A Star In Our Midst...
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.
A Star In Our Midst
A star in our midst Michael Moore / Sentinel Staff; Apr 29, 2017. Michael Moore / Sentinel Staff. Grammy winner, Emmy winner, bestselling author, television star with too many credits to list. A star in our midst September 20, 2005 mgedwards Many a Korean woman will become envious when I tell them that I met Daniel Henney today and talked to him for a few minutes when he came to our office. A silent movie star in our midst. By Leigh Hornbeck on April 19, 2010 at 12:14 PM. I met the dapper George Bookasta in 2004. He was the only guy around wearing an ascot. George was quick to tell.
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.
Star In Our Midst
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.
We Have A Star In Our Midst
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.