November was a busy and inspiring month at KARI, with highlights across our programs and partnerships.
Students visited our Sydney Olympic Park offices for an Opportunity Hub Industry Yarn, sixteen young leaders took part in a cultural camp at Nambucca Heads, and CEO Casey Ralph and Regional PSP Manager Andrew Luzzi represented KARI internationally at WIPCE in Aotearoa. We also joined 2GB to advocate for Aboriginal kids in care and finished the month by celebrating our valued corporate partners at the 2025 Corporate Thank You Lunch.
KARI Queensland Corporate Golf Day
Our Queensland Corporate Golf Day, held on Friday 14 November, was a fantastic day of connection, community spirit and friendly competition.
We want to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us on the course. Your support plays a vital role in helping us deliver programs and opportunities that uplift Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, families and communities.
A huge shoutout to our partners, sponsors and players for bringing their energy, generosity and deadly sportsmanship. The day was filled with laughs, great conversations and plenty of memorable moments. We’re incredibly proud to stand alongside organisations who not only back KARI, but also share our commitment to empowering our communities and creating meaningful change
The Greater Western Sydney Opportunity HUB – Industry Yarn
On Wednesday 19 November, on a beautiful sunny day in Sydney Olympic Park, the Greater Western Sydney Opportunity Hub welcomed students from Chifley College Bidwill, Colyton High School, Holy Cross College Ryde, Patrician Brothers Fairfield, Sir Joseph Banks High, and Concord High School to our KARI Offices. Students heard from employers across Construction, IT, Sports, Fitness and Community Services, gaining insight into future career pathways and the different steps involved in entering each industry.
The session encouraged students to ask questions, explore their interests and build confidence in their own potential. It also gave them the chance to connect with professionals eager to share their experience and advice.
Students then toured the NSW Rugby League Centre of Excellence facilities, where they learned about the high-performance environment that supports elite athletes and the many career opportunities behind the scenes. The day finished with a relaxed lunch together — a chance to reflect, chat and enjoy the moment before heading back to school.
The Greater Western Sydney Opportunity Hub is Funded by the NSW Government
2GB Visit – Advocating for Our Kids
KARI CEO Casey Ralph and PSP Regional Manager Andrew Luzzi sat down with 2GB’s Mark Levy to discuss the challenges facing Aboriginal children in out-of-home care, and the vital work KARI is doing to create better outcomes for families and communities.
Their conversation highlighted the importance of culturally strong support, early intervention and genuine partnerships that keep our kids connected to their identity, culture and community.
Listen to the segment here.
KARI represented at WIPCE 25 – World Indigenous Peoples’ Conference on Education
KARI CEO Casey Ralph and KARI Regional PSP Manager Andrew Luzzi travelled to Aotearoa (New Zealand) to attend the World Indigenous Peoples’ Conference on Education (WIPCE), joining thousands of delegates in celebrating the strength, resilience, and diversity of Indigenous cultures from around the world. Their visit highlighted KARI’s commitment to cultural leadership, knowledge sharing, and maintaining strong relationships with First Nations communities both locally and internationally.
A highlight of the conference was supporting KARI carer and educator Viki Bowen, who was selected to present her important work to an international audience. Andrew and Casey were proud to stand alongside Viki as she showcased her experience, passion, and dedication to improving outcomes for Aboriginal children and families. Her contribution not only reflected the professionalism of KARI’s carers and educators but also demonstrated the organisation’s ongoing advocacy for culturally grounded, community-led practice.
KARI’s presence at WIPCE reaffirmed the organisation’s ongoing commitment to the wellbeing of Aboriginal children and young people here at home, as well as to the broader movement for Indigenous rights across the country and the world. By engaging in global conversations, learning from other Indigenous leaders, and sharing their own experience, KARI strengthens its ability to drive positive change. With the next WIPCE scheduled for 2028 in Hawai‘i, Andrew, Casey, and the wider KARI community look forward to continuing this important journey of cultural celebration, partnership, and advocacy on an international stage.
Corporate Volunteering – Thank you for your support!
A heartfelt thank you to our partners at Serco and ING, who generously volunteered their time this month to help pack backpacks for our Transition to Kindergarten and Transition to High School programs.
Your support ensures our children start their school journeys feeling prepared, confident and cared for.
We deeply appreciate your teamwork, energy and willingness to make a meaningful difference. Thank you for standing with KARI and supporting our young people and their families.
2025 Corporate Thank you Event Lunch
On Thursday 27 November, KARI Foundation brought together our corporate partners who have made an outstanding contribution throughout the year. The event was held at the Museum of Contemporary Art, at the Rocks in Sydney, where guests enjoyed a beautiful lunch overlooking Sydney Harbour. The sunshine, the views and the company made it a truly special afternoon.
We were proud to recognise the organisations and individuals who have gone above and beyond in their support of KARI and our communities.
This year’s award recipients were:
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Aboriginal Procurement Champion – HPAC
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Commitment to Aboriginal Advancement – ING
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Commitment to Reconciliation – Inhabit Group
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Commitment to Positive Community Change – Onsite Rental
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Champion of Change – Olivia Kernick
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Fundraiser of the Year – TEXCO
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Partner of the Year – JCDecaux
Project Phoenix Pilot – A New Partnership Creating Real Community Impact
KARI is proud to be part of Project Phoenix, a national partnership between Optus, the Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association (AMTA), DV Safe Phone, PhoneCycle and KARI Foundation. This collaboration brings industry and community organisations together with a shared goal: keeping mobile devices out of landfill and instead, refurbishing those still functional, though possibly in need of repairs, to provide safe and reliable connectivity to those who need it most.
Through Project Phoenix, unused mobile phones are collected, securely processed and refurbished. Once ready, they are paired with a donated Donate Your Data free SIM card and distributed to people experiencing vulnerability, including those impacted by family and domestic violence, financial hardship or digital exclusion. This initiative not only reduces electronic waste but also helps community members stay connected to essential services, support networks and loved ones.
The pilot has had a strong and encouraging start. The first batch of refurbished devices arrived in late November, and the KARI team quickly began preparing for rollout. Community response has already been positive, with SIM activations underway and early feedback highlighting how meaningful this support is for families and individuals. KARI has had recipients shared that opening their refurbished phone and Donate Your Data free SIM card “felt like opening a brand new device” because of the care taken in packaging and presentation.
We look forward to sharing more updates as Project Phoenix continues to grow, delivering practical support and creating lasting impact across our communities.
If your organisation is interested in donating used phones or laptops to support this work, please reach out to nathan.hughes@kari.org.au.
Together, we can give devices a second life and help more people stay connected when it matters most.
Community Programs NSW
November was a vibrant month for Community Programs, with our team out and about supporting schools, delivering cultural experiences, and preparing young people for the year ahead.
We were proud to support the Robert Townsend Public School Multicultural Festival, celebrating the many cultures that make up their school community. Our team also joined Busby Primary School for their Cultural Celebration Day, sharing activities that helped students connect with Aboriginal culture in a fun and meaningful way.
At Rosebank College, we delivered a hands-on spear throwing workshop for all Year 7 students. This interactive session gave students the chance to learn about traditional hunting practices, build confidence and experience culture in a unique and memorable way.
Behind the scenes, our team began packing and delivering Transition to High School and Transition to Kindergarten backpacks, ensuring children have the essentials they need as they move into the next stage of their schooling journey.
We also ran not one but two skate programs with Totem Skateboarding, where kids designed and decorated their own skateboards before learning how to skate safely. These sessions were full of creativity, connection, and excitement, giving young people the chance to express themselves and develop new skills.
Our Community Programs team remains committed to creating experiences that empower, uplift, and connect our young people and their families, and November was a wonderful showcase of that work in action.
Community Programs QLD
Backpack Deliveries
Our Queensland Community Programs team has been hard at work this month, preparing and delivering 300 backpacks to students across 29 schools throughout the Gold Coast, Scenic Rim and Northern NSW regions.
These backpacks support children as they move into the new school year, ensuring they have essential supplies and feel confident and ready for the journey ahead. We are proud to stand alongside schools, families and communities to help set our young people up for success.
Mob Making a Splash
This month we proudly wrapped up our third Mob Making a Splash intake for the year, with participants gaining confidence, skills and access to new opportunities. We’re now looking forward to welcoming our fourth intake, beginning on 20 January.
As part of this intake, we were joined by a guest speaker from Belgravia Leisure, who shared information about the wide range of roles available across their organisation and offered guidance and support for anyone interested in pursuing work in the sector. We also welcomed a representative from Centrelink, who spoke to the group about Services Australia and helped answer questions about payments, employment pathways and available supports.
Each intake continues to grow in strength, connection and impact, and we’re excited to see our next group dive in early next year.
Student Awards
We celebrated the achievements of outstanding Aboriginal students at both the Dharawal Aboriginal Student Awards and the Mil-Pra Awards. These ceremonies honour young people who show dedication, resilience, cultural strength and leadership within their schools and communities.
The Dharawal Aboriginal Student Awards, held at Oran Park High School, shone a spotlight on exceptional students from across the region.
KARI was honoured to present the KARI Allrounder Awards to:
Braxton Cohen, Eva Mitchell, Hunter Maharaj, Kalarah Chalker, Ocean Harley, William Pogmore, Zaharah Prentice, Jamie Thorson, Mia Sumerta, Monique Galla-Laine, Ruby Prasad, Sienna Caruana and Sophia Samuels-Harkness.
A special congratulations also goes to Destiny Roberts, winner of the Dharawal Art Prize, whose creativity and cultural expression impressed the judges.
The celebrations continued at the Mil-Pra awards, held at Miller Technology High School. KARI proudly recognised the following KARI Allrounder Award recipients:
Ameliya Braddick, Arthur Ungaro, Ayva Wallace, Charlie Smith, Lailarni McGrady Jackson, Malachi Dogolau, Marley Weatherall, Daniel O’Sullivan, Kyah Towle, Latiquia Navosa, Piper Goyen, Shelly Faith De Gabriel and Yahlaera Smith-Fernando.
Congratulations also to Makaela Prendergast, winner of the Mil-Pra Art Prize, whose artwork showcased outstanding talent and cultural pride.
KARI congratulates all students recognised across both award ceremonies. Your achievements reflect strength, dedication and a bright future ahead, and we are proud to celebrate your success.
KARI Christmas Raffle ends 12 December!
Running until 12 December, this exciting raffle gives supporters the chance to win incredible prizes while helping KARI continue to deliver programs that empower Aboriginal children, families, and communities.
Every ticket purchased directly supports our ongoing community initiatives, making a real difference where it matters most.
Buy your tickets now for your chance to win some fantastic prizes and join us in celebrating the season of giving while supporting a great cause.
Together, let’s make this Christmas brighter for our communities.
Purchase raffle tickets here
Whether you joined us at an event, supported a program, or simply took a moment to connect with our stories, your presence matters. Each step we take is made stronger by community. We look forward to sharing more in the months to come as we continue to celebrate culture, empower Aboriginal families and young people, and create lasting impact.
Want to support KARI? Your generosity makes a real difference, every dollar you donate helps build brighter futures for Aboriginal children, young people, and their families. Click here to donate
