I wasn’t aware of the impact that I had made on the lives of Aboriginal people until I did a bit of travelling and visited various communities throughout Victoria. To see the way that my people looked at me and to know that I made a difference to them was an honour.

I’m going to win it for my country. I’m the first Aboriginal to win this. Isn’t that something? I wish my Dad was alive to see it. He’d be as proud as I am.