高清福利片

鈥淚 still remember her,鈥� he says. 鈥淪he was there for me in my moment of need and she inspired me to look for ways to help people, since occupational therapy was helping me.鈥�

Nathaniel had always known he wanted to make a difference, but the hospital stay helped him find a direction. 鈥淚鈥檝e got a thing about helping people to become the best that they can be. That鈥檚 when I decided I wanted to study occupational therapy鈥� he says.

During his last years at school, Nathaniel attended several summer and winter programs at the University of Sydney through the .

These week-long programs enable Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander high school students to stay on campus and experience university life.

鈥淭he opportunity to travel and live in Sydney was amazing,鈥� the 19-year-old says. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 when Sydney Uni got into my head. The sports and the people appealed to me. At the summer program I met Mitchell Whiteley [student leader], and he got me into rugby union.鈥�

Now in his second semester of his degree, Nathaniel is enjoying playing for the Sydney University Football Club and keen to pursue more activities in his second year.

Originally from Badu Island in the Torres Strait Islands, Nathaniel is the first in his family to travel this far from home. He hopes to encourage others to follow their passions too.

鈥淚n the future I see myself as a professional rugby player, going up to the Islands and inspiring younger generations of Indigenous and non-Indigenous kids to build their confidence. 鈥淣othing is impossible. Try something, travel, do whatever you want to do, follow your dreams,鈥�

He adds one other piece of advice: 鈥淏e different. Don鈥檛 follow a group. Be yourself and follow your passions, not what other people think is 鈥榗ool鈥�.鈥�

This story first appeared in the Koori Mail on 10 August 2016.