Current and former Dubbo Clontarf staff, alumni and special guests came together in late October to celebrate a major milestone – 10 years of Clontarf in Dubbo.
Held at the Dubbo Macquarie Club, the evening was a chance to reflect on how far the program has come since its beginnings. The Dubbo South and Delroy Campus Academies were first established in 2014, followed by the Dubbo Senior Campus Academy in 2015. What began as a small program has now grown to support more than 300 boys across three campuses – the largest concentration of Clontarf academy members anywhere in New South Wales.
Alumni spanning 2015 to 2024 joined staff past and present to share stories, honour achievements and reconnect with the people who helped shape their time in the program – and their lives beyond school.
One of the night’s highlights was the return of NSW Zone Manager Ryan Woolfe, who was one of the first Dubbo Academy Directors before moving into the Central West NSW Regional Manager role.
“Ten years ago, it wasn’t normal for Aboriginal boys to complete Year 12 in Dubbo,” Ryan said. “Now we have groups of 25–30 boys each year achieving this milestone.”
Ryan reconnected with several of the boys he first worked with, including Zaiden Britt, who is now a staff member at the Dubbo Senior Campus.
Zaiden shared fond memories from his time as a Clontarf student and spoke about the pride he now feels supporting the next generation of boys through his work with the Foundation.
Central West Employment Officer Bruce Wilson, who grew up in Dubbo, said the program’s influence can be seen across the community. He said:
“As an Aboriginal man from Dubbo, I can say that Clontarf has changed many lives of our boys and families. To see all the different jobs the boys are moving into each year after completing school is amazing.”
Fellow Employment Officer Ged Winterton encouraged alumni to stay engaged with the Clontarf network, particularly through the Clontarf App.
“It’s great to see some of you on there already,” he said. “Let’s continue to stay connected to share and celebrate your successes along the way.”
Central West NSW Regional Manager Max Harvey reflected on the strong sense of belonging Clontarf continues to create.
“You might remember your Year 7 Induction Camp when the Clontarf staff told you that you’d now entered the Clontarf family and were building a network of friends and supporters who would walk beside you through school and beyond,” he said. “Seeing you back here now, still connected and enjoying each other’s company, shows the true power of the Clontarf program.”
The celebration also welcomed several VIP guests, including Anthony Fuller from Aboriginal Affairs NSW and former Dubbo College Clontarf staff members Keith Harvey, Ted Bates and Lionel Wood, who all played important roles in the program’s early years.
The evening was filled with laughter, memories and pride — a fitting tribute to ten years of hard work, growth and shared success. As Clontarf looks ahead to the next decade in Dubbo, its influence continues to expand, driven by the same values and strong community spirit that have shaped it from the start.
