some Zachary Melbourne boy but a little circle Jamar man from Victoria and also
circle Jamar man from Victoria and also
circle Jamar man from Victoria and also Apollo a man from Tasmania and also
Apollo a man from Tasmania and also
Apollo a man from Tasmania and also adopted into the human culture which is
adopted into the human culture which is
adopted into the human culture which is northeast island land so my life started
northeast island land so my life started
northeast island land so my life started when I was 12 years of age and everyone
when I was 12 years of age and everyone
when I was 12 years of age and everyone is probably looking around and saying
is probably looking around and saying
is probably looking around and saying well have it your lifestyle Adobe’s @ih
well have it your lifestyle Adobe’s @ih
well have it your lifestyle Adobe’s @ih when you know July the 12th 1999 was
when you know July the 12th 1999 was
when you know July the 12th 1999 was when you were born my life started when
when you were born my life started when
when you were born my life started when I was 12 years of age is because that
I was 12 years of age is because that
I was 12 years of age is because that was the day that I found out that I was
was the day that I found out that I was
was the day that I found out that I was Aboriginal it was the day that changed
Aboriginal it was the day that changed
Aboriginal it was the day that changed my life forever so it happened one night
my life forever so it happened one night
my life forever so it happened one night when my father got a call from my
when my father got a call from my
when my father got a call from my grandmother and she said I made up you
grandmother and she said I made up you
grandmother and she said I made up you have to come down see ya brother’s house
have to come down see ya brother’s house
have to come down see ya brother’s house because we’ve got some news to tell you
because we’ve got some news to tell you
because we’ve got some news to tell you so we went off to the country and I
so we went off to the country and I
so we went off to the country and I remember walking into my uncle’s house
remember walking into my uncle’s house
remember walking into my uncle’s house and I kinda said to myself you know like
and I kinda said to myself you know like
and I kinda said to myself you know like I wasn’t expecting anything there’s a 12
I wasn’t expecting anything there’s a 12
I wasn’t expecting anything there’s a 12 year old I was naive to the whole
year old I was naive to the whole
year old I was naive to the whole situation what was going on dad didn’t
situation what was going on dad didn’t
situation what was going on dad didn’t tell me what was done on mine who told
tell me what was done on mine who told
tell me what was done on mine who told me what was going on I walked around the
me what was going on I walked around the
me what was going on I walked around the corner of my uncle’s house and I saw a
corner of my uncle’s house and I saw a
corner of my uncle’s house and I saw a black woman it was the first time I ever
black woman it was the first time I ever
black woman it was the first time I ever seen a black woman in my life as a 12
seen a black woman in my life as a 12
seen a black woman in my life as a 12 year old I lived a very very sheltered
year old I lived a very very sheltered
year old I lived a very very sheltered loss I walked around the corner and I
loss I walked around the corner and I
loss I walked around the corner and I saw a black woman and I walked to her
saw a black woman and I walked to her
saw a black woman and I walked to her and my mom and dad’s always instilled in
and my mom and dad’s always instilled in
and my mom and dad’s always instilled in me that you need to respect people
me that you need to respect people
me that you need to respect people doesn’t matter what color they are
doesn’t matter what color they are
doesn’t matter what color they are doesn’t matter what religion they
doesn’t matter what religion they
doesn’t matter what religion they believe in they’re still human beings so
believe in they’re still human beings so
believe in they’re still human beings so in other words my my Ani
in other words my my Ani
in other words my my Ani so whenever I introduced myself when I
so whenever I introduced myself when I
so whenever I introduced myself when I said a lot of cons act and she said
said a lot of cons act and she said
said a lot of cons act and she said hello exact on you honey Elsie I was
hello exact on you honey Elsie I was
hello exact on you honey Elsie I was like okay yep no worries and being home
like okay yep no worries and being home
like okay yep no worries and being home you wrote all I wanted to do was play
you wrote all I wanted to do was play
you wrote all I wanted to do was play with my because
with my because
with my because they’re thought but I knew my dad was
they’re thought but I knew my dad was
they’re thought but I knew my dad was caught serious on this knot and he said
caught serious on this knot and he said
caught serious on this knot and he said no exact he made it come sit down
no exact he made it come sit down
no exact he made it come sit down so I sat down and the money started
so I sat down and the money started
so I sat down and the money started rattling of nights that I’ve never heard
rattling of nights that I’ve never heard
rattling of nights that I’ve never heard of in my life and she was sanctity yeah
of in my life and she was sanctity yeah
of in my life and she was sanctity yeah uncles in the audience and he
uncles in the audience and he
uncles in the audience and he great-grandmother’s in great
great-grandmother’s in great
great-grandmother’s in great grandfather’s and I said okay and she
grandfather’s and I said okay and she
grandfather’s and I said okay and she said Zack I’ve got something to tell you
said Zack I’ve got something to tell you
said Zack I’ve got something to tell you and I was like okay and she’s like
and I was like okay and she’s like
and I was like okay and she’s like you’re original and I was like okay boom
you’re original and I was like okay boom
you’re original and I was like okay boom and that’s what I say
and that’s what I say
and that’s what I say but being 12 and the media also still
but being 12 and the media also still
but being 12 and the media also still playing pop when it came to writing
playing pop when it came to writing
playing pop when it came to writing about Aboriginal people and tourists
about Aboriginal people and tourists
about Aboriginal people and tourists right out of a book so what I knew a 12
right out of a book so what I knew a 12
right out of a book so what I knew a 12 year old that Aboriginal people were all
year old that Aboriginal people were all
year old that Aboriginal people were all related
related
related Aboriginal people didn’t have jobs
Aboriginal people didn’t have jobs
Aboriginal people didn’t have jobs Aboriginal people world drunks and
Aboriginal people world drunks and
Aboriginal people world drunks and that’s what I knew about Aboriginal
that’s what I knew about Aboriginal
that’s what I knew about Aboriginal people and it was the year where
people and it was the year where
people and it was the year where obviously Cathy Freeman was massive in
obviously Cathy Freeman was massive in
obviously Cathy Freeman was massive in Australia I was like all cool and then I
Australia I was like all cool and then I
Australia I was like all cool and then I asked my honey because what I did was
asked my honey because what I did was
asked my honey because what I did was all Aboriginal people were lighted so I
all Aboriginal people were lighted so I
all Aboriginal people were lighted so I said to my I said am I related to Kevin
said to my I said am I related to Kevin
said to my I said am I related to Kevin Freeman and she’s like no oh my god dad
Freeman and she’s like no oh my god dad
Freeman and she’s like no oh my god dad so that’s when my life started at 12
so that’s when my life started at 12
so that’s when my life started at 12 years of age I was just about to end the
years of age I was just about to end the
years of age I was just about to end the hospital now hostel was the message
hospital now hostel was the message
hospital now hostel was the message being wrapping you know still is today
being wrapping you know still is today
being wrapping you know still is today but I was going to a hospital where my
but I was going to a hospital where my
but I was going to a hospital where my friends weren’t going well my friends
friends weren’t going well my friends
friends weren’t going well my friends went to a different high school so at
went to a different high school so at
went to a different high school so at the end of my comfort zone so I went to
the end of my comfort zone so I went to
the end of my comfort zone so I went to this hospital on the first day the
this hospital on the first day the
this hospital on the first day the teacher you know I was in class and said
teacher you know I was in class and said
teacher you know I was in class and said although everyone and their owns a bit
although everyone and their owns a bit
although everyone and their owns a bit awkward because no one knew each other
awkward because no one knew each other
awkward because no one knew each other so like hi how are ya yeah that’s good
so like hi how are ya yeah that’s good
so like hi how are ya yeah that’s good and we sat down and this is when my life
and we sat down and this is when my life
and we sat down and this is when my life changed forever i sat down and the
changed forever i sat down and the
changed forever i sat down and the teachers the teacher who went around and
teachers the teacher who went around and
teachers the teacher who went around and said like you know introduce yourself
said like you know introduce yourself
said like you know introduce yourself say who you are
say who you are
say who you are what you like and what’s your background
what you like and what’s your background
what you like and what’s your background so it came to me I was like keeping my
so it came to me I was like keeping my
so it came to me I was like keeping my head what do I say what do I say what do
head what do I say what do I say what do
head what do I say what do I say what do I say what I was I said I am Zach I like
I say what I was I said I am Zach I like
I say what I was I said I am Zach I like football I like music and because it was
football I like music and because it was
football I like music and because it was an old boys school oh my god yeah like
an old boys school oh my god yeah like
an old boys school oh my god yeah like get safe and then she said what’s your
get safe and then she said what’s your
get safe and then she said what’s your heritage I’m Aboriginal every kid in
heritage I’m Aboriginal every kid in
heritage I’m Aboriginal every kid in that wording looked at me like I was a
that wording looked at me like I was a
that wording looked at me like I was a different person the bell rang and I was
different person the bell rang and I was
different person the bell rang and I was like you know went out and no one’s
like you know went out and no one’s
like you know went out and no one’s talking I walked around school for the
talking I walked around school for the
talking I walked around school for the rest of the day not talking to anyone
rest of the day not talking to anyone
rest of the day not talking to anyone the next day that’s when Benny started
the next day that’s when Benny started
the next day that’s when Benny started to get worse after 12 years of age I
to get worse after 12 years of age I
to get worse after 12 years of age I like looking back now I truly found out
like looking back now I truly found out
like looking back now I truly found out what racism was all about the words that
what racism was all about the words that
what racism was all about the words that we used towards me these the things that
we used towards me these the things that
we used towards me these the things that I would never ever ever say to people
I would never ever ever say to people
I would never ever ever say to people that I know now the word can the word
that I know now the word can the word
that I know now the word can the word boom the word or the statement you’re a
boom the word or the statement you’re a
boom the word or the statement you’re a petrol sniffer
petrol sniffer
petrol sniffer or the statement that you know you’re
or the statement that you know you’re
or the statement that you know you’re only coming to this part of school
only coming to this part of school
only coming to this part of school because the government’s behind what
because the government’s behind what
because the government’s behind what happened for two years straight in
happened for two years straight in
happened for two years straight in consecutive days remember one day in my
consecutive days remember one day in my
consecutive days remember one day in my first year of high school in year 7
first year of high school in year 7
first year of high school in year 7 getting a run I was getting you know
getting a run I was getting you know
getting a run I was getting you know chased by some vehicle that were chasing
chased by some vehicle that were chasing
chased by some vehicle that were chasing me they caught me next night of beating
me they caught me next night of beating
me they caught me next night of beating me up and I said shouldn’t you be fast
me up and I said shouldn’t you be fast
me up and I said shouldn’t you be fast because you’re black here I came I never
because you’re black here I came I never
because you’re black here I came I never mentioned that I was ever in liver again
mentioned that I was ever in liver again
mentioned that I was ever in liver again in those TVs I attempted suicide five
in those TVs I attempted suicide five
in those TVs I attempted suicide five times because I didn’t want to know that
times because I didn’t want to know that
times because I didn’t want to know that I was ever strong year I came you know
I was ever strong year I came you know
I was ever strong year I came you know that was an all right here you know
that was an all right here you know
that was an all right here you know if you started believe me alive but
if you started believe me alive but
if you started believe me alive but there was still that constant harassment
there was still that constant harassment
there was still that constant harassment my grades were slipping
my grades were slipping
my grades were slipping you know reports were coming home and
you know reports were coming home and
you know reports were coming home and because my mom and dad took sick and
because my mom and dad took sick and
because my mom and dad took sick and mamita
mamita
mamita I was hot alleged reports and then one
I was hot alleged reports and then one
I was hot alleged reports and then one day mom found the report and she’s like
day mom found the report and she’s like
day mom found the report and she’s like what are the oles s what all these days
what are the oles s what all these days
what are the oles s what all these days so being that’s when I became really
so being that’s when I became really
so being that’s when I became really insecure in himself and I started blind
insecure in himself and I started blind
insecure in himself and I started blind I started saying oh nothing I think
I started saying oh nothing I think
I started saying oh nothing I think they’ve got that a different Zachary
they’ve got that a different Zachary
they’ve got that a different Zachary there was no other Factory at the school
there was no other Factory at the school
there was no other Factory at the school was just playing at they can be here and
was just playing at they can be here and
was just playing at they can be here and I said my mother I want to go to that
I said my mother I want to go to that
I said my mother I want to go to that school anymore
school anymore
school anymore and she said why that money means drama
and she said why that money means drama
and she said why that money means drama I could have told her the truth but I
I could have told her the truth but I
I could have told her the truth but I did it I said ah now I want to go to a
did it I said ah now I want to go to a
did it I said ah now I want to go to a girl school like him you know boy girl
girl school like him you know boy girl
girl school like him you know boy girl school I think and I said I think I
school I think and I said I think I
school I think and I said I think I worked better when girls are around you
worked better when girls are around you
worked better when girls are around you know she’s like oh yeah you’re at the
know she’s like oh yeah you’re at the
know she’s like oh yeah you’re at the age of guess and I was like yeah you
age of guess and I was like yeah you
age of guess and I was like yeah you know they’re like Gilroy’s make me way
know they’re like Gilroy’s make me way
know they’re like Gilroy’s make me way if I get on better with girls you know
if I get on better with girls you know
if I get on better with girls you know and she’s like yeah I feel you do to go
and she’s like yeah I feel you do to go
and she’s like yeah I feel you do to go into a public school and I thought you
into a public school and I thought you
into a public school and I thought you know I could be myself I said I was that
know I could be myself I said I was that
know I could be myself I said I was that British no same thing happened for two
British no same thing happened for two
British no same thing happened for two years again I never said I was original
years again I never said I was original
years again I never said I was original and then I left that school because I
and then I left that school because I
and then I left that school because I actually got expelled
actually got expelled
actually got expelled I wasn’t even same messenger and this
I wasn’t even same messenger and this
I wasn’t even same messenger and this was not before I got expelled you know
was not before I got expelled you know
was not before I got expelled you know in the group chats
in the group chats
in the group chats yes group chat with back in here and say
yes group chat with back in here and say
yes group chat with back in here and say messenger not just Facebook kids and I
messenger not just Facebook kids and I
messenger not just Facebook kids and I was on prayed over them on Facebook MSN
was on prayed over them on Facebook MSN
was on prayed over them on Facebook MSN Messenger and the skill that I liked I
Messenger and the skill that I liked I
Messenger and the skill that I liked I thought I’d like and she thought I
thought I’d like and she thought I
thought I’d like and she thought I thought she liked me too made a group
thought she liked me too made a group
thought she liked me too made a group and then invited someone else in that
and then invited someone else in that
and then invited someone else in that actually bullied me I was like oh I
actually bullied me I was like oh I
actually bullied me I was like oh I didn’t know am I here blah blah blah
didn’t know am I here blah blah blah
didn’t know am I here blah blah blah then he started calling me are you a
then he started calling me are you a
then he started calling me are you a and you a poofter he said stand
and you a poofter he said stand
and you a poofter he said stand up feast
up feast
up feast and do something you know make sure
and do something you know make sure
and do something you know make sure people don’t bully you so the next day I
people don’t bully you so the next day I
people don’t bully you so the next day I brought a knife to school I mean do
brought a knife to school I mean do
brought a knife to school I mean do anything with it I just want the scary
anything with it I just want the scary
anything with it I just want the scary that first period ramen you know I was
that first period ramen you know I was
that first period ramen you know I was sitting in the front row sitting in the
sitting in the front row sitting in the
sitting in the front row sitting in the back and he’s like ah so did you bring
back and he’s like ah so did you bring
back and he’s like ah so did you bring anything he puffed up and I was like
anything he puffed up and I was like
anything he puffed up and I was like yeah and I’m showing him and I had a
yeah and I’m showing him and I had a
yeah and I’m showing him and I had a little pocket knife
little pocket knife
little pocket knife it was blunt as it wouldn’t hurt anyone
it was blunt as it wouldn’t hurt anyone
it was blunt as it wouldn’t hurt anyone so the next thing is I know he’s walking
so the next thing is I know he’s walking
so the next thing is I know he’s walking off to the principal’s office I see my
off to the principal’s office I see my
off to the principal’s office I see my moment of time so I run to the portal
moment of time so I run to the portal
moment of time so I run to the portal and check the knife under the waffle the
and check the knife under the waffle the
and check the knife under the waffle the next minute knock knock knock
next minute knock knock knock
next minute knock knock knock vice-principal mr. grand temple
vice-principal mr. grand temple
vice-principal mr. grand temple principal’s office and then I sat down
principal’s office and then I sat down
principal’s office and then I sat down in the principal’s office wearing them
in the principal’s office wearing them
in the principal’s office wearing them my mom my mom category office was like
my mom my mom category office was like
my mom my mom category office was like we found you know exactly showed us
we found you know exactly showed us
we found you know exactly showed us where he put the north and runs like
where he put the north and runs like
where he put the north and runs like what no life and then I started crying
what no life and then I started crying
what no life and then I started crying just burst out into tears and mom’s like
just burst out into tears and mom’s like
just burst out into tears and mom’s like what’s going on I said uh they’re being
what’s going on I said uh they’re being
what’s going on I said uh they’re being very mean to me I started calling me all
very mean to me I started calling me all
very mean to me I started calling me all those names because I was their virginal
those names because I was their virginal
those names because I was their virginal and everything that boy who bullied me
and everything that boy who bullied me
and everything that boy who bullied me for that amount of time since on whether
for that amount of time since on whether
for that amount of time since on whether at school for two years
at school for two years
at school for two years got three days suspension I got expelled
got three days suspension I got expelled
got three days suspension I got expelled so I I left that school and moved up to
so I I left that school and moved up to
so I I left that school and moved up to the country man so Victoria and Matt
the country man so Victoria and Matt
the country man so Victoria and Matt Bala and that’s when I truly started
Bala and that’s when I truly started
Bala and that’s when I truly started falling myself I never said I was a
falling myself I never said I was a
falling myself I never said I was a virgin again into those 17 years of age
17 years of age and I walked into a
17 years of age and I walked into a warehouse in Belden
warehouse in Belden
warehouse in Belden in the factory with hundreds of school
in the factory with hundreds of school
in the factory with hundreds of school keep like you guys and I walked in and I
keep like you guys and I walked in and I
keep like you guys and I walked in and I met one of my child who are those which
met one of my child who are those which
met one of my child who are those which starts and Jean runs the zeroes days for
starts and Jean runs the zeroes days for
starts and Jean runs the zeroes days for young kids you know to get out of your
young kids you know to get out of your
young kids you know to get out of your comfort zone and I remember June 20
comfort zone and I remember June 20
comfort zone and I remember June 20 blood genie
blood genie
blood genie meeting me at the stuff like in an Irish
meeting me at the stuff like in an Irish
meeting me at the stuff like in an Irish accent he Civic concept that come to
accent he Civic concept that come to
accent he Civic concept that come to Irish he said hey yeah why and I said
Irish he said hey yeah why and I said
Irish he said hey yeah why and I said yeah good Jimmy and he said it all who
yeah good Jimmy and he said it all who
yeah good Jimmy and he said it all who do you back for and I was like called
do you back for and I was like called
do you back for and I was like called the melting Football Club he’s like you
the melting Football Club he’s like you
the melting Football Club he’s like you know I’d like to nail them off like yeah
know I’d like to nail them off like yeah
know I’d like to nail them off like yeah next thing you know we’re English room
next thing you know we’re English room
next thing you know we’re English room full of a hundred kids right and he
full of a hundred kids right and he
full of a hundred kids right and he picks me out of the crowd and probably
picks me out of the crowd and probably
picks me out of the crowd and probably something to do with you met me any
something to do with you met me any
something to do with you met me any nearer back to Melbourne Football Club
nearer back to Melbourne Football Club
nearer back to Melbourne Football Club and all that and he dropped me on the
and all that and he dropped me on the
and all that and he dropped me on the stage and he started I think he knew who
stage and he started I think he knew who
stage and he started I think he knew who I had started digging into my life and
I had started digging into my life and
I had started digging into my life and he and I just started one-word answers
he and I just started one-word answers
he and I just started one-word answers all yep um a couple word answers all
all yep um a couple word answers all
all yep um a couple word answers all yeah yeah
yeah yeah
yeah yeah is that what do you hottie and I said
is that what do you hottie and I said
is that what do you hottie and I said nothing so what are you hiding
nothing so what are you hiding
nothing so what are you hiding say nothing and he kept on saying it for
say nothing and he kept on saying it for
say nothing and he kept on saying it for five times and I said nothing and then
five times and I said nothing and then
five times and I said nothing and then on the sixth card and goes what are you
on the sixth card and goes what are you
on the sixth card and goes what are you hiding or in back started crying like a
hiding or in back started crying like a
hiding or in back started crying like a teenager that should break them up with
teenager that should break them up with
teenager that should break them up with a boyfriend or girlfriend that was me I
a boyfriend or girlfriend that was me I
a boyfriend or girlfriend that was me I started crying my heart out and he said
started crying my heart out and he said
started crying my heart out and he said what’s wrong I said machine and he said
what’s wrong I said machine and he said
what’s wrong I said machine and he said were you shameful
were you shameful
were you shameful I said I’m ashamed of being an
I said I’m ashamed of being an
I said I’m ashamed of being an Aboriginal person he looked at me and he
Aboriginal person he looked at me and he
Aboriginal person he looked at me and he said Zach I’ll give you one piece of
said Zach I’ll give you one piece of
said Zach I’ll give you one piece of advice it doesn’t matter what color you
advice it doesn’t matter what color you
advice it doesn’t matter what color you are it doesn’t matter what religion you
are it doesn’t matter what religion you
are it doesn’t matter what religion you believe in be true to yourself be true
believe in be true to yourself be true
believe in be true to yourself be true to who you are and you’ll go on doing
to who you are and you’ll go on doing
to who you are and you’ll go on doing what you need to do in life from that
what you need to do in life from that
what you need to do in life from that day on from 17 I’ve been a proud
day on from 17 I’ve been a proud
day on from 17 I’ve been a proud Aboriginal man ever since and at 17
Aboriginal man ever since and at 17
Aboriginal man ever since and at 17 that’s when I truly found my calling
that’s when I truly found my calling
that’s when I truly found my calling when Germans being a ship that school at
when Germans being a ship that school at
when Germans being a ship that school at year living and cooking was my escape
year living and cooking was my escape
year living and cooking was my escape from my whole world
from my whole world
from my whole world cooking was that one thing that took me
cooking was that one thing that took me
cooking was that one thing that took me somewhere or into a place to a point in
somewhere or into a place to a point in
somewhere or into a place to a point in time where I could just be myself
time where I could just be myself
time where I could just be myself so from 17 to 21 I completed my
so from 17 to 21 I completed my
so from 17 to 21 I completed my apprenticeship and then at 21 I got to
apprenticeship and then at 21 I got to
apprenticeship and then at 21 I got to be sick of doing my apprenticeship or
be sick of doing my apprenticeship or
be sick of doing my apprenticeship or not finish my friends you’ve got sick of
not finish my friends you’ve got sick of
not finish my friends you’ve got sick of being a chef a little while because I
being a chef a little while because I
being a chef a little while because I was exhausted
was exhausted
was exhausted long hours everything so I went into
long hours everything so I went into
long hours everything so I went into youth work because I love what G do and
youth work because I love what G do and
youth work because I love what G do and remember when I went into youth way it
remember when I went into youth way it
remember when I went into youth way it was like this will that opened up for me
was like this will that opened up for me
was like this will that opened up for me I meant family in Melbourne but I’ve
I meant family in Melbourne but I’ve
I meant family in Melbourne but I’ve never ever met before in my life so I
never ever met before in my life so I
never ever met before in my life so I was connecting with my cousins my
was connecting with my cousins my
was connecting with my cousins my uncle’s my aunts then I found a sense of
uncle’s my aunts then I found a sense of
uncle’s my aunts then I found a sense of belonging 26 years of age I met my
belonging 26 years of age I met my
belonging 26 years of age I met my partner who may I say is also she’s
partner who may I say is also she’s
partner who may I say is also she’s actually on TV and I’m glad a girl
actually on TV and I’m glad a girl
actually on TV and I’m glad a girl waving from the mangrove Felicia she’sa
waving from the mangrove Felicia she’sa
waving from the mangrove Felicia she’sa so she’s a young woman when I met her I
so she’s a young woman when I met her I
so she’s a young woman when I met her I was a bit lost in life I didn’t know
was a bit lost in life I didn’t know
was a bit lost in life I didn’t know where I wanted to go I knew I was I was
where I wanted to go I knew I was I was
where I wanted to go I knew I was I was a chef but I was doing other things
a chef but I was doing other things
a chef but I was doing other things because I was exhausted from the long
because I was exhausted from the long
because I was exhausted from the long hours so I met Lila in a bar and then we
hours so I met Lila in a bar and then we
hours so I met Lila in a bar and then we never spoke for another year because
never spoke for another year because
never spoke for another year because apparently truly a year off in a bar and
apparently truly a year off in a bar and
apparently truly a year off in a bar and she didn’t want to bother me and then
she didn’t want to bother me and then
she didn’t want to bother me and then the next year I met her again and then
the next year I met her again and then
the next year I met her again and then and then 2016 and we finally got
and then 2016 and we finally got
and then 2016 and we finally got together and then six months later we
together and then six months later we
together and then six months later we found out or we’re having a baby
found out or we’re having a baby
found out or we’re having a baby that changed me I went back to cooking
that changed me I went back to cooking
that changed me I went back to cooking wanted to do one big chefs again because
wanted to do one big chefs again because
wanted to do one big chefs again because of my babies
of my babies
of my babies and then because there was such long
and then because there was such long
and then because there was such long hours into the pregnancy that I decided
hours into the pregnancy that I decided
hours into the pregnancy that I decided I was like well maybe I need to be there
I was like well maybe I need to be there
I was like well maybe I need to be there for my child and not just be chef so I
for my child and not just be chef so I
for my child and not just be chef so I packed up my knives from a restaurant
packed up my knives from a restaurant
packed up my knives from a restaurant that I was working in Melbourne and I
that I was working in Melbourne and I
that I was working in Melbourne and I went to work as an Aboriginal liaison
went to work as an Aboriginal liaison
went to work as an Aboriginal liaison officer in the hospitals when you find
officer in the hospitals when you find
officer in the hospitals when you find out you’re going to be the father for
out you’re going to be the father for
out you’re going to be the father for the first time your whole life changes
the first time your whole life changes
the first time your whole life changes that protective instinct just goes back
that protective instinct just goes back
that protective instinct just goes back and come straight into your mind so I do
and come straight into your mind so I do
and come straight into your mind so I do know it’s gonna be a father so the
know it’s gonna be a father so the
know it’s gonna be a father so the working in the hospitals and on one
working in the hospitals and on one
working in the hospitals and on one night right
night right
night right I mean like I was sitting down watching
I mean like I was sitting down watching
I mean like I was sitting down watching TV and we’re talking about we just had
TV and we’re talking about we just had
TV and we’re talking about we just had that ultrasound 16 weeks we went to bed
that ultrasound 16 weeks we went to bed
that ultrasound 16 weeks we went to bed like any ordinary couple would do
like any ordinary couple would do
like any ordinary couple would do excited about you know a baby in the
excited about you know a baby in the
excited about you know a baby in the next coming months 2 o’clock in the
next coming months 2 o’clock in the
next coming months 2 o’clock in the morning rather feel some sharp pains
morning rather feel some sharp pains
morning rather feel some sharp pains ambulance comes
ambulance comes
ambulance comes then we go to the hospital and we find
then we go to the hospital and we find
then we go to the hospital and we find out that we’ve lost our son Elijah and
out that we’ve lost our son Elijah and
out that we’ve lost our son Elijah and it was a very very big moment in my life
it was a very very big moment in my life
it was a very very big moment in my life because I think that I’ve never had I’ve
because I think that I’ve never had I’ve
because I think that I’ve never had I’ve never lost anyone in my life when I was
never lost anyone in my life when I was
never lost anyone in my life when I was in the hospital for 10 days because she
in the hospital for 10 days because she
in the hospital for 10 days because she could have bloody fish into her veins
could have bloody fish into her veins
could have bloody fish into her veins and she nearly died she got out of
and she nearly died she got out of
and she nearly died she got out of hospital and we drew magnet at Elijah
hospital and we drew magnet at Elijah
hospital and we drew magnet at Elijah and we spread his ashes in Mansfield
and we spread his ashes in Mansfield
and we spread his ashes in Mansfield where I also grew up and then also on
where I also grew up and then also on
where I also grew up and then also on Elcho Island in November she was born on
Elcho Island in November she was born on
Elcho Island in November she was born on June 21st 2015 and then November we
June 21st 2015 and then November we
June 21st 2015 and then November we cremated you December a Christmas
cremated you December a Christmas
cremated you December a Christmas miracle KK we found out I was pregnant
miracle KK we found out I was pregnant
miracle KK we found out I was pregnant again two pregnancies in a in my
again two pregnancies in a in my
again two pregnancies in a in my way
way
way Layla was crying I don’t know whether
Layla was crying I don’t know whether
Layla was crying I don’t know whether they’re what is this happening again a
they’re what is this happening again a
they’re what is this happening again a lot it’s good Christmas miracle I mean I
lot it’s good Christmas miracle I mean I
lot it’s good Christmas miracle I mean I usually plank the flank spoken like yes
usually plank the flank spoken like yes
usually plank the flank spoken like yes sir right is that against the
sir right is that against the
sir right is that against the Christmas miracle as happen
Christmas miracle as happen
Christmas miracle as happen thank God Christmas Day ladder fell
thank God Christmas Day ladder fell
thank God Christmas Day ladder fell plans again we drove in a hospital then
plans again we drove in a hospital then
plans again we drove in a hospital then we found out she was having an ectopic
we found out she was having an ectopic
we found out she was having an ectopic pregnancy the next day you have to get
pregnancy the next day you have to get
pregnancy the next day you have to get surgery on Boxing Day we lost another
surgery on Boxing Day we lost another
surgery on Boxing Day we lost another little baby and then that’s where
little baby and then that’s where
little baby and then that’s where everything started and this is why I’m
everything started and this is why I’m
everything started and this is why I’m up here so right now I’m an indigenous
up here so right now I’m an indigenous
up here so right now I’m an indigenous ship I’ll call myself an in video ship
ship I’ll call myself an in video ship
ship I’ll call myself an in video ship for a reason is because I feel here in
for a reason is because I feel here in
for a reason is because I feel here in Australia right now that we don’t
Australia right now that we don’t
Australia right now that we don’t celebrate the indigenous culture through
celebrate the indigenous culture through
celebrate the indigenous culture through food like we do with every other culture
food like we do with every other culture
food like we do with every other culture this year of being doing pop-up
this year of being doing pop-up
this year of being doing pop-up restaurants around Darwin one at home
restaurants around Darwin one at home
restaurants around Darwin one at home one of these points and also one at
one of these points and also one at
one of these points and also one at spice garden which is an issue and
spice garden which is an issue and
spice garden which is an issue and commercial and they’re all sold out
commercial and they’re all sold out
commercial and they’re all sold out I wouldn’t even thought 12 months ago 18
I wouldn’t even thought 12 months ago 18
I wouldn’t even thought 12 months ago 18 months ago be up here in Darwin about to
months ago be up here in Darwin about to
months ago be up here in Darwin about to open my restaurant next year which is
open my restaurant next year which is
open my restaurant next year which is for the largest but then fast forward
for the largest but then fast forward
for the largest but then fast forward last September we lost another little
last September we lost another little
last September we lost another little boy say so in three babies and 18 months
boy say so in three babies and 18 months
boy say so in three babies and 18 months is massive so right now what I’m doing
is massive so right now what I’m doing
is massive so right now what I’m doing am I being a chef is for my son’s being
am I being a chef is for my son’s being
am I being a chef is for my son’s being humble and being Corey I believe that if
humble and being Corey I believe that if
humble and being Corey I believe that if you celebrate indigenous culture through
you celebrate indigenous culture through
you celebrate indigenous culture through food it’s another way forward for
food it’s another way forward for
food it’s another way forward for reconciliation
”
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