Mental health

Colin Kavooris had run away from home twelve times at the age of twelve; each time being sent back to the “wicked stepmother” by his mother. He endured physical and emotional abuse on a regular basis, as his father worked away, from his stepmother who would constantly state: “You’re dumb, stupid and no-one loves you.”

“The turning point for me was when Mr Fitzgerald, my second-year class teacher, showed belief in me. I suffer from “delayed intelligence” so it takes the same negative occurrence to repeat itself before I learn to modify my behaviour.”

A suicide attempt, two failed marriages and several stints at the Adelaide Psychiatric Clinic was the journey Colin was to travel. His mantra is: “Salvage the learning from every experience; even the bitter ones.”

Colin found an avenue of release from anxiety and depression in physical endeavours. He is a black belt 1^st. Dan in Judo, having trained for ten years. He holds a second dan black belt in Tae Kwo Do where he trained for thirteen years. He also enjoyed being part of a Chinese Dragen Boat Racing team that held both state and national titles.

Colin’s personal creed is: “To contribute to the quality of the lives of the people I interact with through the provision of principle-based lessons offered via training, facilitation and coaching.” He has worked across the energy, manufacturing and primary industry sectors influencing change and continuous improvement with considerable success. Retired, his time is spent caring for his ailing wife, listening to “good” music, reading academic papers on leadership and change and walking Sophie (their West Highland Terrier).