Aboriginal employee is youth of the year

Youth Connections employee Joey Grauner of Umina has won the Darkinjung Aboriginal Youth of the Year award, which was presented at the NAIDOC Ball on Saturday, July 20.

The 21-year-old Djabugai and Western Kuku Yalanji Murri is from a community at the top end of Queensland called Mareeba, and has been living on the Central Coast for the past eight years.

Mr Grauner was nominated by Youth Connections Koori Connect general manager Ms Denise Markham who said that Joey was proud of his aboriginality and where he came from.

"He understands the struggles of aboriginal people such as Charles Perkins, Chicka Dixon, and Jacko Smith who advocated and created opportunities for their generation and future generations," Ms Markham said.

"Joey is interested in and passionate about human rights and has a particular interest in indigenous peoples worldwide.

"He is a resilient young person," said Ms Markham.

Mr Grauner has represented the aboriginal community on many occasions, speaking about aboriginal culture, affairs and politics at forums, schools and community events such as Anzac Day services, the Central Coast Domestic Violence Forum and Central Coast Men's Interagency White Ribbon Breakfast.

He has performed aboriginal dances to audiences at schools and events and also hosts a radio program on CoastFM called Kart'N'Yarns where he discusses indigenous affairs and plays music by indigenous artists.

"It is a great honour to have received this award.

"It was totally unexpected as I wasn't even aware I was nominated," Mr Grauner said.

"I know there are many aboriginal youth, especially on the Coast, doing great work to improve our mob's situation and I appreciate them and thank them for their hard work too."

Mr Grauner said a highlight of his was retracing the 1965 Freedom Ride with Youth Connections Koori Connect unit in 2011.

He assisted the media team in filming the short film Freedom Ride 2011: The Documentary.

Joey is on the Central Coast Aboriginal Youth Leadership Group and presented at the Youth Listening to Youth Forum encouraging Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people to enrol to vote to make a difference.

Mr Grauner said he has been taught many things in life.

"Striving for better is one of the biggest lessons for me and I hope to inspire other young people to achieve bigger and better things in life.

"Being recognised and reminded about your achievements is a great thing."

Media Release, 25 Jul 2013

Gabrielle Tawyer, Youth Connections