There are eight kids in my family, and I’m number six.
I love having lots of people around me. There’s always someone to talk to or play with.
I grew up playing basketball out the front of our house, going to the Red Cliffs oval to kick the footy, and playing video games with my siblings.
But when the older ones left home, things felt different.
I live with Mum and the two younger ones now. And the younger two became pretty loud!
I have to help out a bit more.
I put the bins out every week, do the dishes and clean up around the house.
I have to delegate and help the younger kids do their chores. I have to be responsible!
On the weekends, we go to Dad’s house.
It’s a lot of moving but I like moving, it means I get to see my family.
My brothers played footy in winter, and I’ve given footy a go too.
But all of us like playing basketball. It’s so much fun and is something that’s for me. It helps me clear my head.
I started high school the year the COVID pandemic started.
We’d go to my dad’s house one week and then my mum’s house another week.
It was a chaotic time.
When I’m at home, I talk a lot.
But, when I’m at school, I’m much quieter.
I get anxiety and starting high school was hard because I didn’t know anyone.
But physically moving my body and being active helps keep me calm. Playing basketball and footy brings me joy.
Even if things may be chaotic, time with family is everything.
My dad is Ngarrindjeri and Wemba Wemba.
My dad likes to teach us the names of the plants in Ngarrindjeri. He tells us about the different plants and how to identify them. We get a lot of natural history and Indigenous history lessons.
I love learning about my culture and spending time with family.