Perth-based Clontarf alumni came together in late December for an end-of-year ‘Alumni Dinner and Yarn’ at the Clontarf Zone Office in Bentley. There was a strong turnout on the night, with plenty of familiar faces coming together to reconnect, catch up and share a few laughs. Over dinner, alumni swapped stories from the year that […]
WA Alumni Come Together for End-of-Year Dinner Read More »
Harristown Academy (Toowoomba, QLD) member Anakin Hooke finished 2025 having secured a highly competitive apprenticeship with Clontarf partner Energy Queensland, earning his place among a small number of successful applicants from across the state. Throughout his time at Harristown, Anakin was known for his quiet consistency. He approached school and academy activities with reliability and
Anakin Begins His Apprenticeship Journey Read More »
The Wellington Clontarf Academy marked a significant milestone in 2025, with 13 academy members completing Year 12. Since opening in 2019, when four academy members completed Year 12, Wellington steadily strengthened retention, engagement and expectations. The graduating group of 2025 reflected that sustained effort and the value of long-term, consistent support. Throughout their time at
Wellington Academy Celebrates Record Year 12 Graduates Read More »
Written By Warwick Jones, Orara Academy Director I’d like to share a short success story about one of our young men — Dominic Robertson — who graduated from Year 12 this year through the power of persistence, support and belief. When I first met this young man at the start of 2021, he was in
Dominic’s Graduation a Family First Read More »
When Joshsiah Daniels walked into his first day of Year 12 at Townsville High, he carried a challenge few could see. He held just two Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE) points — a long way from the twenty required to graduate. On paper, completing Year 12 looked almost impossible. Alongside this, Joshsiah was managing life
From Two QCE Points to Graduation: Joshsiah Leads a Record Year in Townsville Read More »
A group of senior Clontarf academy members recently travelled to Kalgoorlie for an intensive, hands-on introduction to the mining and resources sector, taking part in a three-day experience delivered in partnership with Curtin University and the WA School of Mines. The program brought together classroom learning, laboratory demonstrations and real-world site visits, giving the boys
Digging Deeper: Clontarf Members Discover Mining Careers in the Goldfields Read More »
For many young men, finishing Year 12 is a milestone. For Max Bowman Conlon, it is a triumph — a testament to resilience, opportunity and the power of a supportive community. His journey through schooling has been anything but easy, yet it has shaped him into a young leader committed to lifting others. Max’s early
Max Bowman Conlon: A Journey of Courage, Change and Community Impact Read More »
Griffith Clontarf Academy marked a major milestone this year, with seven Year 12 boys completing high school — the largest graduating group in the academy’s history. The year began with challenges familiar to many senior students. Several boys were juggling assessment deadlines, managing their routines and finding the motivation needed to finish strongly. Working in
Griffith Celebrates Largest Ever Graduating Group Read More »
Families, partners and community members came together in Robinvale and Mildura (VIC) to celebrate another year of effort, growth and achievement across both academies. Robinvale Academy Awards Night Robinvale hosted a packed house as academy members from Year 4 to 12 stepped forward with pride to mark the end of their school year. The evening
Celebrating Achievement Across the Mallee Read More »
Tweed River Clontarf Academy is celebrating a standout year of employment success, with more than 40% of academy members now working with local businesses and Clontarf partners. Twenty-eight young men are currently employed, including every Year 12 participant, reflecting the academy’s strong focus on work readiness and long-term planning. Alongside part-time and casual roles, many
Tweed River Academy Celebrates Strong Employment Outcomes Read More »
Mr McLeod is an Indigenous Territorian of both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent, his people are from the Katherine & Victoria River District and Wagedagam clan, Mabuiag Island. Mr McLeod has more than 34 years of experience across government and Commonwealth statutory authorities. He is currently Branch Head, Kakadu National Park at the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water. Before this, Mr McLeod was Deputy Chief Executive Officer at the Northern Land Council where he was responsible for managing regional development for more than a decade.
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 fired power generation, renewables (wind and solar) and electricity transmission across Australia. Mr McCormack is a Director of Origin Energy Limited, Whitehaven Coal Limited and Qube Holdings Limited. He is also Chair of the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra Foundation and a Director of the Origin Energy Foundation. He is also the Patron of the Australian Ice Hockey League. Mr McCormack 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.
Brian is the Chairman of SEC Newgate Australia, having previously served as its founding Managing Partner since its establishment in 2013. He is head of APAC region and Global Deputy Chief Executive Officer of SEC Newgate S.p.A, the parent company of SEC Newgate Australia. He is also a co-founder of SEC Newgate Research.
Brian is regarded as one of Australia’s leading communications practitioners with expertise in strategic crisis and issues management, financial transactions, government relations, media management and community campaigns.
Brian is also a Director of the Committee for Sydney, SEC Newgate S.p.A and the Sydney Swans AFL club. Prior to his career in consulting, Brian was a school teacher, journalist for The Land newspaper and a political and media adviser to the NSW Government.
Mr Stavrianou is Managing Partner of Poynton Stavrianou, an independent corporate advisory firm. He has over twenty years of experience in mergers and acquisitions with Macquarie Capital in London and UBS in Sydney and was previously a member of the Australian Treasury senior executive. Chris is an Adjunct Professor at the Business School of the University of Western Australia, is Chair of Council of Christ Church Grammar School and is a member of the Australian Takeovers Panel.
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.
