Kintsugi Heroes: Uncovering our Hidden Value

John grew up in the western suburbs near Parramatta, playing footy, learning a trade as a sparky and always wanting to become a police officer, inspired by his grandfather’s advice.

His early lessons in communication as a sparky on job sites shaped how he approached policing and helped him connect with others.

In 1997, John joined the police.  He worked in various roles, including Middle Eastern Crime and property teams, develop...

Serena grew up in Singapore in a home that valued stability, achievement and following a well-planned path. She studied law for its prestige and structure, later working as a lawyer for the government.  

After years in a secure career, Serena realised she felt trapped by expectations and began questioning her purpose. Taking time away from work to reflect, she discovered a passion for personal growth and exploring new...

Lynn grew up in a large, devoted Mormon family, deeply connected to her great great grandfather, Joseph Smith, founder of the Mormon church, and shaped by strong traditions and high expectations.  

As a child, Lynn worked hard in school, followed strict family rules, and tried to live up to the “Mormon royalty” label placed on her by her community.  

Then at 19, she left everything and everyone she knew and moved from Utah ...

Darren grew up in a military family, moving often as a child and experiencing different cultures and ways of life. As a young man, he dreamed of acting but instead served as a paramedic and police officer, always drawn to helping others.  

Long years of frontline work took a toll, leading Darren to struggle with depression and eventually be diagnosed with PTSD. Life brought further challenges, including living through...

Karen was born in England to Irish parents and moved to Australia as a baby, growing up with a childhood full of change and learning to adapt to new situations.

Early on, she faced undiagnosed medical challenges with clumsiness, gastrointestinal issues and hypermobility, always feeling there was something different and relying on instinct and persistence. She lived in Northern Ireland as a young adult and England in her thirties, wh...

Steve grew up feeling different, always curious and passionate about things his friends didn’t understand. Early on, he developed a love for words and storytelling that set him apart.

As a child, Steve struggled with perfectionism and low self-esteem, not knowing he was neurodiverse. He saw the world differently and often felt isolated and misunderstood in social situations. Misdiagnosed and unsupported, Steve’s challenges with OCD ...

Nick is a 50-year-old single dad. He  always wanted to join the military and dreamed of becoming a helicopter pilot. He decided instead to join the infantry and later trained as a paratrooper in Australia He was based at Holsworthy. He was eventually medically discharged after injuring his spine in a truck accident. After leaving the military, Nick moved to London. He spent five years working in the toy department at Harrods b...

James grew up in the north of England, earning a degree in politics and economics, working various jobs to support himself after university.

He visited Australia for the Olympics and decided to stay. He started working in recruitment, which led to opportunities and a new life here.

He thrived in the corporate world, pursuing promotions and financial success, before realising he wasn't fully satisfied or on the right path.

Throughout h...

Ben was raised by a single mother in Southeast Queensland, who instilled ambition and curiosity, setting the foundation for his diverse and driven future journey.

After studying zoology, Ben worked in environmental policy with the Australian Government, but he became disillusioned, realising that meaningful environmental impact required more than policy work.

He moved to China as a youth ambassador, working on conservation efforts an...

Shay grew up battling insecurities about his appearance and others' opinions, with family conflicts deepening his feelings of instability and anger.

At 13, Shay found gambling through poker, using it to mask inner pain, akin to a drug's euphoric escape, initiating a lifelong struggle.

Raised in a family where gambling was common, Shay's early exposure fueled his addiction, which intensified despite his awareness of the risks invo...

Christian Mortensen grew up in Melbourne with a Jewish mother and an artist dad, weaving his childhood with diverse cultural experiences and unique perspectives.

He studied ancient history and anthropology at Melbourne University, then taught first aid courses, laying a foundation for his future in emergency services.

Trained as a wilderness EMT in Colorado, Christian returned to Australia in 1998, joining the ranks of the New South ...

Growing up in the Blue Mountains, Kevin dreamed of adventure, inspired by army training on TV and rescue helicopters above his neighbourhood.

He joined the army, overcoming challenges to become a helicopter pilot, mastering intense tasks like low flying, NVG flights, and two-way operational missions.

Kevin served in East Timor, Iraq, and Afghanistan, tackling extreme environments and pushing the limits of aviation with courage. After...

As a young boy, Shannon dreamed of becoming a professional footballer, spending his days immersed in sport and camping activities.

School life wasn't ideal for Shannon; he often skipped classes due to bullying and a lack of interest, eventually leading to an ultimatum from his parents.

Shannon initially pursued a trade, working as a butcher for five years before he became attracted to the idea of helping others. He joined the army, w...

As a curious and big-dreaming kid, Scott aspired to be a doctor, inspired by a strong drive to help others and make a difference in the world.  

Scott navigated life's complexities, including neurodivergence, which shaped his unique perspective and relentless determination to explore nontraditional pathways to success and self-understanding.  

Guided by supportive figures like his soccer coach and school principal...

Tessa grew up on a South Australian farm, enjoying a childhood filled with outdoor adventures and tight-knit family bonds, which shaped her early years with resilience and joy.  

At 16, Tessa faced the sudden passing of her younger brother Nathan, a heartbreaking loss that left an enduring impact on her and her family.  Also at 16 Tessa was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Despite early struggles, she learned to ada...

Greg grew up in a family of six, surrounded by love and support. This big family environment shaped his inclusive and communal mindset.

Successful in various sports, including swimming and basketball, Greg achieved an elite level. His curiosity drove him to explore multiple sporting disciplines.

Greg's career began in education, progressed into architecture, and eventually led him to counselling. His diverse job roles included teachi...

Born in Brighton, England, Sean moved to Australia at age seven. His dad’s Irish heritage led them to Fremantle, beginning a life of adventure in Perth.

At 15, Sean's navy dream ended due to colourblindness. He joined the Western Australian Police Academy in 1978, quickly finding his passion in policing.

Sean served 15 years in the police, including the Tactical Response Group in 1985, fulfilling a lifelong ambition with thrilling, h...

Judith was the youngest of eight in a Catholic family. Despite a comfortable life, she faced traumatic experiences, including sexual abuse by priests from an early age.

The abuse and violence she suffered profoundly shaping her programming and she developed beliefs of unworthiness and self-punishment. In secondary school, Judith endured further abuse, by a nun. Her suffering attracted more harmful relationships as she grew older.

She...

Born and raised in Queensland, Tynan was a painting apprentice, living a typical young man’s life, when a tragic accident at 19 caused serious injuries, including a brain injury and coma. Doctors doubted his recovery, setting the stage for a long, tough journey ahead.

Despite predictions, Tynan endured relentless medical appointments and rehab sessions. He fought through pain, defied expectations, and relearned basic physical and me...