It's not every day the team and young people at Junaa Buwa! rub shoulders with a movie star. Daniel, an Aboriginal young person currently participating in the Coffs Harbour program, has featured in three Australian films, and hopes to continue his acting career.
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Daniel's initial 'audition' wasn't the most conventional. He was having an argument with his cousin when he was discovered.
My cousin called me a name and I took off running. An old mate yelled out to me, and when I yelled back he said 'You're the person I need for this movie!' Daniel says
As a very considerate young man, Daniel told the director that he would need to ask his mum and dad first – they said yes.
For his acting debut, Daniel played the lead role in Toomelah – a film about life in an Aboriginal mission set in a remote town on the NSW and QLD border during the 1930s. Daniel played a 10-year-old boy who dreamt of becoming a gangster. The film was nominated for an award at the Cannes Film Festival in 2011, presenting Daniel and his younger sister (who also starred in the movie) with an exciting opportunity to attend the world premiere in France.
'I looked around the festival and saw a huge poster of me and my twin sister. We both started crying,' he said.
Since his debut, he has starred in Mystery River (2013) and ABC TV mini-series The Secret River (2015). If Daniel doesn't continue with acting, he'd like to find a stable job to support his family.
I don't mind what job it is, as long as it can support me and my family. Maybe I could become a film director if I don't become an actor!
Daniel is currently being supported by the residential rehabilitation team at the Junaa Buwa! Centre for Youth Wellbeing – a highly structured holistic program where young people can make positive changes in a supportive and safe environment.
'For me, there are few things more rewarding than being a part of a dynamic, therapeutic staffing team assisting young people along on their recovery journey,' Junaa Buwa! program manager Jesse Taylor says. “We help young people to develop their resilience, self-reliance and a better understanding of what it takes to be healthier human beings.”
The name Junaa Buwa! is from the Aboriginal language of the local Gumbaynggirr people and means 'to declare a new beginning'. With a high percentage of Aboriginal young people as clients, Junaa Buwa! works directly with the local community of Aboriginal service providers to connect young people to culturally appropriate care.
'Our young people host a community lunch on Fridays that's attended by Aboriginal Elders. This connects the young people to country and with the local Aboriginal community. We've facilitated an Aboriginal youth leadership camp and we take our young people on Aboriginal culture groups with local Aboriginal Elders and mentors,' Jesse says.
Find out more information about our Junaa Buwa! Centre for Youth Wellbeing.
Star In Our Midst
When Doug first arrived at Arcare Parkinson, guitar in hand, the community knew they had a real star in their midst.
On one particular afternoon, he received a warm welcome when he walked out into the courtyard and a large audience had gathered. Some clients even opened up their doors overlooking the courtyard to join in on the special performance.
Little Blessings
While some dread the thought of Mondays, the Parkinson Community look forward to meeting with their new friends from the local child care centre.
Whether it be walking through the gardens, sharing morning tea together, or playing games and reading books, the community have established close friendships with the children.
Doug will often get out his guitar and play the kids’ favourite nursery rhymes.
Educator Laura said, ‘The children are very excited come Monday morning. They love hearing when we’re coming to Arcare for a visit, and the smile that we receive from the residents’ faces when we walk through the door is priceless.’
A Star In Our Midst
‘It’s a great opportunity for the residents to interact with children and a great way for our children to interact with the residents. Some of them aren’t fortunate enough to have grandparents close-by so this is a nice bridging gap for them.’
We Have A Star In Our Midst
Have a look at this video to check out what their weekly visits are like.