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- Father Chris Riley AM dies aged 70
- Transformed the lives of troubled youth
By KYLIE STEVENS, NIGHT NEWS EDITOR, AUSTRALIA
Published: | Updated:
Youth Off The Streets founder Father Chris Riley has died, aged 70.
He passed away at home on Thursday night following a long period of ill health, according to the charity.
Father Riley spent much of his life working with disadvantaged youth in various roles, including teacher, youth worker, probation officer, residential carer, and principal.
He was famous for saying there was no such thing as a ‘child born bad,’ but acknowledged that there are bad environments, circumstances, and families that negatively impact youth.
‘We must have the courage to demand greatness from our youth,’ he said.
Youth Off The Streets was established in 1991 with a single food van in Kings Cross.
The charity expanded into a lifesaving network of crisis accommodation, counselling, and support services, now run by 180 staff and 250 volunteers.
Father Riley implemented innovative behaviour modification strategies to help troubled youth deal with trauma, abuse, and neglect, many of which were adopted by schools and government agencies across Australia.
Youth Off The Streets founder Chris Riley died on Thursday night, aged 70
The Youth Off The Streets founder (pictured with then-Prime Minister Julia Gillard in 2013) spent much of his life working with disadvantaged youth and transforming their lives
‘He was a tireless advocate for homeless and disadvantaged youth, and he inspired and changed thousands of young lives,’ charity chairwoman Anne Fitzgerald said.
‘Father Riley will be remembered for his compassion, tenacity and unwavering belief that every young person deserves the chance to reach their full potential.’
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese led the outpouring of tributes.
‘Father Chris Riley had a heart as big as the country he served,’ he said.
‘He gave hope to young people doing it tough and never gave up on anyone. He was a good friend and his legacy will live on in the lives he changed.’
NSW Premier Chris Minns hailed the visionary work that changed the lives of tens of thousands of young people.
‘Father Riley believed there is no child born bad, only circumstances to overcome, and he spent over three decades proving that with compassion and opportunity young lives can be transformed,’ he said.
‘On behalf of the people of NSW, I extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, the Youth Off The Streets community, and the countless young people whose futures he helped build.’
Father Chris Riley (pictured with actor Eric Bana) famously declared that there was no such thing as a ‘child born bad’
Commentator Prue MacSween added: ‘A father and saviour to so many lost souls who he believed in, guided and nurtured. This man is a true hero and legend to so many. He deserves a front row seat in heaven.’
Born in Echuca, Victoria, Father Riley grew up on a dairy farm and was inspired by the movie *Boys Town* to become a teacher.
He later became the principal of the charity Boys Town and was ordained as a Roman Catholic priest in 1982 before moving to Sydney.
He spent almost three decades at the helm of Youth Off The Streets but stepped down as chief executive in 2022 due to illness, three years after being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.
He received multiple accolades for his achievements, including the Order of Australia, the Human Rights Medal, and was a NSW Australian of the Year nominee in 2012.
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