To me, it’s one of those words that gets appended to things; collective, personal, federal, media, creative, and in being so prevalent has had its meaning diluted. However, as a stand-alone, it’s a wonderful word; one of my favourites. It’s the realisation that you are in control and you can decide the direction and shape of your circumstance.
It’s the secret to a meaningful life. It’s personal power.
Personally, as a white Anglo male, agency is all around me. I have always had access to support and the levers of personal progression, but not always the realisation that they were there. That came with self-reflection and maturity. My story of personal realisation was probably on the commencement of this phase of my life in Perth. Understanding that I had to be an active part of the betterment of the city I live in.
Nic Brunsdon is Director at Design WA, an initiative of the State Government to ensure that design is at the centre of all design.
