“I was born and raised in Lismore. I just completed my HSC at Trinity and I’m going to Uni on the Gold Coast to study Architecture which I’m really passionate about. I love designing things, so much of my spare time is spent making things, whether it be painting or designing a house, crocheting or whatever. I thought, why not do something that I can mix my hobby with my job? It sounds a bit tacky but my catchphrase is ‘revolutionary darling’ which I have written everywhere to motivate myself. In Year 11 I did some research into the culture of Lismore and I used your page (HOL) as some inspiration for one of my projects. My major work this year was creating an Eco friendly home out of a shipping container. A home which is completely sustainable that you could put anywhere in the world.
At the end of Year 10 the India Immersions girls all went to India and I couldn’t go because I’d had a motorbike accident and I was so devastated. I had 10 broken bones. Trinity sends a group of girls over to India to do charity work in villages and help at the schools. I’ve always had that at the top of my list but couldn’t go because of my accident.
One day at the markets with my friend Kirasie I mentioned how much I wanted to go to India and she felt the same so we told our mums. They decided to come too because they said they couldn’t let two young girls go to India on their own. We heard lots of negative comments from people about four girls travelling alone but we found it all such a positive trip. People helped us everywhere we went, so patient and considerate.
I found the religion so interesting over there. We went into a mosque one day and that was one of the most empowering experiences I had on the trip. My perspective on religion is sort of all over the place but I love to talk about it and I like to look into every single religion. We went into the mosque and we were welcomed warmly even though we looked clearly out of place. Here we were, Westerners in amongst all these beautiful saris, men in their orange turbans all chanting, dancing and drumming in sync. I was almost crying. It was such a surreal experience. I don’t know how to explain it but I was so filled with energy and I was so alive in that moment. There was a 98 year old lady who they sat on a comfy cushion and gave her water then a young guy in a business suit jumped off a motorbike and came in with his helmet. All there to bless their God. They all just become one and it was such a moving experience, seeing the potential of religion and the humility they have.
My father said I would come back different, with a different view and I have in the respect that I saw the poorest of poor which of course has made me appreciate what I have so much more. The ways that I have changed though are ways that I didn’t realise existed to change in the first place. It made me aware of how much I don’t know. It seems that the more you know the more you don’t know.
I feel like so many doors have opened for me. Being exposed to the very poor and the humility they have. We went through a village and this family had 10 living in their tiny little concrete home and they invited us to eat with them. So very humble. On our last night we were at our tour guides home and his family cooked for us. One minute we were having tea with them and we went outside and heard music. Some people took us next door to a traditional Indian wedding which was so elaborate, taught us traditional dance and we ended up in all their family photos and with the bride and groom. We danced with them to Bollywood music. It was so extravagant. They made us feel so welcome and it was an incredible experience.
Once I finish Uni I have 10 contacts to go back over to orphanages, schools and women’s organisations. I want to travel then come back and my final goal is start my own firm.”