Courage, creativity and dedication: James Garland’s story
JAMES Garland is a loyal man full of love to give to the world This is his story about how he found himself and turned that love inward
Northern Territory
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THEY say that a person’s journey in to the outer world mirrors their inner journey towards who they truly are at their core.
James Garland has faced both journeys with courage, creativity, flare and dedication … and in his own words … he’s “95 per cent there.”
James is a loyal man, full of love to give to the world. This is the story of how he found himself, and turned that love and loyalty inward.
James grew up in the Western Sydney suburb of Baulkham Hills.
“School didn’t interest me much. I got to Year 10, then after that Dad got me a job as a Screen Printer’s assistant,” he said.
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“I started doing some not so good things. I was just misguided. I was hanging around with the wrong group of kids.
“I couldn’t be bothered. I thought I knew everything.”
James’ Dad, Bruce, read his son the riot act when he was 17: either go work on his mate’s cattle station, or join the army.
“No way was I joining the army. I was not one for discipline,” he said.
James went to his Dad’s friend’s cattle station, Wollogorang, on the Gulf of Carpentaria.
“It 100 per cent changed me. What my Dad did, what I learnt on that cattle station, it changed me as a person.
“I got there I had to cook for 20 Ringers. I’d never cooked in my life!
“Then they taught me how to muster. I loved it! Being outdoors, I thought this is the life for me!”
James’ Dad Bruce is an Aussie Motor Sport legend. He was the first Australian to race a car at Dakar, and was even involved in the making of the Mad Max movies.
He arranged a spot for James with the Hayes’ at Undoolya Station.
“I did a stint with Richie, Benny and Andy. That was really good! We were mustering with quadbikes,” he said.
James then worked with Adventure Tours as a bus washer.
“We’d do 12 busses a day! The town was pumping! The Mall was packed every night- it was like Cavill Avenue on the Gold Coast,” he said.
James left Alice and says he went on a “Downward spiral.”
“I was in Northern New South Wales. I was on the dole, doing nothing,” he said.
“Dad stepped-in again. He got me to come back to Sydney, and said, “Get a trade or get a job!’”
At age 21, James started as an apprentice baker.
“I liked that. It was a really cool lifestyle. I started at 2am, finished at 10. I’d then go and do my own thing, I’d go surfing. I finally thought I’d found my groove,” he said.
“But I missed Alice! It’s not the same anywhere else. In the city you’re just a number, in Alice, you’re a person.
“People aren’t fake. If they don’t like you, you’ll know it. But you can still be in the same room as them. There’s no bull.....
“I’d remembered seeing the Wicked Kneeds bakeries. So I rang Darren Clark up, and asked if he had any jobs going?
“Clarky said, ‘When can you start?’
“He said, forget everything you’ve learned so far in your apprenticeship- because we do it this way!”
James says Darren Clark didn’t just give him an education in baking, he gave him an education in life.
“I definitely got my work ethic and tenacity to keep going from Clarky. No matter what- just keep going,” he said.
“He was a big role model for me. In terms of business too. Along with my old man.”
James had a busted relationship in Alice, and that prompted a move back to the Northern Rivers, where his Mum lives, in 2009.
Family has been the bedrock for James.
Dad Bruce, Mum Sharon and Step-Mum Celena have been constant pillars of active support and unconditional love.
“Mum has played a really big part in my life. And my Step-Mum Celena has really done a lot for me too!” he said.
James also has brother Bjorn, and four step-sisters Abbey, Isabella, Shelby and Nikita.
James says there’s a lot of love there, and “We’re a pretty strong family!”
While the external love was always there, the self-love was the elusive part of the puzzle.
“Part of the reason I was kicking around with the wrong people was because I wasn’t being true to myself and true to my sexuality,” he said.
“I wasn’t wanting to know anything about it. I didn’t want to come to terms with it.
“In the end I had nothing to worry about! My family was amazing!”
In terms of true self acceptance, self love and absolutely embracing one’s self?
“I’m 95 per cent there!
“I’m from a different generation. I’m from the last generation where it was looked down upon to be gay.
“But a lot of that is in my head.”
What about advice to people reading this and struggling on the inside, with any kind of issue?
“There’s so much support there now! Don’t be a sheep- be your own person! Be true you yourself.”
Back on the Northern Rivers, James met the love of his life, Justin Fenwick.
“He was finishing Uni at Southern Cross, and next minute he gets a job at CAAMA, in Alice Springs!” he said.
James and Justin moved to Alice together in 2014, and haven’t looked back!
James worked at Dick Smith and loved working with technology and electronics.
When Dick Smith closed down, James went to work for the Burtons at Uncle Eddy’s.
“I spent 12 months there biding my time, gathering my thoughts! ‘How can I get my own show happening?’ After Dick Smith closed, I knew there was a gap in the market.”
In October 2017, James opened his own tech business, Tele Choice, out the front of Woolworths.
In the past 12 months, James has levelled-up again, and built his own telco provider.
The business is still in the same prime location, and is now called Spot Mobile.
James prides himself on honesty and customer service.
“That’s something I learnt from Dad. Your name is your name. Your word is your word. If you say you’ll do something, make sure you do it!”
James also has a side ice cream business, Dippin’ Dots, which the two run on weekends at the markets, and other outdoor events.
“I met Justin at a time in my life where I’d been through a messy break-up. I had no self esteem,” James said.
“He has always stood by me, no matter what I do. If I said, ‘Hey tomorrow I want to become a bus driver’, he’d say, ‘Ok, what do we need to do to make that happen.’
“We just click. He means so much to me. I wouldn’t be where I am without Justin. The emotional and mental support.
“He’s changed my life.”
In August, James proposed!
“I’d already proposed, but I did it at a big dance party, so he needed a re-do!”
James got down on one knee at Kings Canyon on the Picnic Day weekend.
They plan to marry in Alice next year.
James and Justin also have three foster kids, through Territory families.
“They are three brothers. We just love them so much!
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“Some friends of ours had fosters kids, and Justin and I thought- ‘That’s a good idea.’ Kids deserve to have a roof over their heads!”
James has just quit smoking, he’s about to take-up CrossFit, and he is a man on the rise.
“It surprises me! Where I’ve come with my old life to now! Engaged, three kids, two businesses! Life’s looking good!”
James Garland, on behalf of everyone in Alice- you deserve every bit of happiness, mate!
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