 Name: Ben McCarthy
Age: 29
How would you describe what you do? I design things they make in factories.
How did you find out about Realise Your Dream? JJJ
What was it about Realise Your Dream that attracted you to enter? Cash and contacts. Neither of which I had when I first left university. I wanted to go to the UK anyway, and RYD fast-tracked it big time!
What was your Dream? Work for a world-renowned designer... it worked out to be Tom Dixon.
What was the most valuable part of your experience? The self belief which is derived from doing something you love and having it validated in a new and intimidating work environment.
What was the most remarkable thing about the UK that you discovered on your Realise Your Dream journey? Creative energy is strong in London. There are lots of really talented people living their dreams, and they're inspirational to be around.
How has winning Realise Your Dream changed your career/life? I stayed in the UK for nearly two years in the end, it was a fantastic life and professional experience. Then on the way home, I stopped over in Hong Kong, where I met another world-famous designer, through an introduction I made during my time at Tom Dixon. He offered me a job in HK and I've been there for three years. So I guess without the RYD programme, I wouldn't be in HK.
What advice would you give to anyone thinking about applying for this year's Realise Your Dream? Back yourself.
Where we can see your work? www.benmccarthy.com
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Past Winners 2009
 Timba Smits (VIC)
Talent: Zine-maker/designer/artist/publisher
Dream: In the UK, Timba plans to get to know the local art and design community, attend zine fairs and stage an art exhibition of UK and Australian artists.
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 Mark Robinson (NSW)
Talent: Filmmaker
Dream: In the UK, Mark will connect with filmmakers working in the field of social realism. He wants to learn from the masters of the craft and build his networks in the UK for co-productions.
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 Lally Katz (VIC)
Talent: Playwright
Dream: Lally plans to second with leading London theatres and attend writing workshops, while finding UK audiences for her work. She also hopes to collaborate with UK playwrights.
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 Sascha Ettinger Epstein (NSW)
Talent: Filmmaker
Dream: Sascha plans to immerse herself in the UK’s film industry in the area of factual drama. She'll also seek out collaborators and co-producers.
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 Julian Day (ACT)
Talent: Sound artist and composer
Dream: Julian will tour the UK with his ensembles ‘Critical Mass’ and ‘Infinity Room’, and spend time at BBC radio as a new music broadcaster.
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Past Winners 2008
 Tommy Murphy (NSW)
Talent: playwright
Dream: In the UK, the National Theatre staged a reading of Tommy's play Saturn’s Return, he seconded at the Bush Theatre, joined a writers' group at Royal Court Theatre and ran a young playwrights' session at Contact Theatre.
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 Andrew Apostola (VIC)
Talent: Multimedia and film producer
Dream: Whilst in the UK, Andrew spent time with Reel TV, an on demand internet TV channel and had various meeting with academics, experts and leaders in the area youth media and research.
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 Leticia Caceres (VIC)
Talent: Theatre direction
Dream: Whilst in the UK, Leticia worked with world renowned multi-arts collective Blast Theory, spent time at Lyric Hammersmith Theatre, National Theatre of Scotland, and children’s theatre company Polka Theatre.
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 Candy Bowers (NSW)
Talent: Actor, writer, theatre-maker and hip hop artist
Dream: Candy spent time at Battersea Arts Centre, Contact Theatre, Hip Hop Shakespeare Company and Apples & Snakes.
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 Jake Nash (NSW)
Talent: Set Designer
Dream: Whilst in the UK Jake expanded his horizons via attachment to leading production designers in theatre, events and film.
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 Lucy Dyson (VIC)
Talent: Animator and filmmaker
Dream: While in the UK, Lucy secured an internship with world-leading music video animation company Partizan Lab.
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