Michael Smith Speech

On paper, Michael Smith sounds like an interesting person, having been a recipient of the Prime Minister’s Award for Skills Excellence in 2005, and working in the aged care sector at the tender age of 20.

But it is not until you meet Michael that you can really grasp his fantastic strength of character and wicked sense of humour that kept the conference of disability professionals laughing in the dwindling hours of day 1.

Michael was speaking at the conference about himself, which he admits is his favourite topic, but essentially explaining why he chose a career as a carer so early in his life.

Originally from Tasmania, Michael explained how as a kid he was always in trouble, how it was never recognised when he did behave, so he simply chose not to. He explained although he had many opportunities to change his ways he often made the wrong decision.

In year 8, he had the literacy skills of a grade 4 child, and it wasn’t until year 9 when a particularly terrifying teacher reached out to him and gave him an opportunity.

Michael recognised that this was probably his last chance, and after getting himself into so much trouble that he ended up crying his eyes out in a police cell, he had hit rock bottom, and finally made the conscious decision to get his life back on track.

So, using the opportunity his high school teacher had given him, Michael redeemed himself, got involved in the school community, and before he knew it he had a new reputation: of being a leader.

Michael was not brought up to have much confidence in himself, after his own mother told him he wasn’t smart enough to go to university or college. In fact it wasn’t until he moved in with his grandmother that he considered any tertiary education.

          After beginning a VET course, Michael decided that he was going to become a nurse, and once he applied himself, found he was enjoying his learning and achieving better results than he

ever had  in high school.

He said his lifestyle began to change because of his grandmother’s influence, whose rules he did not break because he “didn’t want to piss of grandma.”

Michael told the audience of his experience during a placement at Royal Melbourne Hospital. It was me and 19 chicks he said.

“I got to hold a premature baby that fit in the palm of my hand, and do you know what I did? I started to cry.”

“The chicks loved it… and I thought ‘Yes I’m in!’”

Michael passed his VET course at the top of the class, and won an excellence award for his efforts. In his charismatic and cheeky speaking style, Michael told story after story that had the audience in fits of laughter, wondering how such a young person had such excellent insight.

He said in his first job he always felt really supported, and even when he made mistakes he had his boss’ support and encouragement.

When asked how the disability industry could attract more young males like himself, Michael laughed and replied, “the chicks, just tell them about the chicks.”

But Michael, who seems wise beyond his years, obviously appreciated the non-tangible gratification the most.

“It’s not a sexy industry,” he said, “but it’s a rewarding one”