Mounty Yarns
Nothing About Us Without Us
A youth-led storytelling and advocacy organisation in Western Sydney's Mount Druitt. Young people lead documentary filmmaking, podcasting, community journalism, and the Backyard Campus, challenging deficit narratives and creating real change.
Why Mounty Yarns Exists
The Challenge
Young people in Mount Druitt face constant police surveillance, over-representation in the justice system, and a media that only tells deficit stories about their community. Support workers come and go. After-hours help barely exists. The system talks about young people but rarely listens to them.
Our Response
Mounty Yarns puts cameras, microphones, and decision-making power directly into the hands of young people. Their 24-minute documentary has been seen by 100,000+ people. The Backyard Campus gives them a space that's theirs. And the team — built from 1 person to 20 — is led by people with lived experience who actually show up.
What We Offer
Six core programs that combine physical fitness with cultural healing, mentorship, and community connection.
Documentary & Media Production
Young people write, film, and produce documentaries and content that share their real stories — reaching 100,000+ viewers and challenging mainstream narratives about Western Sydney.
Youth Peak & Advocacy
Youth-led policy advocacy program co-run by Leah and Adam. Young people speak directly to government, researchers, and services about what actually works.
Backyard Campus Activation
Young people designing and building their own community space — yarning circle, gym container, basketball court, kitchen, and Aboriginal flag ground mural.
Boxing & Gym Programs
Fitness programs run by Archie and the team — boxing, strength training, and mentoring in the converted shipping container gym.
Cooking & Life Skills
Practical programs where young people learn cooking, nutrition, and life skills together in the kitchen container. Food brings people together.
Cultural Connection & Mentoring
Cultural days, case work support, and one-on-one mentoring from workers with lived experience who see young people as people, not files.
In Action
On country, in the gym, and in the community
Building the Backyard Campus — containers and Aboriginal flag in background
Drone aerial view of the Backyard Campus site
Young people working together on the backyard build
Shipping containers with shade sail — the gym and kitchen spaces
Aerial view of Mount Druitt — where Mounty Yarns calls home
Building garden beds — wheelbarrows and teamwork
On Country
Video from Atnarpa Station and on-country experiences — see the land, the work, and the community in action.
Mounty Yarns Documentary
The full 24-minute documentary produced by young people from Mount Druitt — their experiences with policing, education, custody, and community, told in their own words.
Mounty Yarns: Stories from the West
Young storytellers from Mount Druitt challenge the narratives told about their community.
Aboriginal Youth Peak Highlights
Highlights from the Aboriginal Youth Peak event — young people leading the conversation about justice, community, and their future.
Mounty Backyard Refresh
Young people and workers building the Backyard Campus — yarning circle, gym container, basketball court, Aboriginal flag ground mural.
Proud Wangkamarra man from Burke
Shayle McKellar
Lived Experience Consultant & Youth Worker
Shayle finished his HSC while in custody, then turned his experience into expertise. As a lived experience consultant and youth worker with Just Reinvest, he co-built Mounty Yarns to give young people the platform he never had. "I was the kid that was locked up. They enter the system as victims, and they come out as even more victimised people. It's very important that you listen to these young people because they are the ones going through it."
Our Values
Youth Leadership
Young people lead everything — from program design to content creation to organisational decisions. Nothing about us without us.
Lived Experience as Expertise
People who have been through the system are the experts on what works. Shayle, Archie, Leah, and the team bring their own journeys into the work every day.
Safe Spaces Over Surveillance
We create spaces where young people can be themselves — no judgment, no pressure, no postcode wars. The Backyard Campus is proof that when you build it right, kids show up.
Culture is Protection
Connection to culture, community, and identity keeps young people strong. Programs blend cultural activities, mentoring, and creative expression.
Good News Stories
Celebrating community strength through real stories of connection, healing, and empowerment.
Just the usual
youth voiceI can't even walk down the street
youth voiceAnother overnighter
youth voiceHere we go again
youth voiceWhere's our support?
youth voiceKoori Court is probably the best thing I know
successCan't hold us down
successOur Team
Funded Program
Youth Justice & Community Strengthening
Just Reinvest NSW · Partnership-funded · Ongoing
Get Involved with Mounty Yarns
Want to support youth-led storytelling in Western Sydney? Whether you're a young person, funder, researcher, or community member, there's a place for you.
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