Two young men who once struggled to find their path have engineered a bright new future for themselves among the grease and gears of the Port Douglas Bike Shop & Hire. 

Workshop mechanics Cam and Kevin have officially achieved their trade certifications, a milestone that represents far more than just a piece of paper, proving that with the right support and environment, you can do anything.

It’s a proud moment that perfectly captures the community legacy built by longtime owners Rod and Ange Johnson, who recently handed the shop's keys over to family members Tania and Miguel. 

While ownership is changing, the shop's deep-rooted culture of mentorship and support clearly remains.

Overcoming the odds

For Cam, earning a Certificate II in Workshop Management and a Certificate III in Pushbike Mechanical is nothing short of monumental. Traditional schooling was an uphill battle.

“I left school quite early,” Cam shared. “I was classified as a ‘difficult student’ and put in the ‘too-hard basket’.”

Severe dyslexia made traditional schooling an uphill battle for Cam, who ultimately left the classroom behind after feeling overlooked by the system.

His saving grace was a knack for tinkering with anything on wheels. 

After a successful school workplace trial at the shop in 2016 and a brief period away, Rod and Ange called him out of the blue four years ago, offering him a fresh chance at an apprenticeship.

“Rod and Ange helped a lot, pointing me in the right direction,” Cam said. 

“Because I’m dyslexic, they helped me through that side of things. They would just sit down with me and explain everything.

"I finally found my place after quitting school.”

Working right alongside him is Kevin, who just secured his Certificate III in Bicycle Mechanics. 

Originally from Belgium, Kevin moved to Australia at 20, working heavy hands-on roles in mining, demolition, and mechanics across the country. 

When he rolled into Port Douglas looking for a temporary gig, he never expected to still be at the bike shop four and a half years later.

Getting qualified in a remote region wasn't easy, requiring massive training delays and long trips to Brisbane for assessments.

“Rod and Ange were a great help,” Kevin noted. “Ange was always there to crack the whip with TAFE, organise the paperwork, and get stuff done for us.”

More than just a job

For both young men, the workshop quickly evolved from a workplace into a sanctuary.

“Everyone just gets along so well and helps each other out,” Kevin said.

"Plus, you get to deal with a massive variety of people, from locals right around the corner to tourists from the opposite side of the planet.”

When personal troubles hit Kevin over the last year, Rod and Ange stepped up in a way he will never forget.