Matty J IV With Keedon Peachy On Unpaid Carers Week

Radio Goolarri

Keedon Peachey is a young Wiradjuri/ Malyangapa man with an extraordinary heart. In 2022, when Keedon was just 19 years old, he moved into his grandparents’ home to become a carer for both his pop and his nan. At the time, his pop had been diagnosed with cancer and his nan had a condition known as facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD). The FSHD affected her muscles, leaving her with very little strength in her legs, arms and face, and respiratory weakness. This condition meant Keedon’s nan required consistent support around the home. When Keedon’s pop also fell ill, Keedon had no issue putting his hand up to move in and look after them. Leaving his job as a custom framer to assist throughout the day, Keedon would do the grocery shopping for his grandparents, as well as the washing up and other housework, including making a mean beef stew. Caring just came naturally for Keedon. Sadly, Keedon’s nan passed away in July this year, but he still lives with and cares for his pop whose condition has worsened over the last few months. Keedon is the middle son of five siblings and he believes his cultural roots and deep connections to tradition have, in their own way, helped shape his path towards becoming a carer. Keedon was brought up to believe that families stick together and that taking care of elders, and respecting them, is one of the most important things in Aboriginal culture. It’s a healthy change from a role that is not without its challenges. And, while his unpaid work sets him apart from many people his age, Keedon is one of 235,000 Australian carers under the age of 25. He hopes to follow his mother into community service work and his dream is to one day move into a role in Aboriginal mentoring, supporting young people and celebrating his culture. Keedon is a remarkable young man who comes from a family of remarkable young men (NRL legend David Peachey is his uncle and his cousin Tyrone Peachey plays NRL for the Penrith Panthers) and he’s very keen to encourage Indigenous carers, young and old, to seek support and for others to recognise the important work that unpaid carers do in our communities.