Tommy

This is my friend Tommy, he has a smile that would make most ladies melt. He is an avid snow/skateboarder and he builds really dope skate parks for a living. He’s also been a supporter of my work from the get go. Tommy is one of those all round nice guys. I mean really… just look at his smile, it’s ridiculous.

A better way to fight

When I was younger, I felt that my fists were my only weapon. Like many other youths that got sucked into suburban street life, I had the ‘area mentality’, steadily looking over my shoulder as many rivals laid lurking in the shadows. As teenagers we were constantly at boiling point, down for whatever and always on guard when trouble came. I copped a few hidings and handed out a few of my own. Although, after every altication, I felt the same dead feeling inside, no matter which way it went. In hindsight, it was a pretty sh#t existence, but we were proud to hold down our own. Later in life, I realised that there are better ways of dealing with anger and other built up emotions. I learned that I could be more calculated/logical, it wasn’t about backing down, it was more about finding other ways to stand up for myself. It took a while to wash away the anger, but time and a lot of self education cured everything in the end. I didn't have to be a victim of myself anymore.

Violence is for the reactive rather than proactive thinker. It’s always better to walk away knowing that you can lead a more promising path.

Cowards back down in fear, while the strategist walks away with a smile.

I took this photo at a friends house a few months back.

Ritchi

I’ve been teaching music at the Indigenous Education Centre in Broadmeadows for around three years now and I'm lucky enough to meet some really rad/inspiring people. I met Michael Ritchi just over two years ago. He came in with his Dad and shredded out some Metallica and a few of his favourite metal songs and within an instant we accepted him into the music course. Since I began teaching him, he has evolved into an all round genius musician. I’m not trying to give myself credit here, I strongly believe that he did it all on his own. It was such a pleasure to watch it all unfold in from of my eyes. ‘Ritchi’ (or Ritchaaaayy) as we fondly call him, has seen some hard times, but he always retains a positive outlook on life. He has such a infectious energy about him and I’m proud to call him a friend. I’m so confident that he will mould a career as one of Australias finest musicians. I took this photo while we were kickin it last Friday.

Fallon

This is one of my closest homies 'Fallon'. He is an award winning chef and one of the funniest dudes I've every met. I took this shot a few weeks ago when we were celebrating his move to a dope ass crib in the city.

Lucky

I took this shot while playing ball with some homies a few weeks back. We spent the afternoon kickin in the park and helping a friend get through some hard times. After a meaningful conversation, we decided to go to the local court and shoot a few. It's funny, as soon as we stepped on the basketball court, it just felt like we naturally forgot about the emotionally hard work that life puts in front of us. It felt like we were kids again, we talked old times and reminisced about how it used to be. I felt an appreciation of where I am now and I how proud I am of anyone who goes through hard times. We're still standing, it's not over until the clock stops.

Thank you

Something really humbling happened to me today and it really made me see my life from a different perspective. Infact it’s something that’s been brewing for a while. I’ve decided to back away from the mess and start to appreciate the smaller things in life, I find that they sit best with me.

Thank you to everyone that has taken the time to explore my writings, photography, films and most of all my perspective. It means so much to me to see people connect with the little things that I care about so much. It always feels good to know that I have a little community that appreciates this erratic tortured artist.

You are here to do ‘you’, don’t believe the rest of the hype.

Always was, always will be aboriginal land!

Australia has one of the most disgraceful histories on this planet. The indigenous people of this country have had both their land and culture stripped from them in the worst way possible and it is still happening today. The traditional custodians of the land we consistently destroy, have been bullied and eradicated from within since the first fleet. Time and time again our governments have torn apart what little culture is left and it is shameful. The aboriginal people of Australia are some of the most poorly treated cultures on earth, yet most people sit back and watch the injustice happen. 

The government feel it is OK to break apart communities that have been there for ten of thousands of years, to appease the mining companies that disfigure sacred land for profit and power. How is this ok?

I felt so proud to march yesterday and I will continue the fight for humanity, equality and respect.

And to the people that felt the protest was selfish and an inconvenience to commuters trying to get home after a ‘hard days’ work… you are lucky to have a f*#%ing home!

Peace to Nepal

No photo's today. I'd like to send peace and blessings to the people of Nepal. The quake was so strong, it was felt in four countries and has left over 3000 people dead. If you can find it in your hearts drop a donation (http://www.redcross.org.au/nepal-earthquake-2015.aspx).

Creepy swing set

This is the swing set that nightmares are made of.

Happy Anniversary

She was the only girl I got nervous about kissing for the first time (she kissed me first haha) and 14 years later we are still side by side. She keeps my wild ways at bay. It's been a long winding road, but every turn has been worth it.

Thanks for believing in me, when no-one did.

The biggest happy anniversary to my best friend and wife Jodie!

Fergie

I had the pleasure of kickin' it with my homie Fergie on Monday. Many would say that he was one of the best ball players to come out of the Eastern Suburbs. I shared the court with him for the majority of my teenage years and I still fear his defence to this day (I may have been rejected by him, more than a few times). Despite his freakish talents, he always remained the most humble player on the court. He would bury shot after shot, with not even a glimpse of arrogance. He also had a nurturing soft spot for the amateur players, always passing the ball when they were positioned for the open shot, which he'd always follow with encouragement, whether they sinked or missed it. This speaks volumes about his character. 

The days of punishing ourselves on the asphalt are over, but it was good to reconnect with it again. Our skills might be a little rusty (Fergie occasionally misses), but the love is still there.

Monday was an important day for us. The days will get better brother.

Little brother

It's been an absolute honour to see this kid grow over the past few years. I've seen him at his best and I've seen him at his worst, but either way we grew together. The future is bright little brother. Go get what's owed.

Playoffs

As a kid, playoff season was the most exciting time of my life. In the driveway of my Croydon home, I'd emulate my favourite players for hours on end. The basketball court was my escape/saviour. Years later and I still haven't lost excitement for the game.

Brother Sam

This is Bother Sam, me and my wife met him while we were in Sydney just over a week ago. Brother Sam wants to open up an office with the vision of simply helping people. We talked for around half an hour and he hugged us many times saying "We are all one and we should help each other". I hope someone gives you that office Brother Sam, there should be more people like you in the world.