I was born and raised in Carnarvon, a small rural town over 1,000 kilometres north of Perth. Growing up there shaped me in many ways, but it also meant my opportunities were limited. I wasn’t surrounded by many people with the same aspirations I had, particularly the goal of going to university, and for a long time, that future felt distant.

Late in my schooling, I was given the opportunity to move to Perth and attend school there. While this opened doors, it also came with challenges. When I first arrived, I felt behind academically and socially, and I was consistently failing. It was confronting, but it forced me to make a decision: either let the gap consume me, or actively close it.

I chose to take every opportunity I could. Through consistency, hard work, and a willingness to ask for help, I began to improve. Over time, what once felt impossible became achievable and I ultimately exceeded my original high school goal by gaining entry into law school.

I am now studying a double degree in Law and Commerce at Curtin University, driven by a strong passion for accessibility. My own journey has shown me how transformative access to education, support, and opportunity can be. I believe that when systems are designed to be accessible, they don’t just help individuals succeed; they unlock potential that would otherwise be lost.

Accessibility, to me isn’t just a principle, it’s personal. And it’s something I aim to carry into everything I do.