Interview with Anthony Marinovich

 

For many young people in Margaret River, finishing school is often seen as a moment of excitement and possibility. Yet for many, it is also a time marked by pressure, uncertainty, and quiet anxiety about what comes next.

 

Anthony Marinovich understands this transition well.

 

Now living in Margaret River for over two years and having spent his entire life in the South West, Anthony is a familiar face in the community through his role as a sales representative at Ray White Stocker Preston and his involvement with the Margaret River Football Club, Basketball Club, and Bowling Club. But his sense of direction today was shaped by lessons learned during the uncertain years after leaving school.

 

“When I left school, there was a great deal of pressure surrounding what the future might hold and uncertainty about what my next steps would be,” Anthony says.

 

During that time, support and structure played a crucial role. Anthony credits his parents and mentors with reinforcing values that helped keep him grounded.

 

“I was fortunate to have supportive parents and a strong group of mentors who consistently reinforced the importance of two things: always having a job and being involved in sport.”

Working from a young age gave Anthony more than just an income. It provided life skills that extended far beyond the workplace.

 

“Having a job as a teenager taught me the value of money and the discipline of saving. When you work hard to pay for something yourself, you develop a greater sense of responsibility and appreciation for what you have.”

 

Sport, too, became a powerful anchor throughout his teenage years and early adulthood.

 

“Playing sport from the ages of 14 to 21 instilled in me the importance of teamwork,” he explains. “It taught me that a team is far more than just five players on a court. It’s about building strong connections, supporting one another through adversity, and celebrating successes together. True success is never achieved alone; it takes a collective effort.”

 

Anthony’s career path did not follow a rigid plan but rather grew naturally through relationships and community connection.

 

“My career began through something as simple as a genuine handshake,” he says. “At 16 years old, I met a current colleague while playing basketball alongside his son. We stayed in touch over the years, not with the intention of entering real estate, but through a natural connection built on respect and trust.”

 

That connection eventually opened a door, not through formal applications, but through trust built over time.

 

Before that opportunity arose, Anthony gained experience across a wide range of roles.

 

“Prior to that, I worked across a variety of roles, from running basketball coaching clinics to working as an education assistant, farm hand and brick paver.”

 

Each role, he says, reinforced an important perspective about success and fulfilment.

 

“Through these experiences, I learned that true reward comes from loving the process. The end result is simply a reflection of the time, effort and consistency you invest in something you genuinely care about and are passionate about.”

 

Central to Anthony’s personal and professional growth has been the people around him.

 

“The biggest influence for me was having a core group of people I trusted completely, people I knew would give me honest feedback, even when it was hard to hear,” he says. “Those who tell you the truth don’t do it to hurt you; they do it because they genuinely want to see you succeed. They understand that honest conversations are essential for growth, and that facing the truth is the only way to move forward with clarity, confidence, and purpose.”

 

When asked what advice he would offer young people facing the uncertainty of life after school, Anthony keeps it simple and practical.

 

“The best advice I can give is to stay active and keep your mind engaged. Even if you have no clear idea of what you want to do, the most important thing is to take things one step at a time. With genuine intentions and a willingness to keep moving forward, you’ll find yourself on the right path.”

 

He also encourages patience and perspective during a time when comparison can feel overwhelming.

 

“Whether that clarity comes one month after finishing school or five years later doesn’t matter.”

 

Anthony’s story is a reminder that uncertainty is not something to fear or rush away from. With strong connections, honest guidance, and a willingness to keep showing up, the path forward often reveals itself, one step at a time.

 

Mind-Ed is local voice that connects people, services, and support to make mental health more visible, accessible, and human.  Find out more www.mind-ed.org.au