The father of two from Phillip Island recently won the Victorian Local Hero of the Year award for his work in making prosthetic devices that are readily available and affordable for everyone.  

“It [prosthetic mechanics] was something that I had studied while I was at university. I was sent over on a scholarship to Japan to try on a $1 million bionic hand and it was just fantastic but I thought ‘whoever is going to be able to afford that’,” Mr Bowtell said. 

“So when I was made redundant I spent $5000, bought a 3D printer and started making 3D hands.”

Coinciding with Education Week, Mr Bowtell wanted to encourage local kids to find their passion and pursue it, even in the face of failure. 

“I really wanted to talk to the kids about my journey,” he said. “It’s all about empowering kids and giving them the confidence in themselves to try new things and I suppose to never limit their abilities – to focus not on what they can’t do but what they can do.”

He designs everything from human limbs to accessories - including a skipping rope handle to allow students to participate in Jump Rope for Heart – that are available for as little as $1.

“We all have a responsibility, as able members of society, to bring everyone along on the journey,” he said.