GLENN Cooper, or Guru as he's known, founded That's The Thing About Fishing in 2015 to help the most vulnerable members of the community through fishing clinics on Victoria's Frankston Pier.
The day before The Senior saw Glenn, he'd met a 16-year-old on aggravated burglary charges. The boy's distraught parents asked Glenn if he would talk to him..
"I met him on the pier - I had a clinic of 16 people with severe disabilities. I let him see what we were about and then took him aside," Glenn said.
"I said I hear you're in trouble, you've got some problems. Well, have a look at the people with me here today.... now tell me about your problems, mate.
"These people wake up every morning and nothing changes. But you've got a chance to wake up in the morning, change your life and make your problems go away."
Glenn knows what being in trouble is like. He was scarred by abuse as a child, spending years as a ward of the state and moving through a string of boys' homes.
His broken childhood, resentment and bitterness led to a life of violence, dysfunctional relationships, crime and jail.
"I saw so much depression, anxiety and drug addiction and how they destroyed lives," he said.
"I'm in a much better place now, but I have a deep empathy for those who aren't and want to help them."
The group has turned lives around. Its slogan is "Changing Lives one Life at a Time".
Glenn said the program works with anyone.
People with disabilities, mental illness, dementia and acquired brain injuries, the elderly, children... these are some of the 3000-4000 participants every year.
They engage socially while learning fishing skills from Glenn and volunteers - and hopefully, reel a few in.
"I've been a mad fisherman all my life," Glenn said. "But you know, the thing about fishing isn't really about fishing.
"It's about social skills, motor skills, learning how to communicate, getting kids off computers and devices, alleviating boredom, teaching patience, building friendships and networks."
One man came to a clinic after breaking his back at work and suffering severe depression for five years.
"He was referred to me by a mental health group," Glenn said. "Over a period of time I took him fishing and talked with him... He's still not good physically, but he's now volunteering with the Salvation Army, and still comes to help us when he can."
Clinics run three times a week, with kids' clinics during school holidays. A Junior Gurus group is planned to start soon.
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