LIFE may have taken former Mildura man Arron Wood to many different places, but the former Deputy Lord Mayor for Melbourne, founder of Kids Teaching Kids program, multi-award-winner, published author and Member of the Order of Australia (AM) recipient says there’s no place quite like home. ASHLEE FALVO spoke to Wood about the path to success, his battle with depression and why a healthy dose of naivety can be a positive thing.
“KINGS Billabong – that’s where it all started for me.”
Speaking about where his passion for all things environmental stems from, Arron is quick to attribute it to the “magical” landscape of the Mallee.
“As kids, my brother and I would be fishing, riding our bikes, taking our canoes across to camp over on the wildlife conservation area and just having the best time,” he recalls.
“We got to roam free, it was such a magical place to be a kid.
“My passion for the environment all started with growing up on the billabong – it was part of me and still is to this day.
“When I come back to visit Mum, Dad and my brother Liam, the first thing I want to do is go down to the river.
“It’s why I chose environmental sustainability as a career path.”
With a degree in forest science from Melbourne University under his belt, Arron went on to found the company Firestarter, an environmental communication and educational consultancy business.
He also established the Kids Teaching Kids program, which aims to educate children on environmental issues and to help make a change.
While life seemed to be on an upward trajectory for Arron, he was secretly battling his own internal demons.
Starting the business had gotten him into significant debt, and it wasn’t long before he fell into a deep depression.
“It was actually a really dark time for me,” he says.
“I got into debt, I came close to losing my house and had a relationship breakup all at once.
“I was diagnosed with depression and medicated for many months, but I kept looking for coping mechanisms beyond the antidepressants.”
Arron credits a strict vipassana meditation course with bringing him clarity during a time of mental chaos.
“At first I was really worried about committing to the course because you don’t talk for 10 days,” he says.
“You meditate for hours each day and it’s pretty full-on, but it really did change my life.
“My daily battle with anxiety was much easier to manage and the big thing for me was that I started being able to sleep again.
“I still meditate for an hour every night since doing the course back in 2007.”
Today, with a swathe of accomplishments and accolades to his name and a multitude of awards including outstanding contributing to conservation, environmentalist of the year, a United Nations individual award for outstanding service to the environment, and young Australian of the Year (national environment winner), it’s safe to say Arron has bounced back strongly.
He has served as a current or past board member at South East Water Corporation, Port Phillip and Westernport Catchment Management Authority, Sustainability Victoria and the University of Melbourne’s Sustainable Society Institute advisory board.
But Arron says his recent appointment as a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) at Government House for his service to local government, the environment and his local community, has been an absolute “career highlight”.
“I felt really proud because it was recognition of the past two decades of work,” he says.
“I didn’t feel the need to prove myself. It was made even more special to have my family with me on the day.
“Mum and Dad got to come along and it’s a day I’ll remember for a long time.
“I never thought I’d get to where I am today – for a boy from Mildura who had a few behavioural issues in the early days to get to be the Deputy Lord Mayor, including six months as acting Lord Mayor, of the then world’s most liveable city just isn’t supposed to happen – but it happened to me, and I’m so thankful for that.”
But Arron openly admits he still suffers with imposter syndrome to this day.
“I’ve experienced imposter syndrome my whole career,” he says.
“I’ve always worked hard and made the most of my opportunities, but I’ve often been the youngest in the room by many years and that can be pretty intimidating.
“In many ways, that makes you work harder. Maybe if you feel too comfortable you don’t try hard enough.
“To me, success is very personal, it’s not about fame or recognition, it’s about feeling good about yourself on a personal level.
“For me that’s doing the best I can in my job and trying to be a really good Dad and husband.”
Last year, Arron spent time on the streets of Sydney as part of SBS’s reality series, Filthy Rich and Homeless.
The show saw five high-profile Australians, including Arron, swap their privileged lifestyles for 10 days of homelessness with little more than second-hand clothing and a sleeping bag.
He says it’s one of the most “challenging and difficult experiences” that he’s undertaken.
“The fear, confusion, boredom and not feeling part of society hit so quickly,” he admits.
“I felt like I aged years in those 10 days and I can’t imagine how detrimental to physical and mental health it is for somebody who’s truly homeless.
“Even though it was one of the most difficult experiences, it was a huge gift to be able to gain some insight into how our most vulnerable struggle to survive and it drives me to this day on taking action.
“I volunteer at the Salvos, have raised thousands for the Red Shield Appeal, supported the push for more social housing and I’m currently working on a project to get young people experiencing homelessness into education and accommodation.”
In addition, Arron’s Kids Teaching Kids initiative has now seen more than 145,000 future environmental leaders go through the program, and collaborates with schools across the country.
“My advice to these kids is that naivety isn’t a negative,” Arron says.
“I would never have started Kids Teaching Kids on the banks of the Murray all those years ago if I knew how tough it was going to be.
“It’s a huge positive to think that anything is possible and to be naive enough that you ask ‘why not?’.”
Arron says while he’s never doubted his chosen career path, it does often take him away from the “natural environment” he loves.
“That’s the only nagging thing I have about my career path,” he says.
“Being in meetings or sitting in front of a screen all day makes me long to get back out into nature.
“I love the big skies of the Mallee – there’s nothing better than a beer with my Mum and Dad in the backyard with a fire in the firepit looking up at the stars.
“We’re (wife Stephanie and children Addison and Sam) are actually heading back to Mildura soon – I try and get back to see my Mum and Dad and my brother as much as I can.
“We were in Mildura with my whole family for Easter and the weather was amazing – I love that time of year in Mildura.
“I still have some really close mates in Mildura I love catching up with when I get back for a visit.”
