Now studying a Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Science, Shaun is driven by a clear goal: to support Indigenous people in their health journeys. 

“I want to help Indigenous people in need recover and better themselves in the main way I know how – through physical exercise,” he says. 

I want to help those who won’t ask for help. 

Shaun says that while he has found his calling, his journey hasn’t always been straightforward. In his early school years, he admits he didn’t take his education seriously.  

“I didn’t seriously consider what I wanted to do in the future, and my grades dropped quite a bit,” he said. “I didn’t utilise the opportunities I had before me.” 

But that changed when he found support through the Clontarf Foundation and the Follow the Dream mentoring program at his high school. Through conversations with his Follow the Dream coordinator, Dave, Shaun began to see the bigger picture – and his own potential within it. 

“He believed every student could achieve something great, no matter how they started. He believed in me and made me strive to be better,” Shaun said. 

“So, with the support of Dave, and other people around me, I found the drive to succeed and to better myself as a person – not just for me, but to help others too.” 

It’s the lasting memories of fellow Indigenous kids getting extra health checks through school and seeing grown men around him who needed help with their health, but went without it, that inspired his vision.  

The other guiding force in arriving at this point has been his culture. 

“It’s given me opportunities to flourish and helped me through tough times,” he says.  

It’s helped me connect with others like me and build lifelong bonds with people I trust. It’s also shown me the struggles we face – and what we need to succeed.

Looking ahead, Shaun dreams of a future where Indigenous communities have equal access to quality healthcare.  

“I want to increase the opportunities and quality of healthcare that Indigenous people can access throughout all walks of life,” he says.  

“I want us to have the same quality of life and health as everyone else.” 

For Shaun, sharing his story is about more than reflection – it’s about inspiration.  

“I hope that through this people know that they can achieve anything, no matter their background or where they came from.”  

Shaun’s story is part of a series on young leaders for NAIDOC Week 2025. The theme of this year’s celebration is The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy.