Normal text size Very large text size Boomer sleeps in the crook of Callum Milkinsâ neck while he plays video games, and snuggles up to his chin in bed. Parrots make affectionate pets, so Callumâs mother Melinda bought one three years ago to ease her sonâs loneliness. Boomer has been a loyal friend, and his companionship is even more valuable now that Callum has quit school and spends most of his time at home. Callum plans to look for a job but work can be hard to find in Lance Creek, a small town outside Wonthaggi on Victoriaâs Bass Coast, and the 17-year-old has an extra hurdle: he struggles to read. Thatâs why he refused to return when classrooms reopened last year after the first COVID-19 shutdown. Callum, a stocky young man with brown curls and clear blue eyes, is softly spoken and looks at his hands when he speaks. Heâs fascinated by astronomy and adores his pets: along with Boomer, thereâs a lizard, dog and chooks. But thereâs no mistaking how he feels about school. âIt was like going to hell every single day. And getting tortured and then going home,â he says.