Speaking

Sammy identifies as a Garawa and Butchulla Man with Tongan and Southsea Island Heritage. Sammy has lived in the local community of Brisbane Northside since the age of 8 and has strong connections to the local First Nations People and community of Brisbane. Over the years Sammy was mentored by his family members and Elders within the community in Cultural systems and Cultural performance.

Being the son of a mother that survived the Aboriginal Mission systems that she escaped when she was 17year old. Sammy has a family history of forced removals and genocide, as do many First Nations People historically.

SInce approximately 14 years of age Sammy participated and followed in the footsteps of his older brothers Jason and Wayne from the Mununjali Yugambeh Dance Troupe and later on Ngali Yabru, participating in Cultural performances and workshops across the state and was guided by his Mother Aileen and her siblings in Cultural constructs and systems, Cultural information was handed down from a young age. In his teenage years he experienced many barriers and issues that impact negatively on First Nations People however; Due to a spiritual experience in his early 20’s Sammy made the decision to change his life for the better and he participated in the sport of boxing winning many accolades and awards over a 13 year period some of these being.

Australian Indigenous Title, Arafura Games Bronze Medalist, Australian Institute Sport Scholarship holder. QLD ANBF Professional Welterweight title amongst many others.

Sammy used strategies and accessed the support of Cultural mentors, Elders and support people/services that have moulded him into the conscientious individual that he is today. In this time Sammy was able to gain tertiary and Diploma level qualifications that opened a pathway into the community services sector in 2007.

Sammy has worked in roles such as Community Development Cultural Worker, Family Support Worker, Sport and Rec Officer, Case Manager Youth worker and currently business owner of FNPC.

He has overtime been involved with many committees and boards at a community, and national level and utilises the knowledge gained within these forums and his influence to meet the needs of his local community. Some other achievements were  founding both Pass on the Fire Aborignal and Torres Strait Islander Corporation in 2017 and in 2019 The Boss Boxing community mentoring and boxing program.

Sammy was voted as a finalist in the Open Minds Mental Health Week Awards 2019 and was chosen from applicants across the State. Sammy is an active member within his community assisting in the areas of community development, cross cultural interventions, and the social services sector. He has supported various decision making processes alongside local Elders and communities with negotiations between government, education, youth justice, child safety and various sectors.

Sammy will share his personal story as a testament of overcoming the generational impacts of colonisation on First Nations People.