Without the 24-hour support networks common to larger towns and cities, a tiny group of dedicated YMCA Katherine staff and volunteers work tirelessly to plug the gap. 

Among them is Chantal Ober – a finalist in the 2015 Northern Territory Young Australian of the Year awards.

The winner will be announced in Darwin at a cocktail reception on November 5, but Ms Ober’s day-to-day work as a youth support worker is anything but glamorous.

It is, however, extremely rewarding.

“I know that my passion is working with young people and, for me, I discovered that by going on my own journey, Ms Ober said.

“I always encourage young people to find out what they're good at, what they love to do and what they're passionate about, because if you find something that you love, you'll enjoy doing it.”

YMCA Katherine team leader Tammy Frean laughed that she “dobbed” Ms Ober in for the award because she went above and beyond the official duties of her role.

“She doesn’t just come to work at nine and leave at five,” Mrs Frean said.

“No matter what time of day, whether it’s 1am in the morning, if any of the kids have got an issue, she goes out of her way to make sure they’re heard or that they have got some kind of a result that day.”

Having worked previously at Clyde Fenton Primary School, Ms Ober is a familiar face among the community.

“Being a young, indigenous female here at the YMCA, Chantal is the safe person for a lot of the young girls and boys who come to us,” Mrs Frean explained.

“That’s taken a lot of time and years to build those relationships, and that trust, not just with the kids, but with the families, the teachers, the police.

“If there’s something happening with the police at night, they’ll give Chantal or me a call. 

“Sometimes, it’s sitting in on an interview, or attending court with the kids – just making sure that they have that support, and also culturally understand what’s going on with those processes.”

Beyond her outreach work at YMCA Katherine, Ms Ober also runs a raft of activity and wellbeing programs, as well as sporting groups and a church youth group. 

Ms Ober said as a young girl, she was extremely shy and, now that she was older, was in a position to encourage kids to find their purpose and help them discover where they fit into the world, and what role they can play in society.

“I've been pretty blessed and lucky with a wonderful, supporting family, good friends colleagues, so I want to give back to other people – to young people, to families, the community,” she said.