Disability no handicap

Finding it difficult to carry out day-to-day tasks such as maintaining his horse arena or spot spraying, Mr McGrath sought the help of Geoff Lark from Canowindra.

Mr Lark, Lark UTVs, modified a machine so it could be easily accessed by Mr McGrath.

"The modifications have been done in such a way they allow a non-disabled operator to access the unit and drive it as though no modifications had taken place," Mr Lark said.

"When Simon spoke to us, he told us what he could do with a UTV if only he could get into it and have some sort of hand controls. From there it was just a matter of listening to what his mobility limitations were, remembering these and what he wanted to do with the machine."

Mr McGrath said his new found freedom was a direct result of his new "toy".

"Geoff and Rob from Lark UTVs listened to what I wanted to achieve and just went away and made it happen," Mr McGrath said.

"They didn't charge me any more than the price of the standard machine."

Now busy keeping the horse arena in pristine condition, Mr McGrath said taking his daughter with him to check stock and fences had became the highlight of his day.

This is not the only challenge Mr Lark has tackled lately, having supplied a UTV fitted with a dozer blade for pushing up tree trimmings in a forestry operation in recent months.

"We've produced a powered sheep hoist or carry-all for front mounting on a UTV and we're preparing to extend a UTV cab size for somebody who finds everything on the market a little too 'squeezey'," Mr Lark said.