Harrison Golds - Big Picture Journey

When Harrison (Harry) Golds first stepped into the Big Picture classroom midway through Year 9, he wasn’t sure what to expect. He had popped in for a casual chat at lunchtime and was surprised to discover a program where students could design their own learning plan—one that put their passions and interests at the centre.

At the time, Harry was feeling disengaged with school, often “choosing to go for a surf or chuck a sicky” rather than attend class. But what he heard that day sparked something in him. He filled out his application straight away and was immediately hooked on the design of the program. Almost overnight, his attendance improved dramatically as he began to explore areas of passion like the psychology of surfing and surfboard design.

Harry’s first taste of outlearning came with an internship at CRISP Surfboards in Byron Bay. There, the team introduced him to the craft of board design and restoration, teaching him real-world skills that ignited his passion even further. When that opportunity ended, Harry was inspired to keep going. He began restoring old boards in his mum’s garage, sourcing them from the local tip, and gradually building up his skills to produce boards at a sellable level.

This hands-on work led directly into a Big Picture project framed around the essential question:
“How can I create a responsible and sustainable small business?”

Through this project, Harry explored marketing, logo design, buying and selling, profit margins, customer service, and quoting jobs. As he began to attract real customers, he gained invaluable case studies to reflect on and learn from.

In Year 10, Harry pushed further, landing his second internship at STCY Surfboards in Murwillumbah. This opportunity took persistence—he dropped into the warehouse several times with photos of his work before finally being taken on. Once inside, Harry became part of the team, gaining skills in all areas of shaping as well as insights into the business and marketing side of the industry.

Harry’s Big Picture exhibitions have been highlights of his journey, where he has brought in boards, shared step-by-step insights into his repair process, and explained his passion for the surfing industry.

By Year 11, Harry had launched his own small business, Golds Repairs, complete with a professional website he built from scratch through hours of research, feedback, and refinement. His business has grown from strength to strength, and he continues to balance study with genuine enterprise.

Looking ahead, Harry is preparing for his senior project in Year 12, where he hopes to mentor younger students in shaping a surfboard from scratch. For Harry, this project isn’t just about producing a board—it’s about developing personal qualities, building engagement, and passing on his skills. His vision includes working with local businesses for sponsorship and raffling the finished board to support a charity or local organisation.

This ambitious project will require significant planning, meetings with key stakeholders, and the ability to adapt and persevere—qualities Harry has already demonstrated throughout his Big Picture journey.