Morning training has become one of the defining strengths of South Grafton Academy in 2025, with a consistent group of boys arriving before school each day to set a positive tone for their learning. Despite cold starts, wet conditions and the occasional last-minute move to an indoor venue, an average of 30 academy members turned […]
Strong Routines Drive a Standout Year at South Grafton Academy Read More »
Kempsey High School has recorded its highest number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Year 12 completions in the school’s history, with 14 senior boys graduating through the Kempsey Clontarf Academy in 2025. The result builds on nearly a decade of steady growth since the academy was established in 2016, when just two young men
Record Year 12 Completion At Kempsey Academy Read More »
Nine senior academy members from across Australia travelled to the remote township of Yulara in the Northern Territory in early December to take part in a four-day hospitality camp designed to give them first-hand exposure to life and work in the Uluru tourism industry. Participants included Wyatt Martinovich (Northam, WA), Tyler Dhu (Girrawheen, WA), Lincoln
Uluru Experience Opens Pathways in Hospitality Read More »
Four Year 12 members from Singleton Academy (NSW) enjoyed an unforgettable major trip this term, travelling through Adelaide and across Kangaroo Island for an experience they had anticipated since the day they first joined Clontarf. The adventure began on Sunday afternoon with a flight from Newcastle to Adelaide — the first time on a plane
Singleton Year 12s Chase Big Horizons on Kangaroo Island Read More »
Haileybury Academy in Darwin faced an eventful Week 7 as Cyclone Fina approached the Top End, turning an ordinary school timetable into a week marked by quick decisions, early mornings and impressive resilience. Despite the disruption, academy members kept spirits high and continued showing up for one another. The week began with a calm Tuesday
Riding Out Cyclone Fina: A Week of Fun, Footy and Resilience Read More »
Year 12 boys from several New South Wales academies capped off their final year of school with separate major trips to Far North Queensland, each offering a mix of challenge, culture and celebration as the boys marked the end of their Clontarf journey in high school. Toronto Academy – Cairns adventure of a lifetime The
NSW Academies Head North For Unforgettable Year 12 Interstate Trips Read More »
Endeavour Academy (Caringbah, NSW) marked a major milestone on Friday evening, combining its annual End of Year Awards Night with its 10-year anniversary celebration at Tradies Gymea, a long-standing Clontarf partner. More than 100 guests filled the venue, including academy members and their families, school staff, partners and alumni. Special guests on the night included
Ten Years On: Endeavour Academy Reflects on Its Beginnings and Celebrates Its Future Read More »
Three of Darwin’s Clontarf academies finished 2025 on a high note recently, with Casuarina, Driver Primary and Nightcliff each hosting uplifting awards events that recognised the growth, effort and achievements of their academy members. Families, school staff, partners and community supporters filled each venue, creating a proud atmosphere that reflected the positive year the boys
Darwin academies celebrate a standout year of achievement Read More »
Champion Bay Academy has wrapped up an exceptional year marked by achievement, pride and unforgettable experiences — from a packed Awards Night to a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Cairns for the graduating Year 12s. Awards Night shines a light on effort and excellence Families, teachers, community leaders and partners came together to recognise the achievements of
Champion Bay caps off a milestone year with celebration and adventure Read More »
Tristan Cole — Yule Brook & Sevenoaks Academy, Class of 2005 Tristan is one of many alumni who have chosen to stay connected with Clontarf long after finishing school. His journey spans trade qualifications, 16 years in FIFO, business ownership and now a return to Clontarf, at Northam Academy, supporting young men in the same
From FIFO to business owner to mentor: Tristan’s journey comes full circle Read More »
Kerry was appointed as General Manager – Human Resources in November 2025 and is a professionally qualified HR generalist with a masters in industrial relations. Kerry brings significant HR and IR leadership expertise gained from her experience in the mining, construction and health industries.
Joel is a proud Yuin man from the NSW South Coast and commenced employment with the Clontarf Foundation in 2016, following a 10-year career with the NSW Police Force. Since Joining the Foundation Joel has held a multitude of roles which includes, Academy Director, Development Officer, Regional Manager and NSW Operations Manager. Joel was appointed to the General Manager – Development position in 2025.
General Manager – Partnerships & Communications
Nick was appointed as General Manager – Partnerships and Communications in December 2024. Prior to this, Nick’ s roles included National Partnerships Manager, National Recruitment Manager and Academy Director at Coodanup Academy. Nick has an education management background with a Bachelor of Education degree.
Ms Collard is a highly experienced executive with strong leadership skills and deep commitment to Indigenous communities. She has over 25 years of senior executive experience in government policy, strategy, and operational management. As a descendant of the Yadhiagana/Wuthathi and Guringji peoples and married to a Noongar Man with four children and three grandchildren, Ms Collard have a deep connection to Indigenous communities and has dedicated her career to advocating for equal opportunities for all Aboriginal people, from access to services to employment and cultural understanding. As a senior executive in both state and federal governments, she have a proven track record of making a positive impact in the lives of Indigenous communities. As a General Manager for Rio Tinto, she continues to put her leadership skills and passion for equality into practice, supporting the company’s performance through Group Internal Audits while staying true to your commitment to Indigenous communities.
Mr Gibbs is a proud Yuwalaraay man from Goodooga in North Western NSW. Mr Gibbs is the General Counsel & Company Secretary of Volkswagen Group Australia Pty Ltd, and is responsible for the legal affairs of the VW, AUDI, SKODA and CUPRA brands in Australia. Prior to working in the motor industry, Mr Gibbs worked as a practising lawyer for top tier law firms in Sydney and Perth. In that time, Mr Gibbs has also devoted his time to helping pro bono clients on a range of legal issues. Mr Gibbs is passionate about helping to deliver better educational and life outcomes for Indigenous Australians.
Lee was appointed as GM – Human Resources in September 2020. Prior to this, Lee was the Foundation’s HR Manager, an Employment Officer in Cairns, Queensland and an Academy Director at Gunbalanya in the Northern Territory. Lee has a degree in Human Resources and has extensive experience working in remote communities.
Mr McCormack’s career has been in energy infrastructure, having led ASX listed APA Group between 2005-2019. During this time, enterprise value grew from $1b to over $24b, which included investments in gas pipelines and distribution, gas processing and storage, gas fi red power generation,
renewables (wind and solar) and electricity transmission across Australia. Mr McCormack is a Director of Austal Limited, Origin Energy and the Chair of Central Petroleum Limited. He is also Chair of the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra Foundation and has been a long term supporter of the Clontarf Foundation.
Zone Manager – Victoria & South Australia
Chief Operations Officer
Brad was appointed Zone Manager – Western Australian in January 2024. He was previously Regional Manager for the South-Central Region and the North-West Region in Western Australia. Prior to that, Brad was an Academy Director in Karratha and Perth. Brad is a qualified teacher who taught in a number of schools across Western Australia, China and the United Kingdom.
Mr Gillam is a professional Company Director, serving currently as Chairman of CSR Limited, Chairman of Nufarm Limited and Chairman of Bluefit Pty Ltd, as well as a Board Member of the Heartwell Foundation. He worked for 20 years within the Wesfarmers Group where he was the CEO of Bunnings from 2004 to 2016 and the Chairman of Officeworks from 2008 to 2016. Other roles during Mr Gillam’s Wesfarmers career included Managing Director of CSBP and Company Secretary. Prior to Wesfarmers, Mr Gillam was General Manager of Medical Corporation Australia Ltd and he started his career working in KPMG’s corporate recovery and corporate finance areas.
Mr Tyson is the Managing Partner of SEC Newgate Australia and the Deputy CEO of SEC Newgate Global. Mr Tyson is one of Australia’s leading communications practitioners with expertise in strategic issues management, government relations, media management, financial transactions and community campaigning. Mr Tyson is also Director of the Sydney Swans AFL club, SEC Newgate Global (UK) and the Committee for Sydney. Prior to his career in consultancy, Brian was a school teacher, journalist for The Land newspaper and a media adviser to the Greiner and Fahey Governments in New South Wales.
Chris is Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Poynton Stavrianou, an independent corporate advisory firm based in Western Australia. Chris has over twenty years of experience in mergers and acquisitions with Macquarie Capital in London and UBS in Sydney. As a member of the Australian Treasury senior executive, Chris established and led Treasury’s Western Australian office,
which advises the Australian Government on Western Australian trade and investment and the domestic economy. Chris is an Adjunct Professor at the Business School of the University of Western Australia and is a member of council of Christ Church Grammar School. Chris received his BSc from the University of Western Australia, his MBA with Distinction from INSEAD, and his MPA from Harvard University where he was a fellow at the Mossavar-Rahmani Center for Business and Government.
Karen Jones is a proud Anaiwin woman who was born and raised in Sydney. She has built a life, surrounded by her family on the traditional lands of the Darkinjung people (Central Coast of NSW).
Karen worked for the NSW Department of Education since she commenced teaching in the area of special education in 1982 in south-western Sydney. She has a strong passion and commitment to the importance of public education as the single most powerful vehicle to deliver a socially just Australian society. Karen was awarded the inaugural Central Coast Pathways Award for Leadership in Aboriginal education” in 2004 whilst Principal at Wyoming Public School. Complementing this she was also named the NSW P&C Association’s Primary Principal of the Year, also in 2004. Karen has also been Principal at Terrigal Public School and Director, Educational Leadership for the Maitland, Cessnock and Kurri Kurri area as well as across the Central Coast.
In 2019 Karen was appointed as the Executive Director, Aboriginal Outcomes and Partnerships (previously Aboriginal Education and Communities) for the NSW Department of Education. She embraces working in partnership with the broader Department including our more 2200 public schools, the NSW Aboriginal Education Consultative Group Incorporated (NSWAECG), the NSW Secondary Principals Council, the NSW Primary Principals Association, the NSW Public Service Association and the NSW Teachers Federation., Karen greatly enjoyed working with a broad range of community groups to promote equitable life opportunities for Aboriginal people across NSW through our strong Public Education family.
In 2021 Karen was awarded a Public Service Medal and was named the Central Coast Ambassador for 2022.
At the start of 2024 Karen retired from full time work and is now a volunteer for many groups on the Central Coast including Kuriwa Local AECG and Brooke Avenue Public School’s P&C as well as a Board member for the Clontarf Foundation.
