Mildura’s Jacob Hunt is quite the juggler. Balancing his role as program co-ordinator with men’s healing and behaviour change program Dardi Munwurro, studying for his Masters degree in Social Work and raising four little ones under the age of eight, Ashlee Falvo sat down with the Ngarrindjeri man to find out what inspires him.
JACOB Hunt has always been surrounded by strong women – in fact, he says the biggest inspirations in his life have all been female.
“My Nan, my Mum and my daughter have all gotten me to where I am today in different ways,” Jacob explains.
“Growing up, my grandmother was a huge influence in my life. She taught me a lot about working hard, and how to be a good man.”
It wasn’t until Jacob was older that he learned the truth about the family violence that existed in his own backyard.
“As I got older, I began to learn more about my own family, and that my grandmother had actually suffered through family violence,” Jacob says.
“My grandmother used to talk to me a lot, and she said that while my grandfather was a good man who was well respected in the wider community, in the home things were very different.
“It was a real eye-opener for me, and I think that’s where the seed was first planted for me to end up in a career that fights against family violence in the community.”
Jacob said the passing of his beloved grandmother when he was a teenager hit him hard, and caused a momentary change of course in a direction he did not like.
“I began drinking pretty heavily,” Jacob recalls.
“I lost my way a little bit. I dropped out of school, and my motivation was at an all-time low. I stopped caring about a lot of things.
“But in time, I did a lot of soul searching.
“I knew Nan would not like the path I was heading down. She hated alcohol, she was always on me to do well at school.
“So I made the decision to stop what I was doing and be a better man.”
When the opportunity to volunteer with the Mallee Dhelk Dja action group came up, Jacob put his hand up for the task, following the footsteps of his mother who was also heavily involved in the group.
Now, ezight years later, Jacob is the chair of that board, elected into the role by his peers.
Jacob also credits the birth of his first child at the age of 21 with his change of direction.
“When she came into my life, I knew I had to be better,” he says.
“It was a big adjustment, but once I committed to being the best dad I could be, I never looked back.
“My grandmother was who made me think, my Mum was who made me act, and my daughter was who made me maintain the path.
“They were the three biggest catalysts in my life.”
Jacob says work/life balance is a big factor of his life these days, with a young family to raise.
“My eldest Amelia is eight, Noah is four, Lacey is three and Jacob Jr is two,” Jacob says.
“Our house can be pretty chaotic, but I wouldn’t trade it for the world.
“When I’m home, my approach to parenting is to try my best to have one-on-one time with each of the kids individually.
“I really try to be present in the moment with them.”
Being a good role model is also a big part of Jacob’s relationship with his kids.
“As a parent, I didn’t just want to talk the talk, I wanted to walk the walk,” he says.
“How could I preach to my kids that they had to finish school when I never did?
“That’s why I went back to study six years ago, and now I’m completing my social work degree.
“I also did the Northern Mallee Leadership Program, which was a great learning experience.”
Jacob hopes to teach his children about the true Aboriginal values and way of life.
“The most important thing for me to teach my kids is to be selfless and egalitarian,” he says.
“The Ngarrindjeri culture was built on everyone being equal, and I’d like to teach that to my children. It’s about family, selflessness and respect.”
