DRUG AND ALCOHOL COUNSELOR WINS INDIGENOUS STUDENT OF THE YEAR

Wayne Rider has won the Western Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year award. Credit: Supplied.

A Noongar man has won the Western Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year award.

Wayne Ryder won the prize as part of the WA Training Awards for his work in completing a Diploma of Leadership and Management.

He also works as a Cultural Community Worker for Palmerston Association, supporting individuals affected by drugs and alcohol.

Mr Ryder said he was inspired to become a counselor because of his own lived experience with drugs.

“I decided one day that I didn’t want to do that life anymore, and was strong enough to get out and find support,” he said.

“I found support in others, talking up in groups and that. Other people used to come up to me and say having me in the room speaking gave them strength to keep going in recovery, so I thought about making a career out of it and supporting others.”

Mr Ryder is also an artist and sportsman. He says his Leadership Management course helped him hone his time management skills so he can fit it all in.

Listen to Mr Ryder yarn with Marion Cheedy on the Ngaarda Willa Hour.