There’s an age old saying in the world of employment. If you love what you do, then you never work a day in your life. And there’s no one that finds that truer than Darcy at The Aquarium Centre. Situated right in the centre of the bustling Sunnybank Plaza, The Aquarium Centre is a family owned and operated specialist retail store. Employers Michael and Karyn Parker have over 20 years of combined pet industry retail and aquarium servicing experience.
The Aquarium Centre opened its doors for business back in July 2022 and would steadily gain many return customers and clients within the next few years. Right at the end of 2024, Michael and Karyn were approached by EPIC Employment Consultant Jodie. Jodie had been supporting a job seeker named Darcy, who was itching to get back into employment and had developed a real passion for aquariums in the last six years. Jodie contacted Michael and Karyn and explained that she someone looking for employment who would be a perfect fit for their store.
“Jodie came in to us one day a little over six months ago and told us “Do we have the right person for you!” She told us about Darcy and pushed very hard for him. We accepted to take him on for an interview and he interviewed very well. He’s been a part of our team ever since”, Michael explained with a smile.
A fresh oppor-tuna-ty for Darcy
Darcy had extensive experience in employment before coming to work at The Aquarium Centre. He’s worked as a team member at Bunnings, Toys’R’Us, and in a lot of different warehouses as a labourer. He also spent an extensive period working at sewage plants all around Brisbane, and in large water tanks as well.
Darcy knew how to apply himself and get stuck into work, but this would be his first time really getting into a field that was associated with a passion of his. The thought had excited him beyond belief.
These days, Darcy has just completed the milestone of working at The Aquarium Centre for six months – and he couldn’t be happier. Darcy explained to us that the time has passed by in a flash, he couldn’t stress enough about how much he loved his work at The Aquarium Centre.
“My job involves tank maintenance. I keep them clean and presentable for the customers to make the best purchase. What goes into that is ensuring that there’s water changes happening once a fortnight to prevent bacteria buildup. I give it a 25% to 30% water change and add a bit of conditioner in as well and give it a bit of a scrub while I’m there too. I also do a lot of customer service”, Darcy said matter-of-factly.
There’s a lot that goes into his job at The Aquarium Centre, and Darcy credits a lot of his ability to manage it to his passion for the work. He’s had plenty of passions and hobbies throughout the years, but Darcy emphasised to us that nothing compares to his fascination with sea life and tank maintenance.
Happiness comes in waves, and self-improvement
See, six years ago Darcy was in a self-described dark place in his life. One of his mates helped Darcy get into aquariums to help him cope and get him through that dark period. Since that time, Darcy has had a fiery passion for maintaining tanks, learning about all sorts of aquatic plants, and taking care of marine life. Darcy’s passion for fauna doesn’t just stop at the water mind you, he’s a proud owner of a lizard, scorpion, and some turtles!
But it’s not just about chasing his passion, Darcy admitted to us that he’s not all that proud of the person he used to be before he joined the team at The Aquarium Centre.
“I’m on a journey to change out of a bad lifestyle I used to live. I’m trying to be more mature, and I’ve cut some toxic people out of my life. I need people around me who want to see the best in me and let me rise. I can’t let them pull me down, and I just want to focus on me”, Darcy explained seriously.
While he’s left some people behind, Darcy believes he’s found a great batch of new friendly faces at The Aquarium Centre. We asked him what he thought of his team of aquarium experts, and he heartily told us that they were “awesome” with a full smile.
Teamwork makes the dream work at The Aquarium Centre
Darcy went on to explain that the magic of The Aquarium Centre workplace is that they all know when to be serious and when to have a laugh. They also fill the gaps of each other’s expertise when it comes to knowledge. For example, Darcy is very well-versed in everything to do with freshwater fish tanks, what sort of plants goes well in them, and the appropriate care to keep the tank clean and fish healthy and happy. His workmate Zack has a similar level of expertise when it comes to saltwater fish tanks, and they are quick to save the customer time and tag each-other in when their knowledge is more relevant to the person’s request.
“We’re like a well-oiled machine,” Darcy remarked thoughtfully.
“It’s a really great dynamic we’ve got going. There’s never a dull moment.”
His time at The Aquarium Centre has meant that Darcy has been able to really grow his knowledge and apply it. His passion had always been there, but he admitted to us that when it came to knowledge surrounding more niche subjects like the appropriate plant life to choose for aquariums his knowledge was at a ‘basic level.’
“Since starting my boss Michael has got me interested in all sorts of different setups. CO2 setups, and all sorts of knowledge to do with plants and how the saltwater tanks are different from the freshwater tanks,” Darcy explained.
Support from Michael & Karyn
The Aquarium Centre has been a place that Darcy can not only get meaningful employment out of, but has helped him hone his skills, expand his knowledge, grow his passion, and better himself as a person. His employers Michael and Karyn have recognised this and couldn’t be prouder of him.
“His strength and confidence have grown immensely. He’s never late, very dedicated to his work, and he’s always ready and happy to learn. Darcy’s taking all the right steps to leave negative aspects of his past behind him and become a better person – and that’s blatantly obvious to us. He’s doing so well,” said Michael with a warm smile.
Michael and Karyn went on to sing the praises of EPIC, in particular Jodie, for making the process of supporting Darcy streamlined and easy to manage. Thanks to Jodie’s support, Michael knows that Darcy has the assistance he needs to perform at the top of his game at The Aquarium Centre. And with the additional resources that EPIC provides like wage subsidies, and recommendations for workplace adjustments should they be needed – EPIC makes Michael and Karyn’s choice to take a chance on Darcy as risk free as possible.
For Michael and Karyn, they felt they could understand Darcy’s situation having a daughter of their own with an intellectual disability.
“We know that everyone has a need to fit in, work, and be functional within society. Disability or not,” Michael said simply.
“We thought why not give Darcy a go if he’s passionate about it y’know. If he’s got the drive, there’s no reason he couldn’t be as successful in this role as anyone else.”
Final words from The Aquarium Centre team
Michael and Karyn left us with some advice to give to other employers who might be on the fence about hiring someone with disability or through a disability employment service like EPIC.
“Don’t limit yourself based on your own thoughts or beliefs. These young people with disabilities are coming into the workforce with far more to offer than they’re given credit for in a lot of cases. They’re absolutely dedicated to their hobbies, crafts, skills, and passions. They can really focus and thrive in the workplace and achieve what they want to achieve,” said Michael confidently.
Darcy was also sure to leave us with some parting advice to pass on to anyone who, like him, was having difficulty getting back into work.
“Find the right agency and person that really prioritises your career. For me that was EPIC!” Darcy explained earnestly.
Thanks to the assistance of Jodie, and his supportive bosses Michael and Karyn, Darcy will continue to thrive and grow his passion at The Aquarium Centre. For an employee with as much dedication, passion, and resilience as Darcy, the sky’s the limit.
If you, like Darcy, are living with a disability, injury, health condition, or mental health condition and looking to find meaningful employment, contact EPIC Assist today.
If you’re thinking of hiring a person with disability, start the conversation with us today by phoning 13 EPIC (3742) or sending us a message.
