After spending over a decade as a professional footballer, Tahj Minniecon decided to give back to the community that had supported him. His diverse cultural background, including Aboriginal, South Sea Islander, Torres Strait, and Malaysian heritage, gives him a strong sense of identity and purpose.

“When I was playing football, I always knew I wanted to give back to the community, especially the Aboriginal community,” Tahj shares. “Both my parents are Aboriginal, and I grew up with a strong sense of identity. After my football career, I found myself at Link-Up (Qld) and fell in love with the work they do. It’s amazing and so important.”

Image: Social and Emotional Wellbeing Counsellor Tahj Minniecon (right) supporting Link-Up (Qld) clients.

Link-Up (Qld) offers reunification services and support to Stolen Generations survivors and their descendants, helping them reconnect with their family, Country and culture. As a Social and Emotional Wellbeing Counsellor, based out of Link-Up (Qld)’s Brisbane office, Tahj sees firsthand the organisation’s positive impact on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people throughout Queensland.

“There’s so much trauma within the Indigenous community from the Stolen Generations. Being able to give people a sense of identity and reuniting them with something they’ve lost is incredibly rewarding,” he explains. “A lot of the time, our clients describe it as filling an empty void.”

In his role, Tahj supports clients throughout their journey, providing emotional guidance and cultural insights. His dedication is clear when he recalls his first reunion, an emotional experience that he’ll never forget.

Within weeks of joining Link-Up (Qld), Tahj accompanied a client to her ancestral land in Emerald, where they found her great-grandfather’s grave. This reunion had a lasting impact on both Tahj and the client.

“I’ll never forget that first reunion,” Tahj recalls. “The emotions were intense. We took a lady back to her country and reunited her with her great-grandfather’s grave. The joy and happiness she felt was overwhelming. It was a powerful reminder of why our work is so important.”

Tahj’s empathy and commitment shine through in every interaction. His approach is one of genuine care, ensuring that clients feel supported and understood throughout their reunification journey. “It’s our duty to help clients emotionally along the way. We’re there to support them, whether they need to talk about culture or just have a yarn.”

Image: Social and Emotional Wellbeing Counsellor Tahj Minniecon (right) supporting Link-Up (Qld) clients.

For those considering Link-Up (Qld)’s services, Tahj says “take the jump”.

“It’s a scary thought, but once you’re in it, there’s no better feeling.”

Link-Up (Qld) stands as a powerful example of reconnection and healing for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Through the compassionate efforts of researchers and support staff like Tahj, the team continues to transform lives, one reunion at a time. For Stolen Generations survivors, Link-Up (Qld) offers not just a service, but a chance to rediscover their sense of belonging.

To learn more about our services, browse our website or contact our friendly team.