Illuminate with KATE WOOD-FOYE COREY TUTT OAM

Corey Tutt, OAM is the ultimate game changer for First Nations youth inspiring a love for STEM education in regional and remote communities - celebrating our First Scientists. Now a Port Macquarie local, this Kamilaroi man discovered a passion for STEM and dreamt of being a zookeeper in high school. In 2018, as a young research assistant at the University of Sydney, Corey founded DeadlyScience, a not-for-profit organisation providing science books and telescopes to remote schools, connecting young Indigenous people with mentors to encourage participation and careers in STEM. In 2020, Corey was named NSW Young Australian of the Year and a Human Rights Hero by the Australian Human Rights Commission. Corey has gone on to make an international imprint speaking at Harvard and Oxford universities. In 2021, DeadlyScience received the Australian Museum Eureka STEM Inclusion Prize. Last year, Corey received an OAM for service to Indigenous STEM education and was recently awarded a Westpac Fellowship. In July this year he will appear on the main-stage at Luminosity Youth Summit to inspire young people across the Mid North Coast.

Corey, you are a game changer and connector with an obvious passion and energy to pass on and celebrate your love of science and First Nations culture and wisdom. How does the journey go from research lab tech to running a national NFP impacting thousands of young regional and remote First Nations children across the country? Where and why did it all begin?

When I was little, living in regional and remote Australia, I had to move around alot due to my family circumstances, things were often disconnected and there wasn’t much to do. During this time I discovered a love of animals. My pop gave me a book called Reptiles in Colour by Dr Harold Cogger. This book would really spark a lifelong passion for wildlife. When I was 16 and asked by my careers advisor what I wanted to do when I left school, I said I wanted to be just like Harry Butler or Dr Cogger - failing that just a zoo keeper would do! I was told that I had better stick to a trade or I would end up in jail or dead by 20. I had to overcome a lot of adversity as a young person and that left me with a point to prove when people doubted my abilities. I left school at 16 and went to Western Australia where I worked in the now defunct Roo Gully before becoming a zookeeper at Shoalhaven Zoo. Soon after my best friend passed away and I was a bit lost – I packed myself up and went Alpaca shearing for three years. I also worked for the RSPCA graduating from animal attendant to dog rehabilitator and occasional sheep shearer. I then took on a role with the Animal Welfare League - it was this exact moment I realised I really wanted to pursue science. I accepted and completed a traineeship with the Garvan Institute of Medical Research. Eventually I found myself at the University of Sydney where I was able to lead the genetic management of modified organisms. In 2018 I started to feel a little bored in my role and wanted to see how I could give back to communities in Redfern and Waterloo. I volunteered with another charity unofficially, (on the invite from a friend who worked there), and was completely shocked to see no STEM careers were being encouraged for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children - this was when DeadlyScience was born! I conducted regular science talks at the University with between 40 to 60 kids who volunteered to participate in my “yarns” where questions were answered and ideas shared. It wasn’t without its challenges - we had to move out of USyd and relocate to Redfern to conduct the talks in a park.

The interest the city kids showed in the STEM talks spurned another idea - if these urban kids loved it what was being done in remote communities and what are the schools like? Do they teach science? Do they have the right resources and facilities?

To my complete shock I found schools with as little as 15 books in their entire school, some of which had no STEM resources and again it wasn’t accessible. So I decided to do something about it. I dropped $1000 at Dymocks and sent books off originally then it morphed into much more elaborate STEM equipment.

To support the project, I took up a second job and almost a third job to help cover the costs. Luckily, I was convinced to start a Go Fund Me campaign which raised $250,000 in 18 months.

I took a role at the Matilda Centre studying the impacts of crystal methamphetamine and other illicit substances in our First Nations Communities. I helped design and build the “Cracks in the Ice” Indigenous platform which provides information and better understanding of the impacts of Ice on families and health workers, whilst also supporting the person behind the substance. I continued this role until June last year as DeadlyScience started to grow beyond the point of a side project and I had to make the difficult choice between a job I loved and Deadly Science.

When did you realise that the Deadly Science idea could have a real impact on a national scale?

The moment I realised it was a lot bigger than a random guy (ie me!) sending resources to communities, was when an Elder called me and asked me ”How much do we owe you for these resources? Our school can’t afford this.” I of course replied .. nothing! He later invited me to their community and we have remained close friends ever since. When that first school turned into 40 schools in a few weeks I realised that this was a space so much in need. I couldn’t give up - no matter how hard or challenging DeadlyScience would become - we have communities and DeadlyScientists depending on this thing I built in my spare room.

What are the pinnacle or pivotal moments that have marked or changed the course of your journey with Deadly Science?

I am very lucky to have many stories leading to my “Why”. The charity space can be challenging, you must have a presence online and being a single founder can be difficult. You often feel isolated and exposed personally because whether you like it or not, you are the face of the charity. This can lead to challenges from racial abuse online to facing personal burnout.

I am blessed to be able to make a difference. There was this young kid who had a severe disability and it was his dream to see the stars, so I made a promise to him that I would get him a telescope. Unfortunately, despite my best efforts I couldn’t find one and it broke me. How could we have inclusiveness in STEM if we aren’t creating and building the resources for these kids?

The frustration forced me to find an alternative solution - purchasing a galaxy projector online. I said “Hey did you know we are all made of stardust?” Together we would flick the lights off and project the stars all around him - that smile is something I will never forget. We kept in touch sending cards and face-time over the next few years. Last Christmas I found the ultimate projector which had 40 different settings. Sadly it was returned to my house because he had since passed away. I got through that remembering that moment I created happiness for that child and made him feel a part of something bigger. I would trade it all away to ensure every student feels that happiness with DeadlyScience.

How has your business/leadership style evolved from those early days until now?

I have had to let some things go. Being a founder, I have to accept that I have to now grow beyond the guy who does everything himself. Although much to the dismay of our Board you will still catch me packing the boxes full of Lego or books or moving pallets around to pack our resources.

You are a mentor for many in regional, national and First Nations communities. How important are mentors in your journey and what is the most valuable lesson/s they have taught you?

I fully believe that you can’t be what you can’t see. For me I had some amazing mentors, from

Paul Sinclair who was a spider keeper at Taronga, to an Alpaca Shearer named James who most likely saved my life as a young fella. To my older sister who really cared and looked after me as a kid. The most valuable lesson I was taught was to practice kindness. It’s free and you have more to gain by being kind in business and in life.

What does your Order of Australia Medal mean to you?

It meant everything to take my Mum and sister and Aunt to the ceremony. We don’t come from too much and I think every Mum or Dad deserves to see their children honoured in that way, so I was super proud and thankful. What do you hope to achieve with your Westpac Fellowship?

I hope to grow beyond DeadlyScience with the Westpac Social Change Fellowship to invest in my development as a social change maker to allow me to invest more in others long term. I hope to spend time with leaders and do a number of courses to grow my skillset and also give DeadlyScience breathing space from me, because I have always been the guy who is the face and founder of it.

What can we expect from you at Luminosity?

I am so excited to inspire, innovate and encourage curiosity about STEM at the summit and connect with all the people involved. It’s a great thrill and honour to be doing something locally as I often have to travel to connect with people. To be able to inspire young people at home in Port is amazing I am just so excited and grateful for the opportunity.

How important is connection to country and culture to delivering on the Deadly Science Mission?

It is so important – I am a proud Kamilaroi man and our people, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, were the first scientists of this country. You just need to look at the bush medicine and astronomy knowledge to see how advanced our mob are.

What is your advice to someone wanting to make positive change in their community by establishing a social enterprise?

Be brave, be Deadly and more importantly be kind to yourself. Start small and make sure you share the good things you’re doing so people can join in and help you along the journey.