Turning 16 is a joyous time in the life of most teenagers. But for Jake Catanzariti, it was soured by a shock tragedy that sent him into a downward spiral.
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Just days after his birthday, he was at home with mum Kay when the family got a knock on the door from the police.
An officer told the family that Jack’s older brother Ben, aged 21, died when a concrete pouring boom collapsed on top of him at a Canberra building site.
“I wanted to quit school after that. I just totally lost interest,” Jack said.
Unable to concentrate, Jack missed out on getting a tertiary entrance score.
“I had some really good mates who pushed me, and helped me get through it… but when I left school, I wasn’t think of uni at all. I wanted to be a sparky”.
Jack worked on vintage in Griffith, coached tennis and backpacked around Europe and Asia; before landing a job as a teacher’s aide at Beelbangera Public School. This was another life changing moment for Jack.
Mum Kay said, “he was a natural at it… and he could see he was making a difference in the life of a young student.”
Jack decided he wanted to become a fully-fledged teacher. He applied for university and got accepted to do his bachelor’s degree at Charles Sturt. He’s now in his second year, and considered a role model to other country students.
Two weeks ago, he gave an inspirational speech about his journey to a big crowd at Yenda Producers, when he was among 13 students to thank Griffith Country Educational Fund (GCEF) for providing them with financial assistance.
The fund was established to help rural students, who face much higher costs than their urban counterparts. GCEF, supported by Yenda Prods and Griffith City Council, have now given grants totalling more than $100,000 to 85 local students over the past seven years.
“The money [from GCEF] has been invaluable. It’s helped with uni supplies, text books and accommodation,” Jack said.
Jack has made the most of his uni life, including doing a volunteer stint in Africa helping to build houses for disadvantaged children.
“Over there, I learned that I should never complain about life in Griffith again,” he said.
And it’s Griffith that he’ll always call home.
“I want to come back here when I graduate, if I can. And teach in a school here”.
That’s something the pleases mum Kay.
“I’m just so proud of Jack, I get emotional about it. He could have easily gone the other way, but he’s overcome obstacles and is doing what he loves,” she said.