Thales Darwin welcomes Clontarf Academy students from Northern NSW

Thales Australia’s commitment to reconciliation is about building trust, honesty and integrity throughout our organisation and wider community. This commitment includes a focus on inclusivity, employment and career development, which is demonstrated through our partnership with the Clontarf Foundation. Recently, the Thales Explosive Ordnance (EO) team welcomed the Westport and Port Macquarie Clontarf Academy students to our EO depot in Darwin.

The Clontarf Foundation is a not-for-profit organisation whose mission is to improve the education, discipline, life skills, self-esteem and employment prospects of young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men. Thales Australia has been a partner of Clontarf since 2020 to support this mission. Over the course of this partnership, Thales has hosted Clontarf students across a number of sites - including Garden Island (Sydney), Eagle Farm (Brisbane), Myambat (regional NSW), Lithgow (regional NSW) and West Leederville (Perth).

Year 12 students and Clontarf staff members undertook a week-long tour of the Northern Territory, visiting Litchfield National Park, Katherine Gorge and Adelaide River where they saw jumping crocs, and also took the opportunity for to visit Thales's Explosive Ordnance Depot in Darwin.

The EO Depot is located on the RAAF Base at Darwin and has a staff of 14. They manage the direct delivery and collection of stock across the entire Northern Territory and Kimberley region to the Australian Defence Force, as well as inspect and maintain the ordnance for the Defence inventory.

During the visit, the students shared their stories with Thales staff of their journey with Clontarf and how it has enabled them to complete their Higher School Certificate this year. Clontarf staff shared their journeys and how they ended up working for Clontarf and what it means to them to see the students graduate. The Thales EO team also took the opportunity to talk about their own career paths and potential career opportunities for school leavers within Thales Australia. 

It was a great experience and gave Thales staff a real appreciation of what the Clontarf Foundation is all about.

This is the fourth time this year the Darwin Depot has partnered with the Clontarf Foundation and each time we have been thoroughly impressed. The Foundation truly makes a difference in the lives of the young Indigenous men they mentor and prepare for life upon completion of their schooling. I am proud to represent Thales in their partnership with the Clontarf Foundation."

Craig Rochester, Site Manager EO Depot Darwin

One of our priorities at Thales, and captured formally in our Reconciliation Action Plan, is to form authentic relationships of mutual respect with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples within the community. This partnership with Clontarf is demonstrative of the genuine, authentic relationships we’re forming and we’re thrilled to have joined with Clontarf."

James Couche, Executive Sponsor and Vice President Legal & Contracts

About the Clontarf Foundation.

Read more about Thales Australia’s Commitment to Reconciliation.

Interested in a career with Thales? Read more.