Celebrating Our Community Partner Clontarf Foundation This National Reconciliation Week
This National Reconciliation Week, we’d like to share the great work of one of our partners, Clontarf Foundation, which works year-round to assist young Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander men to achieve success in their futures.
Improving the education, discipline, life skills, self-esteem and employment prospects of young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men
Clontarf Foundation equips Aboriginal and Torres Strait young men to participate meaningfully in society through improving their education, discipline, life skills, self-esteem and employment prospects. Using supportive relationships, a welcoming environment and a diverse range of activities, they help young indigenous men to attend school, finish year 12 and enter employment. They see education and completing high school as the foundation for successfully closing the gap and reducing indigenous disadvantage.
Clontarf Foundation began in 2000 at the Clontarf Aboriginal College in Waterford, Western Australia. The first academy catered for 25 students with two staff members. Since then, the programme has expanded to 131 academies across 6 states and territories, supporting more than 10,000 participants with the help of over 500 dedicated staff members.
More than 4,782 young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men have completed Year 12 and found employment with the support of Clontarf. Many have gone on to achieve great things, have successful careers and maintain healthy, fulfilling lives.
And they remain an important part of the Clontarf family. They provide support, guidance and inspiration to the current boys participating in the programme as leaders in their local communities.
Clontarf alumnus Dominic ‘Dom’ Goodwin-Hauck was recently presented the 2021 Tom Harvey Award for Citizenship from the Australia Youth Trust. The award recognises Dom’s efforts volunteering with local community organisations, including the Gunnedah Shire Library, GoCo Gunnedah, the Rotary Club of Gunnedah and the local Salvation Army branch. Dom said it was a great honour to receive the award.
“It makes me happy to help others but also just being able to make someone’s life a bit better at the same time is the best part about it really,” Dom said.
Dom’s currently studying a Bachelor of Music degree at the University of New England in Armidale. He recently started work as a Student Learning and Support Officer at Gunnedah High School where he assists Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children with their studies and post-school pathways.
Providing an opportunity for more
Bank of Queensland are a national partner of Clontarf Foundation. Our support aims to increase the number of young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men who have access to the Clontarf program.
National Reconciliation Week is 27 May - 3 June 2021. For more information about how Clontarf Foundation is providing young Indigenous men the opportunity to succeed, visit their website.
