ABC 2025 Heywire winners reveal ‘brave and authentic’ stories of life in regional Australia

Rylie wrote his first song when he was living in a tent in Warrnambool, Gunditjmara Country, as a 16-year-old.

“Mum and I were homeless,” he said.

“I’m First Nations, and I remember feeling like — my own country is failing me right now.”

Listening to music was an escape at first, then it became…