Now a TAFE NSW Campbelltown student Mr Amatto received an Achievement Award in the TAFE NSW Gili Awards which were held at Ultimo.

The TAFE NSW Gili Awards celebrate the achievements of Aboriginal students, as well as the accomplishments of TAFE NSW employees and innovative programs that have empowered Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities throughout 2018.

Mr Amatto once battled with alcohol and drug addiction and came into the spotlight after co-founding health and wellbeing group, Brothers 4 Recovery, alongside Steven Morris and Wellington's Edward Daley.

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He said he feels very blessed and grateful to receive the award.

"Especially as the longest period I spent at school was to year 8, and now I'm receiving a Gili Award, it truly is a blessing," Mr Amatto said.

"I live a life today that I dreamt of in an addiction. I have used my past experiences to travel around Australia to conduct my drug and mental health workshops, in the last two years I have travelled over 65,000km. As Aboriginal people, we're spiritually connected to this country, we need culture to heal, we can't heal in gaol."

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TAFE NSW Regional General Manager, Michael Cullen said Gili is an Eora word meaning 'to shine' and is fitting for Jeffrey whose achievements I am extremely proud to acknowledge.

"Jeffery has demonstrated remarkable talent, ambition and determination through his studies at TAFE NSW and commitment to his local community," Mr Cullen.

He congratulated the other winners for their hard work, dedication and commitment to transforming their lives through vocational education and training outcomes for Aboriginal people.

"Last night's celebration marked the 29th year that the TAFE NSW Gili Awards have recognised the power of vocational education and training, and the life changing pathways to employment or further study for Aboriginal people," Mr Cullen said.