By Esther Lauaki
What’s your connection to Melton?
I was born in New Zealand, raised in Samoa and moved to Australia. We moved to Melton about seven years ago. My mum’s getting on and my kids are young so we thought we’d move closer to her to create some memories.
What are you passionate about?
My family. I hustle to make sure my kids are OK when I’m gone.
You have had to overcome more challenges than most in your life. Tell us about yourself.
In 2003, I was doing an apprenticeship in sheet metal and there was a gas explosion which left me nearly completely blind in one eye. I was recovering from that when I was attacked at Dandenong train station (in 2004) which damaged my good eye and I now only have 3 per cent sight out of my left eye. There was a lot of emotional healing that had to be done but I’ve been surprisingly alright.
How did you get into powerlifting?
I’m not the type to just sit at home all day. After I lost my eyesight, I was trying to recover emotionally and physically and figuring out what I should do. I started training
in powerlifting in 2009 and kept pushing myself and a year later competed at the blind national championships. A year after that, I started travelling and competed around the world and won a Blind World Championships title in 2013. I also started a business at the beginning of this year in kerbing with a team of four.
What do you love about Melton?
It is multicultural. I have met a lot of people who also have disabilities and made some really good friends.
What’s something people don’t know about you?
I’m trained in massage therapy because I thought that was something I could do because I don’t need eyesight for it. I was told I might not be able to study because I couldn’t take notes … but I asked them to give me two weeks to prove myself. I ended up topping the class.
What’s your philosophy on life?
Don’t think about things too much, just do it. Take opportunities and do the best you can. Sometimes things that make you nervous, are not what you expect.
