Darkinjung’s Matthew West says young Aboriginal people on Central Coast must be lifted up
Darkinjung’s Matthew West says Aboriginal young people on the Central Coast are poised to become the ‘next generation of doctors, nurses, tradespeople’.
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He’s a young, educated Aboriginal man about to complete his PhD but among his people, he is described as an “exception” to the rule.
However, Darkinjung Local Aboriginal Land Council chairperson Matthew West wants to change that way of thinking.
“I’m a young Aboriginal man who is healthy, educated, employed, and among Aboriginal people that makes me the exception not the rule,” he said.
“That’s an indictment on the nation, and why we need to pursue significant positive change.”
Mr West, said young Aboriginal people are the “youngest and fastest growing demographic on the coast”.
“There are 15,000 Aboriginal people on the Central Coast,” he said. “We are such a young people, and have high unemployment levels as well as lower educational levels.
“When you talk about youth unemployment across the coast, you are talking about Aboriginal unemployment but things are getting better.
“We want them to be our next generation of doctors, nurses, tradespeople etc.”
He said Darkinjung was on the verge of revealing a slew of local projects which will create jobs and educational opportunities for young people across the coast.
“We want to create the future workforce and a brighter future for all Australians.
“Now is such a crucial time to be looking at comprehensive and significant steps towards creating opportunities.
“If you get it right, young people can go on to start their career.
“This is such a crucial time to directly invest in young people by creating educational and planning opportunities. We don’t want to lose another generation by making mistakes of the past.”
He said recent NAIDOC celebrations highlighted the strength and contemporary movement of the Aboriginal culture.
“Each year it is getting bigger and better which is so important in our community,” he said.
“We are on this journey together.”