LAST week indigenous Blackbutt teenager Paul Rymer continued a proud run of firsts by becoming the first person in his family to win a NAIDOC Award.
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Mr Rymer, 19, who was the first Aboriginal school captain at Warilla Public School, was named Young Achiever of the Year at the fifth annual Local Government Regional NAIDOC Week Awards held in Nowra.
Mr Rymer was awarded for displaying mentorship, community support and environmental initiatives.
Rugby league, basketball, the Shellharbour Aboriginal Community Youth Association (SACYA), NAIDOC and VOX FM Koori Radio Program were also cited as affiliations for which he was nominated.
On accepting the award a humble Mr Rymer cited his mother Agnes Donovan, who works with SACYA, as his biggest mentor.
"My mum has been a single mum since I was six years old. She has been my mentor all my life. She has always steered me in the right direction."
When he was about 17, Mr Rymer found himself acting as mentor to young people at SACYA. He said he believed it helped that he was talking to other young Aboriginal people as their peer.
"It helped 100 per cent that I was the same age," he said. "I thought that there was no one who really wanted to listen to anyone but it's good to have someone there beside you to guide you ... not to to just look over your shoulder - but to be there all the time."
After he finished school, Mr Rymer started the nursery for Shellharbour City Council. He now works with the Green Army at Killalea State Park, and said he was thrilled to have a desired outdoor job at a place of such cultural significance.
"We have done heaps out there. We have built retaining walls, brick walls, been mowing and doing track maintenance.
"It's a great job."
Mr Rymer said his long- term goals included becoming a park ranger or running a nursery.
The Local Government Regional NAIDOC Week Awards were hosted by Shoalhaven City Council, as part of the Kiama, Shellharbour and Wollongong initiative.
Shellharbour Mayor Marianne Saliba congratulated Mr Rymer on winning the award against strong competition.
"Mr Rymer is a community activist who generates enthusiasm for a broad range of activities and organisations across our region. His leadership qualities and passion for helping people are to be commended, and matched equally by his interest in the environment and protection of the Aboriginal heritage."
