Most people would know Shannon Boundry as a smiling and friendly receptionist at the Wheatbelt Health Network, but the 32-year-old has been through a whirlwind 12 months that has seen him go from a crippling meth addiction to a top Aboriginal employee.
On August 23 Shannon, who grew up in York, will celebrate a year since receiving help from Fresh Start at their drug residential rehabilitation centre in Northam.
“I was in addiction for six-years,” Shannon said.
“I was working on the mines as an apprentice chef and was introduced to meth by friends that I worked with.”
Shannon reached out to his mum to help him find professional help.
“I had an appointment with Fresh Start on the Friday, got my implant the same day and came up to Northam on the Monday,” he said.
“I’m glad it happened so quick. Something I liked about Fresh Start is that there’s no waiting around.”
During his time in the program Shannon worked at the Fresh Start run cafe, the Hill Cafe Co, based at the Wheatbelt Health Network working in an industry he had previous training in before his addiction.
At the opening in January he did a welcome to country.
“It was an honour,” Shannon said.
“When I grew up my grandmother would always speak the language.
“I knew that it would be important for me to reconnect with my culture verbally.”
Tragically, Shannon’s father passed away earlier this year but he said he is proud he was around to see his full recovery.
“The best gift you can give your family is your recovery,” Shannon said.
“He would come and visit me when I worked at the cafe to have a coffee and a chat.
“He was proud of me.”
Since successfully completing his rehabilitation at Fresh Start Shannon has started working in his current position at the Wheatbelt Health Network.
“I finished the program, graduated and wanted to get some work,” he said.
“Within less than a month I got this job.
“I love that I can give back to the community that gave me back my life.”
Shannon has also been nominated for the Northam Chamber of Commerce Avon Valley Business Awards in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Employee of the Year.
Now that he has completed the program Shannon still volunteers with Fresh Start at the rehabilitation residential centre.
“Eventually when I’m stronger in my recovery I was to talk about addiction to the young youth, targeting other Noongar kids,” he said.
“I also want to continue my education in this field. I would love to work as a health promoter.”
