THE will to keep going and the need to provide for the family – these were the motives that Richard Patrick of FNQ Same Day Antennas had after an arsonist set fire to his work van earlier this year.
Richard was one of five people who had a vehicle torched by senseless acts of destruction.

He has been installing aerials for nearly 17 years and was forced to work out of a car and trailer for four months while he located another vehicle – one which had to be fitted out to suit his work needs.

Then came the task of re-financing a van and equipment, getting back on the road and playing catch-up.
“I had to fly to Sydney to pick up the new vehicle and then two hours later drive it back through some of the worst storms in Sydney’s history – it took me four-and-a-half hours to cover 65 kilometres,” Richard says.
An active member of the State Emergency Services, he was back in Sydney sooner than planned.

“Two days after getting back to Cairns with the car, I was activated by the SES to fly back down to Sydney and help clean up the mess,” Richard says.

“I’ve been with the SES for eight years and am qualified in land search, air observing, chainsaw operation, flood boat operation and working at heights. I’ve been on many callouts and searches on both land and sea, and every cyclone activation over the past eight years.”

A keen family man, Richard also enjoys spending time with wife Karen and their five children Kevin, Jacob, Jessica, Whitney and Kaiden.

“We camp, fish, canoe and spend lots of quality family time together,” Richard says.
Richard says his recovery after this year’s devastating fire was made easier when others stepped in to help.
“I want to give special thanks to Jeff and Tammy Homan from Homan Design signs for the amazing artwork on the van and the painstaking hours they put in to helping us get back on the road.

“And thanks to the management and staff at Norweld Cairns, and especially Earle Cleland for all his efforts in the designing and construction of the aluminium floor, racks and containers as part of the new van’s fit-out.”

Richard also paid tribute to his customers. “Thanks to all the local support by my existing customers and the local community who now toot and wave to me when they see me drive by in the new van.”

Email Richard: richard [at] samedayantennas.com.au