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“I knew I’d give it a good crack and I knew I was going to see it through to the end … I wasn’t going to leave on my own terms, I was going to be there until someone told me I wasn’t allowed to be there anymore,” Shay says.
But I was a little bit nervous, [there’s] no guarantees in this sort of thing. I knew I wouldn’t necessarily get the ending that I was after.
This would turn out to be Shay’s saving grace, with runner-up Muzza being withdrawn due to medical concerns shortly after.
“From day one, I’d been saying I want to come home with that money, no matter how long it takes, no matter how difficult it gets … $250,000 is life-changing for our family.”
Shay Williamson has been a possum trapper since he was 16. Source: SBS News / Narelle Portanier
Surviving in the Tasmanian wilderness
He survived predominantly on eel, fish and plants — even eating bowls of worms when he had no other option. When cooked with salt, he says the worms “tasted like beef chow mein”.
But throughout all the challenges and merciless conditions, Shay’s positive and happy-go-lucky attitude shone through, and he never lost sight of his goals and motivation.
Shay caught a pademelon in the final days of Alone Australia season 3. Source: SBS News
During his time in Tasmania, he regularly spoke about his wife and their two young daughters, and the difference the cash prize would have on their lives.
Before Alone Australia, Shay had weathered long stints in the bush alone in his native New Zealand, living off nature. He believes this is what made him a prime contestant for the hit show and prompted an earlier application for the United States version.
Before Alone Australia, Shay had weathered long stints in the bush alone in his native New Zealand. Source: SBS News
“I’ve been doing that sort of thing [since] before I even knew about Alone,” Shay says.
“That’s just sort of what I enjoy, going in the bush without food for a bit and seeing what I can gather up — so most of my preparation has been just working in the bush and doing that as my hobby.”
When I found out about the show, it was like … this is perfect.
Overcoming great challenges
The survivalists are dropped at separate locations and are allowed to bring 10 items — such as clothes, a first aid kit, and tools — to help them stay safe and secure food, water and shelter. They have no contact with one another and do not interact with any other humans during the competition, except for medical checks. The last person standing wins.
Season three was the toughest and longest season of Alone Australia so far. Source: SBS News / Narelle Portanier
Shay says his years of experience as a professional possum trapper and nature-based lifestyle — he and his family often cook wild-caught meat and foraged food — equipped him with the knowledge and practical skills to meet the physical challenges of Alone.
But he says the mental challenge was something he couldn’t have prepared for.
“That was my biggest fear.”
Shay’s wife Abby surprised him in Tasmania in the final episode. Source: SBS News
Gaining a new perspective
“By the end of it, I really felt like I was quite in tune and almost knew where a fish was, or what was going to happen around me,” he says.
I guess it’s the spiritual or instinctual connection you get in nature when you’re living in it all the time.
