It is all about making a difference.
“There are so many people you see, and you see them every day, that have a different ability, not a disability,” Mr Callanan said.
“By doing what we do we can make a difference and bring that different ability to light.
“I still remember very clearly, about a young man who was in a wheelchair who had difficultly just communicating with people.
“He used to have a little touch pad, and I asked him if he’d like to be involved in Recyclability.
“All he was capable of doing at the time was sorting buttons, but he typed on his screen and asked his helper to show it to him.
“He then wrote down; this was the first time anyone has asked him to do anything”.
Mr Callanan’s continued work with CLRS has been recognised in the form of this year’s Cletus Gilmour Fundraising Award.
The former teacher said it was an “immense honour” to win the award named in honour of his late friend who passed away in 2015.
Mr Callanan remembers Cletus as one of the first people he met at CLRS, after he answered an advertisement in the Riverine Herald looking for volunteers.
Meeting with Cletus and then-CEO Suzanna Barry to talk about what his involvement would be, Mr Callanan said this with a laugh: “They locked the door and would not let me out.”
“I really loved working with Cletus; she was an enthusiastic, bright, bubbly lady,” Mr Callanan said.
“She’d give me jobs to do and I’d get on the phone and do all those bits and pieces.
“She taught me strategies, which I thought I had many as a school teacher, but she taught me ones that were practical and made everything work.”
Peter Gilmour said he was honoured to present Mr Callanan with this year’s award in honour of his late wife.
“I have worked with Dave and know how passionate he is,” Mr Gilmour said.
“He gets along with everyone, and everyone loves him. He’s the perfect recipient, as they all are.
“The organisation is getting bigger, so there is always someone there that deserves the recognition.”
CLRS president Wayne Jenkin said it was an unanimous decision to name Mr Callanan this year’s award winner.
“When Dave’s name was mentioned, it really was unanimous,” Mr Jenkin said.
“He has done a fantastic job promoting Community Living and Respite Services.
“He is a great entrepreneur, he’s a great supporter, he’s well-respected with all the staff so you couldn’t ask for a better recipient.”
Mr Jenkin said having people like Mr Callanan continue to be involved with CLRS was a great way to bolster the profile of the organisation.
"Cletus was a great promoter of CLRS, she loved her job,” he said.
“Each of the recipients are doing exactly the same thing.
“Cletus set the standard she wanted, and everyone of these award winners have either met or exceeded those standards.”
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