humans of the wheatbelt edited by Dr Harry Randhawa & Anna Cornish Copyright © Wheatbelt Health Network 2020

All rights reserved. Except under the conditions described in the Australian Copyright Act 1968 and its subsequent amendments, no part of the publication may be reproduced without the prior written permission of the copyright holder.

ISBN: 978-0-648-87520-8 (Softcover edition) ISBN: 978-0-648-87521-5 (PDF edition)

A catalogue record for this book is available from the National Library of Australia

Printed by Scott Print 4 Aberdeen St, Perth WA 6000

First edition printing 2020

Wheatbelt Health Network 25 Holtfreter Avenue, Northam www.wheatbelt.com.au

#wheatbelthealthnetwork

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All stories: @humansofthewheatbelt

Book designed by the Book Shed I am delighted to present this Humans of the Wheatbelt book Introwhich celebrates diversity. In each of the interviews, drawn from residents across the Wheatbelt region of WA, either the interviewer, the interviewee, or the person who has taken the picture or the person who has written up the interview, has a disability.

The project was funded by the Department of Communities - Disability Services and is part of the Disability Inclusion in Schools and Communities (DISCO) Project. Over the year there were 121 fantastic interviews of which we have chosen 53 to share with you.

One of the themes running through this project was to explore how we all can contribute to making our community a more inclusive one. This theme extends beyond people with a disability and recognises that people of different colours, sizes, shapes, cultures and abilities all play a role in their communities and this ought to be celebrated.

We hope you enjoy their stories as much as we did.

Dr Harry Randhawa CEO, Wheatbelt Health Network

3 dropped off in town after six and I retired two years ago. Now if be thrown in jail. Aboriginal people somebody wants something done weren’t even allowed to go into a café they ring me. I will fight tooth and to buy food or have a meal. nail for my people because I want my kids, my grandkids and great- It happened to me and still today I have been here in Northam for 54 grandkids to have a better life. can’t get over it. Where I grew up, we years and grew up in Shackelton. were the only Aboriginal people in Northam has changed for the better MyI great grandfather was actually the town and everyone treated us the - I can even walk into a shop where Sikh. He brought camels over to the same but when we came to Northam no one looks at me twice. Northam is deserts up near the Kimberley and I got a job working for this lady. I was just magic. I go back to Shackleton - there met my great-grandma. 15. She took me to a local café - we it’s my connection to country. If I am I have twenty-six grandies and lots of ordered lunch and sat down. It wasn’t feeling crook I will just get in my car grandkids. Two of my grandsons are until we got our meals that we saw and go here and sit on a rock. There is playing in the AFL for Greater Western hers served on china and mine on nothing physical there but the spirit of Sydney and Richmond. My mum and a plastic. We both just got up and my grandma. dad had a family of eighteen with nine walked out, she cried all the way The best moment of my life was boys and nine girls. I was the fifth home. That was my first episode with having my children. Life is good... life youngest. I lost four brothers in four racism. She had to explain it to me. is brilliant. I act as an advocate for year, prostate cancer, Alzheimer’s, At 17 I was offered the training to domestic violence and racism. We and a car accident. Sometimes I need become a nurse. I was in Perth need to talk about it. to take a step back and look at the for two years. I came home one outer circle and so do the younger My advice is to think positive, there weekend, met this boy, and fell in generation. are obstacles that you will confront love. I went back to nursing in 2005. everyday in life, jump over them, and My dad was born here in 1912. I had five children, two boys, and on the other side of that is a life you His parents come down for a big three girls. They are the most beautiful will cherish forever. Don’t look back, corroboree and grandma was ready children in the world. don’t dwell on the past. Remember to give birth. They weren’t allowed to Because of the damage to my eye that you are who you are because of have babies in the hospitals in those through domestic violence, I got to what you want in life. days so she gave birth on the side the stage that I couldn’t read the of the Mortlock River. I go and sit medical charts anymore. I had to Human – Kathy Davis there all the time. My dad was one resign. I missed nursing until the Interviewer & Photographer – of twelve children. My grandma died grandies came along. Anna Cornish in Brookton, she was escaping from men taking children of the stolen I was at Charlie Gardners and an old generation and the horse bolted and lady from a remote community had she fell off - she was only 56. arrived by Flying Doctor and couldn’t speak English – she was crying at all In the 1950s - Aboriginal people the white faces. When she saw me - weren’t allowed in the streets after her face lit up! I couldn’t understand six o’clock. They were arrested and her but she died peacefully seeing an thrown in jail if they were out. That Aboriginal face. didn’t work well for those working on farms because they would get 4 5

Kathy We got a phone call and the gold medalist pulled out and the silver As he has gotten older there have medalist wasn’t good enough so been adults who have picked on him we got to go to the world junior - it is amazing how some people can championships in Bangkok, he said. act. or 18-year-old Matthew Fernihough, a sport he took up in the It was like a miracle to us. It has been really good seeing him faceF of bullying has seen him grow grow. into a martial arts champion. It was a massive event and had over 800 entries. I am so proud of all he has had to go The Northam teenager took up Muay through - I don’t think I could do what Thai only a few years ago as a way of It most definitely gave me a taste of he has done. building confidence, which has now competing at that level - it was a great evolved into a devoted passion - a experience. Matthew said although his passion which has already seen him experiences as a child played a part in represent his country. It’s a good career to be in and it’s the decision for him to start learning somewhere I want to be. martial arts, he does not resort to At around 12 or 13 I started doing violence outside of the ring. some martial arts with a trainer, Matthew has autism, although he Matthew said. doesn’t let his disability define who I got a little bit bullied at a younger he is. age which also encouraged my Over time I got more and more parents to put me into martial arts, he interested. His dad Michael is his biggest fan and said. says a lot of bullying was focused Muay Thai was the one that suited me around his disability. The sport is all about control. best. With his autism, he couldn’t see it A lot of people see it as being I wanted to learn an advanced skills, but we could - there was bullying in physical. have fun while doing it and meet new the classroom and the community, people. Michael said. You get stronger but a lot of it is about mental control. The amount of respect in the sport is As parents, it has been a hard journey also a massive part of it which I enjoy for us. I used to be a crazy little kid but over a lot. time my mentality has changed. For Matthew, it is all fine. The teenager has previously Matthew is now passing on his Muay competed in a Queensland national For my wife and me - we had to see Thai skills to other people in the tournament and walked away with him come home from school crying Wheatbelt area. bronze, narrowly missing out on because he didn’t have any friends at competing at the international level. school. Human - Matthew Fernihough Interviewer – Anna Cornish But it wasn’t the end for Matthew. We thought we would give him a little Photographer – William Luu bit of experience with self defence. 6 7 Denise

Matthew series leaders find time to walk our dog though! My parents were a big influence on I wouldn’t call myself an avid me in my personal life, of course. gardener, but I do enjoy pottering I know it’s a cliché, but the best thing around. I also enjoy reading, movies, about working in medicine is the that kind of stuff. My favourite writer is people you meet. was born in Sheffield, England Cormac McCarthy, who some people We get a lot of positive feedback, but my family emigrated to Australia find to be heavy going. which helps to keep everyone happy. whenI I was nine years old. I studied Some of the best moments in my life I used to deliver babies, once even Medicine at the University of Western were when I was a medical student; in the back of an ambulance on the Australia. My dad was a doctor and I I had a lot of fun in those days. I’ve Causeway in Perth. I do miss it, didn’t think I wanted to be a lawyer or travelled internationally, including to although I don’t miss getting up in the dentist, so it looked okay. India a couple of times, mostly to the middle of the night and not getting I’ve been a general practitioner north of the country. I’m probably the any sleep. for most of my career, but in my only person who has been to India current role, I work in managing the My advice to people today is that without visiting the Taj Mahal, but in-patients in the hospital here in when opportunities in life come there’s plenty of colour elsewhere. Narrogin. up, don’t hesitate, just give it a go. Travelling overseas is a good reality Medicine is a good career, but it’s I’m a bit of a ‘drive-in drive-out’ check for kids because it shows definitely getting harder than it used worker in that I have family in Perth, them that the whole world isn’t like to be. so I don’t spend all my time up here in Australia. Life is very different in some Narrogin. I married a nurse, of course. of those places. General practice is much harder now My wife isn’t working at the moment because governments have made The worst time in my life was when so she can spend more time with me. things difficult and people have very I was at boarding school as a child. Between us, we have four kids and high expectations these days. In the When we first came to Australia, five grandkids. 1980s, it was said that ‘if you look I ended up at boarding school for after the patients then the money will None of our children have followed two-thirds of the year. When you’re follow’, but that’s not true anymore. me into medicine. Our grandchildren nine years old, that feels like about It wasn’t all beer and skittles, but are eight (twins), seven, six, and ten years. Boarding school was there were certainly positives in those nearly two years old. really tough in those days. I had a days compared to now. psychopathic teacher; he was a really I’ve been a member of the local Lions nasty man. I didn’t get into trouble I do have a sense of fairness. At least Club for quite a few years, but I’m very much because I was a good we don’t have an American-style probably the worst member because little boy, but there was a constant system, where if you can’t afford the I never seem to have time to help in undercurrent of tension there all the treatment, you can just nick off. I think their projects. However I am currently time. Physical punishment was par we have a sense of responsibility in the Secretary of the Club, so I am for the course in those days. It was the public health system. able to do all the minutes and tedious a different world to the one we live in paperwork for them. now. Human - Peter Maguire I’m not particularly sporty, although I Interviewer & Photographer - In terms of the most influential people follow Collingwood in the AFL. I used Anna Cornish in my life, there are a couple of to play tennis and golf, but I haven’t Writer - Guy Salvidge doctors who were highly influential in played either game for a while. I do my professional life over the years. 8 Peter

9 I haven’t let anyone touch my guitar The best moments would be cruising since. My friend wrote a song about it around Australia in my Landrover - I called ‘my wooden hearted baby’. was visiting Katoomba, NSW - it was very cold. I was in a café - I realised I do allow myself the luxury of new have busked internationally but that I was going to play music for the guitar strings every month and a new when I’m in the Wheatbelt I always rest of my life in places with great guitar every 5 years. goI to Toodyay and stay with my acoustic settings. parents. My parents bought a house My advice would be - just do it. There in Toodyay about 25 years ago - but I I’m writing a book titled ‘Addicted are millions of reasons you shouldn’t grew up in Perth. to change – it’s all about music do it but only one reason why you and money’. You have to eat whilst should do it. I busk in lots of different spots but the performing. sound has to be good - I rate them Human - Mike Barnett out of 10. Outside the Northam Coles, The worst moment was at a Nimbin Interviewer & photographer - it is about an 8/10 because it sounds festival when my guitar got stolen - I Anna Cornish like a cathedral. Nice sharp sounds. was is a jolly mood so I let this biker Writer - Liam Cleak dude with skulls all over his neck play I studied music at school - I was a song. He played a song very badly playing in the Southern Districts Brass and the crowd started leaving. Then Band when I was in my mid-teens he played another song and all my but I decided that playing a brass crowd left. He then wandered away instrument and wearing a blazer was and just bolted. That was my only not cool. My mates thought I looked guitar. This young local said - get your like a fireman. So I quit the band. guitar case - let’s go and find him. He Peer pressure. took me to this massive camping site Community with thousands of people - we went I have been busking full-time for 8 from fire to fire looking for this guy. years. I find it is sustainable for me. is where If you had children or a mortgage then I had just about given up, but this you just couldn’t do it. young guy said ‘stop and listen’. In the faint distance, we heard the guy humility I do it for the love of the music. I have playing a very bad song. We followed played it internationally. Working on the music till we found a group of the streets you find you learn a lot outlaw biker guys around a fire with and glory about people. my guitar. They passed the guitar around the fire each having a turn, I find the Wheatbelt audiences just I suggested that I could play them a touch great. In Northam, you get to see the professional version of Creedence best and worst of people. There is Clearwater Revival - they reluctantly honesty there. handed me my guitar. I played the song then took my guitar back.

10 11 Mike the local community. I think it stems transplant list. I was very close to from my parents and grandparents. dying, but I was lucky enough to get a When I first came to Lancelin, I was new heart in April of that year. packing crayfish for export, which is quite interesting. At that time the Shire I’m the oldest person to have had a ’ve been in Lancelin for a long was trying to encourage a ‘healthy heart transplant. You get a badge I am time. My husband and I had a house community’ perspective, so I was number 151 as usually they don’t like forI thirty-seven years, which was asked to get involved with that. doing it to people over seventy. But I originally a beach house, Barry ran was very healthy other than my heart a electronic equipment business. He I worked for Western Health setting condition, so we went for it. After the passed away twelve months ago. up community care services across transplant, I was very sick. I had to the Shires of Gingin, Chittering and learn to walk again and even, strange I’ve been a shire councillor for eight Victoria Plains. I did that for about ten as it sounds, to talk again. I was in the years and I’ve just been re-elected years and I got to know the health hospital for nine weeks. for another four. That will take me system. to nearly eighty, but as my daughter In WA you are not allowed to find out says, you can be president of the It doesn’t matter about skin colour or who the donor is, but you can write a United States at eighty! I’m the race; you have to be inclusive as a letter to the family without identifying Deputy to the State Council and community. It doesn’t matter if you’re yourself. Eighteen months after the Vice-Chair of the Avon-Midland Zone. in a wheelchair, it doesn’t matter if you transplant, I attended a tree planting I have just been appointed to the can’t speak, there are ways around it. day with all the donor families and Off-Road Vehicle Committee. Also I think for me it’s about understanding recipients. When we walked out, there a WALGA committee to investigate and being a little bit passionate about was this lovely donor family and they an MOU with WACH. I hope this what you do. were really grateful to know how a heart transplant recipient felt. I don’t improves the number of health I have three children, two girls, services. I’m also involved with the think a day goes by where I don’t feel and a boy, and they’ve all done grateful to be alive. I just want to see Wangaree Community Centre in exceptionally well with university Lancelin. my grandchildren grow up—they are degrees and gaining PHDs. All have an absolute delight. When the NDIS came in, there needed employment and I am very proud to be people helping and listening to of them. My eldest daughter had My advice for young people today is participants. Even though I’m retired, the artistic ability and the love of to have a dream, to be independent, people ring you up and so you help gardening which found expression in and to chase that dream. Just be them. her work in the landscaping business. passionate about your work. Don’t She is currently a senior Lecturer of be deterred if you don’t get what you I spent three months in Broome Architecture at Adelaide University. I want first up. Just keep trying. working with Indigenous women. At have 3 grandchildren; two grandsons the time I was Depuy Chair of CYO, and a granddaughter. Human - Jan Court O’Connor Tafe. There was a silk Interviewers - Harry Randhawa screening section, fashion design plus I had a serious heart condition for & Anna Cornish dieticians coming in. I’ve always been many years and it took the doctors Photographer - Anna Cornish passionate about the arts and I’ve a long time to work out what was Writer - Guy Salvidge dabbled in textiles and embroidery. wrong. The doctors said I’d end I’ve have always wanted to support up having to have a transplant. In January of 2014, they put me on the 12 13 Jan Lou

14 Fremantle surrounded by like-minded I am the assistant manager at the people had done. Pingelly Community Resource Centre, and have been with our CRC for I think the highlights of my life would over 12 years. I feel privileged to be have to be the births of both of my working in such a community-focused s a young person, I yearned daughters. I found the process of environment, and my manager has for a deep connection to place and actively birthing at home incredibly been an amazing mentor over the community.A I craved that sense of empowering. I have also had the years. In a small town like Pingelly, the belonging that comes from living in a privilege to be a support during the CRC flows to fill any gaps that need place where one’s mother has lived, birth of both my grandsons and a filling, and is woven into the fabric generation upon generation. I was close friend’s two children. of much of what goes on around the born in the States, and we moved a community. For some people, it is lot through my childhood, including I had a breast cancer diagnosis and simply a place they feel welcome to living in the UK when I was 6. treatment in my mid-30s, and more drop into every day and connect. recently, debilitating chronic illness for I am an Art School dropout! I majored about 4 years. I am feeling so grateful If I had any advice to give a younger in painting at Claremont School of to now be fully recovered and back version of me, it would be to build Fine Art in my late teens/ early 20s, to normal energy levels! I am getting your connections with people, make but I was way too young at the time to back into my poor neglected garden the effort to learn to actively listen have much to paint about I think, so I and feeling creative again. and learn how to communicate in an left before I completed my course and assertive, non-aggressive way. Act went on to work in horticulture before I am enjoying being in my 50s from your heart, and think about what we moved to Pingelly. -feeling a new confidence, and you can contribute, not just about shedding whatever is not important what you get. And...When you need Now at 51, I am feeling a strong urge or nourishing. Everyone experiences to, it is okay to rest. Learning to truly to paint again. Oh yeah, and I still big challenges at one time or another rest, listen, reconnect both with your love plants and gardens! My husband in their lives. The most challenging body, and with spirit, and with the is from Victoria, and when we got times for me have been facing the planet, is one of the most constructive together, he had just purchased a near-death of both of my daughters. things you can do to support yourself block of land in Pingelly, so it was a My younger daughter went into along the way. bit of a package deal. We moved out anaphylactic shock and stopped here from Hilton, near Freo when our breathing after a bee sting -it was Human - Lou Johnson girls were 6 and 3 and built a load- totally unexpected and terrifying, but Interviewer & photographer - bearing straw bale house. somehow I kept it together and first Anna Cornish aid training kicked in. A rural community the size of Pingelly is on a human scale, and My older daughter struggled with the connection that happens when some major mental distress through you live in a town of 1000 people is her adolescence, and it was a rough somehow softer and more supportive journey, with some steep learning than it can be living in a city. I found curves for our family. I am so happy moving to Pingelly opened my mind we have all pulled through. and heart much more than living in

15 I migrated to Australia in 2007, The best moment of my life was the studied Graphics Designing and birth of my daughter. It is an amazing then moved to Perth in 2009 with my feeling to be a father. My wife is a brother. Over the time, I have worked great mother. at different workplaces, mostly in the he people of Northam are food industry. The worst moment of my life was last so friendly and welcoming - it takes year when I lost my grandparents meT back to the country town in India I started a Premium Car Detailing within two months. It is heartbreaking where I grew up. There were fields business in Perth - it was a first when you are away from your family all around and being a small country experience as a business owner, and such things happen. We are trying town, people knew you. Everyone and I learned a lot in two years from to get my parents and my sister’s looks after each other. You could that and my mistakes. I believe you family to migrate to Australia so we never do anything wrong by anyone. can only make a mistake if you try can all be together and closer to each That feeling is a sense of community – something new and life is all about other. it feels amazing - it’s a wonderful thing exploring and trying new things. to have. My advice would be to set your goals I love to work for the betterment and focus on them. You can’t just be I, with my brother own a small of community. I volunteer as Youth running around and not knowing what business in Northam – Avon Spice - Coordinator for Sikh Gurdwara you want to do. Over the time, I have we have been here since May 2019. Perth, Bennett Springs (Sikh place achieved many things just by settings We bought the business from a of worship). My role is to organise my goals. I try to guide people who lovely Malaysian/Indian family (Jane various events such as Camps, sports are going through the same phases & David). Over the years, they have events, religious events, social events I have been through with my past set a very good reputation for Avon and more for the young generation. experiences. Just so they can avoid Spice. I also do a lot of freelance designing the mistakes I made and achieve their work when I have the time. goals. I belong to a Sikh family and grew up in Punjab it’s in the northern part of I am trialling the business here in I would love to set my next goal as India. In a small town called Banga. Northam, but I would love to live meeting many new different people. We used to own a dairy farm and had permanently in Northam. For me, I like to learn practical knowledge, over 50 cows and buffaloes. So yeah, family comes before anything else. rather than from books. I like to I grew up in all the cattle and wheat I live in a joint family with my brother. gather information, keep learning fields. Just like Northam. He has two kids (a boy & a girl) and I and building towards a harmonious have a five-month-old daughter. It is environment for everybody. I have been married for 5 years. a great feeling to live in a joint family. My wife is from the United States – You can achieve much more when Human - Prabhjot Singh Bhaur (Jot) she is also Indian. The funny thing you are all together and hold each Interviewers – Paula Whittington is my wife and I spent our childhood other up in hard times. Hopefully, & Anna Cornish living close to each other in the we might all be able to move here Photographer – Anna Cornish Punjab. Our families knew each other. together in the future. I would love to She graduated in Aviation Logistics do that. from Texas, US and is working at the Perth Airport.

16 17 Jot Ray

18 then they got into all the fun things of The worse moment of my life so far driving cars and mud tracks. has been having my wife be quite ill. We have had a couple of scares and One of my most amazing moments that has been quite frightening for me. was when some kids visited us from Sometimes it brings anxiety when you live in the townsite of Northam. I Chernobyl in Russian Ukraine after start thinking about what happens if, came here in 1969 with Elders from what happened to them. They got to and that sometimes upsets me. I got Scarborough.I do things they had never done back some help for this and a lady told me home. The excitement and look of what I have got to do is tell your brain I did live in Kwolyin when I was a their faces we saw was unforgettable. to turn it off and I do. You have to not child, it was a tiny townsite back then. focus on that, instead on the good We used to walk to Kokerbin rock and I spent 12 years as Town of Northam things. spend the day playing around bare Counsellor and a stint as Deputy feet with a good eye on the ground Mayor of Northam. I was a lecturer at The best moment has been taking looking for snakes. TAFE for 15 years specializing in local 3 months off work after many long government and security operations. working schedules and taking the I met my wife in Northam and had 4 family around Australia in 1990. children, I now have 9 grandchildren. Since 2002 a lot of my volunteering is They are brilliant and my life. The removing reptiles and snakes. They My advice would be to think” keep life oldest one is 21 and the youngest one can be lovely pythons or dangerous as varied as possible”. I have had a is going on 11 but her age is 2. I have snakes. I have taken them out of great many varied experiences in life. also have 2 adopted grandchildren. buildings and a lot from schools and If you get off at the East Perth railway They are beautiful kids. We are very businesses in town. I go and release station you are putting your foot on lucky. them back where they should be, not my work. My brother and I we did the where we are, snakes stop the mice concrete. When I first come to Northam I got from running us over. involved in the Northam APEX club. I have no regrets in life I have This got me into doing community Best moment of my life so far would managed to do all the things that were service and helping the community probably be time with family and on my list, I make sure I get them all and I think that was incredible. I then grandchildren plus being able to done. I think that’s it if you set a goal, spent 16 years in Northam Scouts. I provide a service to the community. get to it. started when my kids were young with I think we all need to have a look at my eldest son. Back then girls had something, like some skill that we Human - Ray Adams to be in girl guides. The fact that it is have that will help our community and Interviews - Anna Cornish now mixed is just great. I made it to make us a part of that. I was awarded Photographer - Tobie Watson District Commissioner. Citizen of the Year in 2000 - it was the Fred Killick award back then. We did lots of things such as camping and bush cooking. These things I still My parents lived into their 90’ - very do today with the family. I enjoy hiking lucky. Myself and Steve Altham were and finding old bits and areas where the owners and starters up of the there is history. The girls came in later Avon Valley Advocate. I was in the when they did have Venturers and Advocate for a long time. 19 stops me driving back from Midland- We have to be realistic, patient and I still can’t believe how lucky I am to persistent about lobbying for funding be living in Toodyay. Where my family and staff increases... We aim to drive passed away because of accidents, change and be a voice for consumers illnesses, suicide and other things - across the Wheatbelt. ’ve been in Toodyay 13 years. the community become family. We liaise with the health service, I came on my oldest son’s birthday. They don’t have to be related by speak at conferences, promote mental I have two boys and they’ve grown up blood! health and constantly work towards enjoying a balance between country breaking down stigma and improving Making connections about how to and city life. We came from Perth for the experience for clients, at every cope with rural issues is important... a tree change...I had a friend who’d level from triage to discharge. there are pests, sub zero winter been here for years and I thought nights, 40 plus degree summer days... One of the worse moments of my life of her as a sort of brave, tough threats like fire and flood... was the 2009 Toodyay fires where contemporary pioneer who paved the We find ways to deal with isolation many of my friends lost everything. way for naive people like me to follow. and loneliness. For me it was as It was lucky that no one died. Usually when someone shifts to the a sole parent in a strange new The community spirit afterwards was Wheatbelt there is a story behind it - landscape. Five years ago, I got bitten amazing. I still have great friends either they are looking for something by a spider and suffered anaphylactic today that I would never have met if it or escaping from something. It was shock; I nearly died, and am very wasn’t for the fire. a bit of both for me - I was feeling grateful to be living in modern, In October 2019, I snapped my creatively blocked and also left a enlightened times when it comes to Achilles tendon...it’s taken ages to situation of stressful dysfunction for medicine... heal and was a wake up call not to a new beginning. I’m lucky to have found a ‘tribe’ of like take anything, even the ability to walk It certainly has been a wild ride and minded artistic, creative, musical and properly, for granted. in some ways I wish I had made the environmentally aware folks out here... My advice would be to try to move years earlier. Though there were it’s a fantastic place to be. have compassion, and lose the a few sacrifices on the way - Arts I come from a pioneering Irish family; judgement...... there may be so much journalism and music careers. I’m a my grandmother was the writer Mary going on in someone’s life... you just classical guitarist and mandolinist Durack. But I did not know much don’t know what others are dealing and miss playing in my orchestra and about the other side of my heritage... with. Having a sense of humour helps; other projects Perth. But I have taught a recent exciting find for me was to being able to see the funny side of and recorded CDs and adjudicated discover that the Milletts are related to things, even if it’s black, really keeps Festivals out here and I still work the Kickett family, Ballardong people. me going. And invest in some really for the UWA as a music examiner. One of the most rewarding aspects sturdy, shit kickin’ boots. They’re I’ve been privileged to shift out of a of my life has been my involvement essential. classical upbringing into pop ballads with mental health, studying to and rock’n’ roll. I’m in a group called gain qualifications in peer support Human - Naomi Millett Saturday Night Misfits, we have been and being able to give back to the Photographer & Interviewer - guests on the TV show Spicks and community. And that’s what I am Anna Cornish Specks! doing as Chair of my Consumer Sometimes, even now, I can’t believe Advisory Group at Wheatbelt Mental there isn’t a wall or road block that Health Services. 20 Naomi

2321 My mother passed away when I saying to people, ‘hi I’m Wes, eighteen, but I still carry her life I’m gay.’ During this time, I kept lessons with me. She taught me so re-living the relationship I’d had with much about being a human being and my dad. It was always unresolved a nice person. with him. grew up in Fremantle where I attended primary school near When I left school, I went to live in Now I felt much better and my SpearwoodI and high school at Katanning. I worked in shearing sheds feelings are resolved. I’ve started Hamilton Senior. I’ve recently returned from my late teens until about twenty- on this journey now and I’m looking to the Wheatbelt but I know the area two, which was hard yakka. forward to it. I want to study an because my mum is from York and my The culture was to work hard and Aboriginal health worker’s course dad is from Quairading. My mum is a drink hard. Drinking was the only and from there I want to get a job in a Pickett and my dad is a Garlett, so I’m social activity we had, but after a LGBT support role in Perth. I’ve dealt related to two of the main families of while I realised I liked the alcohol too with a lot of racism and homophobia. the region. I have family everywhere much and I didn’t want that, so I left I want to give to the community the around here, but most of them don’t that lifestyle. sort of support I wish I’d had when I know me. was younger. I came back to Perth to stay with my My parents were both Ballardong older brother. I studied psychology Being Aboriginal, you’re born political. people but they also had connections at university for a while, but didn’t You can try to deny it all you want, to the Whadjuk Noongars from complete that. While I was studying, but the history is there. I know the the Swan River region. One of my I was seeing my partner and working world I’d like to live in. It’s a world of ancestors and his sister were picked two jobs. I was really enjoying the love, understanding and respect for up by the Franciscan monks on the lifestyle in Perth, living the dream, but everyone. One of my friends told me, banks of the Swan River because the then I got mixed up with the wrong ‘it’s easy to love those who love you white settlers had massacred a tribal crowd. back, but can you love the ones who group, leaving only about ten children. don’t love you back?’ I went downhill for a long, long time, Growing up, it wasn’t the ideal twenty years. I became a drug addict The best moment of my life is right environment because my father had and even though I wanted to break now. I’m free from the nightmare of his struggles and he wasn’t able to the habit, I didn’t know how. It ruined where I’ve come from. My advice to teach me what it was to be a man. my life, my relationships, the jobs that people is to love yourself because you It was embarrassing for me because I I had, everything. I was extremely are awesome and perfect just the way had friends who came from functional unhappy and I ended up in gaol. you are. You don’t have to change for families and their lives seemed more I contemplated suicide, but after a anyone. normal. My father passed away while I decided that I either needed to when I was about twenty. He had get busy dying or get busy living, and Human - Wesley Ford a very unhappy life and everything I decided to live. Interviewer - Anna Cornish he did reflected that, especially Photographer - Tom Gratis Roh toward us kids. My mother was the To turn my life around, I had to Writer - Guy Salvidge total opposite and she was the real become honest with myself. I needed strength in our family. to become comfortable with who I was and what I stood for. I started 22 Wes 2523 Tullamarine airport to begin my first SoarAbility is about recognizing this experience of Australia. and challenging the meaning and language of ‘ability’ by demonstrating I had not considered leaving Ireland that those with life or mobility and it was never my intention to challenges are capable of a much was born in Ireland into a then emigrate. What changed me in wider spectrum of activities than typical family of eight children and those short four weeks was the might be otherwise perceived. I know firstI arrived in Australia in 1974 a intense feelings I had developed for they can: because I have witnessed it. short while before my 21st birthday. the country, the sense of wonder, And been constantly humbled by it. I had been consumed since early excitement, and liberation that I was childhood by all matters relating to experiencing and the resourceful can- Human - Damien O’Reilly aircraft including aeromodelling, and do mentality of the people. Doubtless, Interviewer - Bill Mauchline living very close to Dublin Airport it the exuberance of youth and relative Photographer - Anna Cornish was somewhat preordained that my innocence, together with the offer of Written by - Liam Cleak life would revolve around aviation in a job and prospects for more flying in some form. Australia positively conspired in my decision to stay. When I was 17 years old I had my first flight training experience in a glider When a confluence of finances and at the Irish Army Air Corps base at opportunities presented themselves, Baldonnel which at that time was I started the Gliding activity called I know used on weekends by the Dublin “SoarAbility” for those with special Gliding Club. To say that I became needs at Cunderdin Airfield. I remain there is infatuated with that activity would working as a consultant in the be an understatement. Whilst I had resources sector and have been strength harbored thoughts of becoming a carrying out rolling assignments in the commercial pilot, my inability to pass United States, China, the Philippines, in the colour vision tests decisively put and South America to support this paid to that ambition. So it was that venture. differences I immersed myself in the sport of gliding despite the challenges of poor If I could offer some words of wisdom between weather and restricted air space that to young people out there with characterized flying in Ireland. aspirations, then it would be that there us. I know is dignity and potential to develop At the outset of my interest in gliding, yourself in all forms of work. It is also there is I was enthralled when I read about never too late to study and or improve the fantastic weather and vast open your skill sets. And for those with comfort, spaces available to glider pilots special needs to always remember in Australia. Waikerie in the South that they are indeed special: and for where we Australian Riverland was attracting all of us to acknowledge and pay pilots from all over the world at that tribute to their Carers and loved ones. overlap. time so I saved up my scant resources Remarkable people all. over three years and finally landed at 24 Damien

2725 of memory and I thought I was still I love the community and the people thirteen or fourteen and in Merredin. out there. They’re so welcoming and I had no idea that I was sixteen and in they make me feel at home. Perth. My memory has slowly come back in bits and pieces. Sometimes The most influential person in my life y name is Tobie, and I a person will come up to me and is my Mum. She works as a support am a Noongar woman. My brothers, start talking and I won’t remember services coordinator in Merredin. Msisters, and I all go by ‘Narkle- them, but over time it’s getting She’s got me through some pretty Watson’. I grew up in the Mukinbudin/ better. I ended up having to repeat tough times and also been through Nungarin area and I was there for as Year 11 because of the stroke. I also some pretty tough times herself, long as I can remember. Right now completed a Certificate II in Business. going through a domestic violence I’m living in Northam and before I got there in the end, although it was relationship with my Dad. that, I was in Merredin working for a confusing experience. the Wheatbelt Health Network out of She grew eight of us up with the right Merredin Hospital. As for diagnosing what caused my morals and values and we all got mini-stroke, the doctors ended up through a lot of things because of her I’m the second eldest of eight putting it down to stress. I’d gone and how strong she was. I get my children; I have four sisters and through four of the top five traumatic strength from her. Every big moment three brothers. It’s always fun to get experiences in my teenage years. that the eight of us have had, she’s together and reminisce. We lived on My Dad passed away to suicide when always been there. an eleven-acre bush property so there I was fourteen, it changed me as a was a lot of exploring and we were person and I carried around a lot of At the moment I’m studying an always finding new things to do and anger and hurt, until one morning I enabling course at Murdoch so I can new games to play. I love having a big woke up and just felt better. I think study at university when I’m ready. family. that was because I was able to I’m unsure what I would like to study, forgive. Dad was part of the stolen but currently, I’m thinking of forensic I’m proud of my time in high school. generation. During the same period, I science and criminology. It changes I was the first out of my siblings moved to boarding school, changed all the time though! I have wanted to to achieve my WA Certificate of schools, and studied ATAR courses. be a hundred different things and I Education, which I like to think paved think when I find the thing that fits I’ll the way for my younger siblings. I was also playing two sports at a high know. My school experience was a bit up level—netball for the state and rugby. and down. I started high school in I’ve travelled around Europe for rugby A piece of advice I would give a Mukinbudin and then I changed and around Australia for netball. There younger version of myself would be over to Merredin College. I studied were times when I had to choose to take more opportunities and not let there for a year before receiving between a netball or a rugby game. boys get in the way! a scholarship to attend Aranmore I still play netball and it’s something I Catholic College in Perth for Years 11 love. Rugby was more of an accident! Human - Tobie Watson and 12. Interviewer - Paula Whittington I love travelling back to Merredin Photographer - Anna Cornish I was studying for my Year 11 exams and Mukinbudin to see my friends Writer - Guy Salvidge when I had a TIA, which is a mini- and family. There are places like stroke. I ended up losing three years Eaglestone Rock and Lake Brown. 26 Tobie 27 one or two hours a day and that’s it. The worst time in my life was after my I see kids sitting around a table wife died. It was a pretty dark period texting each other. My kids knew at 7 for me. But I always believe that if a pm they had to watch the ABC news door shuts another door opens. with us and surprisingly as adults they have been in the Wheatbelt since still do it and they are informed about I have previously served as a 1960. I came to Northam as a PMG the world because of it. As a family, Councillor in Northam for 30 years, I technicianI just out of training. I was we used to travel around Western was the Deputy Mayor for 8 years. also in the Citizen Military Forces Australia in a caravan when the kids I have been a Justice of the Peace for (CMF) 10th light horse Army Unit. were young and set up tents in places 25 years. I try to support people - we I was able to also transfer from 10th like Kalbarri and Esperance. are all human. When I retired from the light horse Perth to 10th light horse army I was the officer in command Northam. I transferred up here, met I have been married twice. Since my of the squadron. I was also on the my wife, and never went back. I was second wife passed away 25 years Northam Chamber of Commerce originally from Bayswater in Perth. ago - I have got the travel bug. So board as a council rep for a period of far I have visited 55 countries. Travel time. With some friends, I set a lot of world really does broaden the mind. and Australian aviation records. I love Northam and the Wheatbelt I like to fly fast! I am a member of the One of the most amazing places to -good things happen. Take FreshStart Northam flying club and am currently visit was Antarctica. I went by boat. for example - they have really fitted a pilot with twin and single-engine We went via the peninsula - every into the community. Drugs are day and night ratings. I have flown to day we went out exploring in rubber just trouble that can really affect Hong Kong, the Philippines and Tahiti duckies (zodiacs). I went to the Arctic communities. and islands in between. I used to fly as well - the only difference is that the for the Northam air services delivering guides had guns for the polar bears! My advice is ‘’get a good education, and picking up planes from stations. We saw many animals including get a job that you like and have a high bears, whales, arctic foxes, and moral ethic’’. I have three children - one boy and reindeer. We sailed through the ice on two girls. My daughter works at this small ship through to the foot of Human - Denis Beresford the Northam Shire, my son is in the a glacier while it was calving, the ship Interviewer -Anna Cornish mining industry. My other daughter was rocking in the wash. Because & Tom Gratis Roh is lecturing in midwifery. I have seven you go during the summer times - it is Photographer – James Gardner grandchildren ranging from 8 through almost 24-hour sunlight. It is hard to to 27. No great-grandchildren yet but see the aurora. We saw a glimpse of it my eldest granddaughter has just got just as we left Iceland. My bucket list married and my grandson is getting is slowing going down but I want to married soon - so I have put in my empty it before I have to kick it! order in for the family tree to grow! Community The best time was when the kids were I use the technology that I need. I am young. When you have a young family is like a big not a technology nut. My children you are fully involved, your career is when growing up were on rations for just kicking off, you are full of energy family. technology - they could watch tv for and the kids are a challenge. 28 29

Denis do with other authors. My favourite characters. Having these characters book is The Hobbit. I never imagined centre stage is something that’s taken running a bookshop—as a child, I too long to achieve. always wanted to be a racing car driver. One piece of advice I have for young ’ve lived in the Wheatbelt since I people is about drinking. When I was about seven. My family moved One of my other passions is PC turned eighteen I thought, ‘whoo, let’s hereI to get away from the crowds in gaming, especially racing games. I get drunk’ but I very quickly regretted Perth. There’s a lot of diversity in the grew up playing a game called Gran it. Now I haven’t drunk alcohol for city, but we preferred the quiet. Turismo. Ever since dad handed me about a year. I’ve seen the devastation We live about ten kilometres out of the controller I couldn’t stop and I’ve it can have on the community. I’ve lost Toodyay. I love it out here in Toodyay, played every Gran Turismo since, It a lot of people my age that I went to so I’m hoping to settle here eventually used to be that I couldn’t play online school with. and have my own space. I grew up due to the internet issues we had, as an only child, but I grew up happy. something that’s only happened Hearing about young people losing I had a lot of attention, sometimes recently. I’m not really into social their lives hits you like a train, more than I wanted! media. especially when it’s in a small community like this one. We all grew The most influential person in my I’ve always loved design and drawing up together, played sports together, life was probably my grandad. He things up. I used to spend a lot of our parents all knew each other and was a big part of my life growing time doing 3D modelling on the you’d see them around town. Boys up here, teaching us about country computer. There is so much freedom, get together and they think they’re life. I looked up to him without even you can do anything you want. I work the best and that they can do it all, realising it. He was always the first to on heritage design projects with my but sometimes they can’t. I think it’s help anyone who needed it. He was dad and it’s something we enjoy a really hard topic to get through to an amazing person and very hands- doing together. I hope we can keep people my age about the dangers on. doing it for a long time. of excessive drinking. The message needs to be ‘have fun, but don’t do I went to school here in Toodyay until One exciting thing that’s coming up is stupid things.’ You can enjoy yourself reaching Year 10, and I did my final a project involving the National Trust. without taking it that step too far. two years at Northam Senior High We’re installing plaques detailing the Reading a good book beats alcohol School. I didn’t mind school—there history of the old observatory, they any day! was nothing I didn’t like. are a really cool sun dial design. I think I get my style from my mum. Human - Jack Morgan I wasn’t a massive reader as a kid. She is very cool and makes us all Interviewer & Photographer - I didn’t really get into reading until look good. Mum has a professional Anna Cornish about six years ago. Now I work at background in visual merchandising Writer - Guy Salvidge the Book Shed in Toodyay, which my and always keeps my bookshop family owns. I’ve really embraced it looking awesome. and now I love it. My favourite author is Tolkien; I have about seventy One good thing about the new sci-fi books by him. I find that I can always series is the recent uprise of having go back to Tolkien in a way I can’t female and culturally diverse main 30 31

Jack I did not always intend on pursuing get more involved in the community. a career in teaching. When I was in Team sports are good for everyone, Year 12, I got sick with glandular fever not just kids. and missed a huge chunk of school, so I did not end up completing the My advice to young people is that it is am the Principal of Cunderdin year. A number of years later I passed important to have perspective. District High School. I have been an entry test to get into University to Life is a gift and you need to make the hereI for nine years. We have around study a Bachelor of Education - Early most of what you have been given. one hundred and sixty students from Childhood, I taught for four years Regardless of what has happened Kindergarten to Year 10 at the school, before having my girls. in the past, you should ask yourself, including fifty secondary students. ‘what do I want my future to be?’ I have twin daughters who are in Year After returning from maternity leave, The only person that can hold you 7 here at CDHS. I love the school and I became the Deputy Principal here back is you. the people in it. at Cunderdin DHS for a year and three quarters, before I got three Everyone has tough times, highs and I grew up in Bruce Rock and went days’ notice that I was becoming the lows, grief, and sadness, but you have from Kindergarten to Year 10 at the Principal. It has taken us a long time to look for the positives and focus on District High School there, so I wanted and lots of work to get the school to the things you are grateful for. the same stability and sense of where it is and now. I am very lucky There is always a lesson to be learnt community for my daughters growing CDHS is an amazing place to work. from every difficult situation you up. I have to take Long Service Leave encounter. I feel I am very lucky, next year, so we are planning a family I have amazing parents who gave me I am a country girl at heart and really adventure to Canada and the U.K. a fantastic upbringing. I loved growing enjoy spending time at home. I prefer up on the farm and the freedom we the slower pace of country life. I have a love of animals and growing had. We are a really close family and My Mum and Dad were wheat and up we always had an assortment I value our family time together. I am sheep farmers in Bruce Rock and of animals on the farm in particular enjoying watching my girls grow into now have semi-retired in York. I have horses, which I have been around happy young women and I feel very a younger sister who lives in the U.K. my whole life. We currently have grateful for all I have. and an older sister in Geraldton. four horses and my girls also have inherited a love of riding. Horses are Human - Hayley Taylor My husband is originally from one of my favourite ways to escape Interviewer & photographer - Quairading and I met him at Australia and relieve stress. Anna Cornish Day fireworks in Jurien Bay, when he Writer - Guy Salvidge was cray fishing near there. We think My girls are at an age now where Cunderdin is a great place to live and the three of us can go out for a we are very lucky to have amazing ride together, so it is good quality neighbours and friends. It is nice that family time. Over my time here in you can go down the street and the Cunderdin I have taken on a number local kids and families will say hello to of coordinator roles to support the you. community and my children with junior sport and I also played Senior Netball here for a couple of years to 32 33 Hayley in their laboratory, and I worked for I’ve always liked people and I love not the doctors in Tom Price as their criticising people for who they are. receptionist. Then, when the children I’m a vegan but it’s not about animal went to school, I came down to the welfare for me. One day I just stopped city where I ran a chocolate shop. eating meat and I’m passionate about was born into a business in South my health. We couldn’t live without Australia, where my parents owned a For a while, I worked up in Wittenoom. farmers. Without them, how are we generalI store. My mother was born in A friend owned the hotel there but going to feed the world? Melbourne into a Lebanese family and they were closing the whole town my father migrated from Lebanon. down. I hadn’t wanted to work up What I love about York is the people. there but I needed the money and I They have been wonderful to us. In the old-fashioned general was able to save some. Last year when I wasn’t well, they stores, you could get guns, boots, were all so concerned and just lovely. mattresses, and even a little bit We were looking to do something and The town is very easy to live in. I see of food. Beautiful crockery, cheap I had about $25,000 to invest. some people who aren’t doing so crockery, everything. They left some I was fifty-four and I thought ‘this is well for themselves, but they’re all of the supermarkets for dead. my last chance and whatever I do has surviving. The people in York do all to work.’ One day we were driving right. One of the saddest times in my life along the main street here in York and was when my father died at the age we saw that this shop was empty. It Like everyone I’ve had my ups and of forty-eight. I had a brother who was very rundown. When we opened downs, but I’m one of those people died at forty-five. Both of them died of Jules Café, we were only going to who likes to climb over the downs. heart problems. They worked hard in stay a couple of years, but here we I’ve had some heavy downs, but I’ve business and it was very sad that they are almost thirty years later. I’m a had some amazing successes as well. died so young. lucky person, very fortunate. My advice to the younger generation My parents were great business My happiest moments were the is just to enjoy yourself. When I was people and very strong physically, births of my three children. Now one younger, I used to think I’d done the but also very soft. As a child, I never daughter’s fifty-eight, the other is wrong thing because I had such a knew what a smack or a raised voice fifty-seven and my son Guy recently strong mind of my own and I was very was. My parents built everything turned fifty-five. I’ve never wanted to wilful. I was always doing the opposite themselves and they never had a loan go overseas as I’ve had such a full of what I was told at boarding school in their lives. They lived in a tin shed life. Nothing overseas could touch and I always had trouble with the while they built their shop. My mother the graces of my family. I have ten nuns. Now, looking back, I was had a wonderful work ethic. My family grandchildren who are the light of so glad that I had that strength to set an amazing example. my life, and now I have two great- question people. At least I did it my grandchildren. I’d rather be here way and I’m so glad because now I was married in South Australia and where they can come and see me all I feel satisfied. I’ve done a lot of I had three children, two girls, and a the time. laughing and I still do. boy. We went up to Tom Price in the Pilbara when it first opened in 1968 I’m always opening my mouth and Human - Jules Brewster and did very well up there. I’ve had a sticking two feet in it. One’s not Interviewer - Paula Whittington varied life and lots of wonderful jobs. I enough, two go in there. I don’t mind Photographer - Robert Pampling worked for Hamersley Iron getting old, in fact, I love it. Photograpy Writer - Guy Salvidge 34 35

Jules a lot in my life whilst also being in the We have just opened the Koorda public eye. I was gutted as a person. Drive In Theatre. Hon. Mia Davies was I felt that I just wasn’t able to give as there. We had the biggest night ever much as I used to in the community – I worked the BBQ and we raised so I had to let it go. money for the school P&C. That is y wife and I moved to what communities do - they come I started the Koorda Gardening Centre Koorda in 2011. Before that we were together. because there was a big gap in that Min Mandurah. We chose Koorda as market. There are not many services We had a pretty exciting event my wife had lived here before. We still out here. I found the Garden Centre recently with the filming of an have family here. We got to the stage very therapeutic during my recovery Australian feature movie - ‘I met a that we wanted a new challenge with - it helped me stay focused and gave Girl’. Koorda doesn’t have a horizon something different. me a new interest. like the Nullarbor so it was perfect for We bought a shop in Koorda two them. The movie is all about mental Depression is huge out here. years before we moved up. I added health with a twist at the end. The Koorda Men’s Shed is a great some cars and historic items and it The producers said that Koorda place to chat. turned into the Koorda Motor Museum will be used again for filming other and Military Collection. The Museum People are still reluctant to seek help. movies. A bit of a mixed reaction is a great place for war veterans to Its harder to keep GPs in the bush. from the community. I was one of the come in have a beer or coffee and I am on the Local Hospital Advisory extras. chat. Group between Wylie and Koorda. The best moments of my life It gives me insight into the health When we moved to Koorda, my wife so far have been – raising my system. and I were both working full time – I granddaughter; she is a bubbly had run my spray painting and panel I used Telehealth for my hand. We little delight. Being able to serve the beating business for 25 years. I then have been pretty lucky to have Rural- Koorda community by being a Shire had a work-place accident and almost link. Koorda also hosted the Regional Councilor for 6 years was also an lost my hand. It took 3 ½ years to Men’s Health Initiate team. honour. rehabilitate and now I only have 38 % The problem is that men do not seek The worst moment was being injured movement from the injury. help until they hit rock bottom and and not knowing if you may ever then it’s a big problem to fix. At the time of the accident I thought work again. Its scary. You’re off the that I was young so I just powered We have a few tight knit organisations radar. Juggling all those things and on. Two weeks after I resigned from for the ladies like the Koorda challenges. my job we took custody of our CWA and Red Cross. We have a My advice would be it doesn’t matter granddaughter – she was 2 years Western Power depot and CBH Area how you were brought up– keep a old. She is now 6 and lives with us Headquarters in town. The Koorda dream in front of you! Get it between fulltime. So I was raising a 2 year-old Shire is the largest employer in town. your teeth and run with it. If you get whilst dealing with the mental anguish We find that once the older kids head knocked down then get up and keep of losing my trade, not having a full- to high school outside of Koorda they going. There are always people you time job and still trying to establish tend to not come back. I’m on the can talk to. Chase your dreams! myself in the town. It was a lot. Koorda School Council and am the P&C Vice President. We have 25 kids. I was a Koorda Shire Councillor then Human – Tony Clarke In small towns that is what you do – I had my injury. I was going through Photographer – Bill Stacy you get involved. Interviewer – Anna Cornish 36 37

Tony as participating in the Northam thirty kilos. How I was able to lose Consumer Advisory Group. The group weight was through some advice I provides advice on what works and was given from a mental health what doesn’t in the community and practitioner. I was told that if I we all get along really well. It’s our wanted to lose weight, I needed to y parents were both way of helping others, even if it’s only keep it simple. I made some dietary from New Zealand, but I was born in indirectly. We’ve been at the Northam changes like trying to eat more MBrisbane. CAG for just under a year. Before that, healthy foods and cutting down on we were part of the CAG in Wagin, my intake of sugar. I wasn’t on a diet We lived in the country for some which was a group of nice people but exactly as I still ate what I wanted, years when I was young, so I was it didn’t work out, as everyone had but only a little of each thing instead brought up in that relaxed country other things on their plates. of, for instance, a whole block of atmosphere. When we were growing chocolate! It was the best advice ever. up, my siblings and I were best Another thing my husband and I do friends and it wasn’t until I was older to give back to the community is One of my ambitions for the future is that I realised it was uncool to be best singing karaoke at nursing homes. to continue doing karaoke at nursing friends with your brother and sister! James is my roadie - he does all the homes. It’s also important for people equipment, so all I have to do is stand who suffer from memory loss to write My husband James is the most there and sing! I suffer from extreme everything down. The upside of this is influential person in my life. short-term memory loss, so singing that it’s a form of goal setting. He’s my best friend, my lover and is something I can do to help others Each day, I have goals written down. my confidant. We both suffer from because music is such a powerful tool I feel like I’ve accomplished a lot of schizophrenia. I’ve suffered a lot of to make people feel better. things despite my struggles, so now trauma over the years, but I just want to continue doing what James and I have a wonderful One of my hobbies is crocheting. I’m doing and try to enjoy my life, no relationship together. We’ve been Crocheting is good for people with matter what. married for sixteen years and we’ve mental health issues and it helps them had a lovely, happy marriage. with their concentration. When I was growing up, I was very naïve and probably living a more Our children are grown up now. When we can afford to, James and I sheltered life than other people. One Some of my immediate family live in also like travelling down to piece of advice I’d have for a country areas. Albany. We’ve probably been five younger version of myself is to try times in the past ten years. to hold on to hope when you’re My husband and I were able to adjust struggling in life. Even if it’s all you’ve well when we moved back to the The worst moments of my life got left, try to hold onto hope. country. I love living in Pingelly as it’s were regarding my struggles with full of lovely, friendly people. It’s a very depression and schizophrenia. When Human - Cherie Dawson quiet and close-knit community. I was younger, it wasn’t something Interviewer - Michelle Thompson that I felt I was allowed to talk about. Photographer - Anna Cornish James and I love to give something I often heard voices without anyone Writer - Guy Salvidge back to the community as a way knowing that anything was wrong. of saying thanks, so we have a few At one point in my life, due to some things we do once a month, such medication, I was taking, I put on 38 39 Cherie Rob

have been in Northam for over 6 years. I was born in East Melbourne and grewI up in Burwood. I spend 26 years and 18 days as an ambulance officer in Melbourne. I was the second car on the scene at the West Gate Bridge collapse in 1970. I had PTSD after that. I’m a volunteer with St John here in Northam.

I got burnt out, but I was adopted by the Melbourne LGBTQI community. I quickly learn that there is no difference whether you are gay or straight - all the problems are the same. All the dramas are the same. I’m very supportive of people who may be different in orientation - they are still people.

In 1994 I was diagnosed with prostate cancer and told I had 5-8 years to live. I said to myself ‘I’m going to enjoy these years’. It was the most liberating thing that could have happened.

I’m involved with MotorCross club, Northam Workers Club, Aboriginal Mens Shed & LGBTQI group.

My advice would be ‘be open to all possibilities. don’t set limitations. People want to indoctrinate you into their belief structures but you choose - keen an open mind. Everything can be wonderful if you allow it to be.’

Human - Rob Adams Interviewer - Anna Cornish Photogapher - Rob Adams 40 25 live in Kalannie. I am a wheat and sheep farmer. I met my wife at an INXS concert when we were both Iin Mandarah on holiday. Marrying Sally in New Norcia was one of the greatest moments of my life. We have three children – Ollie is now 20, Zac is 17 and Ruby is 11. We put a lot of effort into making sure they are socially, academically, and physically ready to be away from home for boarding school. My dad has been farming his whole life and my grandfather and his brother cleared the land in the 1920s. I had a choice about my career – I studied accounting – then chose to go back to the farm. Farming is my passion.

I have been involved in the Kalannie Football and tennis clubs. I sit on the Regional Biosecurity Group. We control dogs that attack sheep. The worst moment of my life has been when Sally was really sick. It was a close call.

My advice would be to channel your job to something you want to do. If you go to work every day and work is a happy place then that makes the rest of your life happy.

Human – Ashley Sanderson Photographer & interviewer – Anna Cornish

Ash 41 not stopped due to her diagnosis - she said. instead giving her an even playing When people see me get on a horse field to her competition. they often think ‘there is nothing At the time I had been riding and wrong with this girl’ and then when I competing but I couldn’t move up the get off I have to be carried back to the or passionate horse grades. stables because I have no feeling in rider Shannon Brookes, her eyes my legs. wereF opened to the world of There are all different levels of para-equestrian riding after being dressage and I just couldn’t get my I have had issues with the stigma of diagnosed with spinal arthritis. body to do some of the things that I not being ‘disabled enough’ in my needed so I kept sitting in the same sport and I have been hesitant saying The sportswoman, who lives in grade of the competition and wasn’t I am a para-equestrian. Dowerin in WA’s Wheatbelt region, moving up. now has her sights set on qualifying In the age of social media we only for the Australian National Squad, to It came to my attention that I could be show the glossy bits, we don’t show represent her country at the Tokyo a paraequestrian. ourselves struggling. Paralympics. I was quite hesitant at first because “And I think that makes it harder for Shannon’s journey towards a when you think of para-equestrian you people to understand that we all have diagnosis, and success in her sport think of people in wheelchairs. struggles. has been pathed with difficulties. I never noticed that there are different In the face of adversity, Shannon isn’t I had a sore back ever since I was a grades of para-equestrian; grade one one to give up. teenager being the most affected and grade There’s always setbacks in anything. five being the least affected. Once I had kids things really started You fall down, you have a little cry falling to bits. I’ve had 31 surgeries I’m currently in grade five and on the but it’s up to you to get up and keep and 20 of those would be since I have fringe of grade four. going. had kids. You get put into these categories so It doesn’t matter what anyone else I have had surgeries on my hips, my that you are competing against other thinks, it comes down to you. knees, my shoulders, my elbows - people of a similar ability to yourself - nearly every joint really. they try and even it out a bit. I hope that my children will see that if you want something you have to go All the doctors and surgeons were I can still compete against able- for it and if you have problems work treating things separately and it didn’t bodied riders but there are out who can help you get where you seem right to me. exemptions I can use in competition. want to go. I thought if I was on Grey’s Anatomy When on a horse, Shannon feels in If you give up you just don’t know there would be a big team meeting her element and said she sometimes what might have happened if you kept and they would say it seems weird feels like her disability is viewed going. You’ve got to get back on the that this healthy person is having all as not being legitimate or serious horse literally. these issues. compared to others. I saw a rheumatologist who I am quite good when I am walking Human – Shannon Brookes diagnosed me with spinal arthritis. around, but when I ride, because of Writer – Eliza Wynn my arthritis and nerve damage I lose Photographer - Sharlene Phillips Shannon’s passion for riding was feeling in my arms, legs and hands. 42

43 Shannon leaders series leaders I’ve had issues with depression and people jump to conclusions,” she anxiety since my teen years. said.

A few years ago I was in a really dark It’s a challenge that I wake up to every place. morning.

erforming has always been My diagnosis was dysthymia which Having type 1 has given me a lot of part of Perth Academy of Performing is a chronic form of depression that skills and resilience that have crossed ArtsP (PAPA) founder Imogen comes and goes in waves. into other parts of my life and given

Blackwell’s life. me a lot of good management skills The thing that really helped me in that also help me run the company. While managing her own mental getting through that tough time was to health difficulties alongside diabetes, get back into the arts and theatre. I am passionate about letting the kids the Wheatbelt local has used her life see that vulnerability - it is something Imogen said although PAPA was experience to nurture and support that does make me a little bit different. not established purely for people young people through the arts. who were struggling with their For them to be able to see an adult My whole childhood and teen mental health, she believed her influence in their life with adversity years I was really passionate about own experience gave her a heart for that I need to overcome is really performing and musical theatre - it’s helping others. important. been a really big love of mine, Imogen PAPA is not necessarily set up for It allows me to use it as a springboard said. people who are specifically struggling to start a conversation with the kids I think I had my first role in Pre- with mental health but we do have a that you can persevere.”

Primary. platform where we can help people Inclusivity in her own business has not who are having a rough time, she My mum would tell you that I was been hard, according to Imogen. said. the most shy child that you would To me, I don’t think it has been hard ever see and she never would have Between myself and my business work to provide for people with a expected it. partner Ian we are very nurturing disability,” she said. people and we have a view of the arts She thought I would be so terrified. as being a safe space and something We have always been an inclusive I got up there and was leading the that can help people to overcome the company. We will allow students to other kids and having a great time. hard things in their lives. join us from wherever they are at and It has always been in my blood. can make reasonable adjustments to I believe everyone is going through suit them. It was a really important part of my life something and sometimes people - being able to overcome my anxieties need a little bit more help and that We have students from all walks of life and being able to get on stage as a human connection and creative but it doesn’t affect what they bring character and have that different way outlet.” to the table. We love the diversity we of expressing myself. have in our students - it is awesome. Imogen also lives with another One of the major reasons for me for invisible illness - type 1 diabetes, Human – Imogen Backwell the company coming about was that which she said is not well understood Interviewer & photographer– I was going through a really tough and can carry a stigma. Anna Cornish time in my own life - a really deep I usually just refer to it as ‘type 1’ to Writer – Eliza Wynn depression. start a conversation instead of having 44

45 Imogen leaders series leaders with disabilities. In 2000 he sang the signs at the time but looking back anthem at the Paralympics in Sydney. on it now, there were. I don’t think you ever get over it. You just move I used to work at the TAFE in Port forward. Hedland as a Receptionist, Records live in Bakers Hill in the Officer, and Library Aide. I really In 2014 I was diagnosed with Wheatbelt. We were visiting my enjoyed my first real job. depression, I didn’t think anything parentsI in Bakers Hill and fell in love was wrong but I was angry all the with the place. I love the people and I volunteer for the Bakers Hill fire time and reclusive, not wanting to do community - everyone pitches in to brigade as the Secretary/Treasurer. anything. I was encouraged by friends help. Everyone knows everyone. I enjoy reading, going to the Bakers to talk to someone and I’m glad I did. Hill Taven, and doing family research Not long after I was introduced to We had an accident in my parent’s (genealogy). I used to volunteer for network marketing by my best friend backyard three years ago when a a Dingo club and educating people Yvette and with that came personal tree dropped its branch onto the car about them. development. It has helped me a lot. while we were sitting in it. It totally Mental Health is so important. destroyed the car. John saved my life. The best moment of my life apart from It still takes my breath away. All the meeting my husband was when I got I would have to say that John is the neighbours banded together to help to go in a glider through a company most influential person in my life. us out. That is community! called SoarAbility at the Cunderdin He encourages me to step out of my Airfield in Cunderdin. The owner comfort zone and changes my cant’s I was born with Spina Bifida. I’ve had has adapted the glider for people in into cans. He means the world to me. a great life so far. wheelchairs. Another highlight was when my mum won a competition for My most defining moment was when I grew up in Port Hedland there with me to do indoor sky diving. I had to speak for myself in court my two brothers who now live in as I couldn’t afford a lawyer. This is Melbourne and Rockingham. Another amazing experience was where I learnt that I have a voice and My parents left there in 2001 and doing the City to Surf race. It was shouldn’t be afraid to use it. bought a place in Bakers Hill. I met hard, it was emotional and I cried my husband John in Port Hedland. at the end. John helped me on the My advice would be - don’t look for a We built a house and moved to up the hill runs but I did 90% of it job, look for opportunities. You don’t Bakers Hill in 2003. Then in 2005 John all by myself. I had had no training have to be tied to a 9 to 5 job. You and I got married. or preparation. I just entered. In the can do anything in life. Follow your last 5km, I had this police officer dreams. There is no such thing as One of the highlights of my life was supporting me and I still don’t know cant. meeting Prince Charles. I was living his name. It was the most amazing in Port Hedland and I was 10. I also moment. My chosen charity was Human - Lisa Wiltshire met Jeff St John who was a singer Lifeline and the Bakers Hill Tavern Interviewer – Paula Whittington in the 60’s - he actually had Spina helped me raise money to donate. Photographer - Ria de Vries @ Ria Bifida too. I was only 12 – but got to Jade Photography attend a nightclub to see him perform. The worst moment of my life was He performed in a wheel-chair and losing my best friend to suicide when became an active educator for people I was 23. He was 21. There were no 46 Lisa

4947 compartment in my heart and that is backyard in Beverley and as we had where the children live and always no money, people were instructed to will. Next came Callum, he is thirty bring their own meat, chairs, drinks, now and has provided me with delight and friends made salads and the from day one. wedding cake as wedding presents. have been waiting my entire life I had my own version of a wedding to come here to Beverley. When I was When Alex came along, he was planner in Ailsa and Lesley was my youngI my parents moved us from diagnosed with a very complex heart Matron of Dishonour. Stinking hot but Melbourne to Brisbane to Sydney. defect, similar to what Christopher the greatest day of our lives. I finally moved to Perth with my first had. I was lucky that they could treat husband in 1982. him. Alex is twenty-eight now and is There have always been a lot of good diagnosed with just a mild intellectual days to contrast the dark ones. My parents were gypsies and not in disorder and autism. Going to the Goldfields was a a good sense. My mother suffered The ABA Discrete Child Training great time. We bought the house in severely from mental health issues worked beautifully for Alex and Beverley and put in half an acre of and committed suicide at the absolutely was the key to him garden as part of our healing process. advanced age of 87. My mother was blossoming. Then Michael fell in love with the old from the generation of women who Forbes building in the centre of town said, “You can never be too thin or too I have three fabulous and quirky that eventually became our art gallery. rich.” children and I love them too bits and I also have a granddaughter. We realised how lucky we were the I have three brothers and all of us rely minute we arrived here. Beverley is completely on our sense of humour. I left my husband in 2005 and very welcoming. We discovered all All my brothers have children and they returned to my family in Queensland. these different people that, like us, have all turned out okay. It went pear-shaped right away. had run away from the big smoke When I returned I had a mental and so we formed this eclectic group Later in life, I suffered heavily from breakdown. I was, in fact completely of fascinating people that we are mental health issues myself and I non-functional. Losing my sense of privileged to call our friends and have remember once being told by a health humour was the scariest part of my become our family. professional that I married far too breakdown. But I got it back. I was young. My first husband and I were medicated and am medicated still. If I had advice to give someone married for twenty-six years and when The black dog comes nipping at my younger then it would be to always we tried to have children, we were heels, but he goes away. I write my look for that other door. Keep your hit with a series of disasters. I’ve had blogs and I use my humour in my sense of humour. Don’t be afraid to seven babies, six pregnancies, five writing, I have never been published use the “F” word. If you can grab a C-Sections but only three surviving but have tried to publish. golden moment and just hang on babies. to it until the next golden moment, In 2009 I met Michael. I fell in love you’ll be able to keep living and keep My daughter Vanessa is a divine, with him the moment I looked into his laughing. intelligent young woman. I had a son eyes. A year after we met Michael’s named Christopher who passed away health broke down. I sold the house Human - Kate Sofoulis from heart complications forty-eight eventually and we moved to the Interviewer & photographer - days after he was born. After that I country without the kids. Anna Cornish lost my twins, you don’t ever get over Writer - Liam Cleak something like that. I have a special Michael and I were married in our 48 49 Kate have been in the Wheatbelt for over 40 years. I live in Clackline. I teach karateI and take the club members to Japan and Australian tournaments. I have had more than 1000 students over 28 years. I have competed at the State Level got top places and just passed my 5th Dan. Karate is great – it’s a great form of exercise plus builds confidence. It makes you aware of the risks. I have been looking after an Aboriginal boy with cerebral palsy for the last three years. He is a great kid. I have two girls. Both have double degrees. Helen and I fed them with everything we had and they chewed away at it. I worked as a carer for 4 1/2 years before I took on my foster child. The highlight of my life so far has been watching my girls achieve. It’s a credit to how they were raised. Seeing what my karate kids can do is also pretty amazing. The worst moment of my life was when my wife Helen had her car accident and passed away. I have good and bad days. My advice would be to stay close to the truth. Do what you are going to do not what others think you should do.

Human - Ken Bainbridge Interviewer & Photographer - Anna Cornish 50 Ken fter turning 50 it became increasingly difficult to find work. IA started looking for alternative ways to make a living. Also, both Melody and I both experienced some serious medical issues. Melody was originally from the Wheatbelt so we relocated to York because of its proximity to Perth and its history. I love the connection to historic architecture and motor cars. There’s always something happening in York. We are also making some very good friends. We found a lovely property and moved here a year ago. Since then I have been able to turn my passion for photography and cars into a business. It’s ironic that I am in the visual arts industry as I am colour blind. It certainly has its challenges. But I have learnt to turn my disability to my advantage. We have also started the project Trike for York, which will give Aged Care residents free rides around town. We’ve got plenty to keep us busy. Having failed and succeeded in many things over the years, the one thing I would say to anyone is … “Think positive and positive will start to happen. It doesn’t matter how bad things seem to be, NEVER give up, because ‘this too shall pass’ “.

Human - Robert Pampling Interviewer – Melody Pampling Photographer – Supplied. Rob 51 in Brookton and also have family ties they told them they wanted flows, to Kellerberrin and York. I consider curves and waves just like the Waugul myself a strong Ballardong Nyoongar (rainbow serpent). We are trying to tap woman. into the tourist industry, especially the international market. We also sell local currently live in Brookton and Growing up I played a lot of hockey Noongar products and give royalties work in Northam. I grew up in and netball. I started playing hockey back to the community. We need to BrooktonI and moved to Perth for 20 when I was a skinny 11 year old - keep growing the content to preserve odd years before moving back – I they needed numbers in the senior our language and culture. have been back for about 8 years team so they bumped up the juniors now. - we played against some pretty big I find myself saying silly sayings that women. My hockey career ended I grew up with like ‘ohhhh by golly.... In the 1970s when we were growing when I was hit too hard on the inside deadly.... true as I am here’ I guess up - we didn’t know about the history of my ankle with a hockey ball. I’m reflecting on life. of the nation. The education system It busted all the blood vessels in my at school did not teach us anything. foot. I was rushed off to hospital. My regrets in life would be not getting It wasn’t until I went to university It was pretty scary. more education. I went university and studied Aboriginal studies that because I wanted to be a primary I learned about what had happened It’s great to come back to the bush school teacher but at that time I back in history. I got angry for a few after all that time in Perth. My parents decided it wasn’t for me. I also wish I years and joined the cultural protest are still alive. I didn’t have children - I had read more growing up - I’m better movement in Sydney. Then I accepted was married for 29 years. We decided at hearing and seeing than discussing it. You can’t blame the Wadjela people if it didn’t happen when we were in ideas. I am a bit of a daydreamer - but now for what happened back then. out 20s then we wouldn’t do it. I am I do work well under pressure. It helped me to accept it better. So from a family of 7 children so I have now I am in an education role so I get been surrounded by kids. I spoil the My advice would be look into history to talk about these issues now. kids and then sent them home. and culture. Kids can be into social media and hip hop - but take some Back in the 1970s when I grew up in I am enjoying my work at the Bilya time to learn and appreciate what Brookton we used to make our own Koort Boodja Centre. It is deadly. happened back then. A lot of work fun. All the kids in the neighbourhood The centre stands for... Bilya - is has gone into making the world we both Nyoongar and Wadjela got water, Koort is the heart and Boodja are into today. Face to face contact is together to go bike riding, tadpole is the land. So River, Heart and Land. still very important. catching and playing cops and It is built on Noongar country. It is a robbers. We also went to the weekly state of the art cultural centre and Human – Michelle Winmar football games throughout the the only one of its kind in Nyoongar Interviewer – Bill Mauchline wheatbelt every weekend with my country. The people wanted a keeping Photographer & Writer – Anna Cornish mum and dad. place for our culture. It combines culture and technology. We are the Growing up, there was a really big oldest culture in the world but we are Nyoongar population in the Wheatbelt using technology to keep memories – I have connections everywhere. and stories alive. When the elders I was born in Goomalling, bought up were working with the architects 52 53

Michelle Sydney at Easter. I would love to go to with breast cancer and my brother the Czech Republic. I went to Europe died. So that was a lot. My sister but it was a whirlwind trip. is better now but my brother was a tragedy. Very surreal and real at the I lived in Papua New Guinea in my same time. My brother had a quote have been in the Wheatbelt for early 20s for 2 1/2 years. I went over on his fridge ‘life is beautiful and then nearly 2 1/2 years - before that, I was as a volunteer. That was amazing. awful’ and it just fitted this time. inI Kojonup in the Great Southern and I fell in love with travel and seeing new before that, I was in Carnarvon. I was cultures. There is pride in their culture The kids play basketball and football born in Narrogin and then lived in of how they live. Simplicity. This for the Northam Barons. Brookton for the first 10 years. was a significant time for personal growth. It took a while to settle back Just because you make a few wrong My dad grew up in the Grass Valley. into Australia after that. It was a very turns and get in trouble with the police They were the first lot of families there different existence. – you can always re-invent yourself in the 1930s. My dad was at the Grass at any time. I say that to people all Valley School then it burnt down. Being able to get married was one of the time. You can overcome anything. the best moments of my life. I was Always learn from your mistakes. I have been doing general duties married in October 2018 after 22 for the last few years and recently years of being with my partner. Finally, My advice would be - be authentic moved into the role of Youth Crime the laws changed! Standing up in – even if it means pain or losing Intervention Officer in Northam. front of loved ones with the women I relationships because the most loved. We planned to get married 15 important relationship you will have I have an 11-year-old son and a years ago and it didn’t make sense is with yourself. It’s hard and it hurts 7-year-old daughter. because it didn’t mean anything but you will be happier with yourself. legally. It didn’t feel real then. It’s like I have always spoken the truth and I like to do fitness - boot camp type trying to buy a house with pretend stood up for people. Stay in school stuff. I played hockey in Kojonup but it money. But when we did get married and don’t do drugs! Don’t ever stop got tricky with different police shifts. legally last year - putting beautiful learning. I might go back to it soon. dresses and say my vows was really overwhelming. It was amazing. Human - Senior Constable I love to read especially The children were so happy. Kristi McEvoy autobiographies. I’m a realist at heart. Everyone was in tears with happiness. Interviewer – Melissa Marie McCulloch I have just finished reading Photographer - Anna Cornish ‘The Tattooist of Auschwitz’. It is a When a man and women get together, love story where they didn’t know people start asking when are you whether they would see each other getting married and having kids but again. we didn’t. But as soon as it was legalised, people started asking us. I also love to travel. We went to South East Asia in Thailand. I carried my The worst moment of my life 10-month son around in a backpack. happened the same year as the best We are off to a family holiday in moments - my sister was diagnosed

54 Kristi

55 taught me at Northam Primary School years ago at 71. It was quite sudden. have retired. It was quite a strange My parents were 3 months away feeling being able to go into the staff from celebrating their 50th wedding room without getting into trouble! anniversary.

was born and bred on a farm There have been so many My favourite event in Northam has about 10km out of Northam on the improvements made to Northam. been the hot air ballooning festival. Northam/YorkI Road. I now live in I think it’s more family-friendly, there It was an incredible opportunity for Northam. I lived in Perth for 10 years. are a lot more activities for youth, Northam and I believe have something During that time I did my training as especially for the younger youth, a lot similar coming up in future with a dental nurse. I was initially shell more safe areas, parks and things like Women’s hot air ballooning. Growing shocked there but it suited my study that. It’s certainly being worked on up on a farm we used to always have and lifestyle in my 20s. I made some for the teenagers. It is still a country hot air balloons landing on our farm. really good friends that I am still really town. I have also been lucky enough to close to. go up in a balloon, it’s actually an Having the TAFE in Northam has awesome experience. I did feel the call to come back to opened the doors for so many people the Wheatbelt so after two years in of all ages. From the high school The biggest influence in my life Bridgetown I was lucky enough to be kids that do their extension courses would be my parents. My father has able to transfer back to the eastern through to adults that need help always been community-minded and Wheatbelt then two years later I was learning to read and write. belonged to a lot of organisations. He has just been awarded his third able to transfer back to Northam. I am also involved in the organisation I have been back here for 16 years. organisation life membership. My of Northam Agricultural Society that mum was also very community- My dad is still living out on the family hosts the annual Northam Agricultural minded and supported my father farm. My brother, sister in law and two Show. As well as helping organize the behind the scenes. nieces live in town. My brother works event I also enter exhibits. I had about on the farm. I have two other brothers 35 exhibits last year from baking, My advice would be to keep an open one in Geraldton and one in Capel. home industries, flora culture, and mind, you are only young and that I have six nieces and two nephews. fruit and veg. I’m not so good on the life throws lots of curve balls and you I was a Girl Guide leader for many arts and crafts side. just need to deal with each day as it years until I had health issues. comes. Try to make good choices, The highlight of my life was when I we all make bad choices but try and I work as a dental nurse and love received a lifetime membership to think about what you are doing before my work. Every child is a challenge, the Northam Agricultural Society you do it, especially when it comes to they’ve all got their own personalities three years ago. I was the youngest drink driving, drugs and those sorts and haven’t really developed their person to have received a lifetime of things. Try to be involved in the own way of knowing that they have membership at 45. It was a huge community you live in. to act a certain way. Every child is fun honour and very unexpected. The and interesting. committee is like a family to me. Human - Fiona Brown I really love the friendship and Interviewers –Mellissa Mcculloch I am now working at the primary comradeship. & Anna Cornish school that I used to attend as a Photographer – Poppy Randhawa student. It’s only been within the last The worst moment of my life was couple of years that two teachers that when my mum passed away 12 56 57

Fiona work at Good Sammys in Northam and I live here too. I have livedI here for about 30 years. I came from Wundowie. I have one sister and two brothers. I have two boys - Sean and David. David is a qualified butcher. The happiest moment of my life was in 1991 when I got married to my husband John. It was a wonderful wedding down at El Caballo. I really like working - you get to meet new people. You get involved with people. Its 42 degrees today in Northam. Weather can be hard. If it gets too hot or too cold my legs don’t work! In 5 years’ time, I would still like to be able to do things and not be confined. NDIS has been great - there are now rails and ramps in my house. I have an OT coming next week to make a few other changes around the house. I don’t access much community stuff in Northam - I would like to but I don’t know if it is going to be wheelchair access friendly. My advice to others - to take your life in your stride. Think about what you want to do. And respect others.

Human - Donna Maree Prytulak Interviewer & photographer - Anna Cornish Writer – Anna Cornish 58 Donna Loretta

oomalling is my home - I lived in Perth for a little while but I builtG a new home in Goomalling and move into it 2 years ago. I work as the Manager of the CRC - I absolutely love my job. I’m feel very happy to be here. The CRC does lots of little events and workshops - we recently did a workshop on how to maintain and use a chainsaw properly. We also have been raising awareness of mental health in regional WA. Folks sometimes need help and don’t know where to find it so we provide them with information. My happiest moments have probably been shared with my family and friends. I love travelling. I have been to the UK, went around Europe and hitchhiked around Ireland, I have been on a cruise and driven across Canada. Niagara Falls was amazing! One of the saddest moments was when my mum then my brother passed away. Both are buried here in Goomalling, their home. My advice to people would be ‘Takeoff and travel - have a go. You can always come back to your family and friends’. Human - Loretta Johnston Photographer - Anna Cornish Interviewer - Jazz Randhawa

59 and food) to unpacking when the I have served as a Councillor in York destination was reached. The down on two occasions, and whilst Local side was that my mother took on Government is a business. total responsibility to house, feed and I believe that to serve their community provide a doctors not only for the Councillors need to learn about nearly had second thoughts servants but also their families. all the businesses. It is not just when I was asked whether or not I roads, drainage and footpaths but wouldI be prepared to talk about my My mother was a great one for understanding if businesses are not background and why I came to live in embracing everybody’s culture. viable they cannot pay rates. In the the Wheatbelt. Both my parents were We had Hindu’s, Muslims, Gurkhas current economic climate rural towns English but I was born in India. and Sikhs amongst our servants. have to not only contend with financial My father was in the British Army and We celebrated all the festivals. decline but an ageing population. I was brought up in a artificial society We lived in India until 1948. A lot of created by the Raj, with Victorian rules people don’t realise that if you’re born The worst moments in life teach you and prejudices inflicted upon females. in another country and you can’t go to be humble. I had a bad accident I called it living in a fish bowl. back, you are virtually a displaced and broke my back in three places, person. but since my glass has always been Both my parents came from a little Mill half full I’m allowed to feel sorry for town in Lancashire called Mossley. As a woman in an Army culture you myself for just a short period. If this My mother (one of four children) was have to protect your reputation. had happened in a third world country orphaned at 8 years old. Went to work My brothers would do whatever they I would probably be dead. at an early age, and worked her way liked. The first time I was allowed up to become a sample hand in a to go out on my own without a My advice to a young person would weaving mill. India must have been a male family escort, was when I was be to find a job you love and do it. shock for her going from being poor nineteen. I went to the New Years You don’t need a house with six and working hard to a large house Ball at Raffles Hotel in Singapore bedrooms, so have reasonable with servants and nothing to do. and my partner was gay, so he was achievable expectations. Army families are constantly on the considered safe! My mother believed move from the plains to the hills and it wasn’t a lifestyle choice, but that What do I love about Australia, other back again to avoid the heat. When you were born that way. than the freedom is that the whole the war came to Burma, my father country bursts into colour. The white was in Calcutta and Mum and the I moved to York for the arts, craft and sand and turquoise water is stunning. children stayed in Ranikhet, a summer festival. The days of the Jazz Festival Now who couldn’t be happy and love hill station and cut off in the winter by have long gone but one hopes that that? snow. it will come back. York has tourist potential in spades, having most of Human - Patricia Walters My mother worked out very early the attractions that Margaret River has Interviewer & photographer – on that it was easier to keep the but only one hour from Perth. Olive Anna Cornish same servants. The upside to this oil, bread, olives, beef, lamb, pork, Writer – Guy Salvidge arrangement was that the servants macadamia nuts and Motor Museum, were good at organising constant yet York isn’t promoted in the same relocations from packing, travel way. arrangement (accommodation

60 Pat 61 I moved to Northam at the beginning try my best to have a positive impact of winter and it looked so dry and I on everyone I meet. thought, what I have gotten myself into. But then came the rains and the The saddest moment in my life was fields looked green and beautiful. losing my maternal grandfather. It was am from Madras, India, and A Northam sunset can be seen from sudden and I had a huge argument moved to Australia to pursue studies across the Great Eastern Highway with him the previous night and I told inI Health Economics and Policy. I am is one of the best I have seen him I never wanted to see him again. the only son so my parents weren’t anywhere in the world. The Wheatbelt He passed away in his sleep and I very happy when I wanted to move community has been welcoming could never apologise. to Australia, but they have now made and made me feel comfortable and peace with my decision. Madras is Northam now feels like home. I am the If I can time travel I will advice myself famous for its temples, spices, and programs manager at the Wheatbelt not to procrastinate. Do it today. filter coffee. Interestingly there are Health Network and I manage ITC My philosophy in life is to keep things studies that link South Indians and (Aboriginal Chronic Disease Program) simple but effective. the Australian Aboriginals. A lot of and ICDC (Allied Health Program for people I meet think I am Aboriginal till Chronic Disease). Human - Babu Sajjad I speak. Interviewer - Samantha Connor I took up smoking when I was in Photographer – Anna Cornish I am a dentist by trade but realised college. Some would say, I am a I would make a bigger impact on hypocrite for smoking and being a society if I can work in developing dentist, but I say, I am just a human. healthcare policies. I have always Boxing as a sport is very close to my enjoyed problem-solving and heart as it helped me quit smoking leadership. My father worked in Dubai for good. In my first few weeks of in an oil refinery and in the 80s and training, I couldn’t stop throwing up 90s, he could only visit the family as my lung capacity was poor. I love every two years. I still remember the adrenaline rush and recently took waiting for my dad’s call at 5 PM up Scuba Diving. A swan wreck in With every Friday at my neighbour’s house, Dunsborough was one of the best as we did not have a telephone at dives in my life. I would love to get community; home. a chopper license one day and volunteer as a rescue pilot for the comes My wife is a dentist too and I met her Ambulance. at work. Our families are like chalk friendship. and cheese. We differ in religion, An incident that turned my life around politics, language, and beliefs. was when I was 14 years old and saw So, it wasn’t a boy met a girl story a funeral procession of a prominent from Bollywood movies, but we made community leader. There must have it happen. She has a very different been at least 200,000 people. I asked perspective on life than I do and myself, how many would attend my hence I consider her opinion very funeral when I die and since that day I valuable.

62 63 Babu it so publicly but that’s what my Locals Care. I used to be in the street daughter wanted me to do - so I did theatre for 8 years at Moondyne it. My daughter actually spoke to me festival until my legs got the better of and asked me to be part of the show me. - it was important to her. I thought we was born on Sydney’s leafy had a communication breakthrough. The greatest moment of life would North Shore but my parents lived in My daughter is a lawyer and I think all have to still be having my daughter. PenshurstI St George area in a typical those years she felt she was hiding Another great moment was winning working-class area. My mother was the truth about her father. It was such the 2016 State award for the Cursed a bookkeeper and my father was a a clear black and white case in the Café. We won in 2 categories. fitter and turner. We were St George law - he was clearly guilty of murder. That has to be the pinnacle of dragons supporters. achievements in the food of my The publicity around my ex-husband career. It is such nice recognition for I have been in Toodyay for 21 years. came at the wrong time for us – it was the hard work We initially bought 5 acres to put a 1997 and we had just lost 2 hardware weekender on and it grew to a 4x2 stores, Peter (my husband) declared The worst moment of my life was house then we ended up living there. bankruptcy and we lost our houses. when my mother died. I was totally We lived in Toodyay for 7 years then Peter then had a heart attack. unprepared. She had a stroke and we bought Black Wattle in 2005. We both feel that this all contributed lived another month. She wasn’t the to this stressful time. same after that. She used to love I had two children - my first boy was singing - I remember after the stroke stillborn and a daughter who is now Thankfully we still had land in my daughter send me a photo of her 35 years old. She is a foster mum to Toodyay. We started again. It was in hospital singing with a cup of tea. 2 boys and had a little girl on 4th April really hard. But I have always been She wasn’t found for 4 days after - Grace Elizabeth. Both my parents motivated - if there is a problem then the stroke at home - if she had worn passed away - my mother in 2015. I need to find a solution. We dragged the medical alert then maybe things With that ceased my connection with ourselves back out of it. would have been different. She was Sydney - I got on a plane and haven’t 87. Mentally she was fiery. I imagined been back. Whilst working in a kitchen in the she would last another 10 years. mines - I fell and broke my leg in 7 I have a little bit of contact with my places and that’s when all the health My advice would be to study really grandchildren but my daughter and I dramas started. The most frustrating hard and achieve your best. Try hard. had a falling out in 2015 when mum thing in my life is not being able to do Achieve something. Break the cycle. passed away. It is incredibly sad. what I want because of pain. I thought she might want to find a Human - Lynda Burke need for me when she had her own We bought Black and I started my Interviewer & photographer - babies. I thought childbirth was the catering business as well with the Anna Cornish worst pain until I had a gallbladder vintage dining room. attack! That was the worst. The Toodyay community gets together I do have an interesting history with when there is a need. It’s amazing my ex-husband that was on Australian how they pull amazing things out of Story. I never thought I would discuss nowhere. I’m involved in Toodyay 64 65

Lynda There was an old hut that was really for twelve months and they come a milking shed down by the pool and back full of enthusiasm for doing great we did some work on it and it became things. That gladdens my heart to our clubrooms. We used to take a see. There’s enough grief in this world radiogram down there on a Friday so it’s nice to see young people who was born and bred in Northam night to play records and dance. have their heads screwed on the right and I’ve lived here all my life, which is way. seventy-fourI years. I always thought I am a little sad about the closing of that home was where you make the old pool, but it’s past its use-by In the building industry these days, it. There were some times when I date now and the Shire had been some of the rules and regulations we thought it might be nice to go live on having a lot of problems with it. have to abide by have become quite the coast, but when you think about it Just like us, as we get older it takes traumatic. It was a lot easier when I there’s no place like Northam. a lot more effort to make us look was an apprentice. People nowadays beautiful! demand a lot more. That can be a We’ve had a lot of immigrants come good thing, as competition keeps us through over the years so I got to The worst times in my life were on our toes. meet Polish, Ukrainians, and everyone probably when my mother and else and I still have a lot of them as father passed on. Both of my sisters My dad was pretty inspirational to friends. The local people here are have left this earth too. I think that’s me growing up. We’d get up in the fantastic. sad because I’m a very family morning and have breakfast and then orientated person. If I was going away be at work by eight o’clock. As a child, I first went to Northam somewhere, I’d always want my family We worked so well together and there Primary School before Avonvale there with me. was never a cross word between us. PS was built, then moved over to I have a similar relationship with my Avonvale when it opened. I did my The thing I’m proudest of in my life are own son. He keeps up with all the secondary schooling at Northam my four children: one boy and three new technology and I just let him get Senior High School and then did girls. My eldest daughter is a ward on with it. a five-year apprenticeship with my receptionist at Hollywood Hospital. father, who was a local builder. It was Another daughter is a pathology In terms of advice I have for young and still is a family-owned business. technician, the third works here people, we all see a lot of doom My father was a great boss and very in Northam at Café Yasou, and of and gloom on the television and in fair. These days, my son is part of the course, my son works in the business the newspapers. Everyone needs business which brings us up to five with me. I have grandchildren guidance and they don’t always get generations that have been involved and great-grandchildren, so we’re it, so the kids of today are sometimes in W. Gibbs and Son. doing very well in the population left operating on their animal instincts. department! We all hear about young people The way I met my wife Ann was I was behaving badly, but I believe that a lot the boy captain and she was the girl I used to be a member of the Lions of responsibility should be directed at captain of the Northam Swimming Club here in Northam. I’m also the parents. Club. I’m three years older than she President of the Northam Rotary is and we started going out when club. This is the third time I’ve been Human - Ian Gibbs she was sixteen. It was a good life President in my thirty-odd years in Interviewer - Shirley Cook that I had in my early years despite Rotary. I get a lot out of it, especially Photographer - Anna Cornish the restrictions that were put on me. the Youth Exchange program. We Writer - Guy Salvidge send our students all over the world 66 Ian67 I went to primary school in Goomalling I play football for the Goomalling then 5 years of boarding school in Football Club, it’s a great time to Perth - that was a long time! I’m glad catch up with mates every week I did it now. I made some lifelong - farming can be pretty lonely. friends that I still regularly catch up Goomalling is sitting pretty on top grew up and live in Jennacubbine with. of the ladder at the moment in the - on the Northam-Pithara Rd between league and the reserves - only a few I don’t think I will follow the family NorthamI and Goomalling. I work on games until the finals. We are all tradition and go into politics. My the farm growing oaten hay - it gets pretty excited. mainly exported to Japan as they older sister is politics mad and have a high demand for fresh milk so lives in Brisbane. She works for I’m a big West Coast Eagles fan - my they have a lot of cows. These cows Annastacia Palaszczuk, the Premier Dad’s a Collingwood supporter so need to be fed. That is mainly what of Queensland. I do think that Labor it was a very quiet house for a few we do. does help people who have it a little weeks last year! tougher. There have been some We have a few rivers run through the leaders who are great in opposition I also play cricket in summer - I property and we worked out that that but not so in power and vice versa - played hockey for a few years when I we could grow hay in the low country both need different skills. was younger. When I was in Year 7 - to avoid frost, and it’s made its way we won the hockey and football grand up the hill and pretty much over the My plan was always to stick to finals all on the same day - it was a whole farm. It works for us. We store farming - I went to university for a great year. while but didn’t really like any of the it in sheds. We truck it to New Norcia My advice would be to always grab then it’s processed and put into courses so I came back to the family farm. every chance you get. I remember containers. It then goes back via truck Justin Langer once saying he once – almost past our house to Perth then I have been to London. I’m a mad got the opportunity to play for Fremantle where it gets put into boats cricket fan so going to Lords was Australia and open the batting even bound for Japan, China, and South a bit like going to heaven. We got though he wasn’t an opening batsman Korea. to watch the teams train, the actual but he took the chance and turned West Australia has been pretty lucky game was all sold out. I went to Paris out to one of the all-time greats. He with the drought and actually had too. The Eiffel Tower was one of the said that taught him to grab every a good year last year. This year has few places that is better in real life opportunity. I think that is the same started well but it’s drying out now than in photos. It was pretty amazing. for everything. In the Netherlands - it was an eye- and we wouldn’t mind a little bit more It’s great to go away on a holiday but rain. opener to see the new lands below sea level because everything is done so good to also be back home. This is The seasons go in waves, good and so perfectly - they have been able to where I want to be. bad, and with the cost of everything, learn from previous mistakes. it can really take a toll on farmers. Human - Dylan West Families break up and people lose In cricket, my favourite current player Interviewer - Anna Cornish their farms and their livelihood. We is Steven Smith and my all-time Photographer - Ebony Taylor are lucky to have a tight-knit group of favourite has to be Mike Hussey. I mates - we can knock about together love the way he went about playing, so we watch out for each other. he had to wait till he was 30 to get Mental health is important. into the team but then made the most of it. 68 Dylan 69 community and print media. In the I went to Europe for a music country, you get to build relationships school trip when I was 16 as part that you could never have in the city. of the school orchestra. I play the That made my job really rewarding. saxophone and give lessons to a woman in Toodyay every week. ’m 23 years old and have been Anxiety and depression has always living in Northam since December run through our family especially One of my favourite memories 2017I when I started a job as the in the females. I am really lucky was when my family and I went to journalist at the Avon Valley and that I have a great GP so that has Exmouth in July 2019. It was where Wheatbelt Advocate newspaper. been helpful for finding the correct my mum grew up. She hadn’t been Prior to moving to Northam, I lived in medication. I also suffered what back since she was 9 years old when Perth with my mother, father, and little I would describe as disordered her father passed away. We went to brother Matthew. eating. When I found out I was gluten where he was buried – we couldn’t intolerant I became obsessed about find a flower shop so we raided a I have wanted to be a journalist since I my eating. I think there needs to be frangipani tree where we were staying was 10 years old. My grandfather was more awareness and support for kids. and it turns out that they were the a journalist for the West Australian. same flower my grandparents had on He was originally from England and My mum is a teacher and there was their wedding day. It was really nice to did a lot of community papers there. never an expectation that I should go be able to do that. He passed away before he could ever to university but that is what I wanted see me become a journalist - he had to do. My dad went to university as I also feel very blessed to have met suffered from Parkinson’s for a long a mature age student and became my boyfriend during my time living in time. I loved my job over the 2 and a a chaplain at several high schools Northam. He was part of the Fresh half years I did it. It taught me a lot before working as a Baptist pastor for Start Recovery Program when we about myself and also what it means nearly 15 years. met and our friendship developed to be part of a community. I left that into a relationship. He is the hardest job as a result of COVID-19 and My mum is my best friend. She working person I know and never began working for a Federal politician moved to an Aboriginal settlement as has a bad word to say about anyone. managing his media. That’s already a teacher all by herself when she was Despite some trials he has faced in proving to be a really rewarding job. 21. I always figured that if she could his 27 years of life, he is full of love for do that I could also do anything. others. He inspires me to be a better One of the most important skills I person each day. learned during my time as a journalist I go to the Philippines every year since was meeting people at their point the typhoon Yolanda hit in 2013 and My advice to others would be to take of need. I always enjoyed forming there was so much damage done. I chances and don’t be so quick to relationships with the community and go over with a group of friends and an say no to opportunities - you never highlighting the great stuff that was organisation called Kids International know where it might lead you and the happening in the community. I was Ministries. We do construction. I really people you will meet. never out to get people or destroy love the food especially pineapple; lives - I hope that came across during they have stores on the side of the Human – Eliza Wynn my time in the role. road and they cut it up like a lollipop Interviewers & Photographer – and it is amazing! Anna Cornish & Babu Sajjad I always thought I would go into TV journalism but I really did enjoy 70 Eliza 71 John called me the next night. I told marks everywhere. Three crows were him I had enough problems of my on his grave – it was time to leave own. I took John’s children and drove John alone. So I did. back to Three Springs where I was looking after 4000 emus. We were I have lots of beautiful moments in love my garden. I love doing looking for John along the road as he my life. When I first became a mum flower arrangements. Wild flower was a shearer. Everything felt so still and when I became a grandmother pickingI makes me so happy. and quiet. at 42. It’s just gorgeous being a We grew up on sheep stations around grandmother and even more gorgeous Perenjori WA. I had a big family with I woke up a 3 am. I had this pained being a great grandmother. I have lots 12 people. I had the best dad anyone feeling in my heart. I know something to do with my grandkids and they just could have, he was such a lovely had happened but I didn’t know what. love their granny. man. He worked on the station. I started the day feeding the Emus. My sister in law rang she asked if I My advice would be always to be I had three boys. They have was sitting down then she said ‘John honest, keep your dignity, and don’t all multiplied now. I have 12 committed suicide this morning’. I just steal. grandchildren and 2 great- went crazy. I smashed the phone. grandchildren. My baby will be turning When my son John took his life my You have to turn the sad moments 50 this year. whole world changed. into happy ones or you will go crazy and be unhappy. We moved to Carnamah in 1966 I was in the ABC news at the time- and that’s I started to really live life. fighting corruption within the Wiluna Human - Iris Guilmartin (née Green) I played netball, umpired netball, community. Money had been stolen interviewers - Tom Gratis Roh coached netball – everything netball. for projects. I stood up to a lot of men. & Anna Cornish My boys played football. I had a total breakdown. I went to Photographer - Tom Gratis Roh Darwin with an elder to recover and I took them into the bush and taught heal for a few weeks but ended up them bush tucker. My sons are staying 10 years. I came back with an now doing the same with their kids. Arts Degree! Kids have got to know their identity and they all do. They are all proud I used to walk every street in Darwin, Aboriginals. meditate, and then go to University. The girl that is doing the exhibition I’m still friends with a lady who used in Toodyay was actually one of my Community to look after my kids in 1970 – we just lecturers. It makes me smile. All the had lunch the other day. connections. is like a big

My husband had been in and out of I came back to Toodyay because this family. hospitals with brain tumours. He was is my home. in the ward when a little bird tapped on his hospital window. It was a sign I kept visiting my son’s grave. One for me to go home. day all the flowers had been moved to different graves. There were bird 72 Iris 73 there were 800 kids. It was interesting I love two wheels - motorbike and watching that journey. scooters. I have had road bikes, race bikes and dirt bikes. It’s a passion. I I am now the Principal of Avonvale also have surfboards and kayaks. Primary School that is a lovely school am originally from England - I in Northam. We have made the The best moments of my life so far came to Australia first in 1996 to play focus of the school about supporting have been travelling - driving through professionalI Rugby League in the families and students to give them the Europe, my bothers wedding in the Canberra League. I played pretty hard tools that they need so that there are south of France, America - Niagara and can feel it now in my knees and fewer obstacles and barriers in their Falls, driving a Kingswood HZ shoulders! learning journey. around Australia. Also great moment watching my girls achieve things - on Before that, I played two years of As a teacher, you have a small circle the dancefloor and reading. Professional Rugby League in the of influence but as a principal, I have UK. Whilst I was playing, a contact had an even greater influence and Professional sports was amazing but suggested I try playing in Australia impact on the community. I enjoy it was so analysed it turned a hobby - I had wanted to backpack around working in schools that have more into a job. Another proud moment was Australia so it made sense. I returned complex issues so you have to work when my mum got a MBE - Matilda to England and on my first rugby hard to build relationships and trust and I went to Buckingham Palace. We game back I snapped my anterior with children and parents. were 10m away from the Queen. It was very exciting. Going to Wembley cruciate ligament (ACL). Then I started I am still a teacher. I want to teach coaching the juniors whilst I was to see my rugby team get into the children. I care about the kids in my finals was also amazing. recovering and found I was pretty school and want them to achieve all good at it plus I enjoyed it. I decided they can. I enjoy working with parents The worst moment was when my dad then and there to change my career to make sure they get the support passing away. It was 3 years ago. He from physiotherapy to teaching. they need. died on holiday in Bali. He was the most frail I had ever seen him. We As a primary school teacher, I enjoy I am enjoying the Wheatbelt. I feel teaching all subjects - the only subject spent a week with him and he stayed like Northam is filled with villages, just on for an extra week. He died on his I steered away from was PE - mainly like where I grew up. I like how close because my mother advises the final night. Looking back I felt that everything is. I just love not having maybe he was saying goodbye. government on PE curriculum across traffic. No traffic jams. I can also see the UK so I have deliberately stayed so many things happening here. There My advice to people would be - whilst away from teaching that so I wouldn’t is building going on, a new swimming you can have a lot of fun when you be compared to my mother. I do still pool, wine bars. I think Northam is on are young - if you just knuckle down love to teach maths. the cusp of greatness. in school then you will have more fun later on. I lived in a caravan for three years I have two girls, Matilda is 11 years while building a house in Brigadoon - old and Mia is 8 years old. I have my summers were pretty hot! Human – Adam Marchant girls every weekend. The girls are just Interviewer & Photographer - After teaching for several years I loving Northam. We walk down the Anna Cornish became a Deputy Principal in 2012 river. They both get along with each Writer – Liam Cleak at Aveley Primary School. The school other well - apart from the standard started with 212 kids and by 2018 sibling issues. We are looking at High Schools now. 74 75

Adam I was the child in the middle. I was through. He thought he did but he christened in hospital because they didn’t. told my mum that I wouldn’t survive. The day that Richard died was the There are many memorable moments day they legalised same sex marriage n July I will have been in Toodyay I have had in my life so far. One of in New Zealand. We wanted to go for 25 years. I was born in Swan them would be going to New York to Milford Sound in New Zealand DistrictsI in Perth, we lived there for 4 within 12 months of September 11. – it was a big thing he had been years before moving to Christchurch There were still making it ground zero. planning when he was sick. He was for 11 years. We returned to Perth I was with Richard. Its interesting that still planning on doing things but just when I was 16 years old. if you stand on the footpath opposite never got there. Century 21 – you hear all the hustle I found out after my grandfathers and bustle of the noisy city. But as 12 months later I took his ashes death that his name had been soon as you stood near the fencing to 4 special places including a tiny changed on his birth certificate. He - it went silent. You know that you cathedral on a hill in the South of had been born out of wedlock. were in a spiritual place – it was mass France. grave. Our true family name is Dickson who Richard was awarded the Rural Health owned a printing press and started I met Richard through friends in Award when he was already sick. the paper in Christchurch. My great the city. He was already living and After he died he was awarded an grandmother didn’t like the fact that working in Toodyay. His accountant Order of Australia. If Richard was alive her sister had a baby out of wedlock told him that a medical centre he wouldn’t have accepted the award so she adopted my father and had wouldn’t work – but he bought it – he would have asked ‘what have I all the papers changed. She had the anyway. It was originally located at the done that is amazing’ – other people power. They put her in a TB hospital Curry Club Cafe. have created vaccines and I haven’t. and said she had TB and let her stay there until she died even though she I have always been involved in the I met my current partner Simon 3 didn’t have TB. Toodyay Christmas Street Party. I years ago. It’s a different relationship helped do the big one the year after and it has to be I guess. He has My father was looking at buying a new the fire. It was arranged all within 3 also lost a partner. We had a bit in place and was looking at a 5 hectare weeks. It needed to happen. It needed common. Its good. I’m happy again. block. They looked at lots of blocks to be the break. Our house survived We are making new memories. and couldn’t find anything quite right. the Toodyay fire – but nothing around us survived. The best community we My advice would be have dreams, They found one on top of a hill and ever had was when the fire happened. make plans, aim for the sky. If you as it turns out that it was on the land Good came out of bad. reach half-way you have done well. that had been part of the TB hospital Put yourself out there. Life isn’t a text where his real grandmother had been We had a lady called Rita helping book. and passed away. They lived in that us when Richard was sick She house for 20 years. It is funny how once asked him ‘why you?’ and he Human – Sean Byron things happen. answered ‘why not me’ and she was Interviewers –Tom Gratis Roh floored. He felt so sorry for all years & Anna Cornish I had an older brother and younger he treated people for cancer that he Photographer – Anna Cornish sister but they both passed away. didn’t know what they were going 76 Sean 77 all over Western Australia and in the One day I would love to create last fifteen years that has extended a community meditation event, to other parts of Australia. Seeing where we could all get together and some of the things that farming collectively meditate. There are so communities have to endure when it many known health benefits from am definitely a Wheatbelt Girl. comes to disease control can be very mindful meditation, especially for I was born and grew up at the confronting. It is so important, in my mental health. CunderdinI Agricultural College until opinion, to help the as best I can as it I was nineteen and then moved really affects a community’s livelihood. Anytime I have to leave Northam to Northam where I still live today. I miss the Avon River the most. Both of my parents worked at the I am very lucky to have travelled in my Something that I have always done is Agricultural College and my father life. My biggest trip would have to be take a walk around the river whether was there for forty-seven years as a when I went overseas to Canada with it be by myself or with my family. It is demonstrator, teacher and assistant my Canadian born partner. my favourite part of the town. farm manager. The town where he grew up reminded me so much of my own country I love music, as my partner is a I always knew I wanted to work in town life. The people there are very musician who plays drums, guitar and agriculture, which is why I never friendly and welcome you into their harmonica. Getting involved with his strayed very far from it. I was community on the prairies. Canada music has helped me strip back to my seventeen when I left the agricultural has some of the most spectacular true self. My mum and my dad have college and straight away started scenery I have ever seen. Apart been the strongest influences in my work for the Department of Primary from Canada, I love travelling to life and have guided me from the very Industries and Regional Development. Bali, Thailand and New Zealand was beginning. Also, I am not ashamed to especially beautiful. say that my two ex-husbands have I began as a technical officer in 1992 influenced who I am today, because for a soils group and have worked in I have two children of my own and all of our life’s experiences shape us numerous jobs, most recently as a two step children. My kids are in some way whether it be bad or Senior Biosecurity Officer. Thirty years definitely my greatest success story, good. working in the industry has taught me and they have both made me very so much but I really started learning proud on many occasions. I have one My advice to a younger “me” would it early in life on the farm with my sister who lives in Perth and we stay be always try to take your time. I have parents. in touch as we are very close. spent my whole life in the Wheatbelt and I feel that it is so important to My favourite childhood memories are Outside of work I love yoga and take your time and sample all the life on the farm. I learnt to drive at ten meditation. I have a holistic approach small and wonderful things that such years old and most of the skills I now to everything in my life and I a beautiful place like the Wheatbelt use in my day to day work life I picked encourage my work mates to be the has to offer. up as a young farm girl. Contributing same. A healthy work-life balance is to the agriculture industry here in the paramount to having good mental Human - Peta Fissioli Wheatbelt has been so rewarding. health. I love working in my garden. Interviewer & Photographer - The more that I have discovered the Paula Whittington I now work as a senior biosecurity benefits of meditation, the more I Writer - Liam Cleak officer dealing mainly with animal enjoy grounding myself in nature. disease control and emergency Just walking barefoot on the grass or response activity. My work takes me sitting in nature is enough for me to 78 rest and refocus. Peta79 Farm. I worked as a remote weather front paddocks for the next Art Trail. observer for BOM and on boats Since being in Toodyay I have maintaining pearl shells. The kids coordinated the seasonal videos for spent most hours after school fishing Toodyay Chamber; was a founding and camping. member of Toodyay Farmers oodyay has been my home Market; lobbied for AvonLink Train for 9 years, though I spent the first After this, it was time for desert life. Service; and, was the secretary for 12T years of my life on a farm near Now in my 30s, nearly a decade Permaculture West Association. Lake King, before travelling to a large was with remote Pilbara Aboriginal A couple of years back I was asked Pilbara pastoral lease. I have a clear communities coordinating government to support the local Aboriginal memory of the dirt roads, covered in projects and experiencing Martu life. Corporation. The group has some dust and camping at nights. I now While with Irrungadji community we exciting cultural heritage information live with my partner Bob on a small also dabbled in gold prospecting, had projects. I also provide support to acreage in Toodyay where I enjoy a wildlife sanctuary, and I was an East Arts Toodyay. I recently commenced living through permaculture principles Pilbara Shire councillor. a three-year term as a Director on and making memorable experiences In my 40s I headed into Port Hedland Wheatbelt NRM Board. with my grandchildren. and managed a youth organisation, My whole life, while sprinkled with I am a community development and undertook two contracts for the periods of sadness, has been one professional and recently retired from Aboriginal Medical Service, and a long ‘best moment’. A mix of a State Government. I wasn’t always project with BHP Billiton, Health and country upbringing, ventures on high with the Government; in fact, I’ve had Road Safety developing a ‘drink driver seas, remote life in the desert, raising varied work experiences. / drunk walker’ education program. three kids who are now awesome In 2000 I was awarded the Centenary adults, engaging with the community, Upon leaving school, I started nursing Medal. varied work experiences, and now are in Onslow. This was not for me, so living the permie dream. in my late teens, I left Australia with I then ventured into State my boyfriend (soon to be husband) to Government, firstly, as Director for I class all moments as experiences spend time fishing in Indonesian. After Department of Aboriginal Affairs and an opportunity to grow, but one of time in Bali, we sailed to Singapore (DAA) where I travelled widely and the saddest is losing an older brother where our livelihood was fishing in the supported heritage aspirations. in a tragic death when he was only Natuna Sea. Not long after leaving I worked with DAA Pilbara for 10 years 41. Even nursing both parents through for Singapore the boat had problems before being based in Perth. DAA was illness, while sad and exhausting, was and drifted towards Brunei. We were disbanded in 2017 and after time with a beautiful opportunity to get to really always concerned about pirates as the Department of Premier & Cabinet. know them and record their life story. this was the time Vietnamese refugees I retired in early 2018. I would love to tell my 16-year-old self were heading to Australia, post war. On our Toodyay acreage, my daily - always have an attitude of gratitude I headed home prior to the birth of enjoyment comes from my herb and give your inner voice the respect my first child, though life and work gardens and animals. In more recent it deserves. were still in the fishing industry in times I have found an inner artist Carnarvon and Geraldton. and dabbled in crafts. I have also Human - Helen Shanks Interviewer & Writer - Anna Cornish In my late 20s, my family spent time commenced herbal medicine studies. in a bush camp at Cygnet Bay Pearl My father collected old heritage items and I have created an attraction in the 80 Helen81 was born and bred in Toodyay. Most of my family living here too. My parents,I my sister, my brother, nieces and nephews, lots of cousins and my nana are here. It is great to have family living all so close together. I think the only time I ever left was when I worked at a mine site in Meekatharra. I was only twenty at the time and after a little while the isolation was too much for me and I came home.

I keep busy as a cleaner and have my own car detailing business. I am studying Nursing. It can be hard trying to juggle my studies with my work. I love my football – I’m an Eagles fan. I hold roles at the Toodyay football club. The happiest times in my life all involve my nieces and nephews.

Losing my Pop this year was hard. I have had many surgeries for a cleft palate but I have never let that hold me back. School was hard for me.

Toodyay has a sense of community. When the Toodyay fire happened we all pulled together.

My advice would be to get up and keep going. Family is everything. Be a kid for as long as possible.

Human -Tracey Wacura Interviewer & photographer - Paula Whittington Writer - Liam Cleak 82 Tracey engineering things” Joe says. ‘it keeps me fit and keeps my mind active and sharp.

Examples of Joe’s work can be oe left school in 1942 at seen in the Wyalkatchem and the age of 14 and got a job driving Nungarin museums. aJ team of 10 horses ploughing, seeding and harvesting on the farm. Joe’s advice to young people One of things he remembers about is “Be positive and avoid doing his early life is having to cart water negative things” on his shoulders from a soak to the homestead about 3/4 of a mile Human - Joe Naughton away since scheme water “wasn’t Interviewer – Robert Pampling available in those days”. Photographer - Robert Pampling Photography After more than 60 years living the farming life in Yorkrakine, just north of Tamin, Joe moved with his wife to settle in York in 2001 and loves living in York because of its proximity to Perth With no formal training, Joe is a multiple award recipient for his innovations in engineering design and manufacture and has invented and made a wide range of commercially successful things like converting tanks into tractors, designing and developing his Naughton Grain Cleaner, wool presses, Compactor style hammers and crushers ,log splitters and his handy Ladder Safe just to name a few. These days Joe keeps himself busy by continuing to make things in his shed, and at 91 years old, he is as sharp and healthy as someone half his age. “I like to keep busy and love to invent things and be involved in Joe83 high school I weighed about 32 kilos. celebrant and he’s focusing on same- The reason we came to WA was for sex marriages. He’s very passionate me to study Veterinary Science at about marriage equality and other Murdoch. I’m an only child so Mum human rights issues. I feel like I’m and Dad moved over with me. I did always on the same page with my here I lived in the the first two years and while I enjoyed mum and dad. The other most Adelaide Hills as a child, there’s a it—I’d wanted to be a vet since I was amazing woman I know is the CEO Wfestival called the Lights of Lobethal four years old—I decided I didn’t of Cat Haven she is hilarious, driven, which happens at Christmas time. really want to be a vet after all. committed and has been a fantastic The whole town basically decorates friend. their houses with Christmas lights. After I deferred my studies, I got a The streets would be bumper to job at the Cat Haven in Perth and, The best moment of my life has to bumper with cars. We lived on the once I had been there for six months, be now with the recent birth of my side of a steep hill, literally dug into it just became my life. I couldn’t amazing daughter Piedra. I never the side of the hill, so I have some comprehend the idea of leaving. wanted children but Logan did. very amusing memories of people While I was there we started up the I can’t imagine life without her. whose cars didn’t make it up the hill. foster care program. At the time the She is amazing and at 10 months she One time when I was about ten, a car euthanasia rates were something like is starting to walk. broke down on the side of the hill and 70-80% and we managed to reduce we helped a young family with a baby that to around 12%. I was burned out! My advice to a younger self would be into our house to make them a cup of have been to chill and be your own tea. My partner Logan and I have been person. But if I had told myself that together since 2012 after we met at then maybe things wouldn’t have I had some challenging times as a the Cat Haven. I was coordinating the turned out the way they did - so I teenager. I had a few mental health foster care program and she came wouldn’t want to change anything. issues and an eating disorder. on as a foster carer. We moved to Also my advice to me would be have I suffered from bullying throughout Northam at the beginning of 2014 a baby - but only if is it Piedra! my schooling. I got a scholarship while I was working for the RSPCA, so to a private school and I had this for twelve months I was commuting Human – Freedom Bousbury misguided view, probably from to Malaga every day. I thought I was Interviewer – Shirley Cook reading Enid Blyton, that an all-girls literally going to kill myself on the Photographer – Anna Cornish school would be better from a bullying road. I realised there was this huge Writer – Guy Salvidge perspective, but it ended up being gap in any kind of animal rescue significantly worse. Most of the girls provision in Northam. SAFE was had known each other for years and formed - I’ve fostered about 1500 they were all from wealthy families cats in the past five years! with different interests to my own. It was also at that time that I realised My mum and dad are definitely the I was gay. Someone went into my most influential people in my life. locker, stole my diary and literally They’re dedicated and supportive read it aloud, so I was outed in the parents, but they’re also just good most painful and public way. I started people. Dad recently completed self-harming and by the time I finished his studies to become a marriage 84 85 Freedom coordinators of the various regions. now with my two youngest. My eldest I’m going to be moving up to South kids, who are in their late twenties Hedland soon and my work will be in and early thirties now, tell me I was Karratha, so I’ll be like a FIFO. rough with the discipline when they Up north some of my passions for the were growing up. I was a Juvenile ’m a Ballardong man, the eldest outdoors will be rekindled, like fishing. Custodial Officer after all! Now I’m of four kids. I’m originally from I don’t smoke, drink or anything like quite different, a lot more relaxed. Kellerberrin.I My mum had seven that. My hobby is my family. The happiest moments of my life all sisters and one brother and they’re involve my children. Being a father spread across the Wheatbelt. A lot I have a lot of great memories of makes me very proud. The saddest of aunties, uncles and cousins live in growing up in the Wheatbelt. It’s a moment of my life was thirteen years Northam and throughout the region. lovely place, just not in winter! In ago when my eighteen-month-old Kellerberrin, I walked every inch daughter drowned in a pool accident. I have seven children, two of them of that town. I grew up with that She kissed me when I left for work in with my current partner. What I enjoy connection to my family and friends. the morning and six hours later she about Northam is the people. I’ve met My family grew up learning skills like was dead. I have a big tattoo of her a lot of family I didn’t know very well. hay carting or chaff cutting. face on my arm. You meet someone new every day in My grandfather had mining rights Northam. as a salt farmer. We used to go out My parents were definitely the most and rake up salt for the farmers and influential people in my life. They were Growing up, Dad was a church sell it. Kids today don’t necessarily my support and motivation. My dad minister so we moved around a lot. know their family, partly due to the is my role model and he’s inspired I played footy in Geraldton from five transience of some Aboriginal people. me to be the person I am today. I get years of age and I kept playing right My kids know a lot of the stories. my stubbornness from my mum. If I up until my mid-thirties. I’m fifty this We talk about the family trees and believe in something, I’ll stand up and year and I can still feel the effects of who’s related to who. fight for it. Even though she’s seventy the soft tissue and bone injuries I had. now and she’d had a triple heart I think I was born on the wrong side of I’m a big reader and I like real-life bypass, she’s as fit and as feisty as the country because my real passion stories. I’m very interested in kids ever. was rugby league. I was a front rower and life and the tragedies that can and I loved the contact. I’m a very happen. I love cooking, so I also have Human - Kevin Fitzgerald sports oriented person but now if I a lot of cook books. I make a lot of Interviewers - Michelle Thompson look at a footy I pull a hamstring! damper for work and recently I made & Anna Cornish a red velvet cake. I don’t eat the Photographer - Rob Adams I worked as a Juvenile Custodial cakes because I’m a diabetic. Writer - Guy Salvidge Officer in Juvenile Detention Centres My mum was involved with the old in Perth for fifteen years, but now I’m CWA in Kellerberrin and she did a the senior Aboriginal mental health lot of sewing and cooking. When we worker in Northam, working with the came home from school, there were Health Department. I’ve been doing cakes and cookies for us. this job for the past four years. In my role at the moment I attend a lot of I was very young when I had my first meetings in Perth and I know all the children and I feel like more of a dad 86 87 Kevin I’m involved in the local Rainmakers make some phone calls. He wasn’t community group, which is working always being bombarded with phone on getting the old ski club up and calls and information all day. It can be running again. We’re looking at difficult, especially for young blokes buying the ski lake, but negotiations trying to take over the reins of the grew up in Quairading and moved are still ongoing. Rainmakers events family farm. We’re living in a world to Busselton. I attended Busselton used to be the biggest in town, but where everyone wants everything SeniorI High School and I later spent insurance issues have curtailed that. now. I remember when I was a kid if I two years up in Broome working as a It’s also a changing demographic wanted to download a video it might mechanic. in that everyone has kids now and take three hours. It used to be that everyone’s trying to run a business freight took three days, but now if My memories of growing up are of and be adults instead of having fun! people don’t get their freight the next working hard and having fun. I always day it’s a big issue for them. If people enjoyed doing sheep work and I’m married with three kids. Two of my want to speak to someone, they push helping on the farm. Growing up here, children are twins which is interesting a button and call them, and if no one you knew everyone and you could just and a bit of fun. The oldest is four answers they get upset. I’m guilty of relax. and a half and the twins are three. overusing my phone too and getting Having my kids were some of the stuck on it when I ought to be doing Altogether I was away from happiest moments of my life and something else. Quairading for eight years. I’m not they always put a smile on my face. a fan of Perth; one of my happiest There’s always something breaking, My old man is probably the most memories is of driving up Greenmount something silly, but we can always influential person in my life. He always Hill! When I came back to live here, laugh about it. We’re trying to get the had the confidence in backing me in I worked for a few years on a farm and pony club in town up and running to what I wanted to do. He trusts me and then bought the local tyre shop, which give the kids something else to do. he guides me as well. I’ve been running for three years now. I love the space here and the people A lot of farmers are encouraging their One piece of advice I’d give to a are nice. I had wanted to add another children to get a trade nowadays younger person is to always stay string to my bow and the tyre shop instead of just going straight into farm motivated. What I’ve often seen is had been on the market for a while, so work. There are a lot of farmers now that a lot of people don’t have much I went for it. I believe we need a tyre who have four or five farms under of a work ethic anymore. When I’m shop here in Quairading. their name. They all feel the pressure looking for someone to work for me, to keep growing. In the past that I’m looking for someone who can The local Shire has been good to would have been four or five families. stay busy. If there’s nothing to do, try us in supporting local businesses sweeping the floor instead of scrolling plus community initiatives. They are Things have changed over the on your phone. looking at some building projects and years in farming, especially in terms trying to stimulate tourism here. of communication. These days Human - Lyle Green The local Community Resource you’re always on call. When Dad Interviewer & photographer - Centre does an amazing job of was farming, the phone was in the Paula Whittington printing out maps for local businesses house and he was out working in Writer - Guy Salvidge to display too. the paddock. He’d do a whole day’s work and then come inside and then 88 Lyle 89 4 sisters and my mum is one of 13 to TDHS while my daughter attends siblings so it’s a big gathering and a Little Ducklings FDC twice a week. lot of delicious food when our family They both are such eager learners and gets together. very happy with their surroundings.

love living in Toodyay. I have two Working with refugees at the Northam I also volunteer my time at the library kids, a six-year-old and a three-year- detention centre was a huge eye- for Story and Rhyme Time when old.I My parents live in Port Hedland, opener for me to experience and needed. Children are our future and which is where I was born, and my see what they had gone through in it’s important for them to grow up in family is from the Cocos (Keeling) different parts of the world. I realise an environment where they can be Islands in WA. I have an older brother how lucky we are to live in such an safe and happy and able to learn. who was born on Christmas Island. amazing country. I am now relief You’ve got to set the foundation with teaching at Toodyay and Bolgart your kids and raise them the way that I moved to Perth to study Arts and School. feels right to you. then Education. When my husband and I moved here in 2011, I was One of my worst moments was when My husband and I have a little amazed at how welcoming and I had a car accident on the way to acreage farm and we are all about friendly everyone was. It really is a Exmouth in 2005. I lost control of sustainable living. We have sheep, beautiful community to be a part of the car on the soft gravel. The car goats, ducks, peacocks, chickens, and happily call home. rolled several times and my husband a cat, dog, fish, a corella, reptiles, saved me. He saw flames underneath and a snake. We think it is the best My husband was one of the co-hosts the car and pulled me through my environment for raising our kids. They on the television show Fishing WA shattered window. He took two or have their own vegetable garden and and now he owns Perth Fishing TV three large steps away from the car as enjoy helping tend to all the animals. which does live streaming shows in a he was carrying me and there was a Teaching them life skills and how to studio and fishing on location talking huge explosion. He got out unscathed grow and produce your own food, we about all the ins and outs of fishing in while I sustained minor injuries to my feel, is very important. WA. left hand. We were both extremely lucky. My advice for younger people is that My parents are the most influential if you really want something, get people in my life, my dad especially. A year later my husband encouraged yourself out there, put your mind to it, He proudly worked for BHP with over me to drive along that same stretch and make it happen. You can’t expect 35 years of service before retiring. My of road to give me some closure things to fall nicely into your lap with parents and family are Cocos Malay from the ordeal. It was a very surreal hardly any effort. Be proactive and be and were all brought up in their little feeling. We could still see the burn true to yourself. community village on Home Island. I marks on the ground and burnt pieces take from their culture and traditions... of metal from seatbelts and fishing Human - Kartini Hocking the language, the food, festive equipment. My husband and I both Interviewer - Paula Whittington celebrations, and family gatherings, decided to live life to the fullest from Photo - supplied which I try to instil into my children as that moment on. Writer - Guy Salvidge they grow to keep our traditions alive and to not lose my roots. I love to volunteer and my kids are at that early years stage, so I run I’m proud to be first-generation Cocos the local Kindergym when I’m not Malay born in Australia. My dad has required for relief work. My son goes 90 Kartini 91 I went to Uni and studied Accounting I love living in Northam. I love the and business law. I started working sense of community. I love walking at Budget Rent-a-car in Perth down the street and it becoming where I met Bryan. In 1991 we social occasion. Northam has grown were to operate a Toyota dealership so much in the past nineteen years. grew up in City Beach with my in Kalgoorlie in partnership. We People are starting to think a little mum, a nurse, dad a partner in one accepted and our new challenge bigger and new businesses are ofI large Chartered Accounting firms began! opening up. It is so good to see. and my sister who has an intellect The Avon Valley has so much disability. I have always loved the It was our first introduction to the potential and it’s so nice to see it country and the farming life. My uncle motor vehicle industry and the being realised. and aunt had farms in Cape Riche, learning curve was steep, sometimes Albany and every school holidays vertical!! We relished the challenge. I joined the gym because I know it’s my sister and I would go down to Kalgoorlie was good to us, we had good for your physical and mental the farm and get dirty, ride horses, a great time and made many friends health. I have made some great rounding up cattle and riding in what but after 9 years in partnership friends who make me feel guilty if seemed like endless paddocks. we decided it was time to go into I don’t go. I do like to cook but it We would help in the dairy feeding business on our own. We moved to usually ends in a burnt disaster. poddy calves, search the yard for the Northam and ran Northam Toyota. The fire alarm in my kitchen and I are eggs and generally help out with the We turned it around and it started well acquainted. chores. It was a charmed childhood. to make a profit. It gave us the confidence to expand our business I think getting older is an amazing Dad retired when he was 49 and we and purchased Merredin Toyota. thing. You become so comfortable in left the city for Dardanup where he We also built an automatic car wash. your own skin and you don’t worry so and mum became a hobby farmers on Sold the Toyota and Isuzu business much about what other people think. the property that mum’s parents used and began Northam Mazda, Northam My advice for younger people is to to farm when she was a child. Holden and Northam Suzuki. stop listening to that little voice in your My sister both had a love of horses I think owning a business is such a head that says, ‘maybe you can’t do and riding. We used to shorten our privilege. We have facilitated over it.’ Have a go, believe in yourself and stirrups and race each other around 40 young locals kids gaining a trade if it doesn’t work, don’t be afraid to the paddock pretending we were qualifications and others gaining change direction. Try to always have jockeys. qualifications in sales, service and something you are looking forward finance. to. It doesn’t have to be an expensive Later in life I got to live out my dream overseas holiday, it can be something of being a jockey when I trained up I have a beautiful daughter, Jess, as simple as planting something in the my horse and competed in the Bulgin who has just turned 14. I never really garden and looking forward to seeing and Kulin bush races. We also raced understood the whole reason for it grow. Look forward to tomorrow and in the Ora Banda Cup just out of life thing until she was born. Being try to live life without regrets. Kalgoorlie. Massive adrenalin rush a parent is incredibly rewarding but and we even won a couple of races. also very stressful because you’re Human - Joanne Lee It was a hoot! never sure that you’re doing it right. Photographer - Brad Gridley It’s nice to know that you’ve produced Interviewer - Anna Cornish someone who is kind and generous Writer - Guy Salvidge and just a lovely person. 92 93

Joanne for one year and teach English just to We ended up doing it in 27hrs. have a break. Originally, I was going to Our honeymoon was this amazing go to Japan then a friend suggested challenge thrown in with these Taiwan. Taiwan was paying the same amazing two people. It was a fantastic as Japan but the cost of living was all-round experience. y family came to lower, so it gave me the opportunity Australia in 2010 and I have been in to repay university debts. I went there Worst experience - it’s weird, I don’t Mthe Wheatbelt since mid-2017. never having taught before with an classify things as bad experiences, I am currently the principal of Bolgart educational organization called HESS. I classify them as learning Primary School and live in Coondle. I had to teach American English and experiences. One of those was when I phonics and ended up staying in was backpacking through Africa. My parents were both British and I Taiwan for seven years. I was coming out of Malawi and going was originally born in New Zealand into the north end of Mozambique. and adopted. I went to school and I met my wife when I was running The civil war had died down however university in the UK. England although through the jungle in Taiwan. She was there were still military elements familiar is not classified as home in teaching kindergarten. We used to floating around, I was on this truck my head. Home is always here, where carpool to the running tracks. She is with 20 other people travelling, armed I am now. amazing. We have been together 13 militia pulling us all out the truck. years, married for 10 years, and have I said look mate this is literally all the I studied mathematics and statistics two kids called Max and Zoe who are money I have, it was about $150 that at university initially. I then worked in 8 and 5 years old. was in my wallet. I gave them some casinos looking at table placement. smokes as they rifled through my bag, It was pretty amazing to learn all the My parents knew nothing about and took my camera. strategies that casinos employ to get my adoptive mother. I met up with people to spend their money. I then her and have a half-brother and Some advice - Take the risk, go for worked for an insurance company half-sister. They are about 5/6years the challenge, mess it up, learn. If you looking at servers and how many younger than me. My half-sister and keep saying no to opportunities, you times their servers broke down. I really hit it off together. It was really don’t live. Say yes to stuff, sometimes weird how similar we were in our it will work out, sometimes it won’t, I remember reaching 30 years old actions and our thoughts. doesn’t matter but at least you have - looking out of a London window that experience and you end up with grey skies and an amazing view I am also a sailor. I started when I was growing. thinking what did I really want to do 6 years old. We have a small boat with life. I felt I needed to go and see in Nedlands. We would love to sail My favorite quote is by George the world. around the world one day. Bernard Shaw: “A life spent in making mistakes is not only more honorable The idea of being overseas was not The best experiences of my life has but more useful than a life spent doing new – as a child, I had lived in around been the birth of my children and nothing.” Asia moving every 2-3 years. My dad getting married. We decided we worked for the Hong Kong Shanghai would get married in Hong Kong. Human - David Thewlis Bank. I have lived in Japan, Hong Since we were going to Hong Kong Interviewer - Anna Cornish Kong, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, India, we also decided to compete in the Photographer - Tristan Snooke and Dubai. I decided to go to Taiwan 100km Oxfam Trailwalker with friends. Writer – Anna Cornish 94 95

David a motorbike accident. A bunch of us The saddest moments of my life were were doing the Holland track between probably losing my parents. That was Hyden and Coolgardie when I parted hard to deal with. Mum went first in ways with the motorbike and went 2012 and Dad followed in 2018. By flying into the bush. I spent a few days then I’d been working in the funeral was born in the old hospital in in Kalgoorlie Hospital where scans industry for a couple of years and Northam and I’ve been here all my life. confirmed that I’d broken four or five it made such a difference to me. I TheI building later became part of St ribs. transferred Dad to the funeral home Joseph’s, where I went to school. myself because it was something I’m the youngest in a family of The same scans also uncovered that I could do for him—the last thing I seven—six boys and one girl. The I had kidney cancer. I went in for an could do for him—and it felt amazing. boys were all shearers and my sister operation to remove the tumour from It was an incredible privilege. married a farmer. I too, was a shearer my kidney in August of that year and for some time after I left school, along it didn’t work out as planned. I ended The most influential people in my life with being a “Postie” for Australia up on dialysis in hospital for three were probably my Dad and siblings. Post. weeks, followed by six weeks at home Dad was a quiet man who just got in recovering. To this day I can’t play and got things done. I still look up to My parents had a farm out at hockey, but I can just about ride a him and some of his idiosyncrasies. Southern Brook, which my brother motorbike again. runs now. Dad was there from when I’d have a lot of advice to offer my he was born in 1922 up until he died I’ve had my home renovation and younger self if I could. If given a in 2018. His dad started the farm, so maintenance business for the past second chance I would go down we’re up to the fifth generation now. twenty-five years, which my wife a different path. I’ve always loved coined “Jobs for Mark”. When planes and helicopters, so I’ve dreamt What I enjoy about Northam is the Rhonda and I got married we bought of being a pilot and I once nearly camaraderie of the town. When you a house which I did some work on. became a police officer. have been here for so long, you get to I began to do some renovation and know many people who are willing to maintenance work for friends too and My advice for younger people today is give you a hand when needed. the business grew from there. to try anything and back yourself. At the time, I was a shift worker at the If someone else can do it, you can do My wife Rhonda and I have been flour mill in Northam, so I was able it. Give it a go. married nearly twenty-six years, to work on my home renovation and but we were together for ten years handyman business during the day. Human - Mark Lawrence before that. We met at the Tennis I enjoy renovating and helping my Interviewers - Michelle Thompson and Club in Southern Brook. We have two clients achieve their vision. Anna Cornish daughters, Meg and Tess. Tess is Photographer - Rob Adams coming up sixteen and Meg is nearly In early 2016, I fell into doing some Writer - Guy Salvidge twenty-one and studying medicine at work for Purslowe Tinetti Funerals and UWA. I’ve been doing it ever since. It’s a job I take great pride in and has changed I used to play indoor and outdoor my outlook on life. hockey and ride motorbikes all the time. However, I stopped in 2015 after

96 97 Mark them and I will never forget hearing I’m a bit obsessed with Italian cuisine him say how proud he was of me. at the moment. My dream is to travel to Italy and experience their food and I met my husband David when we lifestyle first hand. were both speaking at the same event he Wheatbelt feels like in Queensland. After almost 10 years This year I celebrate 17 years clean home. I was born in Perth but I first he still makes my heart jump when I and even my hardest day sober is cameT to Northam in 2003 when I see him, he is the most incredible man better than the best day I ever had on entered recovery from heroin and I have ever met. drugs. I tell others to make your life meth addiction. so amazing you don’t ever want to go We now have two beautiful kids, they back, this is what I’ve done. I started using drugs socially when I are seven and five. I didn’t realise how was 15. I didn’t realise how quickly much I would love being a mum until If I had the chance to go through life the addiction would take hold. There I had Olivia and James. When I was again, I would have gone travelling are so many reasons I started but I pregnant with Olivia we found out she sooner! I was 29 when I first travelled think if I wasn’t spending time with had some health issues. She had her overseas! I have spent time in Africa, people using I would have had less first operation when she was just one Thailand, Malaysia and China. chance in starting. The addiction month old - it scared me like nothing I love discovering new cultures. progressed to heroin and meth when ever had in my life. Drug addiction, really limited my life in I was 20, thus begun a 5 year roller so many ways. coaster that almost cost me my life. In 2011 I was the inducted into the International Women’s Day Hall of Human - Tina Gunter When I arrived in Northam I didn’t Fame for my work in the community Interviewer - Shirley Cook even have a bank account. I had to - it was a huge honour. So many Photographer - Anna Cornish rebuild my life from the ground up. amazing women I still can’t quite Writer - Guy Salvidge Emotionally, financially..everything. believe it. I still had scars on my face and track marks on my arms but this community I now oversee the Social Enterprise & accepted me. This place ultimately work readiness program at FreshStart. changed my life. I love helping people rebuild their self-worth by getting jobs, rebuilding Alone, we I thought that my recovery was family relationships and connecting “completed” the week I graduated with the community. I have been there can do from rehab but I soon realised that my eight years. first test was just around the corner. so little; That week My dad was diagnosed I’m involved with Bridgeley Church of with terminal cancer. I knew if I could Christ, Joey Scouts, Northam Liberal together, get through this without relapsing, Branch and Women in Business. I could do anything. He passed away we can do after eleven weeks. I also have a passion for cooking - I love to feed everyone.. it’s about so much Being a support for my mum during making people feel good. that time was the best gift I could give The flavours and smells - I love it. 98 Tina 99 At school I was told that girls couldn’t was also a bit wow. I played district become mechanics – so I went on cricket for 10 years and went on to to study mechanical engineering. play for the SA State Team. There were 300 men and 3 females Another great moment was visiting in the course. I was the only female a hill tribe in Vietnam that had rarely have been in the Wheatbelt for to finish. I was offered my first job by seen westerners. 6 years - three in Toodyay and three answering machine in my final year. inI Northam. I was born in Bathurst I then went on to complete a Masters My kids are also pretty fantastic - I NSW but grew up in Adelaide. I love in business when I was 26. I now work had my first at 31, then we went on to the Wheatbelt – it’s such a gorgeous in quality assurance and marketing in have 4 children altogether: Jazz - 13 region. the Not for Profit health sector. Archie - 12, Poppy - 9 and Leo - 6 and 2 cats (Izzy and Addison). I was I have loved being a part of the I still have a thirst for knowledge - we 39 when Leo was born. Seeing them Humans of the Wheatbelt project never really stop learning. I’m doing grow and navigate the world has been – there are such amazing people study on social media strategy at amazing. out in the wheatbelt with endless the moment. I have to say I’m quite stories. For this project we have logical but a big romantic at the same One of the worst moments of my included in each interview a person time. life was when my then 11 month old with a disability, either as interviewee, youngest son grabbed a glass, broke interviewer or photographer. In this My husband and I met in 1985 – he it and smashed it into his face. way everyone’s different skills have was my best friend’s big brother. Blood everywhere - we thought it been integrated - in the same way we We have been married for 18 years had gone through his eye but it just want our community to be integrated. and have lived in Adelaide, Melbourne missed - the plastic surgeon did a and Toowoomba. We have tried brilliant job. My mum is definitely my role model to give our kids lots of travelling – she is strong, brave, fair and gives experiences throughout Asia so they My advice for someone younger great advice. She is also an avid can appreciate different cultures. would be get as much education reader and artist. She raised two kids Myanmar, Cambodia and Vietnam as you can, keep glass away from as a single mother whilst working. have been special highlights. toddlers and see the world. My brother David is 13 months older than me - I was taller than him for I’m involved in the Northam and Human – Anna Cornish about a year when I was 13 - he is Toodyay Early Years Network. Photographer – Archie Randhawa now 6ft4! My father lived in Nimbin My kids have been involved in Avon Interviewer – Bill Mauchline NSW so I got a chance to travel a lot Valley Shokan Karate, little athletics, growing up, during school holidays. Northam Scouts, Northam Netball, Toodyay Scouts, and Perth Academy I spent a year in China with my mother of Performing Arts. and brother in the early 1980s – its #community was a pretty amazing experience. A highlight in my life was probably When we went into the regions – having a cricket bowling session with #access people would approach me and my Dennis Lillee when I was about 18 brother just to touch our very blond and having dinner with the Sri Lankan #respect hair. Cricket team. Winning a bronze in 200m at the Australian Youth Games #education 100 101 Anna Thank you

It has been a real privilege to learn about the people who constitute our community through their stories and to get a better understanding of the events and circumstances that have shaped their lives and to get a deeper understanding of how we can all contribute to making our communities more inclusive.

A special thanks to all participants recognising that this project would not have been possible without the humans, interviewers, photographers and writers. Collectively we can celebrate the things that make us different as well as recognise that there are many more things which bind us together.

Thank you to all the Shires, Community Resources Centres, Small Businesses and the Wheatbelt community that have embraced this project by liking, sharing, commenting and suggesting more humans. Over 12 months more than 236K people have read these human stories.

Thank you to the Department of Communities. This project is an NDIS Information Linkages and Capacity Building (ILC) initiative. For more ILC events and resources please visit the Department of Community (Disability Services).

102 Adam Marchant Iris Guilmartin (née Green) Mike Barnett Amanda Richardson (Mandy) Jack Morgan Naomi Thomas Amber Giles James Gardner Neil Fancourt Amor Moulton James Gunter Olivia Gunter Anna Clements James Pollard Patricia Walters Anna Cornish Jan Court Patricia Posiano Annette Fox Jasmine Flint Paula Whittington Archie Randhawa Jazz Randhawa Peta Fissioli Ashley Sanderson Jeff Harrold Peter Maguire Babu Sajjad Jermaine ‘Bomber’ Davis Poppy Randhawa Becky Cranfield Jill Hayes Prabhjot Singh Bhaur (Jot) Bethanie Moore Joanne Lee Ray Adams Bill Mauchline Jules Brewster Rebecca Henley Bill Stacy Kartini Hocking Rob Adams Brad Gridley Kate Sofoulis Rob Pampling Brian Weatherhead Kathy Davis Rob Tinetti Caroline Morgan Keith Beattie Robert Stanley Cathy Ware Keith Taylor Robert Taylor Cherie Dawson Kevin Fitzgerald Rod Garlett Damien O’Reilly Kevin Logan Rosemary Mills David Gunter Kylea Garnett Sally CrawCour David Sims Leonie Knipe Sandra Havlin David Thewlis Liam Cleak Sarina Narkle Denis Beresford Lisa Wiltshire Shannon Boundry Denise Stanley Lou Johnson Sharon Pegrum Desmond Hughes Ludmila Ragaven Shelleyanne Russell Dylan West Luke Bidstrup Shirley Cook Ebony Taylor Luke Buttersfield Suzie Dean Eliza Wynn Lyle Green Tania Peterson Fiona Brown Lynda Burke Tara Martinovich Freedom Bousbury Maninder (Mani) Singh Terry Siva Gemma McPherson Maren Lavery Tina Gunter Geoff Newbold Mark Lawrence Tobie Watson Georgia Bolden Mark Lloyd Tom Gratis Roh Glen Dunkerton Mark Munro Tony Clarke Guy Salvidge Mark Tugwell Tracey Wacura Harry Randhawa Mathew Fernihough Tristan Snooke Hayley Taylor Melody Pampling Tully Speyer Helen Shanks Michael Sofoulis Wesley Ford Ian Gibbs Michelle Thompson Imogen Blackwell Michelle Winmar 103