Assignment 2 - Story

December 2008, was bloody hot to be blunt, it was two weeks into the pre-season, of the 2009 rugby season for the 1^st XV rugby squad, into the gym walked a small Torres Strait Islander, and next to him a big 120kg prop, from Cairns, his name Frank Lowah. It was through rugby than I met Frank Lowah and created a great friendship, I have chosen to do my story on this incredible person, who has come from a large family, with a typically background of not doing much, to make something of himself and give him a future.

Cairns is one of the most dense population of Australia where Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders live and congregate for native activities, however for one of these locals, he has made his way into the heart land of Australia and now is working for the Australian government. Frank Lowah is a 19 year old, born on the Island of Moa, and raised in Cairns. I had the pleasure of being one of Frank friends through is later education life, and I thought it is appropriate to do this story on him, especially being able to overcome many stereotypes and hardships, to be where he is today.

Mr Lowah’s, journey stated at Cairns West State School which eventually moved into Trinity Bay State High School, which are statically 85% Indigenous populated schools. This is where he was given his first and major hurdle of his life, was, which was the stereotypical view on how indigenous people view education, as many Torres Strait Islanders and Aboriginals, had fallen into a trap, which is eventually dropping out after high school and going to work back on the Islands as a Cray Fisherman and/ or start a family early. However Mr Lowah had commented responded to this “This I think was not a racist thought, it was just an observation of a cycle of behaviour which Indigenous Australia living in Cairns has fallen into and because the children didn’t know any better they accepted this as the normal.” However Frank had an ace, he was being from an educated family, they pushed him to excel at school and do something meaningful with his life and become some body and not the stereotypically person and break out of this cycle. However things did get worse personally for Frank, his family life was crumbling which made it hard for Frank, since he was the oldest he wanted to try and protect his brothers and sisters, while his parents fought however eventually his parents separated from each other, Mr Lowah believes that this was for the best. However I digress, racism is no doubt one of the hardest things any person has to do deal with, however historically Australian Aboriginals have had the hardest times. Frank stated when he was going from the Queensland Public school system, “The often degrading surprise from non-Indigenous teachers and peers how they reacted to my intelligence, as if it was a solar eclipse and the hurtful comments to them which were made by my fellow Indigenous students who saw my drive to better myself as a comment to them as their lifestyle was obsolete.” However the racism Frank experienced was more judgemental than suppressive, as Frank had a dream to go on a break this cycle and go on to a world class University, to make something of him. Frank continues to work hard and this eventually paid off, he was offered a scholarship to attend St. Peters Lutheran College in Indooroopilly. (St Peters Lutheran College is one of Queensland highest ranked academic schools). “This was a dream come true” said Frank, his scholarship was two things his intellect and also his sporting ability in Rugby Union. This scholarship was offered to Frank, by the AIEF (Australia Indigenous Education Foundation).

In early 2009, Frank packed up his bags and travelled 1700km to Indoorpilly. Being from a smaller city and community the larger and denser city of Brisbane was overwhelming at first, and also dealing with home sickness was no easy personal task to over come. However as Frank explained “It was easier to overcome my home sickness, because of the new environment I was in, there were allot of other Indigenous people around me in boarding, therefore it was easier for me to make new friends and have a safety net especially when I felt home sick, I’d have people feeling the same.” Frank over came these little speed bumps in his journey and realised that where he was now nurtured his intellectual gift. Through his hard work of a B+ average, he was in prime position to step into a new role and do what he set out to do and make something of him.

2009 ended, and 2010 started with a bang this year Frank was senior at St Peters, and Frank continued where he left off, however this year would be different, Frank wanted to show what he was and following his dream he became a role model for the other boarders and becoming Head Boarder boy, the top dog in the boarding house. With this additional responsibility Frank was able to keep his B+ average, and with this B+ average Frank, didn’t realise it et but it would get him to where he was today.

As part of the AIEF program Frank and many other Indigenous people were a part of, Frank was different he was placed because of his exceptional grades into a program under the Government program title Learn! Earn! Legend! Which encouraged Indigenous youths to stay in school and pursue a career in the Australia Public Service through the Various Government based Departments. During this time he was based in the the Federal Member for the electorate of Leichhardt (Far North Queensland) Jim Turnour’s office. While Frank was in his office, he demonstrated his willingness to learn, participate whilst also demonstrating his office capabilities and his ability to go that bit further. Months, after the  Learn! Earn! Legend! Program finished, Frank receives a promising and a life changing phone call, the, AIEF (Australian Indigenous Education Foundation), and they informed him that was the new Admin Assistant/ Assistant Adviser position for the Office of Senator., Mark Arbib. Frank applied for the position with an outside chance while in the Learn! Earn Legend! Program. That is where we would friend Mr Frank Lowah today.

Frank Lowah, some would say came from a disadvantage in life, being from Cairns and aboriginal, which stereo typically perceive as people who live of wealth fare, he set out to break this stereotype, and he did. I was lucky enough to become a friend of Frank and see him try and succeed, however I also did see him fail at things however it didn’t stop him from trying. I saw Frank cut from the 1^st XV rugby team twice and again and again Frank made his way back, while most people just hung up the boots, Frank wanted that 1st XV jersey and made his way back into the team.  Frank Loawh is an incredible person, striving to become something and eventually help his other indigenous “brothers” also break out of this cycle.

I asked Frank in this interview, now that you are working in politics, do you think you’ll want to go to university? He replied “I would like to go back and complete both an international relations and a law degree, however I am at this point in time I'm willing to learn anything and everything that can help to improve my current job. AS I want to go work either in Australia and help other Indigenous children break out of that vicious cycle and fight stereotypes, or go  to work overseas at an embassy and continue strengthen Australia relations with our neighbours.”

Frank Lowah, with is his boss Mark Arbib. Frank Lowah, a fighter, a brother a mate.