Episode Five - Michael Coutts-Trotter

Bounce Back

There’s no doubt a lot of us are feeling a bit lost or struggling at the moment.

Well you’re not alone. In Bounce Back, Andrew talks to prominent Australians about major challenges that have been thrown their way, and how they’ve overcome these difficulties on the road to success.
In this episode Dr. Rochford speaks with the Head of the NSW Communities and Justice Department, Michael Coutts-Trotter. He has an interesting perspective and insight into the prison system, as he served three years for conspiracy to import heroin.
When he started as Department Secretary, Michael wrote to his 40,000 new employees.
"There is one thing I want to tell you about myself, you may know it already but if not I want you to hear it from me first. As a teenager I used and supplied drugs. In 1984 I was imprisoned for conspiracy to import heroin, I spent nearly three years in jail and then around eighteen months on parole".
He told his staff of prison guards and welfare workers how he 'deserved to go to prison' and that his background would be an asset rather than a liability as he took over the state's courts and jails.

This series will feature some of Australia’s most recognised sports men and women, prominent businesspeople and well-known politicians, allowing them to tell their story, in their own words.

Bounce Back is about promoting well-being and good mental health, by showing that even in the most difficult of times, there are people who you can turn to for support - whether they’re mates, family, colleagues, professionals even your neighbours.

It’s about how to look after yourself when things are tough, believing in yourself and knowing you can come through it even stronger.

Dr. Andrew Rochford is a proud ambassador for DrinkWise, which is sponsoring this podcast.

We hope you enjoy Bounce Back.

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