Kori is a proud young Palawa man, who at just 15 years of age has learnt to conduct a traditional Welcome to Country in palawa kani (language). Kori has been mentored by aunties and language teachers from the Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre (TAC). He quite often receives requests to conduct a Welcome to Country at local community events and official openings. “I don’t mind, even though sometimes I get a bit nervous, I like speaking language and spreading an understanding of Tasmanian Aboriginal culture,” Kori said.

Kori has grown up in Gagebrook and belongs to the Burgess family, originally from Cape Barren Island. “I am big on family, love to be around uncles and aunts, the people I have grown up with. The good thing about growing up in this area is that my family is all really close by,” Kori explains.

Kori is currently in year 10 at Jordan River Learning Federation – Senior School (JRLF-SS). Although like most teenagers he enjoys playing video games in his spare time, he really enjoys hands on work and being outside. He has liked participating in activities at the School Farm over the years and is clearly a hard worker. Kori takes the opportunity during the school holidays to work a casual job at HALS (Horticultural and Landscape Supplies) in Bridgewater bagging up soil/compost to be sold to large gardening supply chains and also does lawn mowing as a little side business of his own.

It is clear that Kori feels a real sense of belonging to the community in which he lives and is actively involved in the Under One Rainbow community group, helping with fundraising. Under One Rainbow was formed in 2013 to offer support to LGBTIQA+ community, family and friends. Mother and son team, Sonya and Michael Williams, are the founders of the group. Sonya is the self-described “unofficial grandma to the group” and Michael has been a significant role model and support for Kori growing up, helping him with creating and marketing his lawn mowing business. He is proud that he can help both younger and older people to maintain their gardens, lawns and do odd jobs for people who aren’t able to do these types of jobs themselves. Kori explains, “It is good to be involved in a group like Under One Rainbow as it brings community together and it is a good feeling to know you are helping someone out.”

Kori’s Mum, Kelly, gives an example of how the values Kori has learnt from his family, his local community and his volunteer work with Under One Rainbow, have meant he is always willing to help others. He became well known in Gagebrook for helping kids who weren’t sure which bus to catch to and from school and became a welcome support for many over the years.

Kori also loves his AFL footy, playing in the Oatlands District Football Association (ODFA) in the seniors team with his Dad. Kori has been playing footy for the last three years and loves that the Oatlands Football Club feels like one big family. He is also very pleased to say that the Oatlands Football Club is the first and only club in the ODFA to have an indigenous jumper.

Kori hopes to become a diesel mechanic when he leaves school, in keeping with his enjoyment of doing practical work with his hands and as a qualified diesel mechanic, will be able to help his Dad work on cars as well.

In the future, Kori would like to give back to community by helping others in learning about palawa culture, language and conducting traditional Welcome to Country, so other young palawa people can learn about family and where they’ve come from, just as he has done.