Jack Langdon has turned his personal struggles with mental health into his superpower, using his experiences to empower others in his community.
As a Yarram youth worker and a TAFE Gippsland community services student, Jack co-founded the volunteer organisation Quill and Shield Gippsland. Recently, his dedication to his work was honoured when he was named Junior Citizen of the Year in Yarram.
Jack receiving his Yarram Youth Citizen of the Year award alongside his father, Ben and younger brother, Gus.
Jack’s achievements in volunteer work and community leadership have breathed new life into the local youth scene with his story serving as an inspiring example of resilience, passion and the power of education. Jack attributes much of his success to the team he works with, his ongoing education and the life-changing decision to enrol at TAFE Gippsland.
“Enrolling in TAFE Gippsland was the result of a perfect storm and I’m so glad that I did,” Jack said.
For Jack, the decision to pursue education at TAFE Gippsland came during a time of transition. Having recently moved across the state, he found himself with few social connections and a minimal job prospect. Encouraged by his family to find an educational pathway, Jack took the leap.
“I had just moved across the state, without much in the way of a social life and the barest promise of some backpacker work and the start of a job as a bartender. I was strongly encouraged by my family to try and find a TAFE course or some kind of education pathway for myself and eventually I caved. I couldn’t imagine what I’d be doing if I hadn’t enrolled with TAFE Gippsland.”
Growing up near the South Australian border in western Victoria, Jack had a childhood filled with love, but also marked by mental health challenges within his family. These experiences, combined with his desire to help others, led Jack to find his calling in community services. His move to Gippsland and studies at TAFE allowed him to become deeply involved in the local community, where he has been instrumental in bringing activities and opportunities to young people in the area.
“Mental health is a major struggle from my life; it has impacted my relationships with family and friends, my education and my own personal happiness and unfortunately, there just didn’t seem to be the resources and manpower in the sector that I wanted there to be,” Jack reflected.
“So, I decided that I was going to make it happen. I had always found myself drawn to helping those who were struggling and the promise of studying community services is that I get to do that as my job, and I’d be pretty happy if that was my legacy.”
The support Jack received at TAFE Gippsland has been a cornerstone of his journey. From the teaching staff, including Jamie Imlach, to the Student Support Services team, Jack credits their unwavering encouragement for helping him not only overcome his personal struggles but also position himself as someone who could inspire change in his community.
“The Student Support Team was a major reason why I eventually got the help that I needed to make sure I was in the best position with myself to be the change I wanted to see.”
Jack’s transformation from isolation to socialisation has been nothing short of remarkable, and he’s now eager to see where his future will take him. His dedication to his community is evident and his ambition knows no bounds.
“I hope in the future to continue my work, doing the best I can for my community and hopefully building an organisation that can do a lot more than just holding events,” Jack said.
“My major goal is to establish ourselves as a new organisation, providing a link to communities that are too far from services. As a youth-focused group, youth issues are major concerns for us, with the hopes for establishing a beacon for mental health support, domestic and family violence education and information for people who others wouldn’t have access to it, being high on my list for what my future looks like. And the fact that I can achieve this is thanks to TAFE Gippsland and the amazing educators.”
Jack’s story is a powerful reminder of the potential that exists within us all, even in the face of adversity. Through his perseverance, education and dedication to helping others, he is shaping a brighter future for his community—and proving that with the right support and determination, we all have the power to create change.
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