Ashley Smith grew up around Essendon in Victoria, where life was simple and much of his younger years were spent on the water. He developed a passion for water skiing, where he met his best mate Brett — a man Ashley would come to see as the brother he never had. Tragically, Brett lost his life in a car accident, and for Ashley, it felt as though a part of him died that night too. The loss changed him, and for a long time, those closest to him knew he wasn’t quite the same person he had once been. As life moved forward, Ashley completed university and became a teacher. After relocating, he immersed himself in the community, joining the local cricket club and volunteering with the fire brigade. Along the way, he also became a proud father of four children across different chapters of his life. Around a decade ago, Ashley faced another devastating loss when his mother passed away from cancer. Through the grief, however, came a reconnection with his family, particularly his two sisters, who began to feel like they finally had their brother back again. Then, in March 2026, Ashley’s world was shattered when he lost his son, Zaron, to suicide following his struggles with mental health. Faced with unimaginable grief, Ashley made the decision to speak rather than stay silent. He began exploring mental health more deeply, sharing his experiences and raising awareness around men’s mental health, grief, loss and the importance of having difficult conversations. Today, Ashley is a dedicated school teacher, a fire brigade captain and a father determined to use his story to help others. Through everything life has thrown his way, his message is simple — talk, check in on your mates, and never underestimate the importance of being there for one another.
