11 August 2015 | General Interest
Our 2015 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day ambassador, Courtenay Dempsey, AFL footballer with the Essendon Football Club, has discussed why Children’s Day is important to him.
In a series of short videos Courtenay shares stories of his childhood and his life now, living away from home, to help highlight why it’s so essential that our kids grow up connected and proud in their cultures.
Make sure to check out all of the videos to hear what Courtenay has to say and learn why he makes such a fantastic ambassador for Children’s Day.
Culture
Courtenay’s family is from Mount Isa in western Queensland, and he now lives over 2000 km away in Melbourne. How does he maintain connections to his culture living so far from home?
Family
Family is both a major strength, and a major support. Courtenay owes where he is now to the support he received from his parents to grow up and achieve his dreams.
Indigenous Services
Courtenay and his family moved to Cairns when he was still a little kid. Moving to a new city, not knowing many people, and facing financial pressures, Courtenay’s parents received the family support services they needed from a local Aboriginal early years centre.
