YOUTH OFF THE STREETS FOUNDER FATHER CHRIS RILEY DIES AGED 70
Father Chris Riley, a well-known Catholic priest and social advocate, has passed away at the age of 70 after a prolonged illness. He was best known for founding Youth Off The Streets, a charity supporting homeless and disadvantaged youth in New South Wales and Queensland. Launching the organisation in 1991, he led it for nearly 30 years before stepping down in 2022 due to health issues.
Originally from regional Victoria, his calling to the priesthood was inspired by a film about underprivileged youth. After joining the Salesians, he worked in youth crisis services before establishing a residential program and later founding multiple independent schools for students who had left mainstream education.
His work helped shape a large, multi-service charity employing hundreds and supported by hundreds more volunteers. Recognised nationally for his contributions, Father Riley received numerous honours, though he remained personally humble. In 2006, he was made a Member of the Order of Australia and was the recipient of the Human Rights Medal from the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission. He was named NSW Australian of the Year in 2012
Father Riley is well known in the hospitality industry for his support of Clubs Australia and his stance against pokie reforms in 2011. He objected to Andrew Wilkie, the independent MP, who demanded the reforms in return for supporting the minority government at the time. He believed in funding education and treatment programs for gambling problems rather than mandatory pre-commitment.
