“The miseducation of an Indigenous All Star”

Acrylic on Canvas

39cm x 48.5cm

Kashael. B

$300

Indigenous all stars! the Dreamtime Team made up of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island league hero’s. We are all super stars of our own selective practices, in our own rights. Our resilience and spirit is what makes us all stars. Following our lines to our purpose even if that means veering of our desired pathways. This is too mob, never settle for less and don’t be afraid to shine, your light is bright.  

Yes, Rugby league was the family sport. And my brother used to tear that up. It always used to flip me off how he would tea up a conversion and get it 8/10 times. For him it always seemed so effortless, the way he conducted himself on the field during games was beautiful to watch. When playing my own games I would mimic my best and pretend to be him when it was my turn to run on the field. His game was just too good, But yeah.. I was still faster, NAHHH!

When he was enrolling into high school he begged my mum to attend PBC, one of the two main sports focused high schools on the Gold Coast. He didn’t have to do to much begging as he received a scholarship. I thought surely brother bear is the next ONE. 

However regular schooling was just never going to work out for my brother. A quick exit from PBC led to a brief stint at Merrimac, Miami and finally finding his way at Australian Industry Trade College. Trying to balance the pressures of becoming a man of his own, he did what was necessary pushing footy and other passions aside. Notably during this period he found a desire to be a rebel. But that is the journey to which he found purpose. During AITC he cultivated incredible amounts of knowledge that gave him foundations to succeed. AITC would also be where he would meet the future mother of their jarjum.

It is an amazing privilege to be an uncle and I hold it high with immense pride. I can only imagine how my brother feels being a father. 

And the inspiration continues, I see my brother glow in a way that I have never seen before. Watching him become a father fills my cup completely and I have this new found motive to do so much better. As much as bub gave him purpose it also provided me the same. It’s because of him that I am standing here today. To show him  that dreams can be walked in reality. To be proud in his identity and to stand with strength. Have the courage and attitude of an All Star in your chosen path and never give up on yourself.