Hi Bodie, congratulations on winning Young Australian of the Year! How did you feel when you found out you’d won?
They called me before the event and I didn’t know what to say! I was very surprised.
How did you come to work at Windarring as a disability support worker?
I finished high school in 2019 and I didn’t know what I wanted to do. I called a careers advisor and they asked what I was interested in and I told them I like to help people. I’ve always been passionate about mental health but didn’t feel I’d had the life experience so the advisor suggested disability support work. Two days later I signed up for the course.
I did my placement at Windarring and they hired me as soon as my course finished. I’ve been there for two and a half years now.
The people are amazing. They make me laugh every day and each day is different. I get to see the guys grow and do new things and work towards their goals. It’s so rewarding.
I see the group as my second family, I’m there pretty much every day.
It sounds like an amazing place to work! You’ve been involved in youth projects too. Tell us a little about those.
In high school, the school nurse and I started up a program called the Health Action Team or HAT. We’d promote health events, have guest speakers, and run events raising awareness of mental health. I also joined YAG- the Youth Advisory Group with Mount Alexander Shire Council in 2018. It’s a way for young people to have input around the shire and run events for young people.
You’re a huge advocate for youth mental health can you tell us how that came about?
I am really passionate about mental health. I’ve had bad mental health in the past, depression, anxiety, and social anxiety. I found that stepping out of my comfort zone and reaching out was helpful. Helping myself as well as others. COVID hit pretty hard, it’s literally been since I left school, but I’ve just booked a trip to Japan in April and I’ve been going to a bunch of concerts. I’m going to see a K-Pop group called Stray Kids in Melbourne this weekend.
That all sounds really exciting! What other interests do you have?
Music. I love sound design and I have a guitar and a keyboard. I’m into all music- everything from electronic to orchestral. Music has always been referred to as a universal language.
I’m also quite a nerd. I like video games and anime.
Are there any philosophies you live life by?
Treat people how you’d want to be treated. Everyone has their own thing going on so empathy and treating people with respect are important.
Finally, you’ve lived in Castlemaine your whole life, what do you love about living here?
It’s a nice place to grow up. Living in a small town you get to know people. Home is a place that you can always go back to and feel safe – but I do want to explore more and try living in other places.