Who remembers what they were passionate about when they were just nine years old?
Introducing the quite remarkable, multi-award winning Waniora Public School student, Penelope Towney.
How’s this for a CV which continues to grow each year?
Public speaker. Filmmaker. Educator in Aboriginal languages (Wiradjuri and Palawa). Writer. Podcaster. Media interviewer. And a member of her school’s Student Representative Council.
All of this, and Penelope is not yet 10.
Tune in to Towney Time YouTube Channel
Balancing school life with her remarkable out of school activities is no mean feat but Penelope relishes the diversity of her projects, none more so than her very own self-funded YouTube Channel, Towney Time.
As possibly Australia’s youngest First Nations filmmaker, Penelope uses Towney Time to share her stories. They educate and entertain with a focus on science, culture, art, gaming and language. Her first episode premiered at last year’s National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day at UOW’s Science Space.
Towney Time content is fun, informative, well researched and links in First Nations language. Each episode requires substantial research, scripting and rehearsing before filming even commences.
Aged 7, Penelope produced her own film, The Land We’re On, which screened on SBS, NITV and Channel 10 to much acclaim.
Multiple Award Winner
Penelope’s astonishing efforts have been recognised in a number of areas, her most recent the Rising Star award for high-achieving people aged under 16 at the Wollongong Citizen of the Year Awards.
In 2022, Penelope was the youngest recipient of the NSW Department of Education’s Nanga Mai Award for Outstanding Achievement in Public Speaking. She was also the youngest finalist in the 2023 NSW Woman of the Year – One to Watch Award which recognises girls and young women aged 7 to 15 who demonstrate acts of courage, strength and determination to help those around them.
As if a guest appearance on Play School in 2022 wasn’t enough, Dolly’s Tribe, a First Nations doll making business representing beauty, strength and diversity have created a doll named after Penelope. There’s no better acknowledgement of how Penelope inspires children locally and nationally to be themselves and dream big.
Importantly, the doll allows First Nations children to see themselves reflect positively. Look out Barbie!
Courage in the face of challenges
It hasn’t all been plain sailing for Penelope. Over the years, she’s faced racism about her Aboriginal heritage. At times, when she speaks out proudly about her culture and her language, she’s incurred extreme prejudice, especially through her social media platforms.
Her strength and courage, and the strong support of her family and friends, enables her to continue her passion for sharing knowledge about her culture and language in inclusive and inspiring ways.
What lies ahead for Penelope? She’s not quite sure. But she’d love to get Dolly Parton on a future episode of Towney Time. Knowing Penelope’s drive and passion, I wouldn’t be betting against that happening.
