Sam uses a range of innovative and very specific supports to communicate, including qualified Auslan interpreters. He also works closely with his team of supports who have learned from him and his family about what exactly is needed for Sam to do the things that he wishes to in the most accessible way. Sam being a private person, he doesn’t often share a lot about this aspect of his identity, however he has persistently placed an unwavering importance on taking a self-directed, strengths-based approach to his own access and inclusion. This is an approach that has been prioritised all of Sam’s life. Having the freedom, autonomy and access to choose how to shape and live life rather than be restricted by external assumptions or beliefs about what can be achieved is a core value for Sam and his family. Something that Sam’s mum Hilary has long advocated for is that inclusion is a right, not a privilege.’
Sam McPherson-” I was born in Lismore Base Hospital in 1994. I remember loving going to Lismore Organic Markets with my Dad. My Dad grew everything. I used to sleep in the trailer on some straw on the the pumpkins and melons. I went to Woodburn School and it wasn’t my favourite thing. We have a farm in Swan Bay. I have one brother and three sisters, Mum had Barney and Jodie and Dad had Billee May then Mum and Dad had Abbie then me. I was the baby.
I have lot’s of hobbies and interests, kiteboarding on land, snowboarding, sailing, RC cars, 4 wheel driving and DJing, my DJ name is DJ Shemozzle. I studied my Diploma of Sound Production at SAE in Byron for a couple of years and then moved onto Southern Cross University where I studied Digital Media and Communications which I am half way through. I’ve still got some gear but lost the Sub in the flood. Water got into the case of my DJ deck but didn’t get to the monitor.
I’m working now as a Photographer. My first camera I bought from a friend Joel. It was a Canon SLR. I photograph landscapes and nature, especially birds and I love birds of prey. I have sold prints. I photograph Koalas and their babies. Every time I sell a print my dad plants a Koala food tree on their organic farm. I also sell my work at the Byron Bay Markets and the Brunswick Heads Markets. Lot’s of people have been asking me for postcards and printing on other things. I have mugs but want to do wallpaper and we’re designing t-shirts. The Byron Wave magazine has asked me to take a photo for the front cover. The reason I do the market stalls is my lovely memories of being with my Dad at his market stalls. We have a Ti tree farm too. He would get up at 4am and pick the produce and I’d get in with the pumpkins. I had very blonde hair when I was a little boy.
My Aunty Jenny has an office in Sydney. It’s very fancy and she has commissioned me to do some very large prints on her walls. I’ve always wanted to fill office spaces with beautiful nature prints. We are going to make a little doco too.
I had an exhibition called Feathers and Foliage in Evans Head at Stray Espresso Cafe and it went really well. My friend Tara put in a big foliage display and lot’s of people came. My photography is all about doing trips and getting out in nature. It would be good to get some sponsorship for accessible adventure. I want to go to Perth and South Australia. I have a friend in Broome. I’m going to fly in a helicopter over the Flinders Ranges. I’m scared (laughs). Im going to go to the Top End and photograph Crocodiles. We went on a trip for two months when I was young and Abbie and I teased mum by calling the crocs ‘Here croc, croc, croc’ (laughs). I’m scared of Cassowaries. I don’t like them at all, I saw one attack a person’s car.
I now have an Isuzu Dmax. I’ve made it to suit me for my adventures and I just took it on it’s maiden voyage to Moreton Island 2 weeks ago. I need a good strong 4 wheel drive for the terrain I want to explore.
Sam McPherson-” I was born in Lismore Base Hospital in 1994. I remember loving going to Lismore Organic Markets with my Dad. My Dad grew everything. I used to sleep in the trailer on some straw on the the pumpkins and melons. I went to Woodburn School and it wasn’t my favourite thing. We have a farm in Swan Bay. I have one brother and three sisters, Mum had Barney and Jodie and Dad had Billee May then Mum and Dad had Abbie then me. I was the baby.
I have lot’s of hobbies and interests, kiteboarding on land, snowboarding, sailing, RC cars, 4 wheel driving and DJing, my DJ name is DJ Shemozzle. I studied my Diploma of Sound Production at SAE in Byron for a couple of years and then moved onto Southern Cross University where I studied Digital Media and Communications which I am half way through. I’ve still got some gear but lost the Sub in the flood. Water got into the case of my DJ deck but didn’t get to the monitor.
I’m working now as a Photographer. My first camera I bought from a friend Joel. It was a Canon SLR. I photograph landscapes and nature, especially birds and I love birds of prey. I have sold prints. I photograph Koalas and their babies. Every time I sell a print my dad plants a Koala food tree on their organic farm. I also sell my work at the Byron Bay Markets and the Brunswick Heads Markets. Lot’s of people have been asking me for postcards and printing on other things. I have mugs but want to do wallpaper and we’re designing t-shirts. The Byron Wave magazine has asked me to take a photo for the front cover. The reason I do the market stalls is my lovely memories of being with my Dad at his market stalls. We have a Ti tree farm too. He would get up at 4am and pick the produce and I’d get in with the pumpkins. I had very blonde hair when I was a little boy.
My Aunty Jenny has an office in Sydney. It’s very fancy and she has commissioned me to do some very large prints on her walls. I’ve always wanted to fill office spaces with beautiful nature prints. We are going to make a little doco too.
I had an exhibition called Feathers and Foliage in Evans Head at Stray Espresso Cafe and it went really well. My friend Tara put in a big foliage display and lot’s of people came. My photography is all about doing trips and getting out in nature. It would be good to get some sponsorship for accessible adventure. I want to go to Perth and South Australia. I have a friend in Broome. I’m going to fly in a helicopter over the Flinders Ranges. I’m scared (laughs). Im going to go to the Top End and photograph Crocodiles. We went on a trip for two months when I was young and Abbie and I teased mum by calling the crocs ‘Here croc, croc, croc’ (laughs). I’m scared of Cassowaries. I don’t like them at all, I saw one attack a person’s car.
I now have an Isuzu Dmax. I’ve made it to suit me for my adventures and I just took it on it’s maiden voyage to Moreton Island 2 weeks ago. I need a good strong 4 wheel drive for the terrain I want to explore.