By Peter Douglas
Emerald business-owner Tom Lobbe said it was his “grand final” when he was nominated for the 2018 Victorian Young Achiever Awards.
But to be awarded the Kangan Institute Inspirational Tafe Student Award is the stuff of dreams.
Tom recently returned to study to complete a Diploma of Horticulture at Swinburne University, aiming to complete unfinished business after years earlier he withdrew due to the demands of his mental illness.
He was diagnosed with schizophrenia when he was in his late teens and he hears voices almost daily.
Though Tom is usually able to distinguish when the voices are not real, he finds this tiring, confusing and – at times – frightening.
However, he said, due to some incredible support, he had been able to achieve his ambition of returning to study.
“I hear voices daily, as well as have a learning difficulty. So learning new concepts is quite difficult for me,” he said.
“I believe that faith and my friends, family, community, and the school, have got me to where I am today.
“To even get nominated was the grand final for me, but to win is just incredible. It’s very humbling.”
AccessAbility Adviser with Swinburne University, Sophie Holloway, nominated Tom for the award.
Belinda Brown, from the Mental Health Coalition of South Australia, and Swinburne University teacher Fiona Cross were his referees.
Ms Holloway said Tom had not only fought through his challenges, but shined, earning high distinctions for his studies.
She said Tom had been an integral member of the class.
“Tom has incredible insight into his mental health and is keen to share his experience to break the stigma around mental health,” Ms Holloway said.
“Tom originally did not want to disclose to his fellow students. However, after Mental Health Week, he saw the impacts he could have and … we arranged for Tom to present to his class.
“I was immensely proud of Tom to be so honest and open to an audience that potentially has little understanding of mental health.
“Tom told be later that he had a lot of students come up to him afterwards, who shared their own family and friends’ issues with mental health.
“Tom started the conversation, which is a powerful thing.”
For Tom, not only does he have the challenge of running his own business – the Village Gardener, which operates around the Dandenong Ranges – the voices are louder when he is around new people.
So, to return to study exacerbates those voices.
Though, Tom has further ambitions than just his own personal development; he wants to further champion the cause of raising awareness of mental illness.
He wants to show others what can be achieved, despite the challenges.
Tom – alongside his AFL star brother Matthew, who now plays with Carlton – has set about taking up that challenge.
Matthew, a former Monbulk footballer, last year joined Tom as a Mental Health Week ambassador, presenting at the Mental Health Coalition of South Australia.
Matthew last year told the Mental Health Coalition he had witnessed the challenges his brother had faced.
“Before I experienced mental health challenges within my own family, I had a perception that people suffering weren’t strong or resilient,” Matthew said.
“This has been a huge learning curve for me. I still believe that some people view mental illness in this same way, but I think that the more that we can understand mental illness as a community, the easier it will be for people with these same challenges.”
Matthew is also an ongoing ambassador for Lifeline, with his passion for raising awareness stemming from his family’s experience.
Their younger brother, Caleb, has also played a big role in their efforts.
Meanwhile, despite the accolades, Tom said his passion for his chosen professions shines as bright as ever.
“From a young age, I always loved everything about horticulture and gardening. My family has a long lineage in the industry; my father is a fifth-generation market gardener,” he said.
“I’m particularly interested in maintenance such as pruning, soft-landscaping such as paths and rock-edging.”
In his younger days, Tom was a keen sportsman, playing with Emerald Cricket Club, as well as being a keen basketballer.
He said the community and his involvement with local clubs had helped him immensely, propelling him to where he is today.
“I just want to continue to raise awareness about mental health. I believe this award will be a stepping stone to greater awareness and perhaps a national and international platform.
“I still have challenges to come, but only good things can come from this award.”
