“Rather than being inspired to enter the field of prosthesis, it was more fate.”

“I needed a new pushbike and a surfboard and I wanted a job over the school holidays.”

This was one of the founders of  APC Prosthetics, David Howells’, entry into the unique world of prosthetics.

“I was quite good at woodwork at school and I went for a job which was in the newspaper for a trainee woodworker. And when I had the interview, it was actually shaping and sanding wooden legs, as prosthetics in those days were made of wood.”

“The next day, they sent a telegram saying I had the job. I thought, well I need the money, so I can do that for six weeks. Over those six weeks, I really enjoyed the work. My boss at the time thought I was quite good at it. So he actually said to me: ‘Why don’t you leave school and come and work here?”

“I said:  ‘Well, Mum and Dad won’t allow that.”

“It was all a bit different in those days – forty to fifty years ago. And he said, ‘Well, why don’t I come over and talk to your Mum and Dad?”

“Which he did. The funny thing was his name was Trevor Jones and his heritage was from Wales and so they got along really well. He said if they took me out of school, I could work three days for him and he would send me to college for two days.”

“And they agreed to it.”

The rest is history. David Howells has worked as a prosthetist for 40 years and is now among the most highly regarded in his profession.

During his career, he has worked with the Australian paralympic team, assisted returning servicemen and he played a crucial role in the development of the iconic blade technology seen in paralymipan running. In 2006, he received an Order of Australia Medal for service to amputees.

“It’s one of the most unique jobs you could possibly have. You’re not only helping someone who has been unfortunate enough to have an amputation but you actually make something that they actually wear with their body, all day, every day.”

“Those things you do change people’s lives.”

“You get the odd patient who doesn’t cope well, who doesn’t do well after amputation – but the majority of them, whether it’s an accident or they born without limbs, they have the right attitude.”

“I’ve got quite a few clients that I’ve looked after for thirty years or so.”

As for how many patients David has served in his lifetime:

“Thousands. Taking a stab in the dark – probably 10,000.”

Photo: Herald Sun/Edwina Pickles