3 June 2024

TAFE NSW has helped a former biker and self-confessed “problem child” transform his life and become a mentor to troubled local teens.

Proud Wiradjuri and Gamilaroi man Marty Morris, 50, last week capped off an extraordinary life turnaround by being named the Health, Wellbeing and Community Services Student of the Year at the 2024 TAFE NSW Gili Awards.

Mr Morris had a childhood marred by violence and dysfunction, forcing him to disengage from education at a young age.

Still in a motorcycle club and working as an interstate truck driver at 45, Mr Morris’s life changed in an instant when he was badly injured in a workplace accident.

“I spiralled into depression because my role as a father, as a provider, as a man changed,” the father-of-six said.

The Scone resident turned to TAFE NSW to gain the practical skills and real-world experience to launch a new career, enrolling in a Certificate IV in Youth Work to help inspire and guide young people living through similar experiences to his own.

Shortly after graduating, he secured a job as a youth worker at Upper Hunter Community Services Inc, working with at-risk young people aged 16 to 24.

“They’ve disengaged from education and the workforce and most are on the police radar,” Mr Morris said.

“It’s a big hill to climb for them: many are involved in drugs and crime and most have never had a positive role model in their lives. Some struggle to even read and write.

“But slowly you win their trust and they start to talk to you about what happened to them.

“It puts you in a position to help them and when you see them have a win – get a job interview, go to rehab – it’s incredibly satisfying.”

The Australian Government’s Job Outlook report lists future growth for youth worker positions as “very strong”.

Mr Morris said TAFE NSW’s tailored support and hands-on approach to learning had been “invaluable” and encouraged him to subsequently enrol in a Diploma of Counselling and Certificate IV in Alcohol and Other Drugs.

“I thought I’d bitten off more than I could chew but with tutorial help from my TAFE NSW teacher, it just clicked,” he said. “The job has really given me back my self-worth and given me a career I can look forward to.

“If I can just help one person not go down the same path as me, it’s all worth it.”

TAFE NSW youth work teacher Berenice Murphy said Mr Morris was a credit to his community and the profession.

“Marty is a great example of what you can achieve with the right support and engagement,” Ms Murphy said. “He now has the practical skills to change his own life and the lives of so many others in his community. He really is a great leader.”

Media contact: Dan Johns, TAFE NSW Communications Specialist, Daniel.johns9@tafensw.edu.au, 0477 722 428