THE Moree Secondary College Clontarf Academy banner soared proudly in Macquarie Street, Sydney, earlier this month when Year 11 student Maverick Noakes was recognised in state parliament for his outstanding contribution to the Moree community.

Maverick received the prestigious Tom Harvey Award for Citizenship under the Australian Youth Trust during a parliament house visit that included an evening with NSW Governor Margaret Beazley for himself and parents, Michael and Karren.

Maverick was last year nominated for the award by former Moree Clontarf Academy director, Michael Watton, who has since transferred to Tamworth in the same role.

“I was deeply honoured to have the award presented to me by the Australia Youth Trust and the Governor of New South Wales,” Maverick said.

“I took the opportunity to talk about two important aspects in my life as part of my acceptance speech – Moree Secondary College and the Moree Clontarf Academy.

“Both have played significant roles in shaping who I am today,” he said.

The Tom Harvey Citizenship Award acknowledges the passion and active contribution Maverick has made to student-voice and leadership at Moree Secondary College.

“The award also acknowledges the support and encouragement I have received from my family, teachers, peers, and the Clontarf Academy,” Maverick said.

“I am grateful for the opportunities I’ve been given and I’m committed to making a positive impact within my community and beyond.”

As a proud student and representative of Moree Secondary College, Maverick is honoured to be part of positive news about Moree youth.

“Especially with recent, negative stories coming out of Moree, and the poor reputation the youth of Moree have been dealt,” Maverick said.

Life-changing academy

Under the guidance of director Alex Barker, the Clontarf Academy at Moree Secondary College is changing lives for many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.

Mr Barker said Maverick’s award and speech at parliament house is testament to the academy’s success.

“Maverick’s commitment to his community and school is second to none,” Mr Barker said.

“As a dedicated member of the Moree academy, Maverick exemplifies the core values of the Clontarf Foundation.

“He demonstrates leadership, teamwork, and a strong sense of responsibility. His unwavering efforts to support those around him highlight his remarkable character and the positive impact he continues to make,” Mr Barker said.

The Tom Harvey Award for Citizenship acknowledges young individuals who go above and beyond in serving their communities.

“Maverick’s recognition is a testament to his hard work, integrity and passion for making a difference,” Mr Barker said.

“His achievements serve as an inspiration to his peers and the broader community.”

Dad’s advice

Maverick spoke fervently about his school and the Clontarf Foundation.

“At Moree Secondary College, I have been passionate about student voice and leadership,” he said.

Maverick’s passion has driven him to take on various roles, including serving on the Student Representative Council, Junior Aboriginal Education Consultative Group, and the Sustainability Council at Moree Secondary College.

He has also represented the school at state level as a member of student voice council, the DOVES Council, in 2023.

“My father’s advice was to take every opportunity available to me, and this has certainly led me to having a rather long resume,” Maverick smiled.

“The Clontarf Academy has been notable in my journey. The Academy focuses on improving the education, discipline, life skills, self-esteem, and employment prospects of young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men.

“Through the academy, I have gained great experiences, made friendships, and developed a strong sense of community and responsibility.

“When I first started high school in Year 7, the Clontarf Academy was a big support for me during my junior years, a place I could go to . . . not just for a feed and a chat, but to also feel connected,” Maverick said.

Obvious candidate

Former Moree Clontarf Academy director, Michael Watton, nominated Maverick for the Tom Harvey Award.

“Maverick is an extraordinary young person and was an obvious candidate,” Mr Watton said.

“He shows leadership qualities beyond his years, and is a shining light in his community.”

Member for Northern Tablelands, Brendan Moylan, congratulated Maverick for receiving the prestigious award.

“The award is named after the late, inaugural Chairman of the Australia Youth Trust, Tom Harvey, and recognises the outstanding contribution of a young Australian citizen between the age of 15 and 30 years,” Mr Moylan said.

“The award is well-deserved, as Maverick has certainly made a wonderful contribution to his local community.

“Clontarf Moree also deserves a special mention. The academy has greatly contributed to Maverick’s success and Clontarf mentors do an amazing job.

“They are achieving some great results with their boys at Moree Secondary College,” Mr Moylan said.

Boys have a clear mission

The Clontarf Foundation is funded through private, state, and federal sectors.

What started 25 years ago with CEO Gerard Neesham in Clontarf, Western Australia with just 25 boys, has now grown to 160 academies across Australia, supporting more than 12,500 young men.

At Clontarf in Moree, director Alex Barker said the group’s mission is clear: to improve the education, discipline, self-esteem, life skills, and employment prospects of young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men.

“By doing so, we help them engage more meaningfully in society,” Mr Barker said.

“Our program starts in Year 7, but participation is entirely voluntary, with Aboriginal male students choosing to join.”

Mr Barker said the program is built around three key components: morning training, camps and afternoon activities.

“We run morning training sessions at either the PCYC or the oval, focusing on fun PE games the boys enjoy,” he said.

“We also do the pool, Chalky’s gym, tennis and going for walks.”
Morning training starts at 6am and goes through until 8am.

“Afterward, the boys enjoy a bacon and egg breakfast before heading to school,” Mr Barker said.

“This routine helps establish structure, discipline and a healthy start to the day, ensuring the boys arrive at school well-fed and ready to learn.”

Afternoon activities are undertaken three days a week and includes stacking shelves, packing boxes and other tasks at Woolworths on Mondays.

“This gives the boys valuable exposure to a real workplace environment,” Mr Barker said.

Activities vary on Wednesday afternoons and include ping pong, handball, touch football, basketball, soccer, swimming at Moree Ski Park or gym sessions.

On Fridays there is “Good Bunch Lunch” for boys with 100 per cent attendance for the week.

“Clontarf staff cook healthy meals like chicken curry or spaghetti Bolognese, reinforcing the importance of nutritious food choices,” Mr Barker said.

More than just camping trips

Clontarf Moree boys also travel for camping excursions, which are more than “just a trip”, Mr Barker said.

“Camps are structured to reinforce routine and responsibility – good meals, proper bedtime, and personal hygiene like showering and brushing teeth,” Mr Barker said.

“Camps include rewarding top attendees with fun trips to places like Coffs Harbour or Tamworth. Sometimes we could do a rough diamond camp for boys who have been struggling at school or have behavioural problems.

“We go camping for a night so we can engage with them and sit down and have a good chat,” he said.

Other meaningful activities include worksite visits, volunteering or meeting program partners, like key partner Woolworths, which contributes $1.5 million annually to the national foundation.

“Everything we do at Clontarf is designed to set these young men up for success, through structure, discipline, and real-world experiences,” Mr Barker said.

Story: Bill Poulos

Images: Supplied