A self-proclaimed stubborn loudmouth, Gary was always quick to find friends, which meant there was no shortage of people willing to offer him a couch to sleep on while he travelled all over Australia with his guitar.

From Darwin to Perth to Albany to Brisbane, Townsville, Cairns and back to Perth, whether it had four strings or two, he just loved the sound of the guitar and the way it drew people to him.

All the couch surfing, which Gary fell into after the breakup of a long relationship, didn’t really strike him as homelessness. He had been a successful owner of an events management company, flying back and forth across Australia and the world, managing famous entertainers and consulting for large firms. Now, it seemed, he was just journeying back and forth in a different way.

Back in Perth, Gary began visiting services like Uniting WA’s Tranby Engagement Hub. It was here that Gary was referred to the Homeless Accommodation Support Service (HASS), where he lived for about a year.

During this time, Gary kept going to Tranby and hanging out with the staff and friends he made along the way.

Eventually, Gary decided to return to Country and move to Southern Cross with his daughter. Here, he reconnected with his culture; the one his grandfather had taught him before he was removed from his parents to Roelands Mission in WA as part of the Stolen Generations.

Gary believes that when you reclaim your heritage, it opens a special path for you, one of strength and pride. It’s a path that gives you the strength to manage the trauma of being taken from your family by authorities. The trauma of not being able to be a son to your mother and father.

While living in Southern Cross with his daughter, Gary began writing his book, Nunngurrie, which means ‘Traditional Healer’. The book, which is still in development, is about Gary’s work as a traditional healer and his experience working with people.

Around this time, Gary received a call about a public housing unit available for him. His Uniting support workers had kept his name on the waitlist. Initially reluctant, Gary had a change of heart when he walked through the front door. A humble clothesline and an unassuming banana tree sealed the deal. Deep breaths, memories of Darwin, the outback, the red dirt and the simple things, and Gary was home after all.