Across Australia for a Cause: A Teen’s National Tour
Hayden Eastbury, a 17-year-old with fragile X syndrome, has set out on a unique and uplifting mission: visit every ABC bureau across Australia with his family. What began as a teenager’s passion for garbage trucks and the Australian Broadcasting Corporation has become a nationwide journey that blends family, advocacy, and a dream of someday joining the ABC in some capacity. The trek started in Newcastle in mid-2024, with the family planning to reach all 68 ABC offices and, in the process, raise awareness about fragile X syndrome and the experiences of those who live with it every day.
Hayden’s love for the ABC began with simple admiration for its presenters and programs. “I’ve been travelling around Australia with my family, and have been meeting ABC news presenters,” Hayden said. His enthusiasm isn’t just about meeting familiar faces; it is also about understanding how a major broadcaster works and letting the world see the human side of a national network. The family’s journey serves as a living classroom, teaching peers and viewers about the realities of fragile X while showcasing the power of curiosity and perseverance.
Fragile X: What It Is and Why Awareness Matters
Fragile X syndrome is a genetic condition caused by a mutation on the X chromosome. It is a leading cause of inherited intellectual disability, affecting approximately 1 in 4,000 males and about 1 in 6,000 females. The Fragile X Association of Australia notes that symptoms can vary widely—from learning and language challenges to behavioural and sensory differences. For families like Hayden’s, understanding is essential, and reducing stigma is a key part of improving daily life for those living with the condition.
Hayden’s father, Phil Eastbury, explains that fragile X can be misunderstood as other conditions such as dyslexia or early menopause in women or tremors that resemble Parkinson’s in men. “It’s only when it mutates to the full fragile X that alarm bells ring—generally in early childhood when milestones aren’t met,” he said. The family hopes their journey will broaden public awareness, encourage early diagnosis, and help more people recognize that fragile X is an inherited condition rather than a verdict on a person’s potential.
A Family-Driven Mission: Education Through Experience
The trip is more than a quest; it’s a deliberate strategy to teach through lived experience. Hayden and his brother, Jake, both live with fragile X, and their parents say the road trip has brought them into contact with a range of supportive communities. The family has encountered many individuals who have offered warmth and encouragement, including staff and presenters at ABC offices who have shared insights about journalism, storytelling, and public service in Australia.
Phil notes that while awareness of fragile X is growing, gaps remain—particularly around carrier status and how the condition is inherited. He emphasizes the importance of genetic literacy and ensuring that families have access to information and support. “Fragile X is inherited through the X chromosome, so my boys inherited it from my wife’s side,” he says. The family’s honest conversations about genetics aim to foster empathy and practical knowledge across communities.
The Dream: A Pathway to the ABC and Beyond
Hayden’s passion for news and current affairs is unmistakable. He describes a fondness for listening to the banter on ABC and has a particular affection for the program Back Roads. “I love Backroads at 8pm on the ABC,” he says, underscoring how television and radio can inspire dream careers and spark curiosity about the world. The family plans to pause the tour when Hayden returns to Newcastle to finish year 12, with the intention of resuming once studies permit. If a career at the ABC remains elusive, Hayden has another dream in mind: a job in the garbage industry, aligning with his lifelong passion. His parents, while supportive of the ABC journey, also want Hayden to pursue vocations that leverage his strengths and interests.
The Road Ahead
As Hayden travels, the family hopes to broaden understanding of fragile X, celebrate the support they’ve encountered, and demonstrate that a family’s love and determination can turn a national tour into a powerful education project. The journey is not just about numbers of offices visited; it is about stories shared, barriers broken, and a nation kept curious about both its broadcaster and its citizens who live with neurodevelopmental differences.
