Matthew Doyle

Matthew tragically lost both of his twin sons Shawn and Jeremy to blood cancer at the ages of one-and-a-half and two-and-a-half, respectively.

There’s not a day that goes past that I don’t think about my children. I think it’s also important that people tell their stories. There are painful memories, but there are lots of great memories as well. And those are what we focus on, and that’s what keeps us going.

Matthew’s culture played a key role in his twin sons’ short but rich lives, and he reflects on its importance in shaping him as a person.

The healing process is really important, and I feel my culture helped me. Being able to sing my songs, play my didgeridoo, meditate or to go for a bush walk or whatever it may be. In my opinion, to create a difference for people living with or impacted by blood cancer is about ongoing support financially, physically, emotionally and spiritually. This can only be achieved by having the means to do so and experienced and or qualified personnel in the space to provide all these elements.

Matthew has toured extensively in Australia and abroad, performing in many major international events, including the 1996 and 2000 Olympic Games, the Indigenous Gallery Musée Du Quai Branly in Paris, World Expo Japan, World Youth Day 2008, and took part in the production of “I am Eora” at the 2012 Sydney Festival. Matthew is now also working part time at Australia’s prestigious National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA).