Thanks to funding commitment from the Greater Charitable Foundation, the Clontarf Foundation will continue its invaluable work in the region to address long-term disadvantage among indigenous communities.
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A partner of Clontarf Foundation since 2016, Greater Charitable Foundation's latest contribution of $192,500 will support the continued roll out of the in-school re-engagement programs across seven NSW regional areas, including at Dubbo College.
Dubbo College's re-engagement program, brings together the Dubbo South Academy, Delroy Academy and Dubbo Senior Academy.
Clontarf's aim is to improve the education, discipline, life skills and employment prospects of local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander male students.
Dubbo Senior Clontarf Academy director Edward Bates said any support received is greatly appreciated.
"It means that we have more resources to support the Indigenous males with their educational outcomes and promote further pathways to employment," he said.
The Clontarf Academy commenced first at Dubbo South and Delroy in 2014 and launched at the Senior Campus in 2015.
Clontarf employment officer Bruce Wilson, who helps the young males post-school life, said resources are amazing for the Academy.
Mr Wilson focuses on making sure the young males are doing well after school and continuing to look at carer path options.
"Our partners, financially, put so much money in... which gives us the finances to do what we do," he said.
"As much as it's important we focus on education and the end-game (goal) of employment, it's also to have fun and reward them (the kids) for the good things they do and the achievements they achieve."
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The Dubbo Academy is within the central west Clontarf region, which also takes in Wellington, Narromine, Orange, Coonamble and as far as Broken Hill.
Clontarf product Jesse Mills has always wanted to go to University and said the opportunities he's been afforded through the Clontarf program are "like gold".
Jesse, whose career goal is to be a palaeontologist, was part of Clontarf's excursion to various Universities in 2018, which gave students an insight into tertiary education.
Mr Bates and Mr Wilson both helped Jesse apply for winter school and pre-programs, as well as his resume and applications to University.
Blaine Andrews said Clontarf was a great support system that has given him more of an understanding of where he should be headed after high school.
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"Instead of just figuring it out for myself and possibly ending up somewhere I don't want to be," he explained.
"Halfway through last year I was undecided, I thought I wanted to be in radio and communications, but I worked with these boys (Mr Bates and Mr Wilson) and now it's teaching and potentially an Indigenous Liaison.
"Watching the support that these guys give us, I want to help in the same way..."
William Bruce appreciated being a part of Clontarf as it gave him opportunities and a better understanding of what he wanted to do.
"I never really played sport, but it's good to have a go playing footy. It opened my mind to a lot of things I didn't do (before)," he said.
Taylor Jurd
Hi, my name is Taylor Jurd. I am a journalist with Australian Community Media, I write for the Western Magazine and Wellington Times.
Hi, my name is Taylor Jurd. I am a journalist with Australian Community Media, I write for the Western Magazine and Wellington Times.
