As the Bathurst born man takes on his new role as chief executive officer at Vivability, he took time to reflect on his career so far.

After he finished school at St Stanislaus’ College, Mr Packham headed off to university where he completed a Bachelor of Arts and Recreation with a welfare major.

This decision moulded his entire career.

However, during university Mr Packham’s job was as a lifeguard at Bathurst Aquatic Centre.

“In summer it was great, you’d get 2000 kids in a day,” he said.

His first role out of university was as a recreation officer with the Department of Health in 1987.

“I introduced people with an intellectual disability, who had spent their lives in large institutions, to recreation activities that the rest of us take for granted,” he said of his time at the Riverside Hospital in Orange.

“It was a challenge at times, but it was good.”

By 1991, Mr Packham was working as a district officer investigating cases of serious abuse and sexual assault in children.

“It was shocking. Having a happy childhood I had absolutely no idea that people were capable of that treatment of children,” he said.

The side-effect of that job was that Mr Packham and his wife Belinda keep a closer eye on their children Elizabeth, 18, and Jack, 14, than they otherwise would.

Mr Packham soon returned to working in the disability sector and admitted it had him hooked from early on.

“Once I got into disability I thought ‘I’ll stay with that’,” he said.

“It’s a rewarding career and I think that some people are suited to working with people, and if you want to do that the disability sphere is pretty rewarding.”

He said Australia has “come a long way” in in terms of people with disabilities.

“People with disabilities are the same as the rest of us, the same dreams and aspirations as many of us, but they have additional challenges because of their disability,” he said.

His other passion is politics, and in 2012 Mr Packham ran for election with Bathurst Regional Council, and while he was unsuccessful he has not ruled out running again in the future.

Also keen to give back to his local community, Mr Packham is the president of Bathurst Giants AFL Club and a board member Josephite Foundation which offers a no-interest loan scheme to people in need.