NOT A moment was wasted in 2015 for Drisana Levizke-Gray, the Young Australian of the Year award winner. As Australia Day 2016 approaches, Drisana reflects on the busy year that was.
In her year as the Young Australian of the Year, Western Australian Drisana Levizke-Gray has held court with Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and counts yellow Wiggle Emma Watkins as a friend. As the fifth generation in her family to be born deaf, Drisana is dedicated to helping other deaf people and advocating for their human rights. Drisana cherishes her first language, Auslan. She promotes the deaf community as one without borders, full of rich language, culture and traditions. Here we get the inside on she has been up to throughout her award year.
Looking back on the past year what has been the standout experience for you?
There have been many wonderful experiences the past year, but the standout experience would have to be the Australian of the Year Awards and being announced as the recipient of the Young Australian of the Year Award for 2015. That has been the most surreal and standout experience for me because that was when my life headed in a completely different direction.
What have you learnt about yourself?
I’ve learned that even though I am a strong, assertive person with resilience to get through things, I am also a human being. I’ve learn that we all go through ups and downs and it’s okay to say no, especially when it’s a conflict of your values and beliefs. I also learnt that I can make the impossible, possible when I set my mind to the goals. Resilience, I learnt that I have a lot of resilience.
How hectic has the year been?
The word hectic is a complete understatement. I have had a full year of commitments including working, studying, travelling as part of the requests I receive being the Young Australian of the Year as well as continuing my voluntary involvements such as being on the board of the Western Australian Association of the Deaf, part of the sub committees for Auslan Professionals Network as well as the National Week of Deaf People. I’ve also been busy the past year as an ambassador for Deaf Australia, raising funds for them and the Auslan for families Program. The important part of all is that my year has been full of advocating and raising awareness about Auslan, deaf people and in particular, the human rights of deaf children in Australia to learn Auslan from birth, which included sitting down with Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Opposition Leader Bill Shorten to discuss this.
What do you think you have achieved this year?
Throughout this year, the deaf community has gained a lot more interest and attention in regards to our beautiful language, Auslan, with many Australians signing up to learn Auslan. We also have companies and organsiations looking at how they can improve accessibility and inclusion by ensuring information in Auslan and involving deaf people as a part of their organisation. This year, we have achieved the increased awareness of deaf people and Auslan as well as many Australians hopping on the bandwagon to support deaf children in learning Auslan and to have Auslan as a mainstream language in Australia because after all, it is an Australian language that we should all be celebrating.
Who out of all the wonderful people you have met during the past year really stood out to you and why?
It has to be Emma Watkins who plays the Yellow Wiggle from The Wiggles. We really connected when we first met on Australia Day in Sydney and because of her love of Auslan, which she has already been learning; we clicked and have been in touch the whole year. She exudes so much vibrancy, happiness and excitement. Her sign name is extremely fitting to her beautiful personality. I can’t wait to see what we have in store for 2016 in celebrating Australia’s beautiful language, Auslan.
Now that the year is coming to a close what are your plans for the future?
I am now looking into universities to start my degree in 2016 and I also have a goal of writing a book too as its important to share my story and experience as a deaf person as well as the experiences I’ve have had as the Young Australian of the Year. I’m also looking at expanding my business to work with big organisations and companies as an Auslan and accessibility consultant.
The award you received for Young Australian of the Year in 2015 was very beautiful. Where do you keep yours at home?
Thank you, it is such a beautiful award which accurately represents the beauty that we have in Australia and luckily for me, my award looks like the coast of Western Australia, how fitting. I keep them at my desk along with my Western Australian of the Year Award, which is in similar colours and has features of our beautiful Australian country, to remind me of what I have achieved and what I can set my mind to for the future.
Would you do it all again?
I most definitely would do it all over again and take on the things that I have learned from the past year to make it an even better one. I am going to make 2016 a great year and bring all my experiences and networks into the future of a better and inclusive Australia where deaf people and Auslan are celebrated and embraced.
What is your advice for the next Young Australian of the Year?
Enjoy the year. Take time to take it all in because it will all become a rush of flurry and before you know it, its nine days to Christmas Day and only a couple of weeks before you celebrate the next Young Australian of the Year. Take time out to celebrate all the milestones, big or small because I‘m playing catch up on so many milestones that myself and my family has achieved in 2015.
