More than 150 people gathered in Darwin recently for the Clontarf Foundation’s Top End Employment Forum, bringing together academy members, partners, alumni and community leaders for what is the largest employment forum held in the Territory.
Over 50 academy members from eight academies across the Northern Territory took part in the forum, representing Taminmin, Casuarina, Driver, Haileybury, Katherine, Jabiru, Yirrkala and Nhulunbuy academies.
The forum focused on practical conversations about life after school, giving academy members the chance to connect directly with employers and learn more about potential career pathways.
The event was delivered in a networking format built around the boys’ Passport to Success. Academy members moved between stalls and spoke with representatives from partner organisations, asking meaningful questions about industries, roles and career journeys. Each completed conversation earned a gold star in their passport, with completed passports going into the draw for a prize generously donated by Federal Member for Solomon Luke Gosling MP.
In total, 27 partner organisations hosted 34 stalls, providing academy members with a wide range of insights into employment opportunities.
A highlight of the day was a keynote address from Clontarf alumnus Terrance Talbot, now a Ranger Trainee with the Larrakia Nation. Terrance shared his journey since leaving school and spoke about the importance of taking opportunities when they arise, delivering a message that strongly resonated with the academy members in attendance.
Several Clontarf alumni and graduates also attended the forum in their professional roles with partner organisations, giving academy members the chance to hear directly from those who have taken similar pathways in recent years. Around a dozen alumni and graduates were present on the day, reflecting the growing number of former academy members now working across industries in the Northern Territory.
Casuarina Academy Year 12 academy member Lachlan Petri said the opportunity to speak with employers and alumni made the event particularly valuable.
“It’s an awesome opportunity for all the Clontarf students here,” Lachlan said.
“The alumni here are very powerful people who can help us in the future. It’s awesome that they’ve come down here to help us in our Year 12 endeavours. It’s going to be a great experience for all us.”
The forum also received strong support from government and community leaders. Federal Member for Solomon Luke Gosling MP attended the event, alongside Northern Territory Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Steve Edgington and Member for Arnhem Selina Uibo MLA. Department of Education Executive Director Aderyn Chatterton was also in attendance, with Minister Edgington addressing the crowd during the forum.
Selina Uibo MLA said it was encouraging to see academy members exploring future opportunities.
“It’s really fantastic to see so many young men out and about, looking at different career options,” she said.
“Clontarf Foundation do a fantastic job supporting our young Aboriginal men in school and education.
Media outlet First Nations TV also attended the forum to capture the event and speak with academy members, alumni and partner organisations about the opportunities created through the day. Coverage from the event can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/ccyr0vZsbFk
The forum comes at an important time for the Northern Territory, which this year has the largest cohort of Clontarf Year 12 academy members in its history, with over 100 young men completing their final year of school.
The Clontarf Foundation thanks the 27 partner organisations who hosted stalls on the day, as well as the Territory and Federal parliamentarians and community supporters who attended and contributed to the forum. Their continued support helps create valuable opportunities for academy members as they prepare for life beyond school.
