See how employment and community support in Bundaberg shaped Steven’s 27-year bowling journey.
For more than 10 years, Steven Anderson had one clear goal each time he stepped onto the bowling lanes – he wanted to make the Masters.
Steven has been bowling for 27 years, first joining the sport when his best mate invited him to play.
What began as a way to spend time together gradually became a long-term commitment, shaped by weekly training, regional competitions and state tournaments.
The more Steven bowled, the more his ambition grew, and making the Masters because the milestone he measured himself against.
In 2025, at the State Championships in Caboolture, Steven finally secured his place in the Masters division after chasing the goal for more than a decade.
“There were plenty of times when I felt disappointed, especially when I wasn’t bowling my best,” Steven said.
“But I kept pushing myself and kept trying to do my best, and eventually I achieved my goal of competing in the Masters.”
He ranks the achievement alongside bowling a 200 game as one of the proudest moments of his sporting life.
“This is something I’ve wanted to achieve for a long time in my bowling,” Steven said.
“It felt really good to finally reach this goal after more than 10 years.”
Steven joined Endeavour Foundation in 2013 and has worked at Bundaberg Business Solutions for more than a decade.
He works two morning shifts and one full day each week, contributing across a range of contracts as the site has evolved.
Over the years, Steven has taken on a range of hands-on roles at the Bundaberg site, including preparing and packing fresh produce for local and national customers.
Today, he works on the Bundaberg Brewed Drinks job, assisting with production tasks such as opening cartons, organising products for sorting and packing, assembling materials and helping with general cleaning to keep the workspace running smoothly.
Carol Charlton, his employment coach, works closely with Steven and has seen how consistent support at work has strengthened his confidence and discipline over time.
“Over the years, he’s become more disciplined and punctual, showing dedication not just on the lanes but in other areas of his life too,” Carol said.
She describes Steven as a valued member of the Bundaberg team who brings a positive attitude to every shift.
“Steven has a great sense of humour and is incredibly friendly. You can always count on him to step in and help someone out,” she said.
“He shows up for every rostered shift with determination and pride, and that commitment has only strengthened over the years,” Carol said.
The same steady encouragement he receives at work is reflected at home, where his mum has been a constant presence throughout his bowling journey.
“My mum is my biggest supporter,” Steven said.
“She drives me to and from bowling every week and always stays to watch me play. I definitely wouldn’t have achieved this without her.”
Steven’s Masters achievement forms part of a broader sporting culture at Bundaberg Business Solutions, where many supported employees have represented Queensland and Australia across different sports.
Bundaberg is home to athletes who have competed on national and international stages, including Kenneth Penny, who represented Australia in athletics at the 1989 Special Olympics in Sweden, and Bruce Gossner, who earned a silver medal at the Special Olympics World Games in Berlin in 2023 before receiving the Australian Sporting Medal.
Nicholas Jefferson continues to compete in table tennis and ten pin bowling at state and national level, while Travis McKenzie and Blake Kummerow have also represented Queensland in their respective sports.
Steven is proud to be part of that group.
“I was so excited to take part in the Nationals and travel to Adelaide and Canberra, since I’d never been there before,” Steven said.
“It was awesome to meet other teams from around the country and compete against them.”
Steven’s success in sport is closely connected to his employment and community participation.
The discipline he builds through bowling strengthens his focus at work, while the confidence he gains through employment and Learning and Lifestyle programs carries back onto the lanes.
In Bundaberg, that support includes meaningful employment through disability social enterprises, community participation through Learning and Lifestyle programs, and opportunities to connect through sport.
Alongside his employment, Steven attends the Bundaberg Learning and Lifestyle Hub two days per week, participating in woodwork, the Men’s BBQ Group, the coffee shop program, a Ten Pin Bowling Group and Tuesday night cooking sessions.
These programs strengthen his confidence and independence while reinforcing the discipline and commitment that carried him to the Masters.
Since 1951, Endeavour Foundation has stood with people with intellectual disability, backing their aspirations and recognising that everyone’s contribution matters. Steven’s journey reflects how consistent, wrap around support enables people to pursue ambitious goals over time, and for 75 years we have continued building a future based on that belief.
Learn more about how Endeavour Foundation provides employment and community support in Bundaberg and beyond.