TAKING to the sky in the Royal Australian Air Force has always been a goal for Horsham’s Ethan Jolley.
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However his dreams were put on hold when he was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in 2016 at the age of 16.
Hodgkin’s Lymphoma is a form of cancer that attacks lymph nodes and a person’s lymphatic system.
Ethan said he was lucky to catch the cancer in its early stages.
“I was very in tune with my body and noticed that something wasn’t right, so I went to the doctor straight away and they found it,” Ethan said.
“It’s something that happens to people across all age groups and isn’t hereditary at all – it’s just random.
“When I was first diagnosed everything happened very quickly, and within two weeks I started my treatment. I wasn’t really able to process it mentally; I thought to myself that things happen for a reason and let’s not put a negative aspect on my life.
“I still wanted to do well at school and pushed through, so I didn’t really let it affect my mental health.”
Ethan went to school every day – expect for every second Friday when he would travel with his family to Ballarat for treatment.
“The treatment did knock me around a bit. I’d have it on the Friday, then be pretty out of it for the weekend, and then back to school on Monday. Then two weeks later we’d start the whole cycle again,” he said.
His main support unit at the time were his parents Vern and Tim, and his school community.
“Mum and dad really supported me and did a lot for me, and my extended family were all really supportive too. The biggest one was probably the school – the way they helped me through it made me feel normal,” he said.
“My friends would always still have a joke, so I would just be treated as a normal person. They were extremely supportive and helped me through Year 11.”
Ethan finished his treatment in November 2016 and has been in remission ever since. The now 19-year-old said he was excited to start the next chapter in his life.
Ethan finished Year 12 in 2017, where he was school captain at St Brigid's College and dux of his year level, receiving an ATAR of 89.95.
After a gap year in 2018, he decided it was time to pursue higher education.
He is due to start studying a Bachelor of Physical Health and Outdoor Education at LaTrobe University, Bendigo in March.
“Health and fitness is something I’ve always enjoyed; I did Outdoor Education in Year 11 as a Year 12 subject and I did really well in that, so that became my passion,” he said.
“I’m so ready and excited for university. It’s been really good having a gap year to save up some money, get into the workforce and have a break from studying. I’ve also learned a lot of independent skills.”
In 2012 Ethan’s life changed significantly when he joined the Air Force Cadets in Horsham.
“Ever since then I have loved it. It has been a huge driving force and influence in my life. It has taught me so many life skills and brought out qualities that my parents had instilled in me,” he said.
Last year Ethan transitioned from a cadet to a staff member. He said his ultimate goal was to join the Royal Australian Air Force.
“I’ve wanted to do it for as long as I can remember. I did a family tree in school and I think every generation had someone involved in the defence force, so I want to continue that on,” he said.
“I was knocked back from the defence force and can’t reapply until I’m out of remission, which is three years from now.
“The remission period is about five years, so once that’s passed they say the chances of the cancer coming back are much lower. Once I was told I couldn’t get in, I looked around to find something I could do in the meantime.”
Something that I’ve learned is to have that end goal, but I also want to see where life takes me.
- Ethan Jolley
Although Ethan’s dream of joining the air force has been put on hold, he said he was excited to pursue a new adventure at university.
He hopes to complete his Masters in Teaching once his three year Bachelor degree is done.
“Something that I’ve learned is to have that end goal, but I also want to see where life takes me,” he said.
“I was set on joining the defence force, and that was my one and only goal, so I didn’t have any other options.
“I didn’t apply for any courses at the end of Year 12, so I definitely learned from that. Once my three year course is done, I will think about joining the defence force, otherwise I’ll continue on to the Masters and make a career out of teaching.”
Another passion for Ethan is swimming, which he was heavily involved in during school.
“It was pretty much my only sport. In 2015, I made a move to Ballarat Gold Swimming Club and trained with them while we were still living in Horsham,” he said.
“I ramped up my training and really started pushing myself to get better times. But that all sort of came to a halt when I got sick in 2016.”
Ethan recently received a Redkite and Coles Dare to Dream Scholarship worth $2000 which will help him with school expenses when he moves away from home for university.
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