Meet Raymond, Ginger Care Bear and Nurse.
Raymond grew up in a small town of about 6000 people in Northern Tasmania, along the Tamar River. Growing up in a small town as a closeted young gay man back then was pretty challenging for Raymond. Tasmania only decriminalised homosexuality in 1997, and even though things have come a long way since then, it still felt pretty hard to be myself.
It wasn’t until Raymond visited Melbourne in 2011 that things really started to make sense for him. Melbourne was full of life, music, art, and a big queer community. He learnt more and more about himself, and long story short, came out to his friends and family in a slow journey between 2011 and 2013. Luckily, they were really supportive.
After that, Raymond came back to Melbourne whenever he could. A few highlights from those trips were seeing Ricky Martin and Lady Gaga’s Born This Way ball, catching musicals, and perhaps a few too many late nights at the Peel. He also made many new friends along the way, including meeting his partner Viet during his visits to an Adele concert.
By the end of 2017, Raymond finally made the move. Since then, I’ve been working as a nurse in mental health, and getting involved in the LGBTQIASB+ community whenever he can, from monthly queer yoga, Midsumma Pride Month to VicBears events, and the occasional drag shows at Mollie’s and Grouse.
Luka Musicki (L.M.): Hi Raymond, welcome to the interview with Bear World. It was nice to see you at the Adelaide Pride March on 1st November 2025. How have you been since then?
Raymond (R): I’ve been alright, thanks! Work’s been pretty full-on, but I’m managing okay. It was great seeing you too at the Pride March. That was actually my second time going.
L.M.: So, I did a bit of digging on your Instagram, and I saw that you were Bear of the Week with Bear World Magazine on 25th July 2024. So, it is not your first time interacting with my magazine; there are a lot of Instagram Bears of the Week who later on get an interview. So, what made you decide to do this interview, especially with me?
R: I’ve always liked what Bear World Magazine does and really appreciate its reach. For me, this felt like a good chance to show a bit more of who I am beyond the Instagram Bear of the Week.
L.M.: So, let’s explore your life from the beginning. What was it like growing up in a small town in Tasmania? When did you come out in the queer community and then join the bear community later on?
R: It was pretty isolated but still a wonderful place to grow up. It’s a quiet small town but with a lot of history. Tasmania did have a LGBTQIASB+ community but very limited visibility. I came out somewhere between 2011-2013, and the bear community itself was much later – mostly after I moved to Melbourne.
I didn’t really see myself as a bear back then – more like a teddy chub. A demisexual one. It’s great to see there’s a lot more visibility and community groups for LGBTQIASB+ people in Tasmania now.
L.M.: And then you moved to Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. So what was this like for you? How was the queer/bear scene from Melbourne, especially with the VicBears?
R: Yeah, that’s right. I moved in 2017. It was pretty nerve‑wracking. I was leaving all my family and close friends behind, so it took a while to find my footing in the queer and bear scene here.
Between 2011 and 2017, my experience in the community was pretty limited. Back then, I was the guy who dyed his hair dark (eyebrows and lashes too) and didn’t always have a beard. To be honest, I felt a bit on the outside of the community, aside from a few good friends I’d made along the way.
It wasn’t really until I stopped dyeing my hair and kept the beard that people started to notice me. I’ve been a VicBears member for a few years now and usually get along to some of the events. They’ve got a really supportive vibe, helping people connect.
L.M.: So, on your social media (Instagram etc), you have ‘Plu’ next to your name. Is this a nickname? And what is the significance of ‘Plu’.
R: Plu is a nickname, and it’s what some of my family call me. It’s a shortened version of a nickname I got back in primary school in the mid-90s. Plucka_1984 is my birth year, but it’s also a bit of a throwback to Australian TV culture and AFL, Tony “Plugger” Lockett and Plucka Duck.
When I was younger, and high scores on games consoles only allowed three letters, I’d just use Plu, which was first suggested by a friend. It started as a nickname because of how I looked and because I used to play sport, and it’s just stuck ever since. To me, it represents the side of me that’s creative, a bit nerdy, and doesn’t take itself too seriously.
L.M.: Getting a bit deeper with yourself, what do you do for your day job, and what do you enjoy about it?
R: I’m a registered nurse specialised in mental health. I’ve been working in this field for 15 years. I do like to keep it a bit under wraps, because I like to draw a line between my work life and my personal life.
I’m really passionate about mental health and self‑care. What I enjoy most about my job is being a safe harbour for the people I care for when they’re at their most vulnerable. Supporting someone at their worst and helping them through a really dark time is incredibly rewarding. It reminds me every day how important mental health education is and how much more support and funding we need in this area.
Mental health is often an invisible struggle, and continues to have stigma attached to it. Having my own mental health struggles, especially over the last few years, makes what I do in my job feel even more meaningful, and helps me give better care.
L.M.: You have modelled for the Sugar Plump Fairy as a clothing model, which is very impressive in having plus-size models. I am a big advocate for body positivity in the bear community and to have more of them, because the dad bod is a more realistic body shape than a 6-pack. How did you model for the Sugar Plump Fairy, and are there any benefits from it, like being asked by other clothing brands to model for them?
R: I’d met Sugar Plump Fairy (SPF) a few times before, and he reached out to ask if I’d like to be involved in their next photoshoot. SPF is a local Melbourne, LGBTQIASB+‑owned business that really champions body positivity with plus‑size models and also gender‑diverse and sexually diverse people. It’s a really inclusive brand. To me, SPF has a wonderful message in their designs: visibility for everyone, without being limited to just masculinity or femininity. Since doing the shoot, I’ve had a few other companies reach out and send me stuff to wear in photos or reels, which has been a nice bonus.
L.M.: On one of the t-shirts from the Sugar Plump Fairy, it says, ‘Bit fit. Bit fat.’ And I can see from your socials that you go to the gym. What is your workout routine to stay fit (and what do you do to stay fat)? Or in other words, how do you balance your body to be perfect for a bear shape? I guess that you have to be fit for your work, right? And you do queer yoga and other social activities, as well, right?
R: I don’t aim for a “perfect bear shape”. Bears come in all shapes and sizes, and you don’t need to fit a mould to be one. For me, I’m really just aiming for a body that can handle what I do for work. I’ve always been the chubby kid, and now the chubby adult.
I do go to the gym, but I honestly struggle with motivation a lot. What you see on social media is me on the days I actually get to the gym. What you don’t see are the days when I’m just too tired or too mentally drained from work to even get out of bed.
I’m not doing anything specifically to “stay fat”. In fact, my goal is to lose about 40 kilos over the next few years for health reasons and to improve my overall wellbeing. I really enjoy food and all kinds of cuisines, so for me it’s about finding a balance where I can still enjoy eating without feeling completely out of breath walking up stairs. My job is mentally and physically demanding, so I need to be a better version of myself for that.
To me, self‑care means eating well because you love your body, not because you’re trying to fit some kind of mould. I do Queer Yoga every month with Shawn Lee, who runs it through Westside Yoga (Laya Wellness Group). It’s a really inclusive space for all body types and skill levels. I do other activities too, but less now — I’ve been prioritising other things in my life.
L.M.: Speaking about perfect body shape for a bear, you have some pictures of yourself as Santa Claus, especially on TikTok, what a fantasy of mine. Have you thought about dying your beard white every December and visiting naughty teddy bears who are of need of emotional comfort (just speaking for a friend, you know, me). Would you be the next Keiran Whelan as the VicBears’ Santa Claus, or you can never dare to take his role? haha.
R: To be honest, I have thought about dying my beard white, but as a redhead it’ll get there on its own in time. So for me, I just keep my beard and let it grow a bit longer around that time of year.
It seems like being Santa is a fantasy for a lot of people. For me, it connects to the work I do — I’ve often worked over Christmas, because nursing is very much an every‑day, every‑hour kind of job. Being Santa feels like putting on a character, but it’s also about bringing a bit of nostalgia and humour and putting a smile on people’s faces.
The Santa side of me is about making others smile while not taking myself too seriously. A simple smile or a cheerful “ho ho ho” from Santa — no matter someone’s age — can genuinely brighten their day.
Kieran does a wonderful job as VicBears Santa, and so do all the other people who dress up as Santa. I’m not after taking his role or anyone else’s. I just like being my own version of Santa out there in the holiday season and putting smiles on people’s faces. It’s easier to show that side of myself on TikTok and Instagram.
L.M.: Jumping to the past together, we met on 1st November 2025 at the Pride Adelaide, South Australia. What did you think about my interaction together? Was it professional, cute with a hint of shenanigans, or what were your thoughts? Yes, I am looking for positive feedback to give back to my boss for happy customer reviews, nothing biased about that, you know.
R: Haha, it was really nice and friendly. Unlike the year before, I went to Pride Adelaide that time without knowing many people who’d be there, so I was just standing by myself, watching things go by, when you approached. To me, it felt like a mix of professional and casual. It came across as genuine interest rather than a formal interview vibe. It was also nice to grab a drink afterwards and just chat. It felt authentic, and that’s what I really value most.
L.M.: So, tell me about your partner. What is his name? When and how did you two meet? And what is the special spark that you two have for each other?
R: My partner’s name is Viet, and he’s Vietnamese. We met through an app. He’s been an incredible support, especially over the past few years, after I lost my parents. Navigating life and grief has been really tough, but he’s been there the whole way. Our “special spark” has taken a lot of work and dedication. We connect over a shared sense of humour and a deep respect for each other’s individual journeys. As he says, “You need a spark to start a fire, but you can’t keep the fire burning with just a spark.”
L.M.: And you have a nice, maintained ginger beard. It is a good length from short to short-medium. What is your beard maintenance routine?
R: Thanks! For me, it’s pretty straightforward. I wash it, use beard oil or moisturiser, and get it trimmed regularly so it looks neat for work. To me, my beard is just hair. It’s funny how much more fascinated other people seem to be by it than I am. I have shaved it off completely for work at times, and it just grows back.
L.M.: So, what do you do in your spare time when you are not a nurse or being a model for the Sugar Plump Fairy? Any hobbies and activities that you enjoy doing? Travelling? Any nerdy collections?
R: To be honest, it’s hard to think of myself as anything other than a nurse. I’m really into all the geeky stuff and collecting figurines, sometimes a bit too many. I like going to conventions and meeting actors and creators from the TV and movie characters I’ve admired, like Brandon Routh, Tom Welling, Rena Owen, or the original Japanese Voice Actress for Astro Boy, Mari Shimizu.
I love travelling, and when it’s too expensive, I’m happy with staycations. Visiting Vietnam to spend time with my partner’s family and exploring the country has been a highlight of my life. I’ve been trying to learn the language, but it’s been a bit of a struggle.
I’m also into history and ancient civilisations, especially Egyptian history, and I enjoy social activities. I’ve always loved gaming, and over the past few months I’ve started streaming on Twitch under plucka1984. I don’t do it consistently because of work and life getting in the way, but I enjoy it when I can.
L.M.: Would you say being a bear has helped your career? Is your audience primarily bear for work and life?
R: It depends on what part of my career you mean. As a nurse, being a bear or a teddy bear doesn’t really matter. I’m just me at work, a larger, chunky guy. In fact, being bigger can sometimes make the job harder. Being a nurse is about whether I’m competent and whether I can handle the situations that come my way.
On social media, the LGBTQIASB+ community has been really inclusive and welcoming. It’s given me a platform to talk about things that matter to me, like mental health, and to ask questions of the community. The engagement helps me understand the community better too. I learn just as much from others.
Having this platform has allowed me to connect with people all over the world, like in countries I never thought I’d interact with, and to see what LGBTQIASB+ life looks like outside my own bubble. It’s also shown me the different kinds of bears in different places. To me, that highlights the need for more inclusivity and less gatekeeping. We should be more welcoming and avoid pushing people away.
L.M.: Is there any advice that you would give someone (like a bear) who would be interested in doingsocial media influence area, and what is involved?
R: Advice is tricky, and it really depends on the person.
Be authentic. The “model” look can be misleading, and I think people actually respond more to someone they can relate to, someone who feels approachable. Have fun with it. People can connect just as much with the nurse who’s tired, messy‑haired after a shift as they can with the person in a leather harness at events. Being involved on social media can be really time‑consuming, so it’s important to protect your own time. Maybe set aside a specific time to post, engage, and reply to DMs if you can, but don’t let it take over your life. Influencer” can mean a lot more than just pushing products. It can be someone who’s advocating for change or educating others about things they might not know about.
L.M.: What are your career goals for the future?
R: To keep advocating for better mental health resources and to keep bridging the gap between my clinical work and community advocacy. I also want to help normalise conversations around mental health, therapy, and self‑care for everyone.
L.M.: Thank you, Raymond, for answering the main interview questions. Now for the quick-fire questions.
- Location: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Pronouns: He/Him/His
- Relationship status: Partnered, Open Relationship
- Favourite Drink: Cà phê sữa đá (Vietnamese Iced Coffee) or Matcha
- What type of guy are you into? Being gay and demisexual, I’m attracted to personality and connection more than looks. I don’t have a specific ‘type’ – why limit yourself? What really draws me in is the way they treat others, their nature, and their honesty
- Favourite Cities/Vacation Spots: Ho Chi Minh City, Bangkok, Tokyo, Taipei, Melbourne. I haven’t travelled to many countries yet, but I’m always drawn to the culture, food, architecture, and history of other countries.
- Favourite Hobby or Pastime: Reading, learning more about psychology and ancient history, watching movies, listening to music, going to concerts, and doing self-care.
- Idea of a good date? dd/mm/yyyy. Any other formats would be confusing.
- Where can you find yourself?
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/plucka_1984/
- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@plucka_1984
- Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/plucka1984/
- YouTube: https://youtube.com/plu711
- Kofi: https://ko-fi.com/plucka_1984
