Story Teller, Thinker and Survivor: An Incredible Life Story
An Amazing Tale of Survival
All the odds were stacked against him from the start. Experiencing abuse and neglect and surrendered to an orphanage in the 60s, this shaky beginning led to a life of angst against the system, drug and alcohol addiction, homelessness, and ultimately, severe disengagement from society.
Completely disillusioned with a world he couldn’t find peace with, he walked into a Northern NSW rain forest which heralded his reclusive existence for the next ten years.
How he exited the forest, on the brink of death and still haunted by personal demons, to eventually gain a PhD, become a university lecturer in the Arts & Social Science sector, and an ambassador for Australia’s ‘forgotten children’ is a personal testament to ‘never giving up’.
Featured on ABC radio’s Conversations With Richard Fidler, Sunrise Today, and on Australian Story, Dr Gregory’s life story was released as an autobiography by Penguin Publishing. After touring the book launch in May 2018, Out of the Forest, Dr Gregory’s inspiring true story, quickly became a best seller.
Fast forward 5 years and Gregory Smith’s remarkable transformation continues. Today, Dr Gregory works as a senior lecturer at Southern Cross University and advises a number of government and NGO organizations on matters pertaining to homelessness, vulnerability, and social disadvantage. He has recently published his second book, Better Than Happiness, by Penguin Random House, and this year he was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for his contribution to social welfare organisations.
Coupled with vocational work and his numerous speaking and media engagements (see Dr Gregory’s 2021 TED X talk here), Dr Gregory’s days are spent as a newly minted family man, living with his fiancé, Catherine, and their children, in the couple’s home in Orange, NSW. In 2022, Gregory and Catherine welcomed a new son, to the mix.
In October 2023, Australian Story revisited Dr Gregory to explore his ongoing reinvention of self and to shine a light on how he is taking his lived experience into Australian board rooms, to assist in making meaningful change.
Dr Gregory Smith is available for speaking events where his story is sure to amaze and inspire any audience – please reach out to book an event.
Dr Gregory P. Smith OAM 