` I started realising there wasn’t a lot of cultural stuff happening and our culture was sliding out the door.
says it was either that or go back to jail.
“It was a three-month program so I thought I would give it a go.
“I was 29 and it was the first time I had put drugs down since I was 10. I felt like a Bunsen burner was burning my whole body. It was the worst two weeks of my life.
“There were men there who said it was going to get better. I saw them living a good life. We would sit around the fireplace and tell stories.”
The experience not only brought him closer to his heritage, it saved his life.
“After six weeks, I was coming back into contact with my culture and had a fire in my belly to look up what our people went through.”
After being kicked out of school halfway through Year 8, Mr Amatto went back to study at the age of 38 and did a Certificate IV in Community Services. He’s been clean and sober for 10 years.
“My mob saw a different man. I even won an award because of the work I do.”
He was named TAFE Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year and now spends his time helping others in the same predicament.
“Telling my story, I want to show how important culture is for an indigenous man to heal.