Children Watching Their Family Collapse From Drug Addiction | Struggle Street

Added: 2026-05-23

[00:00:00]The job [music] market's as tight as ever. And if you're on a low income, keeping a roof over your head can be a [music] real struggle.

[00:00:08]>> I'm in the middle of looking for a house. Find it pretty tough, you know, because I haven't got a tennis history.

[00:00:13]So, they won't exactly give us young ones chance. So, we're left to go to housing to seek help. And they don't really help you either.

[00:00:21]>> Your average rent is about 350 400 a week.

[00:00:24]>> A week.

[00:00:25]>> And then to buy your food, put the kids through schooling and clothing and everything. There's no way in the world they can do it. [music] >> Desperation drives many to find refuge in drugs. And it's the ice that's torn Ashley and Peter's family apart.

[00:00:40]>> The last two times St. >> I can't deal with this [ __ ] no more.

[00:00:46]>> You're too sick.

[00:00:48][music] >> With four previous heart attacks and possible early onset dementia, it's all too much for 52year-old Ashley.

[00:00:56]He's quite easily going to forget where he lives, where he's going. I'm just so concerned for his welfare when he goes like this.

[00:01:03]>> He's going to kill his dad, you know, going to kill him. And he doesn't realize that.

[00:01:08]>> Loves his kids.

[00:01:10]>> Hello.

[00:01:12]Ah, my husband's going for a walk barefooted.

[00:01:18]>> He's gone.

[00:01:21]Find me, Dad. I don't know where he would be.

[00:01:25]Oh no, he's barefoot.

[00:01:31][music] >> It's getting dark, so finding Ashley's getting urgent.

[00:01:37]>> There goes Peta. There goes Pet.

[00:01:41]Apparently, >> luckily [music] Ashley's instinct led him to daughter Stacy's house.

[00:01:49]>> That's where I found him. Just sitting there ripped shirt barefoot.

[00:01:53]really stressed out.

[00:02:00]>> How you feel, mate?

[00:02:01]>> I feel better know how to walk.

[00:02:05]>> Where's he?

[00:02:07]>> Oh, Cory >> inside.

[00:02:11]>> What I said to Cory the other night when he come here, I said, "Look, man." I said, "Fuck, I can't deal with this." I said, "You know why I don't hit you?

[00:02:17]Because I'm fat scared that I won't [ __ ] stop."

[00:02:20]>> Travel is he ripped everybody off.

[00:02:22]Everybody from 1:00 in the morning until 11:00 today, I cpped nothing but [ __ ] >> rip rip rip rip into me. Cory didn't rob everyone. None of this drama would happen regardless of any situation.

[00:02:37]>> We need to get to settle down and [ __ ] >> No, he needs to stop. All his needs to stop on him.

[00:02:44]>> No, no, I won't say no more.

[00:02:46]>> I didn't think he would come back, but he did. He come [music] back with me.

[00:02:50]But each time this happens, it just puts a debt in his health and it's really, really hard. I end up putting him in a grave scene.

[00:03:04][music] Kids are precious and keeping them safe is a parent's biggest nightmare, especially on Struggle Street. If there ain't much to reward good behavior, why would you bother?

[00:03:15]>> Maybe our government has a lot to do with it. Mount Jury contains [music] a lot of families. We don't have the stuff that we should have for the families here in Mount Jury.

[00:03:26]People I know they let their kids rule their [ __ ] life. The kids like [ __ ] 22, 25, you know, like get off the tit you little [ __ ] [ __ ] Oh, still on the ball sucking on the ball's back.

[00:03:43]William's a dad, but family trouble cost him his kids.

[00:03:48]>> Watch out for snakes, too. Watch out for snakes, too, cuz they're they're getting around.

[00:03:52]>> Family troubles also made him homeless.

[00:03:55]His sisters kicked him out to make way for her boyfriend.

[00:03:59]>> Can't smell less, you know. My white friends will take me before my Aboriginal [ __ ] family would [ __ ] 100% guaranteed for a fact, too.

[00:04:09]So William's been camping in the bush.

[00:04:14]>> I just missed that [ __ ] >> Hunting birds [music] for food and selling self-made slingshots for cash.

[00:04:22]>> Do you make much money out of these slingshots?

[00:04:26]>> Yeah, I sell them for 50 bucks each.

[00:04:30]Especially when I get orders. I got to make like six of these now.

[00:04:34]>> [music] >> William claims the cops are after him because selling his slingshots is illegal.

[00:04:38]>> I have 10 of these already made [music] in my backpack with a little axle that I was using. They cut the branches down and I was in my bag and I pulled over and they charged me from and then I got a warrant out for arrest because I didn't go to court over it.

[00:04:54]>> And his reputations [music] earned Will a following. Local lads keen to learn the tricks of the trade.

[00:05:00]>> We're making slingshots.

[00:05:03]Oh, don't [ __ ] him up, boys. Don't ruin it on yourselves.

[00:05:08]Just look what he's doing.

[00:05:11]>> Oh, you [ __ ] it, bro.

[00:05:16]>> They're my apprentices.

[00:05:18]I teach them about the bush. We hunt pigeons so we can eat them. There you go. How's that? Look, >> do these kids have to pay you for these slingshots, Will?

[00:05:30]>> No. These kids like my family. Other kids pay. Their parents got to pay. But not these kids. These kids and like my kids.

[00:05:42]>> Did you get flooded out here while you were sleeping?

[00:05:45]>> Yeah. The water started dripping into the tent from this [ __ ] >> roof of the shack there.

[00:05:54]>> There was water everywhere.

[00:05:55]>> So, what did you do? Did you go home or what did you >> What do you mean go home? Is that Is that a trick question?

[00:06:03]>> [music] >> This is his home. [music] >> It's certainly humble, but at least William has a place to call home [music] around here. There's many others not so well off.

[00:06:23][music] It's my birthday today. Going down to Mount Drew to the kebab shop for birthday cake with the family. So, got to look kind of nice.

[00:06:35]>> At 22, Chris has never had a permanent home. He grew up in foster care, removed from his mom because her mental illnesses made her a danger. Illnesses Chris has inherited.

[00:06:47]>> Bipolar, schizophrenia, learning difficulties.

[00:06:52]I was moved from my mom when I was five and now I've moved back down to Mount D to um rebuild relationship with my mother. Um but cuz me and my mom can't live with each other cuz we both have mental illnesses and we clash. I'm currently living with my auntie.

[00:07:09][laughter] >> Wake up. Wake up.

[00:07:14]>> My kids are very important. Um, I learned a pretty hard lesson once and never again. I never want to go through losing another child.

[00:07:25]>> At 44, Michelle has four children, but a baby son died just after birth.

[00:07:31]>> Edward Shane [music] Harrison.

[00:07:33]>> She's determined not to lose any more family.

[00:07:36]>> I suppose that's why I got me nephew living with me. I love all my family. I would never want to go through losing a child through a system where I wouldn't be able to see it.

[00:07:49][music] >> Hello.

[00:07:54]>> Meanwhile, Chris's mom, Cheryl, is waiting [music] for her prodigal son to turn up for his birthday party.

[00:08:00]>> I'd love for Chris to live and I really would. We just clash. I knew [music] Michelle and Chris would have fights and arguments, but I also knew Michelle would always forgive Chris what he did. Here's my boy.

[00:08:15]My boy's here.

[00:08:17]>> Hello, buddy.

[00:08:18]>> Mom. Mom. You went through 12 hours of labor pain.

[00:08:22]>> 27 and 12 hours.

[00:08:23]>> I've gone through 22 years of life pain >> with you.

[00:08:30]>> Birthday to you. Happy birthday to you, Michelle.

[00:08:36]>> Birthday, dear Chris.

[00:08:39]>> Happy birthday to you.

[00:08:41]>> You wouldn't know it to meet them, but Chris's aunt Michelle and his mom, Cheryl, are twins. And they've been at each other's throats for years.

[00:08:50]>> Always say to us, I got the looks, braids, personality, attitude. She got the leftovers. [laughter] >> Ain't much there.

[00:08:58]>> Stop being a [ __ ] I was always a bully inside and out. Well, >> it's hard to believe we're twins at [laughter] >> Here you go, Chrissy. No, my cigarettes.

[00:09:09]>> Why can't you get your own tobacco?

[00:09:11]>> Mom, come get it for me. Come on, mom.

[00:09:14]>> She never follows the diet. She kids you crap. Don't expect me to go to a funeral when she [ __ ] dies cuz she's back lazy. [music] >> My mom and Michelle argue all the time.

[00:09:26]I just feel like I'm stuck in the middle.

[00:09:30]You're a [ __ ] >> Love you, Mom. [music] >> We want to kill first.

[00:09:41]>> Family. Even if you can't live with them, you don't want to be without them.

[00:09:47]A reality Peter and Ashley [music] have been dreading.

[00:09:51]>> Darling, this is it. Eh, >> Ashley's already suffering multiple health issues. And now he and Peter are headed to the neurologist to find out if he also has dementia.

[00:10:02]>> The worst part is I forget things.

[00:10:05]>> What you starting?

[00:10:06]>> Me grandkids. No, me grandkids are [ __ ] No, that's that's the part that bothers me that. No, I don't care.

[00:10:14][music] >> What are you going to do if you forget me?

[00:10:18]>> Well, I'll meet somebody else. I'll meet you again and >> we could call you again.

[00:10:24]>> Yeah. Well, I can say I haven't got a wife now. I can go out with you.

[00:10:28]See?

[00:10:28]>> And then you can romance me a bit.

[00:10:31][music] >> You might get Oh god, here we are again. [music] So actually this is a [music] scan showing blood circulation to the different area of the brain. One side is very dark and one side is light. So this side is not getting enough circulation.

[00:10:53]So he could have both type of dementia disease >> Alzheimer's type >> plus he has vascular dementia >> and there is some contribution from his underlying stress and anxiety. In your case you have lots of stress factors in your personal life that can provoke or it's called pseudo dementia as well. So it may be combination of all three factors.

[00:11:18]Though not unexpected, [music] it's still a shock. And when you're down, life has a way of kicking you even harder.

[00:11:24]>> Do you drive?

[00:11:26]>> Yes.

[00:11:27]>> So with the memory impairment, you cannot. It would be dangerous.

[00:11:31]Particularly people on the roads and your life and whoever is in the car.

[00:11:35]>> For an ex- truckucky like Ash, it's the last straw.

[00:11:38]>> You know what I want to do now, don't you?

[00:11:40]>> Sorry.

[00:11:40]>> I want to take you out there in the foot path and beat you up now. O >> cuz he wants to take me long. Oi, [laughter] what did you just say in the car coming here?

[00:11:48]>> Oh, be nice. Let's be No, it's all good.

[00:11:53]>> I figured he had Alzheimer's, but I didn't [music] click on that he had vascular dementia.

[00:12:00]All this stress and all this crap that he's been through, we've been through.

[00:12:03]That's really done the damage.

[00:12:05]>> That's me life. That was me life. Me license me life, you know. That's all I've done. Drove. Drove. Now you're going to take it off me. There goes me freedom.

[00:12:15][ __ ] said, R. I [ __ ] thought I hard at him.

[00:12:20]I just feel like going out and screaming, but got to change my life now to help him.

[00:12:33][music] >> One of the worst things about being short is you don't have options. So, there's no escaping [music] old family baggage.

[00:12:41]Add a distinct lack of help if you've [music] got mental health problems and it's clear that out here when coping with past traumas you're on your own.

[00:12:49]I'm a survivor. Um abused childhood really a badly abused childhood.

[00:12:57]Wasn't really well liked by a steparent.

[00:13:01]If you're brought up rough you're going to be rough.

[00:13:05]I was mad raging alcoholic. What? I don't.

[00:13:09]But I'm not no more. Got rid of that tree. Thank goodness.

[00:13:14]I get knocked down. I just get back up and keep going.

[00:13:20]>> Twin sister Cheryl wasn't so lucky.

[00:13:23]>> The abuse she suffered led to severe mental [music] illness. But she also feels guilty about Michelle. I love my sister with all my heart, but I couldn't protect her from being mentally, physically abused by the same person. But I felt relieved because I knew that I wasn't the only one going through it. But where I sort of face my demons, Michelle has it. Like my philosophy into life is live life to the fullest and when you're gone, you're gone. I've tried to help her get help cuz she's not interested.

[00:14:04]>> Sun's bright today.

[00:14:06]>> Michelle's denial is another source of [music] family conflict and Chris has his own mental health issues to cope with. He grabs [music] what comfort he can.

[00:14:17]I just going for a walk in the bush help to clear my mind.

[00:14:23]Nice car, relaxing earlier.

[00:14:32]I can be good.

[00:14:42]>> Does it upset you that Michelle and Cheryl don't seem to get along very well?

[00:14:48]>> Um, yes. cuz I feel obliged to stand up for Michelle because I live at her house and I also feel obliged to stand up for my mom because she's my mom.

[00:15:05]Michelle and my mom never see eye really and I sometimes feel like that's my fault.

[00:15:13][music] I wish there was something I could do about it.

[00:15:19]Family and home go hand in hand. Sure, it gets difficult, but you'd still rather share family dinner than not [ __ ] >> I hear my nuts make good dinner, too.

[00:15:35]They're good in the [ __ ] oven.

[00:15:36]They're not [ __ ] having duck tonight.

[00:15:41]>> Living on his own is taking a toll on William. And with an outstanding [music] warrant for his slingshots, he's getting paranoid.

[00:15:49]>> Copers are coming the [ __ ] away from me.

[00:15:58]>> Are you worried the police are here for you, mate?

[00:16:00]>> No, but it does look [ __ ] suspicious.

[00:16:02]Like [ __ ] very suspicious.

[00:16:06]Why they [ __ ] circling all of a sudden on top of us? in case they do come right and not to flee.

[00:16:12]Just say his name was Peter.

[00:16:17]And here it is.

[00:16:18]>> Fed up with isolation, Wills decided to move back to town.

[00:16:24]Leroy, one of the kids in the slingshot club, is helping him shift to a mate's place just till he gets himself sorted, but they've left the move a bit late.

[00:16:35]>> What are you doing at daylight? This the time that we start saying now this is our time. We've got vampires man.

[00:16:48][music] [ __ ] was an honest man. I think honest man is [ __ ] someone that's just trying to live.

[00:16:58]>> Were it not for the kindness of [music] strangers, a tough life on the outers would be even harder.

[00:17:09]>> [music] >> When Chris returned to Mount Druit, his own [music] mom, Cheryl, was a stranger, as was his aunt Michelle, who kindly took him in. Feeling responsible [music] that the twins don't get on, Chris is hatching a plan with cousin Felicia to fix things. We are organizing a party for our moms. A surprise party which is kind of difficult because they are not friends.

[00:17:39][music] Felicia rewear this.

[00:17:44]>> Are you looking forward to the party? I reckon it's a good thing because it's a family get together, but at the same time, I can't see it doing what the common goal is, which is to try and bring my mother and Felicia's mother closer to one another.

[00:18:03]>> No, just know, Chris, don't go there.

[00:18:06]>> Yeah, >> you annoy me. I'm going to punch in the face with nothing masquerade. Yeah, >> they might be just mcking about, but when Michelle turns up looking [music] for Chris, things turn dead serious because Chris has blown the groceries budget.

[00:18:21]>> So, where's me change?

[00:18:23]>> At home.

[00:18:23]>> How much did I get?

[00:18:25]>> 10.

[00:18:26]>> So, how' I get 10 when I gave you $70?

[00:18:29]>> I want the receipt.

[00:18:30]>> So, in other words, you brought crap that I didn't ask for.

[00:18:34]>> I got everything I think we need for the house.

[00:18:36]>> No, you didn't. I sold you what to buy and it wouldn't have come to that much.

[00:18:40]You brought excess that most probably I didn't ask for.

[00:18:44]>> No.

[00:18:44]>> So, what'd you buy then, Chris? How could it come to $59?

[00:18:48]>> I know it's on the list at home.

[00:18:49]>> What did you buy?

[00:18:53]>> Two bags of noodles, two loads of bread, a little of milk, cordial.

[00:18:56]>> Did I say bye, Cordial?

[00:19:00]>> Is she still going on?

[00:19:01]>> Yeah.

[00:19:02]>> Jeez. I'm sorry about that. Thank you.

[00:19:06]>> Jesus, >> you need to get out of your bad mood.

[00:19:10]cuz you're embarrassing all of us walking around screaming like a big fer.

[00:19:14]Look at everyone sitting around looking at you.

[00:19:15]>> It's all right.

[00:19:16]>> No, it's not. But this is a home thing.

[00:19:18]This is something to do at home. Not in public. Look at everyone looking at you.

[00:19:22]>> You're putting yourself on show.

[00:19:24]>> Maybe here for you.

[00:19:25]>> Shaza from Hzones. How you going?

[00:19:28]>> I'm going home. [music] Given the way Michelle responds to surprises, Chris is having second thoughts about the party. I'm contemplating on going to work that night >> cuz you bought cords. She don't joking.

[00:19:46]That's what that's all she kept repeating about is the cordial, the $25 cordial.

[00:19:54]While Chris is learning that family needs patience, [music] Ashley's son Cory's blown his last chance. Sick of his ice habit, girlfriend Chantel's [music] kicked him out and she's taken refuge at Ash and Peters with their toddler Liam.

[00:20:11]>> That love for room that I had is going out the door. I don't care if he leaves.

[00:20:14]Like I said, I'm I'm telling him to piss off now. I give a [ __ ] and go. I don't care. I'm over it. Me and my son, we're happy.

[00:20:20]>> I just bring you to ask a question, Dad.

[00:20:22]I'm [ __ ] hung over, bro.

[00:20:24]>> Well, you're coming here [ __ ] raising your boy. Kick big ass. Hang out the [ __ ] B and [ __ ] off.

[00:20:28]>> That's that homeless [ __ ] living out of a car.

[00:20:31]>> I hope every [ __ ] he's homeless.

[00:20:36]>> No, don't [ __ ] look how scared he is.

[00:20:44]>> He gets on the drugs, stays awake for days or how many days he stays awake for. Comes down. The come down's the worst part because it just you take it out on everybody, your loved ones around you, your family, friends, whatever.

[00:20:55]>> So, it's just too much.

[00:20:58]>> Where's Lamb? I'm going to give him fish goodbye.

[00:21:00]>> No, you're telling me, mate.

[00:21:01]>> It's all right. You hate that.

[00:21:03]>> YEAH. NO, IT'S FINE FOR ME. YEAH. I GOT A PLACE TO LIVE. I'M NOT GETTING on the [ __ ] drug. I'm not a [ __ ] THING LIKE YOU ARE, AM [screaming] I?

[00:21:08]>> NO. AND I'M NOT HERE YELLING AND [ __ ] SCREAMING AT EVERYBODY [ __ ] TREATING PEOPLE THE WAY YOU TREAT PEOPLE.

[00:21:13][snorts] That was a [ __ ] joke, mate.

[00:21:19]>> They missed that day, mate. Daddy wanted to see you yesterday, but mommy would let him.

[00:21:24]>> Make up excuses all the time.

[00:21:26]>> I don't care anymore. I did, but not now.

[00:21:30]It's just too much. I tried to help him get away from the stuff, but just everywhere he goes, he gets it. So, he's going to have to call it quits and just let him go his own way.

[00:21:40]>> This is why get on it because I've got no family anymore.

[00:21:45]Get off the [ __ ] you might.

[00:21:46]>> Yeah. What am I? It's still the same thing.

[00:21:49]>> More glory. Okay.

[00:21:51]>> For Ashley, it's exactly [music] not what the doctor ordered.

[00:21:54]>> I've had enough. ENOUGH. IT'S COME TO A [ __ ] POINT NOW. IT'S [ __ ] OVER.

[00:21:59]ANYBODY ELSE I COME HERE TO COME DOWN ON THE [ __ ] DRUG? WHY I GO OFF? WHETHER IT BE ME SON, WHETHER IT BE ME DAUGHTER, WHETHER IT BE ME RANK, WHETHER IT BE ME FATHER, ME MOTHER, ANYBODY. I DON'T GIVE A [ __ ] I'VE HAD ENOUGH.

[00:22:10]>> Are you finished yelling at me?

[00:22:13]>> Oh.

[00:22:15]I'm right with you all this.

[00:22:18][music] >> You [ __ ] off. Don't come near my [ __ ] joint cuz I'll kill you.

[00:22:24]>> I'm trying to talk to Shann. [music] >> I'm trying to talk to you. Get away.

[00:22:35]>> [ __ ] off. I'm [ __ ] sick your [ __ ] mouth, [ __ ] [music] Have fun. I'm sick of your [ __ ] mouth. Come ride YOURSELF UP, YOU [ __ ] [ __ ] WIFE.

[00:22:45]>> You [ __ ] dog.

[00:22:46]>> Go kill yourself, you [ __ ] dog.

[00:22:49]>> This is definitely the last thing he needs right now.

[00:22:52]>> What's the point?

[00:22:55]>> Oh, God. Give me strength. [ __ ] I got to go to see me sight tomorrow.

[00:23:00]>> Do I go on?

[00:23:09]Even the Joneses can't keep up these days. And if you're on struggle street and you lose the swag of benefits, it's hard not to feel targeted.

[00:23:17]>> The pension doesn't go far enough to buy enough food. We have to go to charity for food. I know of some families, they can't even afford to feed the kids. It's got to make do with baked beans, sandwiches, whatever.

[00:23:30]>> Cuts to discretionary [music] grants for social services. That's what they call it. And [music] with close to $300 million on the chopping block, there won't be much for the community to fall back on.

[00:23:42]>> I've made a decision.

[00:23:44]>> What's that, Raen?

[00:23:48]>> I've decided that I want to go where my heart really lies, and that's community work.

[00:23:53]>> You have my support, darling.

[00:23:54]>> You wouldn't even know what the hell I was doing. That's why I couldn't even ask you to help me because you had no idea what I was doing.

[00:24:00]>> I don't even know what happened to me, Mom.

[00:24:01]>> I know.

[00:24:07]Ashley's [music] dementia is getting worse and Peta knows he's going to need even more care.

[00:24:12]>> What are you doing? Are you coming out for a walk? You sit in the car bloody way. I'm not wor >> Looking to do something for the community [music] while she still can.

[00:24:20]Pet is helping organize the local Christmas fair.

[00:24:23]>> Just trying to get local businesses.

[00:24:25]They get to help support us.

[00:24:27]>> The fair that we're having helps the disadvantaged people like the single moms [music] and the single dads that live out here. And if they don't have much money, well, they've got an event that they can go to.

[00:24:36]>> While he can't drive her, Pet has dragged Ashley along for the ride.

[00:24:41]>> At least I can keep an eye on him and make sure he's all right cuz he's had a couple of couple of bad days. So, >> want to drive, but they won't let me.

[00:24:49]So, I got to sit in the passenger seat.

[00:24:51]I don't like it. I don't have control of the vehicle. I feel safe when I got control.

[00:24:57]>> Hey, B.

[00:25:00]I got $200 donation.

[00:25:03]>> That's good. That's awesome.

[00:25:07]>> Go, Mom. Go.

[00:25:09][ __ ] hell. Actually, wait.

[00:25:11]>> Go.

[00:25:13][music] >> Oh, you [ __ ] >> [ __ ] idiot.

[00:25:17]>> I need to drive.

[00:25:19]>> Shut up.

[00:25:20]>> No wonder I got silver hair.

[00:25:22]>> I mean, you're the one that told me to go. I knew I couldn't go then.

[00:25:26]>> You weren't even listening.

[00:25:27]>> Yeah, I was.

[00:25:28]>> What did I say to you? I never knew.

[00:25:29]That's right.

[00:25:32]>> Ash isn't alone in his frustration.

[00:25:34][music] >> There are others out here who've also had control rested from them by unemployment, lack of funds, or family trauma.

[00:25:45][music] >> I was quite violent growing up. I didn't get my way. I turned to violence.

[00:25:51]There's been times where I wanted to kill people or kill myself.

[00:25:55]Sick of coping flack from his angry aunt and worried that he [music] might strike back, Chris is seeking motherly advice.

[00:26:03]>> So, what would be the key to me successfully living with Michelle without me snapping it or her snapping it?

[00:26:09]>> The key to living with Michelle, Chris, is to do as you're told.

[00:26:13]Plain and simple, sweetheart.

[00:26:16]>> And yes, she can be a pain in the ass, but she's only doing what she thinks is right by you. He's trying to keep you on the straight and narrow, sweetheart. Cuz if you didn't follow what Michelle was telling you to do, you wouldn't call it end up in jail.

[00:26:29]>> Yeah, I tell you so. Man times you said, "Chris, don't bash this person. Chris don't bash that person."

[00:26:34]>> And what do you do? You still go and do it.

[00:26:37]>> I know.

[00:26:38]>> You got to learn to turn the other cheek, sweetheart.

[00:26:41]>> But Chris knows that philosophy has caused Cheryl a lot of [music] grief.

[00:26:45]>> Why does Michelle, no offense, but walk all over you?

[00:26:54]>> [music] >> Just put it like that. Because of my mental problems and my disabilities, [music] Michelle tries to degrade me.

[00:27:03]Yes, I do let her walk all over me, but I don't know how to change that situation. That situation's been happening all my life, Chris.

[00:27:12]>> Do you understand?

[00:27:13]>> Yeah.

[00:27:19]>> It's never easy fitting [music] in.

[00:27:22]Couch surfing wherever he can get a birth for the night. Will's [music] attempt to get back to society has gone pear-shaped.

[00:27:29]>> I lost me ID. I got no ID. None whatsoever.

[00:27:33]I don't even know where to go to get it.

[00:27:35][music] >> How often are you straight without any drugs?

[00:27:40]>> I know. Probably 5 days in month. With no money, no prospects, and no family to support him, Will's hit rock bottom where the worst demons [music] live.

[00:27:50]>> I'm [ __ ] fixing up some medication for myself.

[00:27:54]>> What's in the syringe there, Will?

[00:27:56]>> Ice cream.

[00:28:04]Feel like a burst of energy just hit me and I feel a bit better.

[00:28:12]Everyone's got to have some sort of enjoyment of life, you know. It's not just all about [ __ ] working and [ __ ] making a living. I got no [ __ ] kids to [ __ ] bear up. You know, [music] that dog out there is [ __ ] my kid.

[00:28:29]The dogs, that's all I [music] care about.

[00:28:36][music] If you're unemployed, the research shows you may be more prone to developing mental health problems. And that's tough on youngans, forced to watch as lack of opportunity reres havoc on the community, wiping out their role models.

[00:28:52]Take Ash and Peter's youngest, Zach.

[00:28:55][music] He's just pulled an allnighter on the Xbox with a mate. Trouble is, today's a school day.

[00:29:01]>> Why are you at school today?

[00:29:02]>> I don't know really. I woke up and then I didn't know what time it was and not going to school on didn't wake me up early enough.

[00:29:13]>> Does that bother you?

[00:29:16]Oh, >> really?

[00:29:17]>> All he does is play the [ __ ] PlayStation. Supposed to be at school.

[00:29:21]>> Yeah, I couldn't get him to school and you know that. So, don't >> supposed to be in school today.

[00:29:24]>> Don't you go like this.

[00:29:26]>> Don't you start.

[00:29:27]>> There was no money for no brook. There was no money for no bread. Nobody wanted to buy anything. So, we didn't get nothing. So, nobody went to school.

[00:29:37]>> That's the way it is, mate.

[00:29:38]>> I just found it.

[00:29:40]>> You leave me alone.

[00:29:43]>> Leave her ALONE NOW. GET OUT.

[00:29:45]>> I HIT [laughter] YOU IN THE BACK OF my head with his head.

[00:29:47]>> It's pretty clear Zach's in need [music] of a positive male role model. But with Ashley going downhill and Cory [music] on the ice, there's only one other candidate.

[00:29:58]>> Hey, Dad.

[00:29:59]>> How you? Meet Zach's [music] half brother, Tristan.

[00:30:03]>> He has brain damage from a bike accident [music] and spent 9 months in a coma.

[00:30:07]>> I can't say much more cuz I was asleep >> for 9 months.

[00:30:13]>> Yeah, for 9 months. But then I came alive.

[00:30:17]>> He doesn't steal.

[00:30:18]>> No.

[00:30:19]>> And he doesn't use drugs. He's good.

[00:30:21]He's He's me boy.

[00:30:25]Community-minded, [music] Tristan's come to an interchool fair to share the story of how he waged class and ended up [music] fighting for his life.

[00:30:33]>> Me and my friend, we're on a motorbike.

[00:30:36]We were going to get hot and we went trained to Bouble.

[00:30:43]Yeah. And I was survived, but my friend didn't. He passed away.

[00:30:48]>> I'm sorry.

[00:30:49]>> Yeah. Lost to Wayne.

[00:30:53]I was young and stupid.

[00:30:56]>> I grown up >> and I had a son.

[00:31:01]>> Yes.

[00:31:02]>> Life goes on. I can change his life.

[00:31:06]>> Yeah.

[00:31:06]>> In the right way. Not go down the wrong way like I did.

[00:31:12]>> Thank you.

[00:31:13]>> It's okay.

[00:31:16]>> The girls [music] love you.

[00:31:18]It's been like that since I was about 15. I'm lovable.

[00:31:27]There's not much more I can say.

[00:31:31]Taking heed of his parents' concerns about Zach, Tristan's volunteered [music] to do a talk at his younger brother's school.

[00:31:40]>> I just want you to know that silly decisions change lives forever. So don't be silly and wear a helmet.

[00:31:50]>> We know that the accident had a significant impact on you. What sort of impact did it have on your family and your relatives around you at that time?

[00:31:58]>> They didn't know if I was going to live or die.

[00:32:02]>> First words he said was, "I love you."

[00:32:04]That was after 9 and 1/2 months. And then he said, "I love you, Dad." That was the first words he said after 9 and 1/2 months. And that was the happiest day of my life.

[00:32:14]>> I love you, daddy.

[00:32:16]>> [laughter] >> That was it, mate.

[00:32:20]>> What was your dream job when you were younger?

[00:32:22]>> Yeah, I've got a couple of dream jobs.

[00:32:24]Some are illegal, but yeah. [laughter] >> Oh, you're in school. You're not supposed to say that.

[00:32:34]>> Yeah, I put positive things out, Mom.

[00:32:36]That's why I'm saying that corals.

[00:32:40]Say positive things. And yeah, >> I feel pretty inspired know like that is up on the stage and just telling everybody about his life and he's came a long way from where he was at the start like in hospital and like they said he was going to be a vegetable but like now it's all right. Yeah.

[00:33:06]When you live [music] on the fringe, it can feel like you're on a forgotten frontier. But it only takes a handful of souls who [music] refuse to be beaten to bring the community together.

[00:33:18]>> Hello. Hi. I've got problems. All those right. Ah, the nice lady that I spoke to the [music] second time didn't book it.

[00:33:27]>> Pet is discovering that organizing a Christmas fair is hard yaker.

[00:33:31]I said, "It must have been done." And she goes, "Well, it's not booked."

[00:33:35]Seriously, all my hard work is going down the drain. I can't have the rock wall now.

[00:33:43]Climb the hills. Is that right?

[00:33:50]>> With the fair only days away, Peta powers on.

[00:33:54]>> It's for me. And it's not just for me.

[00:33:57]It's for me doing something for [music] the community. when you're home caring for such an ill person, you've got to give back to the community. You got to find that space. I suppose it's my way of um finding inner strength.

[00:34:13][music] >> You get on that bungee run and you run for your life.

[00:34:21]>> We put on so much hard work to get this event going. Like it's drawn the kids in. We didn't like kids were here last year. Crazy. So, yeah, it's going well.

[00:34:30]It's I'm doing all the rounds. My feet are aching, but yeah, it's going well.

[00:34:36]>> But some days, even the [music] heavens have got it in for you.

[00:34:44]>> Oh no.

[00:34:46]Are you kidding me?

[00:34:50]>> [ __ ] [ __ ] me. [ __ ] That just had to happen.

[00:34:57]>> [music] >> I'm really sorry that this weather t-shirt.

[00:35:10]>> I'm not happy. We're close enough. Lady, I'm gutted. But [music] what can you do?

[00:35:18]You can't predict nature. It could happen to anybody. It just happened to fall down on me.

[00:35:24]There's always next to you.

[00:35:30]>> [music] >> It doesn't matter who you are, life's going to knock you about. And if you want to [music] survive, you've got to keep moving and never give up on your next silver lining.

[00:35:43]>> Where you up to, Will?

[00:35:44]>> My getaway campsite.

[00:35:48]>> Living in town didn't work out for Will, so he's [music] decided to get back to his roots.

[00:35:54]You love hanging out in the bush, eh?

[00:35:56]>> Yeah. Get turns on all your senses being a bush a original, not city truck.

[00:36:02]Cities only got me [ __ ] sucky cuz of the drugs.

[00:36:07]They control you. They always control you. You don't have you don't have anything, then you you're [ __ ] unhappy.

[00:36:13]>> Will's been searching for happiness his whole life.

[00:36:17]>> Yeah. My mom and dad got divorced here in Mount and my father took me from dad died up in the bush.

[00:36:25]Came back here when I was 15 looking for mom >> and being back it just felt like I haven't achieved anything and I don't even going to get a chance to achieve anything because I had the chance and I blew it.

[00:36:35]>> What chance are you talking about?

[00:36:37]>> Getting a good start in life. What other chance am I talking about?

[00:36:42]You think I win a chance to win a lot or something?

[00:36:47]Winning and earning is two different things. You'll feel more better earning the [ __ ] money, wouldn't you?

[00:36:53]But then again, I my prior my priorities like that. I don't give a [ __ ] about that [ __ ] They got it. I'm taking it.

[00:37:06][ __ ] hell. That's mad nonstick panda.

[00:37:08]That [ __ ] I think I stole that.

[00:37:15]I didn't.

[00:37:17]You're 38 years old now, Will. What [music] do you see yourself doing in 10 years when you're 48?

[00:37:23]>> Hope I make it.

[00:37:29][music] >> It's Cheryl and Michelle's 45th birthday, and after years apart, this is [music] Chris's big chance to show he cares.

[00:37:40]>> And how you feeling about the whole party? I'm a bit worried cuz um the idea of it is to try and bring mom and Michelle closer, but we tried before in the past and it's failed.

[00:37:57]>> What are you doing, Chris?

[00:37:58]>> Just emptying this out so we can have another bonfire.

[00:38:03]>> Me and Drew Styles.

[00:38:11]What time you cracking this first beer, Chris? Um, >> if you're useless cuz you drink beer, I'll tell you right now, I'm going to crack your face.

[00:38:18]>> 240. I got it for about 10 minutes, so we'll say 2:30.

[00:38:23]>> But there's an unwelcome [music] intrusion. True to form, Aunt Michelle's ignored all instructions to stay away, blowing the surprise. [screaming] >> Yo, I called you and I called you and I called you. So you didn't come.

[00:38:36]>> I wasn't. I GOT AWAY. Too late now.

[00:38:41]>> You ruined our life today. Leave. I [ __ ] will. I'll go home.

[00:38:46]>> Hello.

[00:38:47]>> And you'll be picked up by classes. See you.

[00:38:51]>> [ __ ] off.

[00:38:52]>> [ __ ] you, too.

[00:38:53]>> I knew something would happen last minute. I felt it in my bones.

[00:38:56]>> I felt it.

[00:38:58]>> All this [ __ ] the last second.

[00:39:01]>> Everyone's [music] a bit deflated, but Chris seems to be taking it overly hard.

[00:39:08]Don't get drunk in magazine cuz I'll bash your face in.

[00:39:11]>> Yeah, >> I'm just letting you know. Just let you know. [music] >> Hello.

[00:39:22]Hello.

[00:39:24]All right, I'll see you soon. Love you.

[00:39:26]Love you. Bye.

[00:39:27]>> All right, everybody.

[00:39:28]>> Position and quiet. Everybody quiet. Make it.

[00:39:32]Come on.

[00:39:34][music] coming surprised.

[00:39:40][screaming] >> Happy birthday.

[00:39:51]>> This is all for you and it's >> good to see mom's reaction, but um would have been a lot better if Michelle didn't suspect it as much. Thank you.

[00:40:06]My darling, [music] >> any disappointment soon forgotten. And it's party time cuz that's how they do it in the Druit.

[00:40:25]Away [music] from the noise, Will's finally able to [music] do some soul searching. It's >> peaceful. No authority here. But I am [music] camping on somebody's land. You know, like if I get caught, I'd probably go to J. But if you want to be technical [music] and realistic, like this is Derek country, man.

[00:40:51]There's an ainal tribe called Derek own this land culture so far gone man it makes me [ __ ] sick sometimes sometime you feel like [music] crying about it soon as I get me ID I'm going to [music] give me license back and then I'm going home back to where I come from.

[00:41:17][music] I just want to say a quick thanks for everyone for coming cuz they probably deserve it even though they're not the best of friends. Happy birthday to you.

[00:41:24]We love you so MUCH AND GET DRUNK. I MEAN IT.

[00:41:27]>> Oh yeah.

[00:41:29]>> Get up.

[00:41:32]>> And in honor of the occasion, Chris has prepared a trip down memory lane.

[00:41:43][music] Me and Michelle have had our arguments.

[00:41:50]We've had our fights. We've had our separations.

[00:41:55]But we have been through a lot together and we still got more to get through together, but we've always found our way back to each other.

[00:42:09]I think she knows that the bond between me and her is going to be forever.

[00:42:26]>> No matter how bad things get, you can always choose to remember the good.

[00:42:33][music] Over [music] at Peter and Ashley's, there's another big get together. Pet has spent the last few weeks making a special video to help her beloved Ashley remember [music] his family.

[00:42:49]>> Your mem is going to go down the track.

[00:42:52]I've got this done now and I'll be showing you [music] this 7 days a week if I have to.

[00:42:58]>> All right, here we go. Quiet now, please.

[00:43:09]Get your mask on, BRO.

[00:43:12][laughter] >> HI, HONEY. Today is [music] a day that I want to say something to you. I am your wife and I will [music] always be your wife.

[00:43:23]>> Is there something that you would like to say to your dad?

[00:43:27]>> Dad, I love you and I don't want you to forget me. [music] >> How do you feel about dad?

[00:43:33]I love you.

[00:43:37]>> Yeah, I [music] know what to say now.

[00:43:38]>> And you do have a son named Cory who went off the rails, but [music] he will get better.

[00:43:47]>> Dad, I love you.

[00:43:50]You're my best friend. I'll look up to you.

[00:44:00]We get few [music] guarantees in this life and the next hard knock is likely just around the corner. But if you have family that care, the struggle becomes easier to bear.

[00:44:16]After years on a lonely path, William's taking a bold step forward to try to get back to his community. I'm here to get my birth certificate, profile ID, so I can get my driver's license back and get the [ __ ] out of me and do it.

[00:44:35]I just want to go back to the bush. I don't get no support. No, I live on the streets.

[00:44:42]was given there.

[00:44:45]You bring the boy from the bush to the city, but you can't take the bush out of the boy.

[00:44:53]>> Yep, there it is. I got it.

[00:44:55]>> So, what next, Will?

[00:44:57]>> My driver's license. I had enough of the city.

[00:45:02]City is fight.

[00:45:04]That's time. Time to go home.

[00:45:07]As the saying goes, what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. And it's a good feeling when old frustrations give way to new hopes. Because there'll always be hiccups and struggles to deal with. And when it all comes down, the only thing that really counts is how you stand up.

[00:45:28]>> The time is going to get tough.

[00:45:31]I will find the strength to stand by you. Even if you may forget me, you'll always be my rock.

[00:45:40]I'll always love you, and that will never change. Love you.

[00:45:46]>> I love you.