the QUARTERLY September 2017 | 1www.clontarf.org.au

September 2017clontarffoundationclontarfclontarffoundation

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Local Jobs: Making the most of local opportunities

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Message from the CEOWelcome to the third Clontarf Quarterly for 2017. Term 3 is always a big month at Clontarf as we continue to guide our Year 12s in their final stages of school.

To help our boys in this endeavour, we held Employment Forums around the country during the Term. These provided our boys with the opportunity to interface directly with potential employers as well as showcase their public speaking and relationship-building skills. I’d like to thank our partners and supporters who attended and provided our boys with very valuable experience and knowledge.

Following on from the resounding success of our Cairns Academies which commenced in February, I’m proud to announce that we will be expanding our QLD operations into Townsville. Four inaugural Academies will open in October and will support 500 young men, taking the total number of Clontarf participants past 6,000. This represents another huge step towards the 8,000 boys we aim to have in the programme by the end of 2018.

On a bittersweet note, this month we say farewell to our Chief Financial Officer of six years, Stephanie Syme. Stephanie took on the role of CFO (our first) in 2011 when we had 2,200 boys across Western Australia, the Northern Territory and Victoria.

Over the ensuing six years, we have virtually tripled the number of boys as well as commenced operations in New South

Wales and Queensland. The amount of improvement and professionalism that Stephanie has brought to our organisation is hard to express in words. On behalf of everyone at Clontarf, I’d like to thank Stephanie for her support and dedication to the Foundation and wish her well on the next chapter of her journey.

On that note, we’re excited to announce that her replacement will come from within our own ranks with Jane Conder stepping into the void. Jane has been with Clontarf since April and came to us with an extensive background in Financial Management. Our team conducted a rigorous recruitment process in September and all agreed that Jane is a great fit for the role. We welcome her to the management team and look forward to working with her as we continue to grow.

That’s all from me. Thank you again for your support and enjoy the fantastic stories from our Academies in the rest of this publication.

Gerard NeeshamClontarf Foundation CEO

the QUARTERLYFEATURELocal Opportunities 4-5

HIGHLIGHTS Employment Forums Working a Treat 3NSW Clontarf Experience 3Work Before Play For Joseph 6Warrnambool Warming 6Road Trip For the Ages 7Staff Profile - Luke Woolfe 7Ross Kelly Cup 2017 8Cricket Australia Recommits 8Our Supporters 8

clontarffoundation

About us

September 2017

The Clontarf Foundation exists to improve the education, discipline, self-esteem, life skills and employment prospects of young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men and by doing so, equips them to participate more meaningfully in society.

Using the passion that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander boys have for football allows the Foundation to attract the boys to school. But it is not a sporting programme.

Each Clontarf Academy, formed in partnership with the local school, is focused on encouraging behavioural change, developing positive attitudes, assisting students to complete school and secure employment.

Fundamental to this, is the development of values, skills and abilities that will help the boys to achieve better life outcomes.

Through a diverse mix of activities, the full-time, local Clontarf staff mentor and counsel students while the school caters for the educational needs of each student.

Gerard with Senator the Hon. Nigel Scullion and Rio Tinto managing director Joanne Farrell at Clontarf Academy (WA).

Gerard celebrates a catch with one of our boys from NSW during a trip hosted by Federal Treasurer the Hon. Scott Morrison.

the QUARTERLY September 2017 | 3www.clontarf.org.au

More than 100 students were joined by representatives from Clontarf partners for the Perth Employment Forum in August.

Clontarf Employment Forums Working a Treat From Esperance to Perth, Broome to Darwin, Cairns to Toowoomba, Tamworth to Sydney, and Melbourne to Robinvale - senior Clontarf students from across the country are taking part in the annual Clontarf Employment Forums.

A total of 26 Forums will be held in 2017 – yet another record set! Attending them will be many of the 550 Year 12s set to complete school this year as well as younger senior students looking to build their employment profiles.

Joining them is a host of Clontarf partners and local employers who are keen to see what our senior boys are made of.

Clontarf General Manager of Employment, Marcus Harrold said the Forums are a perfect way to demonstrate to potential employers the quality of the young men coming through the programme.

“These Forums provide the boys in our programme direct access to employers who are looking for dedicated, work-ready young men,” he said.

“We’ve designed these events in a way that will help them gain insight into potential employment pathways and grow their confidence by talking to industry professionals about the skills they’ve learnt and the career goals they want to achieve.”

Clontarf would like to thank the representatives from all organisations, particularly our valued partners, for attending and helping our boys to grow into confident, work-ready young men.

Federal Treasurer Hosts Special NSW Clontarf ExperienceTaking a few days out of his busy schedule, Federal Treasurer the Hon. Scott Morrison headed inland to Bourke and Brewarrina to visit our Academies and the vibrant communities living in the region.

The Treasurer was joined by senior representatives from Clontarf partners as well as Clontarf alumni, staff and students as they travelled through the picturesque north-west region of NSW.

The group visited Gundbooka National Park to view rock art, practiced whip cracking, tried their hand at fishing, snuck in a game or two of footy and interacted with local community members.

The Treasurer said he was amazed to see the impact Clontarf mentors were having on the boys’ lives.

“Clontarf is taking a whole generation of young Indigenous boys and turning them into really strong Indigenous men who will be in work and changing the direction of their communities,” the Treasurer said.

“It was a privilege to spend some time with the Brewarrina and Bourke Clontarf boys and see firsthand how the program is helping them.”

Clontarf would like to thank the Treasurer for hosting the trip and our many supporters who joined him on what was a memorable experience.

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DARWIN, NTKormilda Academy (NT) graduate Wayden McHugh didn’t muck around when it

came to getting his life sorted after finishing school in 2015.His first week after graduating Year 12 was spent in Darwin for work experience

with local plumber All Hours Plumbing.His positive attitude and clear desire to learn was soon rewarded with an

apprenticeship.“All Hours Plumbing gave me an opportunity to develop as a person as well as a

tradie,” Wayden said.“I always wanted a trade and I’m now well on the way. They have been a great

support to me.”One of the initial challenges for Wayden was getting to and from work. Given his

early start time each day, public transport was not always an option so he often relied on lifts to get to work on time.

But this is no longer a issue after saving up to purchase his first car. Wayden now has freedom, a sense of self-reliance and is loving life.

DERBY, WASampey Meats is a long-time supporter of the Derby Academy (WA) with three

local Clontarf students having recently worked at the trusty local butcher.Current Year 12 student Kane Lockyer has almost completed his butcher’s

apprenticeship that he began part-time as a Year 9 student.. “I’ve loved the chance to learn a trade while still at school and I’ll be fully

qualified only six months after finishing Year 12,” said Kane.Despite his success, Kane said it wasn’t always easy to stay motivated.“You’ve got to keep trying day in and day out. There are times where you just

have to push yourself.”Joining Kane, Vele Iga and Raymond Edgar were among 11 members of the

largest ever group of Clontarf Year 12 graduates to complete school in Derby, doing so in 2016.

Raymond commenced with Sampey Meats in December last year while Vele started shortly after in January. Raymond continues to work in the store while Vele has recently taken up a new position at the nearby Myroodah Station - an opportunity that presented itself through his work as a butcher with Sampey Meats.

Local Jobs: Making the most of local opportunitiesA key goal for Clontarf is to prepare the boys in our programme for life after school so they have a significant, positive impact on their local communities.This month we take a look at some of the young men who’ve put in the hard yards at school and with Clontarf and are now reaping the rewards of working with businesses close to home.

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TAMWORTH, NSWIn 2012, Luke Byrnes was one of the first Clontarf graduates in NSW. The Oxley

Academy (Tamworth) opened just at the right time for Luke as he was on the verge of following a less positive path.

“Clontarf came along when I was in Year 12 and if it hadn’t, I wouldn’t be here today,” Luke said. “It made all the difference in the end.”

“To be a part of something good in school with my mates and to get that support to help get me through was a game-changer.”

Fast-forward five years, Luke is now an apiarist (bee-keeper) working full-time for a local honey producer that sells to the iconic honey supplier, Capilano Honey.

He also carefully cultivates his own growing stock of hives of a weekend, which is more of a family affair with his two-year-old son, Archie, always keen to be part of the action.

Luke has still found time to notch up three consecutive premierships playing with the North Tamworth Bears in the Group 4 Rugby League competition and aims to make it four in a row this season.

BAIRNSDALE, VICPeter Ritchie from Bairnsdale Academy in Victoria has only one year left of his

butchery apprenticeship and will be fully qualified once he finishes.He was given an opportunity at David Lucke’s Fresh Food Market as an apprentice

butcher in Bairnsdale and hasn’t looked back since.“Working has been great,” Peter said.“I have my own money now and a lot of responsibility which I love. I work with a

great group of people and they have helped me a lot.”Peter is excelling at his job, renting his own house with his young family in

Paynesville and is playing an important role in supporting and encouraging his younger cousins through school.

TOOWOOMBA, QLDGeraint Hudson was keen to hire Clontarf Year 12 graduates for his ever-growing

TTQ farm machinery manufacturing business.He attended the Harristown State High School (Toowoomba) graduation

ceremony in November 2016 and was impressed with the way the young Clontarf men handled themselves on stage and among family, teachers and friends.

Geraint approached the Foundation’s South-West Queensland Employment Officer Marcus Priaulx, which resulted in Nick Isaacs (pictured left) and Isaiah Washington having guaranteed jobs by the end of the night.

Geraint is now working with the school to provide work experience for students to help make them work-ready for when they too graduate.

“Our business is constantly growing so we’re always looking for good staff,” Geraint said.

“The Clontarf Foundation is a resource from which we can get quality people to work for us and we can help in their development as they come through school.

“It’s a partnership that will benefit the school, our business, the lives of these young men and society as a whole.

“I’m very happy to be a part of it.”

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Warrnambool WarmingThroughout Term 3, students from Warrnambool Academy have warmed the hearts and souls of the needy by volunteering to help prepare and serve meals at the local soup kitchen.

Each Monday night from 5pm to 7pm, the Warrnambool Academy boys work with several volunteers to prepare hot meals for more than 40 people.

Mick Riddle, Warrnambool Academy Director, said the opportunity to give back to the local community was a valuable experience for the Academy boys.

“I’ve really noticed the sense of uplift the boys experience as a result of helping others, knowing that they’ve played a small part in making the lives

of these people a little bit better,” Mick said.

“They’ve also been able to develop some really fundamental skills that will help them grow as young men, such as honing their social skills as a result of talking with the volunteers and the community members.

“They’ve also learnt how to prepare and deliver a three-course meal to a large group. It’s shown them that they need to plan, be organised and work effectively as a team.”

Work Before Play for Joseph“There’s a lot of advice I’d like to share, but one simple

piece that’s stuck by me since I was 15 – work before play.”Sage words provided by West Kimberley Academy (Broome, WA)

alumnus and Rio Tinto Health and Safety Graduate Joseph Bin Omar.A former Broome Senior High School Head Boy and Clontarf

Academy captain, Joseph has started to carve a successful career with one of Clontarf’s biggest partners and attributes a lot of his success as a leader to his time in the programme.

“Not only was I able to represent the school as Head Boy, but my position as Clontarf Captain allowed me to draw a lot of pride and strength as a leader of the boys,” he said.

“There were many factors about Clontarf that helped me to be mature and act like a man, like understanding discipline, respect, teamwork, communication and leadership. They would always keep me on track with my workload outside of the Academy, so being organised and helping each other out became natural after years there.”

Having grown up in humble conditions, Joseph acknowledges that while important, money is not his primary motivator to strive for success.

“The best thing about working is talking to other Indigenous youths or members of the Clontarf mob about my journey from Broome to work, and how I’ve overcome a bit.

“To be able to show my seven younger siblings that they can achieve what I have is easily the most rewarding thing. I really want them to do similar and succeed.”

Joseph’s unwavering commitment to hard work paid off recently when he was invited to take part in the once-in-a-lifetime Clontarf Experience in Bourke and Brewarrina, hosted by Federal Treasurer the Hon. Scott Morrison (full article on page 3).

While meeting the Treasurer and senior members of Clontarf’s numerous partners was an amazing experience, Joseph said meeting Clontarf boys and alumni from NSW was the most rewarding part of the trip.

“On the last night, it was great to be able to sit up alongside the other fellas and yarn about our journeys that got us to where we are at now.

“It really made me appreciate the support Clontarf provided with my education back in Broome.”

Joseph Bin Omar is using his experiences at Clontarf and Rio Tinto to inspire young generations of Indigenous men.

Students at Warrnambool Academy are learning vital skills like cooking, all while helping members of the local community.

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Road Trip for the AgesA hard working group of boys from Kingaroy Academy in QLD were rewarded for their efforts at school as they set out on a journey of epic proportions - the ‘Great Australian Road Trip’ spanning over 8,000km through inland Australia.

The trip saw the group travel from Kingaroy to Tennant Creek, Alice Springs to Coober Pedy, Broken Hill to Bourke and finally back to Kingaroy.

It served as both the opportunity of a lifetime and a tremendous personal challenge for staff and students alike. It was the farthest and longest time spent away from family and home for many of the boys and each day presented unique challenges.

It was an interesting social experiment balancing the excitement of visiting incredible locations (Uluru, the Devil’s Marbles and the West Macdonnell Ranges to name a few) and managing the cohesion of the small band of brothers during a taxing travel schedule.

Time and again the boys stepped up and met these challenges head on, demonstrating true Clontarf spirit every step of the way as they prevailed through enthusiasm, teamwork and compassion.

Whenever the group arrived at a Clontarf town, the local Academy would take them in and provide enough creature comforts to make sure they were ready to continue onto the next stage of their journey.

The trip embodied what it means for our boys to be a part of Clontarf. On the road they were self-sufficient, made their own food, set their own camp and when there was a job to do, they did it together.

Staff Profile: Luke WoolfeAs Recruitment Officer in NSW, Luke Woolfe is

undoubtedly one of the busiest members of the Clontarf team.

A Clontarf veteran of more than six years, Luke rotated across numerous Academy roles across Australia before finding a perfect fit in the Development team.

Prior to working at Clontarf, Luke was a teacher in Ballarat, VIC where he thrived working with young male students with complex behavioural needs.

“I found the ‘mainstream’ approach to learning wasn’t for me, so being in an environment that was flexible and adaptive was what attracted me to working with young men with complex needs and ultimately Clontarf,” he said.

“Taking the opportunity to move around and engage in different roles has been invigorating, challenging and rewarding.”

As well as enjoying the variety involved in the work he’s undertaken, Luke said he primarily valued the interaction with Clontarf staff, the boys and the people in their communities.

“I’ve had the chance to work with some amazing people, be involved in some great communities and, most importantly, I’ve been a part of the lives of some really amazing young men.

“Particularly the boys, they’ve had an enormous impact on me and my family.”

When Luke’s not hard at work finding talented Clontarf staff members, he enjoys spending time with his wife and two young daughters.

“Between the girls’ dance lessons I still try to get involved in footy and cricket, but I think my lack of sporting prowess means most of this occurs on the sidelines or on the couch.”

The Kingaroy boys visit the mysterious Karlu Karlu (Devil’s Marbles) - an amazing collection of round, granite boulders south of Tennant Creek in the NT.

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Ross Kelly Cup Reaches New Heights18 teams composed of more than 350 Clontarf boys feverishly battled for the coveted Ross Kelly Cup in August.

Now in its 5th year, the annual Rugby League carnival for Under 15s held at Saint Ignatius College in Riverview, Sydney is the biggest event on the Clontarf football calendar in NSW.

Academy representatives from across the state were chosen for the three-day camp based on their excellent school attendance and commitment to Clontarf values.

As always, the carnival was a smorgasboard of sporting prowess with the boys displaying dazzling skills, supurb sportsmanship and inspiring teamwork.

The Grand Final was a traditional City versus Country clash, with a combined Oxley (Tamworth)

and Quirindi side taking on Endeavour (Caringbah) for the final honours. After a hard-fought battle, it was the combined Country side that came away with the win. Congratulations to the victors!

The carnival wasn’t all about football however. All of the boys took part in extra-curricular activities including worksite visits, sightseeing, shopping and a formal dinner with Clontarf partners, VIPs and respected journalists Stan Grant and Tim Sheridan.

Clontarf would like to thank Saint Ignatius College for the use of their beautiful grounds and facilities, as well as the many volunteers from valued Clontarf partners who supported our boys on the day. Bring on 2018!

The Central Region of the Northern Territory played host to Cricket Australia CEO James Sutherland in August as he announced an extension of the partnership with Clontarf.

Mr Sutherland joined Clontarf Chairman Ross Kelly, staff and students in Alice Springs to make the special announcement.

The partnership, which commenced in 2014, is designed to bring the game of cricket to Indigenous communities around Australia.

“We’ve seen tremendous growth over the past four years in Indigenous cricket participation and the strength of that growth comes from our partnership with the Clontarf Foundation,” Mr Sutherland said.

“Four years ago we had something like 8,500 Indigenous Australians playing cricket. Now it’s over 50,000. We’re very proud of the association

with Clontarf.”Clontarf would like to thank James Sutherland

and Cricket Australia for the ongoing partnership – our boys can’t wait to get out on the pitch this summer!

• Greater Charitable Foundation

• Water Corporation

• Quintis• Fairbridge

Foundation• Gilead Sciences• Mitsubishi

Australia• NSW Minerals

Council• Protech

• Blacktown Workers Club

• John William Mcintyre & Herries Ada Mcintyre Charitable Trust

• Bunbury City Council

• Rules Club Wagga

• Estate Of The Late Ronald Gordon Bergstrom

Workplace Giving & DonationsThere are a significant number of individuals who support the Clontarf Foundation through donations and work place giving programmes. We are very appreciative and thank you for your ongoing support. If you would like to donate directly please follow this link Qantas Frequent Flyer members can redeem their points for a cash donation to the Clontarf Foundation by following this link

Clontarf Foundation Central OfficeMcKay Street, BENTLEY WA 6102Ph (08) 9356 2500Fax (08) 9356 2555info@clontarffoundation.com.auwww.clontarf.org.au

clontarffoundation

Thank you for your support

Clontarf would like to acknowledge the following organisations for their recent commitment to support the Foundation:

Cricket Australia Recommits in the NT