Coffee Chats with Matt Collins

We all struggle with dark thoughts on occasion, some more so than others. Professional football stars are no exception. In this raw and candid conversation, former rugby league star, Willie Tonga opens up about his experience with depression and how he tried to hide it during his playing days for fear of being branded 'soft'. The Qld State of Origin representative knows first hand how serious depression can get after saving the life of his teammate and friend, Reni Maitua who attempted to take his own life.

When a man or woman is passionate for change, nothing will get in their way. Indigenous ambassador, Alwyn Doolan is one such man. He is currently on a 7000km journey on foot, starting from the tip of Qld and walking all the way to Parliament House in Canberra to hopefully meet with the Prime Minister and discuss current indigenous issues. Through his Message Stick Walk, Alwyn is making many friends and collecting a large and loyal following as well as confrontations with caravans, cassowary and former PMs.

You would think after 50 years in the music industry, a swag of hits and a truck load of awards, ARIA Hall of Fame artist, Russell Morris would be confident of his talent. But as his shares with Matt Collins in their Coffee Chat, he still doubts his abilities. Still touring and making great music, Russell says he owes a lot to plain old luck and one Ian 'Molly' Meldrum who tapped him on the should as a teenager and asked if he could manage Russell and is band. The rest, as they say, is history.

Liam Wilson's last amateur boxing match was representing his country at the Commonwealth Games. He recently fought and won in front of 30,000 people as an under card at the Mundine v Horn fight. Liam's boxing career is even more remarkable when you hear his story. His father was an alcoholic and Liam was kicked out of home when he was only 15. Before his father died, Liam made a promise to him that he would win a world title and he intends on keeping his promise. This shy and quiet guy normally lets his fists do the talking, but he sits down with Matt for an open and honest conversation. Like his boxing ability, he doesn't disappoint.

Tom Curtain's Katherine Outback Experience is a popular NT tourist destination. But it wasn't always that way. When Tom first floated the idea with friends, they thought he was mad and he almost didn't do it. In the first year, attendances to Tom's show was in the single digits. But he persisted. And these days, with a list of hit songs and the who's who of country music as friends, Tom Curtain has every reason to smile. He is currently touring with his 'Speak Up' show in honour of the late, Dolly Everett.

Martin Bella represented his state and country in the sport of rugby league. As a councillor with the Mackay Regional Council, Martin tackles the region's issues with the same level of hard-hitting honesty and integrity. In their Coffee Chat, Martin shares with Matt what he thinks it takes to thrive in both sport and in life. Oh yeah, and he gives an honest account of what he thinks of the state's Premier, Annastacia Palaszczuk.

Can you believe it's been 20 years since children's group, Hi-5 first danced and sung their way onto our TV screens. Original member, Nathan Foley looks back on his time with the group with fond memories. In their chat, Nathan shares with Matt how he got started with the group, what a former fan said to him in Bunnings recently and how he managed to maintain his relationship with fellow hi-5 member, Kellie for all those years. But what is everyone's favorite hi-5 member up to these days?

[WARNING: This conversation contains language that may offend] Bianca Saez was diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome as a young girl and she courageously lives with her severe condition every single day. Bianca's tics and colourful language are a part of nearly every sentence. In their chat, Bianca shares with Matt how her tourettes has gotten her in to trouble on many occasions from dealing with shocked passers-by to what she did to the owner of a Subway restaurant. Like any twenty-something woman, all Bianca really wants is steady employment and a loving man.

When Father Chukwudi Chinaka first came to Australia from Nigeria he experienced a lot of things for the first time including his first snag on the barbie. But he very quickly acclimatised and found his calling. He has spent time at various churches throughout Australia. In their chat, Fr Chukwudi shares with Matt why he moved to Australia, what he tells himself each morning when he looks in the mirror and he doesn't back away from the sensitive topics like celibacy and sexual abuse within the church.

Many would argue that rehabilitation in our prisons is not working. John Killick is one such person. He spent a good portion of his life behind bars. A former bank robber, John made international headlines when he broke out of jail in a hijacked helicopter. John has written three books relating to his life of crime and his third book, On the inside focuses on his life inside Australia's most notorious prisons. John is genuinely remorseful for his past actions and now helps others not make the same mistakes.