At just 18, Zoey Daly has been awarded winner of the inaugural Young Language Champion of the Year award.

The young Warren local was chosen by the NSW Aboriginal Languages Trust out of 50 nominees state-wide.

She was nominated by Warren Performing Arts and Language Place Inc (Warraan Widji Arts) for her outstanding contributions to reawakening Wayilwan language in the Warren community.  

Zoey Daly working on her language skills - Image courtesy Warraan Widji Arts

The NSW ALT’s inaugural state conference took place last week on Wonnarua Country where Aunty Beth Wright and Ms Phyllis Oates accepted the award on Zoey’s behalf.

Aunty Beth Wright and Ms Phyllis Oates receiving the award on Zoey's behalf - Image courtesy Warraan Widji Arts

“I was really honoured to find out I was one of 50 nominees to receive the award,” said Zoey.

“It was really moving when I got the phone call to say I had won, I was really shocked.

“I knew what I did was important but to win an award over all those other amazing people felt so touching," she said.

“A few years ago, Wayilwan language was dead, and no one could speak it. Fast forward to now and it’s alive again and I have won an award for it, so it has come full circle and that makes me happy,” said Zoey.

Zoey with some of her Warren Central School students - Image courtesy Warraan Widji Arts

The Award celebrates young individuals (under the age of 30) who demonstrate outstanding commitment to ongoing Language learning, sharing or advocacy and are actively involved in their Language Community.

These awards are a way of expressing deep gratitude to those who have paved the way for us, safeguarding Languages and breathing life into their revitalisation for future generations. 

Zoey was age 14 when, Aunty Beth Wright reintroduced Wayilwan language to the Warren community through TAFENSW. Prior to this there was no Aboriginal language being taught in Warren schools or in the community.

Since then, she has been a passionate and committed supporter to meaningfully sustain the reawakening process through opportunities presented to her by Warraan Widji Arts and the Aboriginal Learning and Engagement Centre at Warren Central School and within the Warren community and beyond.  

Zoey Daley performing - Image courtesy Warraan Widji Arts

From involvement in local events and projects, featuring in a documentary, and music video, to being 2024 Young Citizen of the year and Young Achiever of the Year 2025, to teaching students at Warren Central School and performing at Tamworth Country Music Festival, Zoey has continued to share her language.

“As a young cultural leader, Zoey’s legacy to date to reawaken Wayilwan language in the Warren community and beyond is exceptional. Without her leadership for transformative change, we would not have made half the progress we have made in reawakening our Wayilwan language in our community,” according to Warraan Widji Arts Secretary Karlene Irving.

Warraan Widji Arts Secretary Karlene Irving - Image Western Plains App

“Zoey Daley is a true trailblazer, without young people like Zoey, we cannot sustain Wayilwan language reawakening. Zoey’s influence as a remarkable role model for our local young mob cannot be measured.

“Zoey has ensured that our Wayilwan language has a much greater chance of survival in our community and beyond. Her hard work and dedication should be commended,” Ms Irving added.

Zoey has recently commenced study at University of Sydney with her goal to become a Primary school teacher and continue teaching Wayilwan Language to the next generation.