Andrew Hird

I bumped into a pianist, Andrew Hird, playing one of the pianos placed outside the restaurants on Alinga Street. When his friend walked over and stood beside him, Andrew looked at me with a shy smile and said to him, “Hey, someone is taking photos of me.” This young gentleman turned around and gave me a big smile.

Andrew introduced his friend as one of the best bass players in Canberra. His friend jokingly said he had just come back from a nationwide tour, which Andrew immediately corrected: “That’s not true.” The exchange felt effortless and familiar.They met in Year 7. This friend bullied him when he was thirteen—calling him names and even setting his school bag on fire—but over time, they somehow bonded and became friends.

What they’ve built is truly remarkable: turning real hurt into friendship. A friendship that is not only genuine, but grounded in forgiveness, and in the courage to face the past, admit mistakes, and repair them. That kind of bond is rare. I honestly think they are amazing. The world could learn from them.