Six years down the track he has returned home to Wollongong to spread the love so to speak.

His partner Veronique Laframboise and their two dogs are also jetting in this week to help run the couple’s new venture called Community Connecting Illawarra.

Mr Kranitis said the person-centred support service for people with intellectual disabilities was ‘’quite unique’’ for the Illawarra.

The community organisation follows the principles of a similar community connector in the Ottawa region of Canada called Live, Work, Play.

‘’I was fortunate to work there for five years. I was in awe of their dynamic, exciting and very progressive approach to working with people with intellectual disabilities,’’ Mr Kranitis said.

‘’It is very person centred, very inclusive. It is all about helping the community help people with intellectual disabilities to be welcomed and included as valued and contributing members of society.

‘’Now I want to offer this same service to people in my home region. There are a lot of services here but ours really is different in that the people we support are integral and in charge of every part of the planning phase.’’ Details at www.communityconnecting.com.au