Mounty Yarns
Mounty Yarns is a youth-led storytelling organization in Western Sydney's Mount Druitt that grew from 1 person to a 20-person team. Through documentary filmmaking (including their 24-minute film), podcasting, and community journalism, young people share their experiences with policing, education, custody, and community. Their work has trained 50+ young storytellers, reached 100,000+ viewers, and created pathways into media careers. Mounty Yarns proves that young people are not problems to be solved but storytellers and changemakers - and that "nothing about us without us" must be the standard.
Impact
Our Mission
To amplify youth voices and challenge deficit narratives through community-led storytelling.
Our Vision
A media landscape where young people from Western Sydney tell their own stories.
Our Values
Nothing About Us Without Us
Young people lead the conversation about their lives and communities.
Strength-Based
We focus on what's strong, not what's wrong.
Key People
Mounty Yarns Youth Collective
Youth-Led Leadership
FeaturedMounty Yarns is led by young people from Mount Druitt who grew the organization from 1 person to a 20-person team. They produce documentaries, podcasts, and community journalism that challenge deficit narratives about Western Sydney.
"We need more people who give a fuck and actually ask what we want."
Young Storytellers Network
Media Production Team
FeaturedOver 50 young people have been trained in media production through Mounty Yarns, creating content that reaches over 100,000 people and challenging mainstream narratives about their community.
"Imagine reconnecting with your blood brothers after being in care for so long, and it's in jail."
Youth Voices
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.
Videos
Mounty Yarns Documentary
Youth-led documentary from Mount Druitt exploring the real stories and experiences of young people in Western Sydney - told by them, for them.
Mounty Yarns: Stories from the West
Young storytellers from Mount Druitt share their voices and challenge the narratives often told about their community.
Gallery
Mounty Yarns Documentary
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