Just over three years ago, Emery and his friends decided to go ice skating.
“We all made fun of each other, because we were so bad at it,” Emery laughs.
Emery soon enrolled in a ten-week skating course. He was surprised to learn that he had an innate talent for the sport and a growing passion for it.
“I started skating in November 2021,” he remembers, “and by March 2022, I was competing in my first competition.”
“I loved that the sport was for me to do for myself; not for somebody else. It wasn’t about what I looked like or anything like that. It was about what I could do and what I’d be able to do in the future.”
“I learned pretty quickly that, while you can never be perfect, it’s your attempts to approach perfection that matter.”
Unfortunately, things were becoming increasingly difficult for Emery at home.
As his parents’ conservative views and priorities clashed with Emery’s plans for his future, the conflict between them grew worse.
Home no longer felt safe and living with his parents any longer wasn’t an option.
“They were also against me skating,” Emery says, “but in a way, that actually pushed me to do more and compete against myself as well as others.”
Youth Off The Streets’ National Scholarship Program: A fresh start
Emery was only 16 when he was forced to leave home. He moved between children’s refuges, public housing and rental accommodation as he tried to balance work and school with his training schedule.
ABC News: One in two young people seeking emergency shelter had applications turned down
“I just never thought that I’d come home to a caseworker signing my documents or follow a curfew set by people who aren’t my parents,” Emery says.
While at the refuge, Emery realised that he needed money to enrol in TAFE and prepare for university.
“I knew I wouldn’t be able to work and pay for everything at the same time, so I was applying for a bunch of scholarships,” says Emery.
“One of them was the Youth Off The Streets National Scholarship Program.”
The National Scholarship Program offers $6,000 scholarships to students who exhibit extraordinary potential but require additional support to achieve their education goals. They also receive support from our specialist staff and mentorship from a member of the community.
Emery was chosen to receive one of 39 scholarships in November 2024.
He attended the National Scholarship Program awards ceremony the same month and met his fellow recipients.
“At the ceremony, they spoke about every single recipient’s achievements and everything they’ve done in their lives that they’re proud of,” Emery recalls.
“These stories inspired me to push myself even further.”
20 years of helping realise dreams with the National Scholarship Program
In the months since, Emery has been able to buy books and stationery for TAFE, as well as a special pass that allows him to skate.
“The scholarship has already helped me in so many ways. I’m so grateful for it,” Emery says.
He has also benefited from the mentorship that the National Scholarship Program provides.
“I was paired with a mentor who worked in IT because that’s what I thought I wanted to study at the time,” Emery explains.
“Even though I switched to a tertiary preparation course, so I can study psychology, health sciences or physiotherapy at university, Hasan is a perfect match for me as a mentor.”
Emery was expecting his mentor to behave like a strict teacher who told him exactly what to do. Be. Instead, Hasan is there by Emery’s side to guide him.
“It’s really positive and freeing,” Emery affirms.
Hasan met Emery’s skating coach at a National Scholarship Program event and the pair clicked instantly, discussing how they could best support Emery to reach his potential.
“I just feel so supported,” says Emery.
“They listen to me talk about my goals and even when I’m having a rough time with skating, they push me to keep my dreams alive.”
On the road to the Olympics
Emery’s biggest dream is to compete in the 2030 Winter Olympics.
“It’s a bit of a stretch, but I always aim high and stick to my goals,” Emery explains.
“I feel like the journey of getting there, of attempting to get there, is more important than actually getting there.”
Emery wants to acquire sponsorship deals and win in his division at the Australian Figure Skating Championships – as well as eradicate some of the stigma that surrounds youth homelessness.
“The people I was in children’s refuges grew up hiding what happened to them,” Emery says.
“They never feel comfortable opening up, even when it’s such a big part of who they are. I felt like denying the fact that I was in that situation denies who I am today.”
“Youth homelessness is such a massive, common issue that’s important to talk about – so, by telling my story, I want to help others who are in my situation.”
Applications for our 2025 National Scholarships Program are now open. Register here.
Follow Emery’s journey by clicking on his Linktree – which will direct you to his website, LinkedIn and much more.