The Aboriginal Community Connector is a NSW CAPO-led initiative that connects Aboriginal students with supports in their community.

The initiative started in 2021 in Orange and Tamworth, then extended to Bega in 2022, and is aimed at supporting and increasing the number of young Aboriginal people reaching their learning potential by connecting them to their culture and Country, and by helping them access supports in their communities.

The success of the initiative saw it expanded to four more locations in 2023: Armidale, Dubbo, Lightning Ridge, and Wilcannia. The Aboriginal-identified roles sit outside the school gate within an Aboriginal community-controlled organisation and partner with secondary schools and other human services agencies to support students.

Meet the Community Connectors:


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Shelly Bayliss

Dubbo LALC

Schools:
  • Narromine High School
  • Trangie Central School
  • Dubbo College Delroy Campus
  • Dubbo College Senior Campus
  • Dubbo College South Campus
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    Joshua Sutherland

    Orange LALC

    Schools:

    • Orange High School
    • Canobolas Rural High School
    • Molong High School
    Community Connectors

    Angie Newman

    Lightning Ridge LALC

    School:
    • Lightning Ridge Central School
    Community Connectors

    Casey Howard

    Tamworth LALC

    Schools:
  • Oxley High School
  • Peel High School
  • Tamworth High School
  • Farrer Memorial High School
  • Community Connectors

    Pamela Widders

    Armajun Armidale Aboriginal Health Service

    Schools:
  • Armidale Secondary College
  • Uralla Central School
  • Walcha Central School
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    Robbie Townsend

    Bega LALC

    Schools:
  • Bega High School
  • Narooma High School
  • Eden Marine High School
  • Watch the video:


    NSW CAPO is leading the Aboriginal Community Connectors initiative that links Aboriginal students and families with supports in their community to help them attain their HSC and maintain cultural identity. It is part of the Premier’s Priority on Aboriginal Education and Culture, which aims to increase the proportion of Aboriginal students attaining their HSC by 50 % by 2023, while maintaining their cultural identity.

    The initiative is being piloted in two sites, Tamworth and Orange and is being delivered by the Tamworth Local Aboriginal Land Council and the Orange Local Aboriginal Land Council.

    Click here to learn more about the Aboriginal Community Connector initiative.