This week, Aadi and I had the privilege of accompanying Stephen McGown during his visit to SPSC as part of the Rex J Lipman Fellows Program. Over two days, Stephen spoke at five events: Senior School Muster, a lunch with guests of the foundation and a public lecture on Thursday, followed by a presentation to Years 5 and 6 and a morning tea on Friday for Senior School students who had registered in advance. He was incredibly generous with his time, staying after each event to connect with students, staff, and community members, answer questions and share further reflections.
Stephen’s story is extraordinary. During a motorbike journey through Africa, Stephen’s life took an unexpected turn when he was captured by Al-Qaeda in Timbuktu and held hostage for five years and eight months. After hearing him share his story and speaking with him throughout the day I gained new insights into myself and my worldview shifted in subtle but meaningful ways. Here are my key takeaways:
• Seize the day and live for the present. Being caught between the past and the future disconnects us from the here and now. Only by fully immersing ourselves in the present can we truly experience each day as it is without taking “today” for granted.
• We take too much for granted: shelter, food, financial stability. We live as if everything is promised yet reality is often harsh and unpredictable. At any moment, everything we have could be taken away as it was for Stephen. Reflecting on this, I can’t imagine how helpless I would feel if I lost everything suddenly and whether I’d still be able to function. Like me, Stephen had a good upbringing and attended a similar school yet his experience is a stark reminder that even when life seems secure nothing is guaranteed. This perspective has deepened my appreciation for what I have and encouraged me to worry less about the future while embracing the present.
• Stephen also spoke about his conversion to Islam (from Christianity) during captivity where he found solace in faith. After his release he struggled to reconcile himself to many aspects of modern life. He emphasised the power of human connection to transcend physical boundaries, contrasting it with today’s focus on temporary, materialistic pursuits rather than the deeply human values that form the foundation of civilisation. Hearing him discuss these priorities made me reflect on my own: how much of what I chase is fleeting? Compared with human connection, physical health and inner peace, the pursuit of wealth, power and status feels hollow. It’s made me question whether I should focus on more enduring goals and resist short-term gratification.
• Another message I found relatable was that we are all too quick to judge. We often have preconceived ideas about people and events, forming opinions before truly understanding them. Being judgemental can make you seem distant whereas a more open attitude develops better connections with others. This ties into another point Stephen made: we can choose our attitude each morning and that attitude shapes our reality. I believe that if we take a step back, seeking understanding and common ground before rushing to judgement, we might discover how much we share with those around us. After all, no one likes a Negative Nancy.
Overall, there were many ideas in Stephen’s talk that I found intriguing and certainly a lot to digest. It was a privilege to be part of his visit and I acknowledge the generosity of the Rex J Lipman Fellows Program that enables us to bring exceptional speakers to our community.
Tiger Liu
School Vice Captain
You can learn more about Stephen and his book “Six Years with Al Qaeda’ via his website.
