James Francis

“The motto meant don’t forget to look up every now and then so you enjoy world.”

James Francis first joined Yarra in Prep, but his first taste of life at the school was brief after his family then moved to the Wimmera six months later.

In Year 5, when his family returned to Melbourne, James re-enrolled and remained at Yarra until completing Year 12.

He has lots of strong and positive memories of his time at school – from camps that taught him horse riding and white-water rafting to playing footy and rugby with friends.

“I enjoyed being outdoors with my mates and Saturday sport. I played water polo, footy and rugby union – most players in the team were half my size so I was okay at sport!” says James.

“I got detentions for all sorts of things but the point wasn’t that you haven’t done up your tie – it was that you learn consequences.”

In the classroom, he was particularly proficient in arts such as graphic design and drawing. During his time at Yarra, he created an extensive portfolio of work that enabled him to enrol in fine arts at La Trobe University in Bendigo after graduating.

“I completed the first year of my degree but it was a time of a transition. The program introduced computers and moved towards using computers to draw and I didn’t want to spend my day behind a desk using a computer to draw,” says James.

He began a pre-apprenticeship in painting and decorating, tried his hand at signwriting and then discovered bricklaying.

The trade allowed James to use his artistry and after years of hands-on work, mostly involved in high-end residential projects, he now teaches future generations of bricklayers attending TAFE programs.

“I’ve mostly done complicated work that takes a lot of patience and that is quite decorative. It is hard work – you’ll never need to join a gym because bricklaying keeps you fit and strong,” says James.

“It suits anyone who doesn’t want to be stuck in an office wearing a suit and tie.”

If he hadn’t been a bricklayer, James says he would have liked to have been a rally car driver, tattooist or primary school art teacher, but he’s happy with the career path he’s taken since leaving Yarra.

“I remember being in Year 7 and the chaplain of the time, Father Roger, gave me a piece of advice that has stuck with me. He said not to worry about things you can’t change and to only concern yourself with where you can make a difference,” he says.