“From an early age I was always willing to put my hand up to help people,” said Geraldton Academy (WA) alumnus Tyson McEwan.
This desire to aid others was a significant driver behind Tyson’s decision to study law at university and in July this year, he completed a Bachelor of Arts in Law and Society at the University of Western Australia (UWA).
“I believe having the ability to help people in difficult and challenging legal situations is a way I could help them,” he said.
“I wanted to become an advocate for Indigenous rights and help Aboriginal people and their communities solve domestic issues.”
After graduating from Year 12 in 2013, Tyson moved from Geraldton to Perth to study at UWA. To ensure he was coping with the transition, he was regularly checked on by Clontarf General Manager for Employment, Marcus Harrold.
“It was a big help knowing that I had a support network in Perth as most of my family are up north in the Pilbara. While living down in Perth I have made a lot of new friends with Clontarf alumni and we all support each other.”
In 2018, Tyson spent five months on a student exchange programme at the Pacific University in Portland, Oregan in the United States.
“To be able to study and live on the other side of the world for a few months was unreal. I lived with other international students and it was a great opportunity to share this experience with them as we all experienced similar challenges adjusting to American life.”
Tyson has also completed internships with two Clontarf partners – Herbert Smith Freehills and Rio Tinto – and continues to work casually in Rio Tinto’s Aboriginal Heritage Team.
He is now studying his Juris Doctor postgraduate degree and continues to attend Clontarf events where he shares his experience and knowledge with current students.
“Anything in life is possible if you put your mind to it and just stick with it because what seems so hard now will one day be a warm up.
“I didn’t think I was smart enough for university, but I enrolled and did the course work and graduated with a degree. Just do what drives you to become a better person each day.”
