The Brauer College student was chosen as one of 36 young, thoughtful and opinionated Australians to attend Heywire in Canberra — a “Tell It Like It Is” youth summit.

Tomorrow the 2011 Heywire winners from across regional Australia will engage in five days of discussion and project idea pitching, speaking directly with government decision-makers, Australian youth sector leaders and key ABC staff.

Budding photographer Michael won a place on the Heywire team after sending in 10 photos of bike riding, animals and south-west landscapes.

Despite living with cystic fibrosis (CF), the 17-year-old has raced BMX throughout his teenage years, becoming one of the state’s top six junior riders before getting involved in freestyle riding.

He said most “CF kids” were stuck in bed all day, with poor lungs and digestion causing a lack of energy.

“But I’ve been pretty healthy since I was little, always exercising to clear up my lungs, so bike riding in general has helped with the CF.

“People with CF live on average 30 or 40 years so that motivates me to get out and do more stuff.”

After school Michael hopes to fuse his passions for photography and BMX to eventually make a living shooting action sports in Canada.

“With the Make-A-Wish Foundation I went over and did a free road camp on the mountain bike and it was just awesome,” he said.

“I’m hoping to get back to do the coaching side of things and some more photography.

“On Facebook I’ve talked to a few people going to Heywire and I’m looking forward to meeting them.

“Around Warrnambool younger kids are getting into smoking and drinking, so that’s the main thing I want to talk about.”

j.pech@standard.fairfax .com.au