I am a proud Aboriginal man, a Darkinjung man. My parents split up when I was five. I was a shy, introverted child and throughout my childhood and adolescence I never felt comfortable, never fitted in. I started drinking and using pot when I was around 11 years old. At the age of 17 I started using amphetamines pretty much every day and then at 25, heroin, which is when my life really went downhill. I was always a thief. I started thieving before I used drugs. I was sent to a boys’ home at the age of 15, my first gaol sentence was at 18. From then it didn’t stop. In and out of gaol, my life got worse and worse.
In 2007 I was in a place in gaol called Ngara Nura. It was the second time I did this program but this time my life began to change. I started to look at myself and I also put my hand up to go to Glebe House. I had heard of other guys who had gone there and stayed clean.
Glebe House helped me to understand myself and the disease of addiction. I got lots out of the meetings and got some structure in my life. I began to have hope that my life could change. Glebe House referred me into three-quarter accommodation in Lewisham, but I used to go back to Glebe House every day – it was my home.
I continued to do everything parole asked, including the Pete program which introduced me into a new world of learning. I did that for 3 months and then started a community services course before being offered an apprenticeship from Ausgrid. It’s been very difficult at times, but I have just become a qualified tradesman at Ausgrid. I live in affordable housing at Common Ground and have my own car. I still go back to Glebe House nearly every Tuesday for the group. It’s a free feed! But seriously, it still feels like my home, and I like to help the new guys in the house, especially the ones coming out of gaol. Just like I got help when I got out.
I’m so grateful for Glebe House. With their help I’ve turned my life around. I’ve been clean and sober for 13 years now and not gone back to gaol. I’m a proud member of the Glebe House family.
