He had left his family home – and everything he knew – in Macksville to attend Hunter Sports High. 

It was the start to a journey that would take the proud Dunghutti boy to the pinnacle of the rugby league world.

On Friday, Inglis and fellow headline-act Johnathan Thurston will lead the Indigenous All Stars against the World All Stars at McDonald Jones Stadium.

It is the first time the clash, a celebration of the contribution Indigenous Australians have made to the game, has been held in Newcastle.

The ledger is level at three wins each.

Much of the lead up to the game is centred on the community and as Inglis put it: “we top it all off by playing a game at the end of the week”.

Inglis and World All Stars back-rower Gavin Cooper were the star attractions at a community barbecue at the Awabakal Health Centre on Tuesday.

They signed autographs, posed for photos, all the while delivering the healthy lifestyle message. Their every move was watched by adoring young fans, boasting smiles as big as the footballs they carried.

“The players are great role models for people in our community,” Awabakal chief executive Raylene Gordon said. “These players come from communities like this, and it is great that they can come and give back. They talk to kids about setting goals and re-enforce that they can actually achieve those goal.”

Inglis, now 30, will never forget the part Kirinari played in his life nor will Indigenous All Stars teammate Tyrone Roberts and dual international Timana Tahu.

Then on a scholarship at the Melbourne Storm, Inglis spent eight months as a 13-year-old at the Kirinari Hostel at Garden Suburbs before returning home and eventually moving to Brisbane to complete his schooling.

“Moving away from home at a young age and getting those life lessons – how you apply yourself and interacting in the general public – it teaches you a lot,” he said.

Inglis has since gone on to win grand finals at the Storm and current club South Sydney, play 30 Origins for Queensland and 38 tests for Australia and in 2009 was the winner of golden boot awarded to the best player in the world.

He was named in the centres for the Indigenous team of the century in 2008 and on Friday will line-up for his fifth All Stars game.

“A few of the boys from Kirinari came down to watch us train this morning,” Inglis said.

“I remember being one of those boys, living in a hostel and being away from family.

“It was really great to see the boys with a smile on their face. A few boys go to Hunter Sports High and a few to Cardiff. I know what this means to them. It re-enforces how big an impact you can have on kids lives.”

Inglis will play in the centres and Roberts from the interchange bench on Friday. Newcastle Knights star Dane Gagai will start on the wing. Club mate Sione Mata'utia is on the bench for the World All Stars.

Players from both teams will attend a Indigenous youth summit at Wests Mayfield on Wednesday.