Stories & Achievements: Rod’s Story
Rod’s story: Flying his flag
I’ve lived in Wyong for just over 8 years now. I grew up in Wagga but I wasn’t born there. I was born in Port Kembla. My mother and father worked in Lithgow for a while too and I love it. Lithgow is the bomb!
My grandfather was driving from Sydney to Lithgow, I was in the back seat as a three year old without a seat belt. When he hit the brakes I went flying from the back seat straight through the windscreen and hit a brick wall. I survived but of course I don’t remember anything. The doctor’s and my family told me about it years after it happened. The accident caused me to become an epileptic and I used to have grand mal seizures. Now I take medication and since I’ve been on the meds I haven’t had one fit at all.
I started school at year seven. I first had to repeat literacy and numeracy class and so I went and I went and improved on those two subjects because I knew I wasn’t any good at it. I thought to myself “swing it round”, and so I did.
I went through to year ten. I went from year 10 to the TAFE college across the road from the school, and just started doing course, after course after course after course, non-stop. I did chef’s assistant, cooks assistant, welding, computers, car detailing, spray painting, panel beating, and mechanic school. I’ve also done building, paving and was a stable hand down in Wagga.
My mum passed away, God love her, and my family said “look we’re up here on the Central Coast. Why don't you move up here and then we'll help you with some family support”. So I decided to move up here to where my sister and nieces and nephews are. They’ve helped me out a lot. And I mean a lot. My biggest challenge for me has been losing my mum. Some people say it takes five years to get over something like that but no, it doesn’t.
I was introduced to the Men’s Shed up here, which was good, but that finished about two years ago. I’ve also joined up with Yerin (Aboriginal Health Services) and got to know them really well. They have another men’s group who meet every fortnight. We get together and see what has to be done, and then we do it.
“From then I’ve just been taking life every day as it comes. Every challenge that comes at me I say “There’s got to be a way to get through and deal with this. Let’s try it. Let’s do it.” - Rod
”
While living on the Central Coast Headstart said that they could help me besides my family, and so I thought “ok, good”. They’re helping me to achieve the goals I’ve set, like get my money back into budget, make sure I don’t overspend, get myself towards getting my license. I tell you Rachael (my support worker) is a Godsend! She really is.
My father was Aboriginal, my mother wasn’t. I’m 99.9% Aboriginal and I’m proud to know that I’ve got that in me.
“I get furniture restored and paint it with Aboriginal colours.”
I’ve got a real big coffee table here which I did about three years ago, I’ve also done some other chairs and then a bedside table that I did in Aboriginal colours just a couple of days ago. I just do the Aboriginal flag because I’m very proud of my culture.
I used to do swimming some time ago but when I lost mum I stopped. But now I’m getting back into it. I’m doing things that mum would be proud of so I might was well get on and do it!
Our Headstart group has been out a bit lately. Swimming felt as though I was getting my strength back in my arms and legs and I loved it. The bowling though I was a bit shaky at first but I’m getting the hang of that again. We’ve also done archery and that went great the second time. I’m just getting a lot better. I went the first time in October and I was a bit all over the place then.
I go for driving lessons with the instructor at the driving school. He and I get on very well. His feedback is that every lesson I'm getting a lot better at it, but I need more consistency. So things are working in my favour and he says that we’re working towards getting my P plates. And that’s one of my goals. I got my L plates and that took a fair while. I went with Rachael to the library one or twice a week to practice the test on the computer. That also helped with my computer skills. I’ve also got my iPad tablet and I can practice my driving test there too.
I’ve got my car downstairs and I really want to be able to go out myself to see my family and do my shopping instead of relying on everyone else. Being independent is a big goal.
““I’m trying to get my drivers license again, that’s one of my big goals,” says Rod. “I’ve got my learners now!””
Rachael supports me twice a week. She helps with tidying up, making sure everything’s in order and the place is completely tidy. When COVID first started, the way I thought of it, was if the place was dirty that’s where it would sit. But if the place was completely spotless, well, it’s got nowhere to stay.
If I didn’t have Rachael I’d sort of be lost, even though I do have family in the area who are there when I need them.
I’ve also got my feral cat - a short haired tabby - she sleeps all day right but after she has something to eat at night time runs around the place trying to headbutt anything and everyone. She’s a headbutt cat!
We’ve been working on my fish tank and got a couple of fish to look after. I also have my car to maintain. There’s lots to do and keep me busy. Actually two fish have gone missing since we’ve had the fish tank, now we’ve got covers over the top the cat’s left them alone!
