Just the usual

"For us, there are no good interactions with police."

A semi-final OzTag match turns into another police chase, showing how constant surveillance blocks young people from feeling safe in their own neighbourhood.

I can't even walk down the street

"Anytime we're anywhere we have our escape routes planned in case we need to run."

From childhood, police harassment engrains fear and trauma, pushing kids into fight-or-flight on everyday walks through Mount Druitt.

Another overnighter

"The police say things to me to get me to bite back at them. Real racist things."

Bail refusals, racist taunts and impossible conditions keep young people trapped in cycles of overnight custody.

Here we go again

"You shouldn't have to go into custody to learn about culture, but it's the only chance you get."

Life on remand is isolating and institutionalising, yet the only consistent access to culture and Elders happens inside detention.

Where's our support?

"We need more people who give a fuck and actually ask what we want."

After-hours support is missing, leaving young people without safe spaces, stable housing, or workers who stick around.

Koori Court is probably the best thing I know

"In Youth Koori Court they actually see the effort you're making."

Youth Koori Court centres Elders, culture, and relationships, giving young people a real shot at change.

Can't hold us down

"Imagine reconnecting with your blood brothers after being in care for so long, and it's in jail."

Mounty Yarns grows from lived experience—building community-run solutions that keep families together.

Shayle McKellar's Story

"And I finished up getting my HSC in custody, I finished up, um, year 12, and then getting out and then working with all these young people, you know, there's some stuff that I went through in the system that was horrendous."

Shayle McKellar, a proud Wangkamarra man, shares his transformative journey from incarceration to youth work leadership. Having completed his HSC in custody, he now works as a lived experience consultant with Just Reinvest, advocating for youth voice in justice reform. He powerfully articulates how the system re-traumatizes young people and emphasizes the critical importance of listening to youth who are directly impacted. His work centers on empowering Mount Druitt youth to have their voices heard and create real systemic change.

Taj's Story

"We're just doing the backyard up. Why? To make it look better for the youth to come here, so they have a better spot."

Taj, a 13-year-old from Liverpool/Windsor area, participates in youth programs at Mount Druitt including cooking and gym. He's helping improve the outdoor space to create a better environment for other young people. He values the peer connections most and aspires to join the Army in various roles. His story reflects youth-led community improvement and the importance of safe, welcoming spaces for young people.

Isabella's Story

"I like the fact that the mentors and the youth workers, they're easy to talk to. There's no pressure on talking to them. It's more fun and you don't feel judged."

Isabella, a 14-year-old from Seven Hills, shares her experience with Mounty Yarns youth program as an alternative to gang violence affecting her community. She describes how accessible mentors, non-judgmental support, and peer connection create a safe space that builds self-respect and keeps youth off the streets. She envisions growth that allows more young people to express themselves authentically without judgment.

Amelia's Story

"I think it's important because normally young people don't get heard all the very much, like all the time dismissed. Their opinions aren't really appreciated, so it's very important that they get heard."

Amelia Wyman, a proud Mangpa Guara woman from Wilcannia, shares her perspective on youth leadership and empowerment. As a young cultural leader who teaches dance with her father's group, she advocates for young people's voices to be heard and valued. She challenges adult assumptions that young people are naive or irresponsible, arguing that with encouragement, nurturing, and belief, youth can make significant contributions. Amelia is motivated by the opportunity to connect with other Aboriginal young people across communities and work collectively toward positive change.

Archie Darcy's Story

"We don't look at a piece of paper and go, oh, what a piece of paper says about a young person. All young people are good. Sometimes some kids are just in bad situations that are outta their control."

Archie Darcy, a proud Wangkamarra and Camilla man, works as a caseworker at Mount Druitt, breaking cycles for young people by removing barriers and seeing them as inherently good rather than through the deficit lens of the corrections system. He and his team run cultural programs, boxing, cooking, and girls' gym, building a safe space rooted in Aboriginal traditions of gathering and togetherness. They pay youth for their work, teaching life skills while honoring their dignity. The approach centers community sovereignty, cultural pride, and holistic youth development.

Isaiah's Story

This transcript (268 words) discusses [00:00:00] Full name and spell it. Isaiah Benjamin Sines. I-S-A-I-A-H S-I-N-E-S from Mount Druitt here today.

Leah's Story

"I reckon young people should make decisions for themselves. 'cause if someone else makes a decision for them, it'll be the wrong one or they won't get it right."

Leah, a young Hiri D and Camilla woman from Mount Druitt, shares her journey from foster care to youth advocacy leadership. She co-runs Youth Peak, a peer support service, driven by her own experience of lacking voice in the care system. She articulates a clear philosophy: young people must make their own decisions because others will get it wrong. Leah challenges adult assumptions about youth immaturity while acknowledging young people make mistakes like everyone. She sees collective youth voice as the path to power and is passionate about enabling other young people to speak up, decide their futures, and create change.

Polly's Story

"I like this area a lot because I can express myself, I can be myself around these people. I don't have to hide my personality from people."

Polly, a 13-year-old Aboriginal student from Blacktown, shares her experience at Mounty, a community space where she feels safe to express her authentic self. She describes participating in creating an outdoor area and painting the Aboriginal flag, emphasizing how the space provides connection, creative expression, and an alternative pathway for disengaged youth. Her story highlights the power of culturally safe, community-led spaces in youth empowerment and re-engagement.

Adam's Story

"Because young people are going through all of this stuff and why are the older fellas making choices for the younger fellas when they're the ones going through it?"

Adam McKellar, a Para Camilla and Wangkamarra man from Burke, powerfully articulates why youth voice matters in community decision-making. He challenges the status quo where elders make choices for young people who are directly experiencing the issues. Adam provides concrete examples of youth leadership including policy change, cultural protocols around grief and funerals, and business development, demonstrating that young people are already driving meaningful community transformation.

Taleigha's Story

"Being a part of change, motivating the next generation. Sharing our wisdom with the younger ones."

Taleigha Glover, a young Biripi woman from Glebe, speaks powerfully about youth leadership and systemic change. She critiques current decision-making systems that 'aren't working' and challenges deficit narratives that label Indigenous youth as 'troubled.' Despite her youth, she positions herself as a wisdom keeper committed to 'motivating the next generation' and 'sharing our wisdom with the younger ones.' Her sustained engagement with community-led change work (reinvest) demonstrates growing youth agency and self-determination. She embodies the shift from being labeled as problems to being recognized as solution-makers and leaders.

Tyrese's Story

"Like for the situation that the boys locked up in that situation, they probably wouldn't have a lot of power. Probably, maybe none. 'cause everyone's making decisions for 'em, like telling them what to do and like how to do it."

Tyrese, a young Indigenous man from Dubbo involved with Just Reinvest, shares powerful insights about youth voice and self-determination. He articulates how young people, especially those in the justice system, lack power over decisions affecting their lives. He sees his participation as giving back to community and creating opportunities his generation never had, breaking cycles through youth empowerment.

Jaylee's Story

"I used to not come much at the start, like once every few weeks. But ever since now I just come like every week now, three, four times a week."

Jaylee Watson, a young Aboriginal woman, shares her nearly year-long journey with a community youth program at Mounty. Her participation has grown from sporadic to consistent (3-4 times weekly), reflecting personal transformation and deepening commitment. She envisions Mounty as a welcoming space for younger kids and aspires to become a youth worker while pursuing music, demonstrating her desire to give back to her community and influence the next generation positively.