Sarah Konoski

Justin's mum has schizophrenia and growing up he was her carer, something he did his best to hide from teachers and friends.

So after school, Justin headed to the mainland and did the tough work of building a career in comedy and music.

But life can take unexpected turns and Justin's path took him back to Burnie.

He now has a new book, Dream Bernie, which celebrates the creative humans like him who are making art far away from the big cities.

It's also a book about going back to your hometown and writing an entirely new story there.

Hi, Justin.

When you were growing up in Burnie, where was the best place to get takeaway?

So this was home for you with all of its special symbols and rituals.

How would other Tasmanians have described Burnie back then?

What kind of reputation did it have?

Take me inside your house.

Who lived at home with you?

Was your dad on the scene at all, Justin?

So it was just you and your mum.

And as I said, your mum has schizophrenia.

How young do you remember your mum not being well?

Was that always a part of the story or is it something that changed as you got older?

So her symptoms would come and go, Justin.

Is that what it was like, that there'd be periods where she was in that good, loving place that she so clearly was and would have wanted to stay in, and then periods where those difficult symptoms of schizophrenia would really come to the fore?

Was she getting any psychiatric help?