The Broome Academy in WA’s Kimberley region has been using restrictions resulting from the pandemic as an opportunity to develop the work-ready documents and skills of academy members. Academy staff are working closely with the boys to develop their resumes, obtain their Learner’s Permits and increase the log books hours for those young men working […]
Broome boys driven to succeed Read More »
Senior education is critical to successful employment and life outcomes post school and the staff at Palmerston 10-12 Academy in the Northern Territory are working hard to ensure all academy members have access to tools and a space to continue their studies. The academy room continues to be staffed by Clontarf mentors and has been
Academy a second home for senior boys Read More »
While schooling commences online via correspondence and the usual academy activities on hold, three of the Chifley College Clontarf academies put an employment carrot in front of the nose of the best in the city’s west. 13 young Clontarf men in Mount Druitt, from Year 9 to 2018 alumni were eager to put their hand
Woolworths jobs a silver lining in Sydney’s west Read More »
A message from Clontarf Foundation Chief Executive Officer, Gerard Neesham As you’re aware, the Covid-19 ‘coronavirus’ is having a significant impact around the country. The purpose of this memo is to update you on the steps being taken by Clontarf to ensure the continued health and well-being of the 9,000 young men in our programme
Clontarf and Covid-19 – a Message from our CEO Read More »
“Originally I just went there to go for a kick of the footy and ended up graduating from school.” The statement by 2002 Clontarf Academy alumni Daniel Reardon elicited cheerful laughter from the 180 audience members at Clontarf central office in Perth this week. The crowd, comprised of Clontarf partners, alumni, students and staff members
Celebrating Clontarf New and Old Read More »
Welcome back to another big year of Clontarf! The school year officially kicked off across most of the country this week and what better way to celebrate than to announce the commencement of three new academies. Located at Ambrose Treacy College in Indooroopilly, Palm Beach-Currumbin State High School in Palm Beach and St Brendan’s College
New Year, New Academies Read More »
When Jayden Barnes started high school at Kingaroy State High School in 2016, he was determined to attend every single class, every single day. Four years later and at the end of Year 10, not only has Jayden never missed a day of school, he has never missed a class. Perfect attendance: Jayden Barnes flanked
Jayden Barnes is ‘Mr 100%’ Read More »
From Geraldton to Esperance, boys from Clontarf academies around WA descended on Rottnest Island to take part in the annual Wadjemup Cup football carnival in early November. More than 100 boys from Carnarvon, Cecil Andrews (Seville Grove), Champion Bay (Geraldton), Clontarf (Waterford), Coodanup (Mandurah), Esperance, Fremantle, Gilmore (Kwinana), Girrawheen, Kalgoorlie, Katanning, Newton Moore (Bunbury), North
Sun Shines During 13th Wadjemup Cup Read More »
“From an early age I was always willing to put my hand up to help people,” said Geraldton Academy (WA) alumnus Tyson McEwan. This desire to aid others was a significant driver behind Tyson’s decision to study law at university and in July this year, he completed a Bachelor of Arts in Law and Society
Tyson Driven by Will to Help Read More »
In this edition, we speak with eight young men who have kicked off their employment journey early by starting part-time work while still studying at school. Also, we celebrate the 8th Ross Kelly Cup rugby league carnival, speak with a Clontarf alumnus who is studying a postgraduate law degree, and hear from boys from Bairnsdale who bumped into the Prime
The September Quarterly is Now Available! Read More »
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Chief Operations Officer
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.
Zone Manager – Victoria & South Australia