Draft:Shane Cuthbert LLB

Shane Cuthbert was born in the Hawkesbury region of Sydney, Australia in 1990 excelling academically in school receiving many awards however, his schooling was interrupted in 1997 due to a significant playground injury. An almost fatal incident, he was rushed to hospital where after intensive 'limb saving' operations he would become addicted to morphine and spend several weeks in hospital and away from school recovering.

Shane Cuthbert struggled, fitting back into the routines other students were expected to follow and was trialled on many medications, taking part in an international study and medical testing. in 1999, Shane attended Redbank House, where since the late 1970s the New South Wales Department of Education and Health provided tertiary assessments and treatments for children, adolescents and their families experiencing severe, complex and treatment resistant mental health problems and disorders. It is currently located on the Westmead Hospital campus.

Returning to 'normal schooling' was difficult for Shane, after spending almost three years outside of the public school system. A family breakup, childhood depression and addiction, traumatic experiences and exposure to childhood sexual abuse at an early age contributed to the development of maladaptive coping skills and an increase in risk taking behaviours. Shane's mother decided homeschooling would be best for Shane. Homeschooled until In 2008, he was enrolled into Blacktown Boys high school where from day one, Shane stood out amongst his peers, amused with his pranks (which often got him into trouble), charisma and confidence.

The Rockstar

Shane's mother bought him a drum set for his 7th birthday and his love and passion for drumming and music kept him out of trouble later in life. Shane's mothers home became a drop in centre and rehearsal space for local kids and Shane's first band. Easy Way Out couldn't get any real shows, they had no management, or record labels but, at the age of 14, Shane went to the local council to hire a hall, forged his parents signatures on the paperwork and used his savings to pay the bond, so they could play, and play they did. They asked more established local bands (Heroes for Hire) to play and they charged kids an entry fee, making a thousand dollars running a business and finally playing to an audience.

Easy Way Out didn't become hit makers but, it opened doors for Shane and his best friend Jye (Capture the Crown) who later became successful musicians, In 2005, Shane was asked to fill in for another drummer and went on his first National Australian tour at the age of 15, being able to experience life on the road at a young age, performing on the radio and in some of Australia's biggest clubs, venues and a stadium. Through well established connections in the music industry and a close relationship with band mate Skip Tailor, Shane was able to work with, tour with and/or meet artists such as P!nk, The Used, New Found Glory, Linkin Park, Metallica, The Jacksons and many others. Skip's dad worked with AC/DC, INXS and for Michael Coppel as a tour manager for Blink-182.

Offending and Addiction

In 2009 however, life as a musician was not working out, dropped from a major label and having attempted (unsuccessfully) to establish new bands, the dream was dead. Shane experienced severe depression, in part due to the failure he experienced but also due to childhood trauma, having never dealt with those demons in the past. Shane was arrested and sentenced by former Magistrate Pat O'Shane, in 2009 over an affray that occurred between him and his brother, followed by convictions for malicious damage, failing to appear, breach of bail, behaving in an offensive manner in public and was even caught and charged trying to board a flight under the name 'Kermit Frog' reported by the Cairns Post. Shane hit rock bottom and in 2012, appeared in the Parramatta Court wearing a clown costume, charged with damaging the side mirror of a taxi (found not guilty).

The Entrepreneur

Shane was fairly well known in Sydney's local music scene and was offered an opportunity to promote HotDamn!, SFX and Killer nightclubs. Whilst promoting clubs at night, Shane attended a business course with his best friend Jye by day and together they started a small in-home recording studio, In addition to mowing lawns. Shane and his business partner eventually agreed to split, as both businesses grew. Shane rebranded Luxurious Lawns as The Garden Guys, quickly becoming one of the top lawn mowing and maintenance services in Sydney.

As The Garden Guys success was limited, and the profit margins not enough to expand quickly, Shane began offering landscaping services, obtaining contracts with major Sydney builders and expanded further. The Guys Group, established in 2012 later provided franchising opportunities across Australia and Shane was called 'the next Jim Penman' by organisers of the Sydney franchising expo.

In 2012 Shane launched State Of Glory, an online entertainment website that included image galleries and video content. In 2013 Shane launched State Of Glory clothing and began monetising the site advertising or endorsements, selling only his own state of glory branded merchandise and products with the site peaking in 2014 with a daily visitor count of over 5000.

Controversy

In 2015, Shane married Australian swimsuit model and public figure Berenger Rose. Shortly afterwards Rose made very public allegations of domestic abuse however no charges relating to these allegations were brought by the police following intense media scrutiny and investigation. Shane and Berenger Rose remained together, in a relationship until finalising a divorce in 2019.

During the relationship, Shane spent six months in custody for offences relating to drink driving, evade police, obstructing police, trespassing and breach of bail where he experienced extreme trauma. He was also charged with detonating an explosive device at a Bowen Motel on Christmas Eve and received a $2000 fine over the blast that rocked the small town. Shane's TikTok account, where he shares some of his personal experiences within the prison and justice systems has accumulated millions of video views. On a number of occasions, The Queensland Parliament has invited Shane Cuthbert to speak with MPs and share his personal insight with committees on various issues affecting Queenslanders such as youth crime.

The Student

In 2018 Shane completed contract law and justice through Harvard University online via EdX and began a double law and psychology degree at Central Queensland University where he is currently President of the CQU Law Society and Treasurer of the CQU Social Innovation Network. Shane created Domestic Violence Anonymous, a Men's group focusing on relationship issues and supporting male victims and perpetrators of domestic violence, providing advice and guidance. Men meet regularly in safe, judgement free environments where they talk about their issues, much like AA and NA groups do around the world regarding alcohol and drug addictions.

Politics

Shane Cuthbert, a former member of the Australian Labor Party (state of Queensland) was removed from the party due to these prior allegations in 2022. Shane says he was unfairly discriminated against because of media articles and the claims made by media outlets that did not result in charges nor convictions. Shane Cuthbert took Australia's longest running and largest political party to the Supreme Court over the dismissal, followed by the Court of Appeal. Shane Cuthbert has now taken the matter all the way to the High Court of Australia. In 2023, Shane Cuthbert was excluded from the Queensland Parliamentary sitting and threatened with arrest for an attempt to enter.

Nevertheless, this controversy has not prevented Shane Cuthbert from advocating for Queenslanders, being invited to speak to various Parliamentary Committees and Inquiries regarding the decriminalisation of public offences and support provided to victims of crime. Shane told the Victims of Crime committee that "victims, when not given adequate support may become perpetrators, we see this in the domestic violence and youth crime spaces".

Shane ran for the position of Division 4 Councillor on Cairns Regional Council at the 2024 Queensland local government elections. His campaign was plagued by negative media coverage and was consequently unsuccessful.