As a boy growing up on a farm in northern Tasmania, Bob Bramley dreamed of learning to fly. He worked three jobs during his school years to afford the lessons and at 15 years of age, got his pilot’s license before his P plates.
Once airborne, he hatched a plan to become the youngest person to circumnavigate Australia solo and unassisted.
Then, two of his close friends attempted suicide. Bob intervened to help, despite encountering a pervasive culture that it was better not to interfere.
“I got a phone call from (my friend’s) dad saying, ‘we had no idea… and thanking me for finding a way to get in contact, to help her,’”
– says Bob.
After his friends had recovered, Bob delved deeper into the issue and was shocked to discover that suicide is the leading cause of death of young people in Australia. But the shame and secrecy around the topic can lead to a lack of awareness from friends and family.
“The best thing a young person can do is actually reach out to their friend and say, ‘I’m worried about you, I’ve noticed these things, I care about you and I want you to live…’ Don’t try and solve their problems because that’s not your job… but actually, just listen,”
– says Beyond Blue CEO Georgie Harman.
Armed with these new insights and passionate about the need to raise awareness, Bob combined his solo record attempt with breaking the stigma around youth mental health.
The 16-year-old teenager’s flight took him to the furthest corners of Australia and into the hearts of those affected by this epidemic.
Three weeks after he departed, after navigating bad weather, oil leaks and unexpected competition for the record, Bob touched down on time back in Tasmania.
“I’m very proud,”
– says Bob’s most faithful supporter, his mother Sandy.
“I think he’s probably gone a boy and come back a man.”
PRODUCERS: Lachlan Bennett and Vanessa Gorman
You can watch replays on ABC NEWS channel on Wednesdays at 12:30am, Saturdays at 6:30pm and Sundays at 2:30pm and 9:30pm. All times are AEDT.
UNBELIEVABLE – I have a License ( Not Current ) and have most of my Hours in the Trusty Cessna C172, my Cousin is a Qantas Senior Check Captain
Flying previously the Boeing B747 for 35+ Years with the Kangaroo and is heading for the NEW Boeing B787. I really Appreciate BOB’s efforts with Youth Suicide Prevention and he is great Ambassador for the Scouts. I Really do Hope that all comes together for him in his final years of Senior High School and he does find himself in the Cockpit of a Lightning 2 / RAAF / F35, in his early Twenties. He very much presents as a Man in his Thirties, way beyond his 16 years. ALL the VERY Best to YOU YOUNG Bob Bramley, use YOUR FLYING to Ultimately be a Leader of Men and Women for this Country.
GRAEME SMITH – NARRABRI NSW AUSTRALIA