’s support worker who gets ‘fired’ a few times every shift, such is their extraordinary understanding. And Simba would probably let us in on the secret fishing spots, the ones Chris keeps to himself!

You might think if Chris won Powerball he would travel the world fishing with his family, or design unique doggy outfits for Simba and his friends (Simba has been known to dress up for special occasions), but his winning dream is to open a meerkat sanctuary.

This reflects Chris’s nature and love of animals from his days of volunteering at Happy Paws in Dakabin to his work experience days at Birdland Animal Park in Batemans Bay, NSW.

Thank you Chris for sharing your interests and journey with us even if you kept the best local fishing spots to yourself. We understand.