John: If I can do it, you can too

WHEN he opted out of school after completing Grade 10 in 1991, John Timothy indulged himself in what he calls “reckless living”.
The teenager from Tarawa village in West New Britain, now 45, seemed to have no plans for the future.
“My father was a chef at the Travelodge in Rabaul but retired and moved back to Tarawa in 1992. My parents struggled to support my three younger siblings’ education.”
The twin volcano eruption in 1994 completely destroyed their family home in Rabaul. The family had no choice but to return to Tarawa village.
John, now 45, had no plans of returning to school. He however returned to Rabaul in 1998 looking for a job. He only managed to find casual jobs to sustain himself.
Determined to secure a good job, he enrolled at the Institute of Business Studies in Port Moresby to equip himself with employable skills.
He graduated with two certificates in accounting in 2002 and managed to land a job with New Guinea Australia Lines.
“The significant thing that struck me to make a change was my family.”
He got married in 2004 and is now the father of three boys aged 14, 9 and 8.
Now that he’s about to complete a Master’s degree as a two-time Australia Awards scholar, John looks back on his journey.
He completed his primary and high school in Rabaul, East New Britain.
On finishing Grade 10 in 1991, John was selected to study business studies at the Sonoma Adventist College, but then decided to withdraw.
For him, life had been a bit of a roller coaster ride but he had the confidence and belief to be successful one day.
With the support of his family and friends, he overcame the big climb to achieve the best that he can for his family.
John received his first Australian Awards Scholarship in 2008 to attend the Australian Maritime College.
He graduated with an Advanced Diploma in Logistics and Maritime Management in 2009.
After graduating with a degree from the Divine Word University in 2014, he pushed himself to do his Masters. He will graduate with a Masters degree in Business Administration from the University of Tasmania later this year.
“The lost time and the struggles that I’ve gone through with my family is what keeps me striving to reach my goal.”
John will be returning to work with Bismark Maritime after his graduation.
He plans to contribute to the company’s values of safe ecosystem practices by proposing a “green shipping practice” to contribute to safe marine environments and communities.

“ Gain as much experience as you can and look for opportunities such as Australia Awards Scholarships that will help you achieve your dreams and will surely change your life.”

His advice to young people especially those who drop out of school is to look for opportunities and never lose hope.
“Gain as much experience as you can and look for opportunities such as the Australia Awards Scholarships that will help you achieve your dreams and change your life.”
John knows it can be done.
“From a Grade 10 school leaver to now a Masters degree holder at 45. If I can do it, you can too.”