Nice to meet you!

Hi, my name is Ben  

My story starts at the age of 13, when my Mum sat me down and said “I’m not your real mum”.

From that exact minute everything changed. Within weeks I left home, to then find myself homeless and living on the streets in Perth for the next 9 years. Each day was an extreme battle just to survive.  Lots of people did good things for me in those years, but what has really left a mark was when a person came up and gave me $20 and a pizza. It didn’t change my world but it’s something that has stuck with me forever. 

After 9 years, I moved to Adelaide with the intentions of starting a new life. At the age of 24 I had a great job, bought a house, had 2 kids, and then was introduced to amphetamines.  Within 3 years I had lost my kids, job, house and cars, to be homeless again at the age of 27. 

This is when I met my wife who helped me change my life around.  I got my kids back 8 weeks after I lost them and they have lived with us ever since. I now am a proud grandfather of 4 beautiful grandkids. 

In 2016 I bought a drone to follow my wife on her horse, but we never did actually do that, and the drone sat in the cupboard for a couple of years. Then one day I took it with us on our weekly truck drive from Adelaide to Perth and took a photo of our truck on the Great Australian Bight.

The photo went crazy on social media, which inspired me to create “The Drone Way” account. As the following grew it has allowed me to do something for people who go without in life. Every time something is purchased from the page, a percentage goes to initiatives that help these people. 

Giving back is extremely important for me. Just to put a smile on someone’s face is the best thing of all. I can not walk past a homeless person without giving them something, knowing it won’t change their world, but it will make their day. 

We get one opportunity in this world, so live it to the fullest and never live with regret. 

Giving back

I support various charities and community initiatives.

Follow me on social media to keep up with what is happening,

or if you would like to join me in giving back to the community, head to the “Support Me” page.