Brett McKays
Social Support Co-ordinator

Born on the 30th Jan, 1974:- Central Coast (Gosford, NSW). Spiritual home of the Darkinjung Nation, sadly of which there are no known descendants alive today. All were forced from their lands by European invaders and the diseases they brought with them. I consider myself a caretaker of Darkinjung lands and am proud to be a protector of it’s many wonders.

My Blood or my mob originate from the Wiradjuri Nation – The Murrumbidgee River, Darlington Point NSW. My Great Great Grandmother, Emily was a servant on a sheep property managed by a Scotsman – William Ferguson. They later married and had a son – William (Bill) Ferguson Jnr. Uncle Bill is a true Aboriginal hero; original ‘Freedom Fighter’ and campaigner of Aboriginal Rights and injustices in this country of ours. Old Bill helped bring down the abolishment of the ‘so called’ Aboriginal Protection Board and most notably was a major player in the movement for the 1967 referendum, that gave us as Aboriginal People the right to be recognised as Citizens and voters.

The Journey of my professional career is very strongly influenced by my pride of the achievements of Uncle Bill Ferguson. I started my foray as an advocate for Aboriginal People by choosing to work with Aboriginal Youth:-

Aboriginal Youth Development Officer 1999 -2000
(Randwick City Council – La Perouse community)
Assistant Youth Worker 1999 – 2000
(The Settlement Neighbourhood Centre – Redfern)
Aboriginal Youth Devlopment Worker 2000 – 2001
(Mundarra Aboriginal Youth Service – Mt Druitt)
Aboriginal Education Assistant 2002 – 2004
(Stewart House School – South Curl Curl)
(Wyong Public School : 2004 – 2005)
I’m now proudly working with and advocating for local Elders, Frail, Aged and or Disabled Aboriginal People and their Carers at Coffs Harbour Aboriginal Family Community Care Centre. It is my personal aim, and that of the service, to support and encourage the continued struggle for the basic rights of the Local Aboriginal People who have direct links with the original inhabitants, and those from other areas who now live in this pristine and culturally rich Gumbaynggir Country.