EVERYDAYPEOPLE - Errol Rafter - Laughter is the best medicine

ERROL Rafter is known for his quirky sense of humour and a deep appreciation for laughter, which he considers an indispensable part of his daily routine. 

Born in the laid-back coastal town of Bangalow, just outside of Byron Bay. Errol holds the distinction of being the youngest in a family of six siblings.

The simplicity of life coloured his upbringing, brought up in Byron Bay, Errol spent endless hours fishing off the shores and beaches. 

He relished the thrill of the catch. When he was about twenty, he landed a thirty-four-pound Dew Fish, an impressive catch. 

In those days, before the intrusion of computers and mobile phones, life was simple yet rich with adventure, with bike rides until sunset and the building of treehouses built with youthful enthusiasm.

“The rule was, as long as you were home before the streetlights came on you wouldn’t catch a whipping”, Errol says with a laugh. 

His parents also instilled in him values that would shape his character for life – respect for elders, honesty, and integrity. 

Errol’s face brightens with excitement as he recalls his first car, a bright yellow HG Holden Sedan affectionately dubbed the “Golden Holden” by all who beheld it. 

He also remembers his first job which was at the age of fifteen at the FJ Walker meat works at Byron Bay. 

His job entailed cutting up roadkill and removing the hides of cows to salt them. 

It was here that he learned about hard work and the satisfaction of earning a living.

Over the decades, he has tried his hand at many different jobs like driving trucks and cleaning in shopping centres. 

Some years ago, Errol was working for a large company and suffered a debilitating mental breakdown, grappling with depression and anxiety as he tried to meet deadlines and KPIs. 

The breakdown cost him three months of his life. 

The warning signs manifested in emotional turmoil and an inability to step beyond his front door, let alone walk to the letterbox. 

Hobbies lost their appeal, prompting a visit to the doctor and medication that he continues to this day.

Reflecting on that tumultuous period, Errol once questioned its meaning, but now, he sees it as integral to his journey. His wife Kerrie’s steadfast presence over the last thirty-five years has been his anchor. 

Through this journey, he’s learned the vital lesson of self-care, and he’s proved, not only to himself but to others, the importance of pausing to breathe through life’s relentless demands.

Errol knew that he wanted to draw from his own experiences to help others facing similar struggles. 

Together with Kerrie, Errol founded Fraser Coast Time Out, in 2018 they rebranded to Time Out Disability Services and have been going strong ever since connecting with people to achieve meaningful goals and enrich lives. 

Errol loves his job and treasures the interaction with participants and clients. 

Recently, Errol was diagnosed with prostate cancer, but luckily the disease was caught while in its initial stages.

It’s a journey many men his age will eventually face. 

“Go and get yourself checked out it only takes twenty minutes and could save your life; early detection is the key”. 

At the end of the year, Errol will turn sixty-five and is thinking about retiring. 

As he approaches retirement, Errol wants to buy a caravan and looks forward to a new chapter filled with fishing trips and prospecting adventures. 

With a trusted management team in place, he feels confident to hand over the reins. 

He says he won’t need to worry about the business as he knows it will be in the best hands. 

By Kim Parnell from What’s On Fraser Coast