On bene day I paid my board to a friend who took me in as a favour, then I would spend the rest on booze - it was the fun I felt I deserved. Photo / APN
On bene day I paid my board to a friend who took me in as a favour, then I would spend the rest on booze - it was the fun I felt I deserved. Photo / APN
Eighteen or nineteen years ago, I wouldn't have thought I would have a column in the newspaper. I would not have dreamed that I would be a part-owner in an accounting practice.
Eighteen or nineteen years ago, I couldn't really see past each week that I received the unemployment benefit.I had dropped out of tech because I had run out of the money I had saved for my study.
Many businesses I applied to for a job just told me to go back and finish my qualifications. But I needed a job to pay my rent. Looking for a job was hard. I wasn't being picky.
With job prospects grim, I struggled to cope with the rejection. I began to cycle into the routine of "waiting for bene day".
On bene day I paid my board to a friend who took me in as a favour, then I would spend the rest on booze - it was the fun I felt I deserved.
The money would be gone by the next day. I was starting to feel like there was nothing in life for me.
Once, I asked my parents for some money for food because I had spent too much.
I will never forget them saying: "No, we're not going to help you, you need to sort yourself out and find a job, you need to keep trying and don't stop trying."
I cried and went for a long night-time run. Barefoot, sobbing, cursing, hungry and full of anger. It rained and I collapsed to my knees, holding my head, in a park.
It was a small business that finally gave me the chance at a real life. A small accounting firm offered me a full-time job, in return for a few months' work experience.
It was a humble start. I was making coffee, getting the mail and fixing morning tea. The most basic of jobs. But it was something and they paid for me to complete my qualifications.
Six years ago, I became a part-owner of the practice. I now own my home and am fortunate to not have to worry about where the money for the next grocery bill is coming from. I'm in the position to be able to help other young people who are struggling to get a start in life.
Welfare provided me with the most basic assistance but it was getting a job that gave me a real existence and allowed me to break free from that week-to-week struggle. That's why I so strongly believe that we need to encourage business. If we support firms to flourish, they'll create jobs and real opportunities to help the next generation achieve more than just scraping to get by. Without the business that was willing to take a punt on me, I hate to think where I would be now.
