Dre Wicks, a young Yuin man, has taken a significant step in empowering the voices of Aboriginal youth by being appointed co-chair of the New South Wales Aboriginal Land Council (NSWALC) Youth Advisory Committee (YAC). His appointment aims to ensure that the perspectives of young Aboriginal people are heard and considered in critical decision-making processes.
In an interview, Mr. Wicks expressed his gratitude for the nomination, saying, “It feels overwhelming. It’s an honour to be nominated by my peers to represent the South Coast.” He emphasized the importance of representing not just his region but all young people across the state. “You have a responsibility to represent all the voices across the state rather than just your region and to become a voice for change,” he added.
The NSWALC YAC comprises young Aboriginal individuals aged 18 to 25 from various regions, including Sydney-Newcastle, Mid North Coast, and the Northern Territory. Mr. Wicks highlighted the need for the younger generation’s views to be included in discussions that shape their future. “We constantly hear about the next generation. We’re always on that menu, but we’re never able to stand up and be at the table,” he stated.
He pointed out that many decisions affecting future generations are made without adequate input from young people. According to Mr. Wicks, “A lot of decisions people are making are going to impact children, their children, and their children’s children.” He believes it is crucial for youth to use their voices to express their opinions and take an active role in advocating for change.
The challenges faced by young Aboriginal Australians are varied and profound. Mr. Wicks noted that while some issues have persisted, such as housing struggles and racism, the perspectives of the younger generation differ significantly from those of older individuals. “The problems and difficulties young people face are not the same as those of older people,” he said.
Racism remains a persistent issue, with Mr. Wicks sharing his personal experience of being racially profiled as a potential shoplifter. “There’s always going to be racism, whether it’s in your face or ignorance from other people,” he remarked. He emphasized the need for ongoing dialogue about racism and its implications for young people.
The YAC aims to address a range of pressing issues. Among the key topics are education, youth incarceration rates, and mental health concerns such as youth suicide. Recent data indicates that only 68 percent of First Nations Australians aged 20-24 have attained a Year 12 or equivalent qualification, compared to 91 percent of non-Indigenous Australians. Furthermore, of the 845 young people in detention as of June 2024, 60 percent were First Nations youth, despite this group representing just 6.6 percent of the Australian population aged 10-17.
Mr. Wicks, who works with children aged 12-18, believes that the issue of Closing the Gap should be viewed as a broader Australian challenge rather than solely an Indigenous problem. “This country is built on immigration, so, like it or not, Aboriginal history is Australian history,” he explained.
Looking ahead, the YAC has set immediate goals, including developing a youth engagement strategy and providing guidance to NSWALC on policies affecting young people. Dean Muscat, the CEO of the Eden Local Aboriginal Land Council, praised Mr. Wicks’s appointment as a significant achievement for someone of his age. “He’s following in the footsteps of people like Uncle BJ and Uncle Ossie Cruse,” Mr. Muscat noted. “What other people have done before us, we’re living now. They set up the foundation, and we just keep building and making it bigger and better for everyone.”
As Mr. Wicks takes on this important role, he aims to ensure that the voices of young Aboriginal Australians are not just heard but actively shape the future of their communities.
