Why are we doing this ?, Well, Michael firmly believes there is something about the saying “It is in Giving, that we find our purpose in life, creating true Happiness”. Being a very humble man, Michael now lives his life this way and it has helped him positively impact the lives of many others that he helps and supports.
You see, Michael stumbled across an article back in 2008 in one of the local newspapers about the “Big Brother Big Sisters Program”. The article talked about the great work that the program was doing in the community, and that there was over 200 kids on the waiting list in the program, waiting to someone that could become their friend and mentor.
When Michael read this, be new what we wanted to do, and became involved straight away.
After extensive testing and checks, Michael was approved to become a single volunteer and was an official “Big”. But with his passion, and desire to help on a larger scale, he knew he could do more.. So he approached Nett Bailey, one of the co-ordinators of the Big Brothers Big Sisters program here in Melbourne, and hoped that she would be able to see and share in his vision.
He proposed a bigger picture to Nett, and together, they came up with the concept of the “Big Brotherhood”. And finally, after an enourmous amount of work from Nett, she and Michael were able to open the doors to ten boys between the ages of 12-17 years, to join Michael in a weekly one hour class.
Michael chose this specific age group as he remembered his own youth and knew that this age group was probably going to be the hardest age group to ‘crack’ and get through to, but he knew that with the right environment support and guidance, he could do it.
Nett has now taken the Big Brotherhood concept and expanded it further with a second class running on a weekly basis with herself and another of our trainers, Travis running the sessions.
The sessions focus not just on health and fitness, but are a place where the boys can learn mateship, teamwork, build their self confidence and just have someone to talk to when it is needed. As Michael says, “These kids are just in need of some love and friendship, and it is my pleasure to be involved. I only wish i could do more”
With his life experiences gathered over the years from his own youth and his sporting career, Michael’s mentoring message does not come with a lot of ‘bells and whistles’, it is simple and clear…
“Life Is tough !, THATS a fact, and when you stand tall, you WILL be knocked down. But when you do get knocked down, get back up . Will you be knocked down again ? YES, people will always try to knock you down and step on you, but if you have the courage and the self belief to stand tall and keep getting back up on your feet and NEVER giving up, you will achieve things and overcome things that you never would have thought were possible.Its about overcomeing, The mean, The nasty and The just unfiar. If you really want something bad enough, you can have it. It comes down to having that belief in yourself and never,ever, ever give up.”
Michael has touched many lives and continues to do so through his work and committment to the Big Brothers Big Sisters program and the Big Brotherhood. He knows the truth and we need to know it too. “If you Hide from the truth, it will ALWAYS come back to bite you ! ALWAYS”
For more news about the Big Brotherhood and the Big Brothers Big Sisters Program, you are invited to check out Michael’s Facebook page