Josh is a proud Kunja and Wakka Wakka man from Southwest Queensland and grew up in the Gulf; 2 beautiful places, Kowanyama, Lockhart River and also lived in Meanjin (Brisbane).
Josh walks in 2 cultural worlds with having Filipino and Aboriginal heritage. Josh’s passion is working with mob, especially our young people. Professional experience has been working in the Youth Justice, Child Safety and Corrective services through frontline, policy, cultural facilitator, strategic governance, workforce redesign, research and developing meaningful reports for publication.Â
Josh’s publication of ‘Yarning for Change’ – Listen to my Voice, released 2022, has caught the attention of multiple government agencies and universities across Queensland. This report highlighted the experiences that First Nations young people and their families’ experiences with the youth justice and child protection system.
Link to the publication – https://www.qfcc.qld.gov.au/sector/monitoring-and-reviewing-systems/young-people-in-youth-justice/yarning-for-change
Josh is now a Director with the Department of Education working in the First Nations Strategy and Partnerships division focusing on pathway opportunities for First Nations students for future success in Industry, Tertiary and sports.