Meet The GameAware Team
It takes one to know one.
Damien Schumann (VIC)
Teacher & Professional Athlete
// Modern Warfare 2
// Battlefield 1
// Warzone
I have been gaming on and off for 25 years! I still remember the day I fell in love when I unwrapped my very first Gameboy in 1996! From there I graduated to the 64 and Dreamcast and these days play a lot of Modern Warfare and Battlefield.
Once I turned 18 I put my time and effort into playing Beach Volleyball, as well as finishing school for design and teaching. That decision paid off because after 4 years of playing professionally, I qualified for the 2021 Tokyo Olympic Games. I use gaming as another way to compete in my free time. I have experienced first hand the benefits of how a balanced lifestyle is not only is crucial for performance, but also happiness.
Zachery Schubert (SA)
Professional Athlete & Business Owner
// Apex Legends
// Minecraft
// Skyrim
I have been a gamer my whole life and have experienced the positives and negatives of gaming! Gaming has helped me stay connected with my friends and family while I travel the world playing my sport. It has also challenged me to think critically, design, strategise and grow as a human.
I believe I will game for the rest of my life however, balancing my study and business while playing sport takes discipline and extreme organisation. Which all successful gamers need!
Brendan Harms (QLD)
Team Bliss Esports - Operations Manager
// Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (N64)
// Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
// Rocket League
As an avid gamer for over 20 years, I’ve always loved RPG gaming and the immersion they provide. Having participated in competitive FPS gaming and Twitch streaming, I now work for the Team Bliss Esports Academy in Queensland where I hope to use my experience to help develop programs to help the next generation of young E-Sports athletes.
I am also President of the largest Medieval Live Action Roleplay group in Queensland, which regularly hosts community events promoting alternative fitness.
Mikey Wulff (QLD)
Actor / Musician
// World of Warcraft
// Baldur's Gate 3
// MTGA
The first time I discovered Mass Multiplayer Online Role Playing Games; I was hooked. Hey! I’m Mikey 😊. I have and continue to work professionally as an Actor and Musician; but this wouldn’t have been possible without gaming.
I used to struggle with expressing my creative side but gaming allowed me to be whoever I wanted and still fit in. I was able to feel like I was exploring and finding myself through creating unique characters in games like WOW (World of Warcraft) (Now playing Baldur's gate 3 and MTGA). I could sharpen my imagination and my strategy at the same time plus social teamwork and combat while broadening my creative horizons with new material any chance I could. Ok.. I wasn’t hooked. I was in love with gaming and it wasn’t too healthy. My grades suffered but I got by.
So driven by my passions I would become defensive when questioned about them at all. I wanted to be an Actor and that’s what I set off to do. I achieved my goals but not without cost; I hadn’t learnt how to listen or slow down. I pushed my body too far for too long and I was Diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Balance. It all came back to balance for me. Something I wish I knew sooner but something now I’m blessed to pass on. Let’s “Level for longevity”.
Tamara Fogarty (QLD)
Support Worker / Psych Student
// Dragon Age
// Overwatch
// Fallout
Tamara Fogarty, Psych Student and Support Worker. Since childhood, I have found enjoyment in playing video games. Open world RPG's (Dragon Age, Elder Scrolls, Fallout, Mass Effect) are my absolute favourites and most played. I also enjoy some multiplayer and competitive games when playing socially (League of Legends, Overwatch, Minecraft, Terraria).
I believe that video games provide immersive and creative experiences that can give us a much needed break from the real world grind. However, I also understand how video games can become an escape that we may rely on too much. I am excited for the opportunity to use my knowledge and experience in the mental health field to provide positive and meaningful outcomes for young gamers and their families.
Kirsten Johnson (QLD)
OT mental health (occupational therapist)
// Stardew Valley
// Fortnite
// Valheim
Kirsten Johnson Occupational Therapist Stardew Valley – Valheim – Rust – Fortnite – 7 Days to Die – GTA V – Scrap Mechanic - ECO - Fall Guys Hi, I’m Kirsten or you can call me K. I first started gaming around the age of 6 playing whatever I could get my hands on. I have primarily played on Nintendo consoles, PlayStation and PC. I have firsthand experience of using gaming as an outlet for not making and maintaining lasting friendships and meaningful activities.
I am an Occupational Therapist who works in Mental Health and want to bring my lived and professional experience to help others. I now primarily play on PC, occasionally Nintendo Switch and play a very large variety of games (even if I’m not competitive).
Nathanael Yap (VIC)
Secondary classroom teacher
// World of Warcraft
// League of legends
// Valorant
Hi, my name is Nathan! I'm a Secondary Teacher by profession but have always been a gamer. Video games were something that helped me and my siblings bond as they taught me how to play games from a young age.
This was definitely the beginning of a passion of mine that has continued to this very day. I've explored all kinds of genres; RPG's, strategy, roguelike, shooters, you name it. Some of my fondest memories are getting together with my mates to play together at a LAN.
I've always been pretty competitive and try to perform my best, but at the end of the day valuing the time spent has always been just as important. Intelligent gaming has become a passion for me to direct and change the perception that the public has on video games because it has so many benefits.
Flynn Wheatfill (VIC)
Zoology Student & ASD mentor
// Warhammer 40k
// Team Fortress 2
// Mario
The first time I played a video game I would have been 5. I started with Mario Kart DS and have been an avid player since. I’m someone who was diagnosed with ASD at a young age, and as someone who has generally struggled with social interaction, games have been a way for me to make friends. I primarily play on PC, with multiplayer games like TF2, and a lot of single player games from Metal Gear to Persona.
As well as PC I’ve also been an avid Nintendo fan and have lots of memories especially with Mario games. I have a firsthand experience with playing video games a bit too much when i was younger, and want to bring that lived experience to other people, in order to assist them in their own.
Sheyan Gunapala (VIC)
Psychologist
// Rachet and Clank
// Spiderman
// Spyro
I have been an avid gamer for about 20 years. I’ve played action adventure games religiously (e.g Spiderman, Rachet and Clank, Spyro) and the occasional first person shooter (even though I have realised I am not very good). I have completed a Bachelor of Psychological Science and a Graduate Diploma in Psychology from Deakin University.
I also have a Master of Professional Psychology from Monash University. I am currently a generally registered Psychologist working in the disability sector. I have experience and interest in providing intervention and psychological assessment to individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Attention Hyperactivity Disorder, Depression, Anxiety and general behavioural difficulties. I enjoy working with individuals with problematic gaming and helping them create new healthy habits.
Jaume Pirie (NSW)
Mental Health Youth Worker
// ARMA 3
// CSGO
// Civ 5
Online gaming has always been a space I've found easy to explore, socialise and have fun in, I have played for semi-pro esport teams since I was 16 and have made friends I've now known for years. I know just how many benefits the online space has to offer, and all about the bad behaviours it can help facilitate (many from experience).
I now enjoy playing casual games to catch up with distant friends and am forever pursuing ways to help people of all ages and backgrounds healthy interact with our increasingly digitized world. I am nearly finished my Bachelors of Psychological Science with specialisations in digital addictions.
Joubert Van Der Merwe (NSW)
Social Worker
// Age of Empires
// Call of Duty
// Minecraft
Call me Jubes. From a young age, I was gaming on consoles with my friends, spending weekends at each other’s houses playing all day. LAN parties and COD were my bread and butter. Gaming became problematic towards high school’s end because I started playing all day after school and getting insanely angry when I was not MVP or in the top 2 of a game. It took a fractured toe and a failed semester at uni to realise that I wasn’t enjoying my gaming anymore. I realized that I was struggling with something and that's why I played, and it took learning to appreciate my life outside of gaming to make me happier and healthier.
I still play games, but it’s purely for relaxation, and I know my limits. I want to pass on those skills that I learned and developed to other young people on the same potentially destructive path so they can appreciate what life has to offer them, and gaming can stay something that helps diversify their downtime, not consume it.
Josh Battin (NSW)
Psychologist
// Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2
// Bioshock Infinite
// Battlefield (All)
I started gaming when I was about 10 years Old, playing Crash Bandicoot on the PS1. Since then, I’ve ended being enthralled with Triple A First Person Shooters and Single Player games that are like a good book. I’m recently getting back into real-time strategy games too, such as Company of Heroes. I love the competitive side of games. Even when I’m not placing in leader boards (which is often), I always enjoy fighting and adapting to the chaos that are multiplayer games.
I only devote my time to single player games with a superior quality of narrative so I’m maximising my gaming time, making cherished memories instead of blurred and indistinct recollections. I’m particularly avid in my psychological work with helping clients achieve immense amounts of satisfaction from their real life and their gaming time.
Sebbie (VIC)
Technical Writer, Tournament Administrator / Organiser
// ..
// ..
// ..
Hi there, I’m Sebbie. By day, I’m a technical writer at a cyber safety company, by night I’m an Esports Tournament Organizer and Administrator. I’ve been working in Esports for the last 10 years and have been in multiple roles. I’ve been a Team Manager for Pro League of Legends and have done work for many tournaments across the ANZ region in many different games.
My mum was my inspiration for wanting to play games, but she was also the one who tried to stop me playing games when I was younger. As a School Teacher, she’s seen all sorts of issues around gaming addiction and didn’t want me to fall into the same habits. Through seeing my early work in high school esports, she’s been more open and supportive of my choices and of gaming overall.
I want to show people that it is possible to play games and have a good relationship with your parents. Gaming isn’t all bad and neither are Parents, we just need to find the middle ground!
John Sundin (NSW)
Behavioural Therapist
// Dark Souls
// Elden Ring
// Sekiro
Hey there, my name’s John and I’m a Behavioural Therapist that’s been in and around gaming since the age of 4. I can wholeheartedly say that Final Fantasy IX taught me how to read since my father would make me read along.
Putting this into perspective, I feel like gaming can teach a wide variety of skills including, how to form friendships, fine motor skill and many more. That being said, it’s always important to make sure you’re not abusing this and try to find that equilibrium in gaming and life to maintain a healthy lifestyle and relations with either your parents and friends.
I spend most of my gaming time playing Fromsoft titles (Dark Souls, Sekiro, Elden Ring), Diablo series, Final Fantasy series and the occasional FPS games. “It's better to know you’re being played than to be played without knowing it” – Disco Elysium
Howard Li (VIC)
Psych student, Tournament Admin
// League of Legends
// Pokemon Unite
// Valorant
My name is Howard, I'm a Psychology student who used to game competitively.
As I now work full time on top of full time Uni, I have shifted towards playing less, but still remaining competitive when I do decide to play.
Ali Al-Nuaymi (NSW)
Nutrition & Therapy student/ Operations Manager
// FIFA 2023
// Dota 2
// CS:GO
Hello there, my name is Ali, I’m also known online as (Bane) and I’m absolutely thrilled to be a mentor at GameAware. I am a nutritional medicine & therapy student and a semi-pro Dota 2 player and coach. Since early time in my life, I have experienced the transformative potential of video games firsthand. They have taught me valuable life lessons about perseverance, problem-solving, teamwork, and creative thinking.
I have seen how video games can ignite curiosity, fuel imagination, and foster a sense of community. I believe that video games and digital art have a unique power to inspire and teach, and I am passionate about leveraging this medium to guide and mentor individuals towards personal and professional growth. I understand the importance of connecting with like-minded individuals, and I believe in fostering a sense of belonging and camaraderie among mentees. By creating a safe and inclusive space, we can nurture their passion for gaming while fostering personal and social development.
Throughout my academic and professional journey, I have been fortunate to have had mentors who played pivotal roles in shaping my own success. Their guidance, support, and unwavering belief in my abilities have been instrumental in helping me overcome challenges and achieve my goals.
Now, I am eager to pay it forward and provide the same level of guidance and inspiration to others. Other interests I spend great time on are creative arts form, especially poetry or Battle Rap lyricism, studying psychology, philosophy and theology.
Mason Drew (NSW)
Psych student
// League of Legends
// Borderlands
// Battlefield
Hi, I’m Mason a psychology student and a gamer. I have been playing games since I was a kid. I started with crash bandicoot on the PS1 with my brother. Games for me have always been a way to hangout with friends and work todard something together.
When I was in school I used to hangout with my mates after school and we would try to beat levels together on story games on my PS2. Later on I got a PS3 and started playing online multpilayer with my friends and their friends and got to meet all sorts of new people playing stuff like Call of Duty and Battlefeild.
Now that I’m older I play mostly on PC but still see gaming as a cool fun way for me and my friends to hangout and do stuff, especially with my mates who have moved further away. I’m now a psychology student and have started learning lots about what sorts of feelings and motivations influence our choices and behaviours. This has helped me understand more about why i play games and how I can still have all the fun of playing with my mates, without it taking too much time and energy away from the other things I enjoy.
I want to share this experience of learning about what gaming means to me so that I can help other people to have fun gaming, without becoming reliant on them.
Testimonial
"The program has been very helpful in making me aware of my own behaviours as a parent and the fact I don't push my son to be responsible for his actions. Ultimately change comes from within and he needs to be the one to regulate his behaviour.
As a teacher myself, I have found that I even change the way I speak to students in class when they don't do the right thing. I'm feeling better prepared to help my sons move forward."
- ParentTestimonial
"...Lachy's support and guidance was amazing! His professional approach to helping Angus was beyond my expectations. Angus was in a big rut and gaming too much. Lachy provided ideas and solutions that we, as parents, would never have thought to suggest. I loved that Angus looked forward to their fortnightly sessions, and I really appreciated Lachy's openess during our debriefs. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend GameAware and especially Lachy to any parent that is concerned about their child's gaming."
- Parent
