Meet Talon – Crew4Life
Image Description: Crew4Life member Talon models our new hoodie outside the Woodend office
Growing up in Live4Life’s foundation community in the Macedon Ranges, Talon was introduced to Live4Life back in 2019. “My first year was with the originals Matty & Kyle!” In his final year of school, he received two awards for his service to the community in relation to raising mental health awareness. Talon describes Crew4Life as an opportunity to “support those around you so that everyone grows together.” Meanwhile, he combines Crew4Life with attending university, working with the shire council as a youth worker, and pursuing modelling, acting and public speaking. He says he manages a busy life by “understanding self-care and prioritising what's in front of me — valuable lessons Live4Life taught me.”
Q&A WITH TALON
Q: When and where did you first become a Life4Life Crew member?
A: In 2019 at the Macedon Ranges. My first year was with the originals Matty and Kyle!
Q What is your favourite memory of the Crew?
A: Dare I say, it's impossible to narrow on one memory. What has always resonated with me was the comfort. As a group, as friends and as peers, we would sit around the couch in between planning and talk life. Sometimes that would end in silly shenanigans that kids have, chasing, running and tumbling around the room. But those were the memories I remember, having people I felt comfortable with to be goofy and silly. A safe space
Q: Why would you recommend someone to become a Live4Life Crew member?
A: There are countless reasons to be involved with a volunteer community organisation with like-minded peers. Whether you are career, relationship, or free-food focused, the obvious remains; you'd be helping so many.
Q: Why did you join Crew4Life?
A: Simple. I'm invested in this community.
Q: What opportunities have come with Crew4Life?
A: Going to my first annual dinner, the memories of seeing all the bright, beautiful and kind faces around me. So many familiar faces but equally I made so many new and brilliant connections. Not to mention the actual dinner itself … mmm, delicious.
Q: What does being in Crew4Life mean to you?
A: It means upholding the values which are centric to any community service organisation, empowerment. Support those around you so that everyone grows together. As the saying goes, "Raise your words, not your voice. It is the rain that grows flowers, not thunder."
Q: What are you doing now?
A: I've just started studying a Diploma of Community Services with Victoria University. I work with Macedon Ranges Shire Council as a Youth Worker, working at Ranges events as, well, sort of everything! Anything from being the emcee, stage manager, to sound technician. Elsewise, I pursue freelance modelling, acting and public speaking. I was managing a band (The Mods) during Year 12 but then burnout came about and I decided to dial it back a tad. With all honesty, the reason I've been capable of all this is due to understanding self-care and prioritising what's in front of me — valuable lessons Live4Life taught me.