During the Bourke Clontarf Academy's End of Year Awards at the Bourke High School on Wednesday 9 November 2022, Bourke Clontarf students were told to work hard, attend school and not get reported by school staff so they will graduate with a future.

Inspector Paul Quigg, representing the NSW Police instructed other academy students to have a good hard look at this year’s graduates.

“If students followed the examples of the graduates they will improve their education, discipline, self-esteem, life skills and employment prospects and by doing so, equip themselves to participate more meaningfully in society.”

Bourke Clontarf Director, Liam Broderick said that Clontarf was established in Bourke in 2012 and aims to get kids to school, through school and on to employment when ready to leave.

“At present we have forty-one kids enrolled in the program at Bourke and fifty enrolled for 2023," he said.

"Across Australia we have 10,000 boys enrolled in 139 Clontarf Academies within 149 schools across Australia, including the Western Plains academies at Brewarrina, Coonamble, Narromine, Wellington and Dubbo."

“Our proudest moments are when we see our students graduate with employment and a future. Of course it’s not all roses," Mr Broderick said.

"The boys have to work hard and overcome huge hurdles to in order to graduate. This is what makes it all worthwhile."

“We ensure that no one leaves school without a job. We have a retention rate of approximately 90% in Bourke and across Australia," he said.

Academy Member of the Year Trae Wilson

"Bourke High School is a great school with very positive staff. Teachers are always willing to have a crack," Mr Broderick said.

"This year’s graduates gained employment with National Parks, Darling Farms Cotton, Police Citizens Youth Club and another heading to university."

Habits for life

Throughout the school year the boys’ week is designed to add discipline and responsibility with a timetable that builds positive habits. 

On Tuesdays and Thursdays they are picked up at 6.15am by the Clontarf bus, go straight to footy training followed by a big breakfast, and then off to class. Monday, Wednesday and Friday they catch the regular school bus and go to class.

Samuel Simmons, a Clontarf Operations Officer said that during Years 10, 11 and 12 the students prepare a comprehensive portfolio to set themselves up for employment at the completion of school.

The portfolio contains all the information required by government and other agencies from a Medicare Card, Birth Certificate and detailed school reports to a vehicle licence.

Operations Officer, Patrick Edwards said Clontarf is an incentive based program and when the boys come to school, complete their work and behave themselves there are rewards.

“We have very strict rules, a few old ways of doing things, boys are expected to take their hats off when inside, no swearing and do their own dishes. Break the rules and its ten push ups on the spot,” he said.

"We run local overnight camps where we discuss issues like health, finance and employment. We have rugby league competitions, both locally and nationwide. This year we took the boys to the Ross Kelly Cup as well as a State of Origin match,” Mr Edwards said. 

Bourke Public School and Clontarf students attending Remembrance Day Service at Bourke.

Mr Broderick says the young men attend a lot of community events including ANZAC Day and NAIDOC Week, assist at Clean up Australia Days and are often helping out cooking barbecues in the park and markets.

“At the recent Remembrance Day Service in Bourke the Clontarf Boys, along with other Bourke Public School students were at the forefront of proceedings. You could see the pride on their faces as they held the flags, laid wreaths and recited the poem, "We Shall Keep the Faith,” Mr Broderick said.

“These young men are demonstrating what a positive force young Indigenous men can be in a small town where all hands are needed to make Bourke a great place to live,” he said.

Outstanding Achievements

The following awards were presented:

90% Attendance 2022 Award

• Logan Lollback
• Robbie Hull
• Hayden Reid
• Benson Barker
• Lantz Brown
• Trae Wilson
• Adrien Gersbach
• Clancy Lawrence
• Jarryn Moore
• Neil Johnson
• Kruz Ryan
• Kobie Lollback
• Jaimyn Moore

Top Trainers Awards - Bension BarkerGeorge Knight-OrcherJarryn Moore, Riley Parnaby, Jaimyn Moore

Principals Award - Kruz Ryan

Academic Award - Kobie Lollback

Clontarf Spirit Award - Kaleb Lollback

Improvement Award - Lantz and Lachlan Brown

Academy Member of the Year - Trae Wilson