Blog - The Australian & New Zealand Mental Health Association

ANZMHA Podcast: Simon Fenech

Written by Lorien Stoetzel | Aug 25, 2021 11:32:04 PM

Addicts, especially those leaving the prison system, need intensive support at this critical point of vulnerability. A stable job and income are important elements to provide structure, consistency, and purpose.


This week’s guest Simon Fenech is Operations Manager of Fruit2Work, an enterprise creating meaningful employment opportunities for those impacted by the justice system.

His transformation from an addict thrown deep into Australia's criminal underworld, to an inspirational figure changing the lives of others, is one you won’t want to miss tuning into today.

Simon is a former Australian and Asia-Pacific kickboxing champion and was a finalist in the Social Enterprise Champion of the Year award in 2019. In 2020, he was named by QANTAS Travel Insider magazine as one of the 100 most inspiring Australians.

Listen in as Simon takes us through his journey, from working as a delivery driver in 2008 when he suffered a workplace injury and subsequently made life-changing decisions that took him down paths of addiction, rehabilitation, self-discovery, and finally, to his purpose today.