10 July 2025
A partnership with the Clontarf Foundation embodies Navy’s commitment to NAIDOC Week’s 2025 theme, ‘The next generation: Strength, vision and legacy’.
The Clontarf Foundation – a not-for-profit that exists to Close the Gap in education, employment and wellbeing outcomes for young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men – opened its first academy for 25 boys in Perth in 2000.
Since then, the foundation has grown to 162 academies across Australia, supporting more than 12,000 students to attend school regularly, complete Year 12 and transition into meaningful employment or further education.
In 2023, Navy entered into a partnership to formalise Clontarf’s long-running relationship with the broader ADF to increase engagement between academy members and Navy personnel.
Since then, Navy has had interactions with more than 7500 young men at more than 190 events, including employment forums, training sessions and base visits.
Navy Indigenous Adviser Commander Mick Henry said the partnership embodied this year’s NAIDOC theme.
“Supporting the next generation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders directly contributes to the Defence Reconciliation Action Plan and keeps us on the path towards Closing the Gap,” Commander Henry said.
“It’s fantastic to see that we’re on track to smash our 2024 interaction levels with the foundation.”
The partnership between Navy and the Clontarf Foundation helps to keep the academies flourishing and ensures the participants have access to opportunities they may not have otherwise considered.
'There’s a genuine sense of excitement when the boys visit Navy vessels and facilities.'
Clontarf Foundation CEO and founder Gerard Neesham said the visits to Navy facilities were particularly engaging.
“There’s a genuine sense of excitement when the boys visit Navy vessels and facilities,” Mr Neesham said.
“They gain a clear understanding of the structured professional development, training and progression opportunities available to them if they pursue a career in the Navy.”
These experiences often leave a strong impression on the participants, and can even inspire a career path.
Able Seaman Connor Rose is a former participant of the Clontarf Foundation’s academies and understands the benefits of the foundation first-hand.
“The impact of Clontarf’s academies cannot be understated,” Able Seaman Rose said.
“They were right behind me when things were tough and helped give me the confidence to pursue a career with Navy.”
Navy’s three-year partnership is managed locally through the Regional Indigenous Development Coordinators (RIDC) located at HMA Ships Cairns, Coonawarra, Stirling, Cerberus, Albatross and Kuttabul.
ADF members interested in supporting activities in this space or attending a local Clontarf Foundation event should reach out directly to their local RIDC.
