Craig Ashby

Individuals seeking new worlds have to overcome obstacles and challenges but there are rewards for venturing into the world. How true is this of Craig Ashby’s experiences?
Craig Ashby’s speech titled ‘A Getting of Wisdom’ demonstrates aspects of overcoming obstacles and challenges in new worlds, and how new influences can change the way we perceive the world. Published in the Sydney Morning Herald 2007 Ashby illuminates positive and negative personal aspects of growing up in poverty, as he reveals this through his changing worlds and how he transforms from an insecure lost boy into a respectable proud aboriginal man.
Ashby’s metaphorical introduction “I was born out of the black dust of Walgett” demonstrates literal reference to the country side of Walgett, but also theoretical reference to his black heritage and up brining. The alliteration developed in this quote injects
rhythm and a sense of pride in his culture. Also highlighting the poverty and hardship he faced, immediately creating an obstacle for him to overcome in order to venture into new worlds.
Throughout Ashby’s speech he continually inserts anecdotes benefitting the audiences understanding of the adversity he was challenged with.
The anecdote of the time he spent in Dubbo was significant as he explains to the audience “I learnt a lot that year. I learnt to drink and the correct way to smoke pot. I hung around in a gang and we taught one another.” This was a low point for Ashby, the use of the word ‘gang’ demonstrates his need for a place to fit in, there is little direction in his life at this point. Lacking education and not being able to read or write Ashby is placed into the 8th grade. “I was a rough kid trying to live in a rough world” the repetition of “rough” displays seclusion and a lack of guidance from fellow aboriginal teenagers. Ashby need support and exhibits lack of control and a sense of isolation, “My way of life had me headed towards Bathurst jail”. The use of first person perspective used through the speech interspersed with definitive statements demonstrates Ashby’s engaging tone, developing the audience’s perception on the hardship and danger he
experienced.
The turning point for Ashby is when he beings his schooling at St Joseph’s hunter hill. Venturing into this new environment he learns to appreciate the rewards and opportunities he is offered, strongly contrasting his lifestyle in Walgett and Dubbo. “I had no idea of the rewards that come from learning- wisdom, knowledge and an opportunity to serve my people I was poor in many ways.” Through the use of cumulation the audience can understands how Ashby is grateful for the opportunities as he begins to demonstrate strength and a new perspective on life and education, along with new found stability and aspirations.
Ashby’s anecdotes and descriptions develop the importance of his changing lifestyle. His statements dramatically illustrate how a troubled young man can overcome such difficult obstacles and transform into a proud successful man enrolling into university, from a young boy how grew up in poverty not being able to read or write. His contrasting worlds and the challenges faced in each develop just how deep a transformation can take place when one is seeking a new perception on life.