In 2013 I was honoured to receive recognition as the ACT Australian of the Year Local Hero Award. This award has opened more opportunities for me to spread my message. It was also nice for ABC TV to do an Australian Story on me, which was partly shot at Eddies and gave me another opportunity to reflect on the great times I experienced there and the fabulous teachers I encountered.
motoringACT Local Hero Francis Owusu with Katy Gallagher in 2013 P143 Today, my wonderful family surrounds me. My wife Suzi and our beautiful three children are the focus for my life, especially as I continue to pursue my vision for Kulture Break. Part of this future includes providing national qualification training and employment pathway opportunities for young people. I’ve also joined ABC Radio as a Canberra 666 presenter. Looking back, I am incredibly grateful for the education, support, advice, friendships, and even the reprimands, the good times and the bad good times I had at Eddies. All this helped to shape the person I am today. When I look back, there are way too many memories to recount here. But, to sum up, I also fondly recall the stories behind our school retreat at Tuross; walks to St Christopher’s for full school masses; or singing in chorus the school song with our then Principal’s vain attempts to stamp out our feet stomps after we bellowed out “They were braved and famed men!” – STOMP! STOMP! This year ushers in a new era for my family connection with Eddies, with my nephew Oscar starting his journey at my old school, and I look forward to seeing him leave his mark! So for me, where I go and whatever I do, I will never forget St Edmund’s to the Fore!
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