Creating brighter futures with the Clontarf and Stars Foundations

Landbridge is committed to supporting a vibrant and prosperous future for northern Australia. For the past three years, it has supported the Clontarf and Stars Foundations which help young indigenous people in the Northern Territory reach their potential through education and training.

Landbridge provides a combination of financial and in-kind support. Through port tours, presentations, employer preparation sessions, mock interviews, sponsoring students to go on the Young Endeavour voyage, and other activities, Landbridge has provided inspiration and opportunities for these young people to build a brighter future.

Former Clontarf student, Rodney Nagawalli, is a second-year apprentice boilermaker at Landbridge.  Rodney says he’s really enjoyed working as an apprentice metal fabricator because he learns something new every day.

“I’m learning so much about how to repair and construct a variety of metal and alloy structures.  I enjoy the whole process from designing, planning and fabricating and then seeing the result of my work.  This job is giving me good skills and I’m proud of where I’ve come and what I’ve achieved.”

“I hope to be able to use my trade to build a house for my young family one day.”

Former Stars student, Taleisha, who now studies Social Sciences at Charles Sturt University, explains the impacts Stars had on her life. nation.

“I joined Stars in Year 12 and it’s hard to explain the sense of relief that I had. My Stars mentors understood the issues in my life and I felt like I could talk to them. I was the first person in my family to complete Year 12 and I can see around me that the hands-on support Stars provides is helping more and more local Aboriginal girls finish Year 12.”

Rodney and Taleisha are not alone with their success stories. In the past five years, Clontarf report an average 85% of its year 12 leavers in the Northern Territory remaining engaged in employment or in further training or study, 12 months after leaving school. Stars also report an average of 90% of its graduates remaining in employment or further study.

Both Clontarf and Stars each run seventeen academies across the Northern Territory. Landbridge’s support since 2016 has helped Clontarf support more than 8,000 young Aboriginal and Torres Strait men unlock their full potential each year. 

Landbridge MD Mike Hughes says that he is proud to have forged such a strong and fruitful partnership with the Clontarf and Stars Foundations.

“Representatives of the company are privileged to be regularly involved in the Clontarf and Stars Foundations’ activities and engaging with these young people from across the Northern Territory. Recently, the Darwin Port’s participation in mock interview sessions and employment forums provided direct interaction and mentoring one-to-one, which is greatly beneficial for these students to acquire skills when transitioning into the workforce.  Exposing these students to the Port environment, particularly aboard a vessel, provides an opportunity for them to gain a greater understanding of the maritime industry and the range of employment paths available.”

“The students confidently share their stories and aspirations of finishing school, finding a job and their place within the community to build a bright future.  We are so pleased to be a part of that.”

Landbridge will continue to support the important work of both the Clontarf and Stars Foundations.