FORRESTFIELD student Taynan Lilydale has turned a school project into a prolonged effort supporting remote Indigenous communities.

For his Darling Range Learning Community Citizenship Award project, Taynan has raised more than $5300 and sent 214 parcels of clothes, toiletries, and school supplies to some of Australia’s most isolated regions.

“My project was about using my heart and hands to help others,” Taynan said.

“I wanted to help people who don’t have as much as we do and find it hard to get basic things like clothes.”

What began as a school project has grown into an ongoing initiative.

After learning about the Remote Op Shop Project’s work as an online network that connects donors with remote towns, Taynan decided to take inspiration and collect, sort, and package hundreds of donations with the help of his mum Shannyce Lilydale and generous Kalamunda residents donating to cover postage costs.

His parcels have reached communities as far away as Yarralin and Barunga in the Northern Territory, and even a school in Timor-Leste.

“It made me feel really happy getting messages from the communities,” Taynan said.

“Especially that day when we heard back from Gapuwiyak, where my little foster brother was from.

“They sent us a video and voice recordings and photos.”

Taynan told Echo News that his experience of racism and his family’s story had shaped his outlook and lit a fire in him to effect positive change.

“It made me thankful for what I have and reminded me to always be kind,” he said.

“I learned that not everyone in Australia is racist.

“Lots of people were kind and wanted to help me make this possible.”

Being an Indigenous child with a lighter complexion, Taynan has faced discrimination and the cultural limbo of not belonging in white Australian communities or Indigenous communities which was its own unique and alienating pain.

His mum said he now hopes to be the change he wants to see in the world and to spread kindness and show that kids can be movers and shakers too.

“Tay comes from a family deeply affected by the Stolen Generations and the ongoing impacts of intergenerational trauma,” Ms Lilydale said.

“Despite facing experiences such as homelessness, family breakdowns, identity struggles, and emotional hardship, he is learning that education is the key to change and the importance of advocating for a better, more understanding future.

“He’s being raised by a strong mum, learning to be a resilient young man who still finds love, peace and purpose in the world, and wants to be part of the change he hopes to see around him.”

Earlier this year, the National Indigenous Times featured Taynan’s work, describing it as “a crusade to uplift mob doing it tough.”

Since then, Remote Op Shop Project founder Tanya Egerton has said she planned to appoint him as an official ambassador, sending him parcels each month to fill and forward to communities in need.

“We learned that postage is very expensive and so we tried to raise money,” Taynan said.

“Because of all the people that helped and donated some money we could send a whopping 214 parcels.”

Ms Lilydale said the family hoped Taynan’s story would inspire others to take part.

“They then register each parcel so Tanya can track the impact,” she said.

“Tay really hopes others get on board with supporting remote communities.”

Taynan continues to volunteer with Emma-Jane’s Weaving and Bush Collection, helping to share cultural connection across Perth, and will appear at Dardy Day Out at Orange Grove on November 8 to raise awareness for remote community support.

“Kids can be leaders too,” Taynan said.

Donations may be made via this link with donors urged to check the list of remote communities and direct queries away from the feed.