AFTER a horror year of spiralling depression, injury, unemployment and homelessness, Queanbeyan man Garry Graham is now back in the driver's seat and looking forward to a brighter future.
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A number of local automotive businesses, led by G&S Auto Repairs, got together this month to donate a car to someone in need, and they found Garry through local charity, St Benedict's Community Day Centre.
It's been a much-needed light at the end of the tunnel for the 42-year-old, who entered a dark period of depression and difficulty last August after breaking his leg in a work accident. His relationship split up at the same time, and he lost his accommodation and ability to run his lawn mowing and maintenance business overnight, as well as his access to his two young sons.
"I was sleeping in my car, couch surfing. I became homeless overnight," he said.
And with no options left, he turned to St Benedict's in desperation.
"I was in a pretty bad state when I came here," he said.
"I needed help. I went knocking on their door pretty much."
St Benedict's staff helped find Garry accommodation and regular meals, as well as helping him get to medical appointments and providing advocacy at Centrelink and other government departments.
Meanwhile, over at Uriarra Road business G&S Auto Repairs, owner Tony Guglielmin had sourced a red Mitsubishi Mirage from a client that was also in need of some help.
"It had a hole in the engine- literally," Mr Guglielmin laughed. "It had completely blown up."
With donated parts from other local automotive businesses RE' Spares and Auto Pro, Mr Guglielmin replaced the engine and contacted St Benedict's to see if they knew anyone who could use it. St Benedict's coordinator Elaine Lollback said she thought she could probably find someone.
"Tony asked us 'do you think you can find someone,' and I thought yes, I'm sure I can find someone," Ms Lollback laughed.
"We spent some time thinking who would benefit the most from it, who it would make the most difference in their lives; because that's what the work of St Benedict's is about: transforming peoples lives, and giving people the resources and skills to turn things around.
"Garry's name kept coming up before us, so we thought we'd give it to him.
"Garry's been through a lot, but he's on the way, and we thought this was the next step for him getting a life back."
And Garry said he was overwhelmed by the generosity of the Queanbeyan community.
"It's unreal for someone to just go out of their way to do this for someone. There's not enough words to describe it," he said.
"It's just going to make it a lot more affordable for me to get around. It will give me more independence, and re-establishing my relationship with my kids. The next step is to get some employment again."
Meanwhile, Mr Guglielmin said he was pleased to be able to help someone in Queanbeyan who badly needed the support.
"We've done some charity work in the past...but this time we thought we'd do something more local, a bit closer to home," he said.
"There's a lot of people who need help at the end of the day, people that you might not see. We're born and bred here in Queanbeyan, so you have to look after your own people, your own backyard so to speak."