Our Leaders – Bandu

Meet
Our Leaders

Helping First Nations young adults thrive after high school & beyond.

About Our Teams

We’re hands-on, and there for those in our care. When you’re young and inhabiting a new world, not knowing what to do or where to find support can be a lonely and confronting experience. That’s why we are with the Bandu participants at every stage of their journey: from high school, to Uni and employment.

Bandu Advocate
Statements

Edward Morgan

Founder, Managing Director

Growing up as a non-Indigenous Sydney boy with first cousins from the Kija and Ngyaranyin Nations of the East Kimberley region, Edward has always had an intense love of First Nations cultures and a deep passion for Reconciliation in Australia. Prior to founding Bandu, Edward spent 10 years working with First Nations students in secondary schools. Seven of these years were spent as the managing coordinator of the Indigenous Program with over 40 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander boys. Edward has long been aware of the national need for students to receive greater support in moving on to life after high school. Bandu’s 5-Phase Post-School Program is an appropriation of the ground-breaking transition support program that Edward implemented in his time as an Indigenous Program Coordinator. Edward’s Post-School support program has already yielded success in seeing graduates excel in various sectors, including; education, law, finance, property, hospitality, trades, and professional sport.

Sarah Stewart

Sarah is Kija and Ngaranyin Woman from Broome in Western Australia. In 2010, Sarah travelled across the country to attend Loreto Normanhurst as a boarder, and became the first Aboriginal woman to graduate from the school in 2012. After finishing high school, Sarah attended Macquarie University to complete a Bachelor of Arts with a Bachelor of Education (Primary) degree, commencing her teaching in Sydney before working in remote Qld and eventually returning home to teach in Broome. Having completed her high school and tertiary education away from home and her support systems, Sarah has a firsthand understanding of how critical Bandu Organisation is for students pursuing higher education and employment away from community. Sarah’s unique experiences on both sides of the education system, coupled with her connection and commitment to her culture and community, make her an asset to Bandu Organisation and we are thrilled to welcome Sarah to our Board.

Anna Debenham

Anna is a business owner, Accredited Practising Dietitian, and co-founder of The Biting Truth. Since founding her business, Anna has remained heavily involved in the development and implementation of educational programs at all levels from pre-school to university and into the corporate sector. Her wealth of experience in running her own business, coupled with her implementation of programs in the education and professional sector, means that Anna has invaluable insight for Bandu participants, our partner schools, and our corporate companions. Anna has a deep love for our natural environment and our First Nations culture, as well as a passion for helping people achieve their personal goals. Anna pursues these passions, making herself constantly available as a guest lecturer at the University of Sydney, is prominent on television and radio, and joined Bandu as a Board Member in 2022.

Aidan Porter

Founder, Non-Executive Director

Aidan is a proud Wiradjuri Man from Dubbo, NSW. After receiving a leadership scholarship and excelling in all areas of life at St Joseph’s College, Hunters Hill, Aidan truly embodied the Bandu objective of flying into life after school. He attended a GAP Year at Westminster College, London, before returning to complete his business degree. Throughout his time at university, Aidan was named an RA of Dunmore Lang College, was awarded an internship at Morgans Stockbroking & Wealth Management, and returned to work as an academic and cultural tutor at St Joseph’s College. It was here he continued to provide excellent role-modelling to the students as well as a living example of the true value and impact of the support that Bandu provides. The value Aidan placed in such support, led to him becoming a Co-Founder and Director at Bandu Organisation.

Growing up as a non-Indigenous Sydney boy with first cousins from the Kija and Ngyaranyin Nations of the East Kimberley region, Edward has always had an intense love of First Nations cultures and a deep passion for Reconciliation in Australia. Prior to founding Bandu, Edward spent 10 years working with First Nations students in secondary schools. Seven of these years were spent as the managing coordinator of the Indigenous Program with over 40 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander boys. Edward has long been aware of the national need for students to receive greater support in moving on to life after high school. Bandu’s 5-Phase Post-School Program is an appropriation of the ground-breaking transition support program that Edward implemented in his time as an Indigenous Program Coordinator. Edward’s Post-School support program has already yielded success in seeing graduates excel in various sectors, including; education, law, finance, property, hospitality, trades, and professional sport.

Sarah is Kija and Ngaranyin Woman from Broome in Western Australia. In 2010, Sarah travelled across the country to attend Loreto Normanhurst as a boarder, and became the first Aboriginal woman to graduate from the school in 2012. After finishing high school, Sarah attended Macquarie University to complete a Bachelor of Arts with a Bachelor of Education (Primary) degree, commencing her teaching in Sydney before working in remote Qld and eventually returning home to teach in Broome. Having completed her high school and tertiary education away from home and her support systems, Sarah has a firsthand understanding of how critical Bandu Organisation is for students pursuing higher education and employment away from community. Sarah’s unique experiences on both sides of the education system, coupled with her connection and commitment to her culture and community, make her an asset to Bandu Organisation and we are thrilled to welcome Sarah to our Board.

Anna is a business owner, Accredited Practising Dietitian, and co-founder of The Biting Truth. Since founding her business, Anna has remained heavily involved in the development and implementation of educational programs at all levels from pre-school to university and into the corporate sector. Her wealth of experience in running her own business, coupled with her implementation of programs in the education and professional sector, means that Anna has invaluable insight for Bandu participants, our partner schools, and our corporate companions. Anna has a deep love for our natural environment and our First Nations culture, as well as a passion for helping people achieve their personal goals. Anna pursues these passions, making herself constantly available as a guest lecturer at the University of Sydney, is prominent on television and radio, and joined Bandu as a Board Member in 2022.

Aidan is a proud Wiradjuri Man from Dubbo, NSW. After receiving a leadership scholarship and excelling in all areas of life at St Joseph’s College, Hunters Hill, Aidan truly embodied the Bandu objective of flying into life after school. He attended a GAP Year at Westminster College, London, before returning to complete his business degree. Throughout his time at university, Aidan was named an RA of Dunmore Lang College, was awarded an internship at Morgans Financial Ltd, and returned to work as an academic and cultural tutor at St Joseph’s College. It was here he continued to provide excellent role-modelling to the students as well as a living example of the true value and impact of the support that Bandu provides. The value Aidan placed in such support, led to him becoming a Co-Founder and Director at Bandu Organisation.

Our Partners & Supporters

We are privileged to partner with organisations that share the same goals and objectives as Bandu: to ensure our young First Nations men and women fly into life after high school.

Aidan is a proud Wiradjuri Man from Dubbo, NSW. After receiving a leadership scholarship and excelling in all areas of life at St Joseph’s College, Hunters Hill, Aidan truly embodied the Bandu objective of flying into life after school. He attended a GAP Year at Westminster College, London, before returning to complete his business degree at Macquarie University. Throughout his time at university, Aidan was named an RA of Dunmore Lang College, was awarded an internship at Morgans Financial Ltd, and returned to work as an academic and cultural tutor at St Joseph’s College. It was here he continued to provide excellent role-modelling to the students as well as a living example of the true value and impact of the support that Bandu provides.

Aidan Porter

Founder, Non-Executive Director

Growing up as a non-Indigenous Sydney boy with first cousins from the Kija and Ngyaranyin Nations of the East Kimberley region, Edward has always had an intense love of First Nations cultures and a deep passion for Reconciliation in Australia.

Prior to founding Bandu, Edward spent 10 years working with First Nations students in secondary schools. Seven of these years were spent as the managing coordinator of the Indigenous Program with over 40 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander boys. Edward has long been aware of the national need for students to receive greater support in moving on to life after high school. Bandu’s 5-Phase Post-School Program is an appropriation of the ground-breaking transition support program that Edward implemented in his time as an Indigenous Program Coordinator. Edward’s Post-School support program has already yielded success in seeing graduates excel in various sectors, including; education, law, finance, property, hospitality, trades, and professional sport.

Edward Morgan

Founder, Managing Director

Sarah is Kija and Ngaranyin Woman from Broome in Western Australia. In 2010, Sarah travelled across the country to attend Loreto Normanhurst as a boarder, and became the first Aboriginal woman to graduate from the school in 2012. After finishing high school, Sarah attended Macquarie University to complete a Bachelor of Arts with a Bachelor of Education (Primary) degree, commencing her teaching in Sydney before working in remote Qld and eventually returning home to teach in Broome. Having completed her high school and tertiary education away from home and her support systems, Sarah has a firsthand understanding of how critical Bandu Organisation is for students pursuing higher education and employment away from community. Sarah’s unique experiences on both sides of the education system, coupled with her connection and commitment to her culture and community, make her an asset to Bandu Organisation and we are thrilled to welcome Sarah to our Board.

Sarah Stewart

Anna is a business owner, Accredited Practising Dietitian, and co-founder of The Biting Truth. Since founding her business, Anna has remained heavily involved in the development and implementation of educational programs at all levels from pre-school to university and into the corporate sector. Her wealth of experience in running her own business, coupled with her implementation of programs in the education and professional sector, means that Anna has invaluable insight for Bandu participants, our partner schools, and our corporate companions. Anna has a deep love for our natural environment and our First Nations culture, as well as a passion for helping people achieve their personal goals. Anna pursues these passions, making herself constantly available as a guest lecturer at the University of Sydney, is prominent on television and radio, and joined Bandu as a Board Member in 2022.

Anna Debenham

Our Partners & Supporters

We are privileged to partner with organisations that share the same goals and objectives as Bandu: to ensure our young First Nations men and women fly into life after high school.

Bandu Advocate Statements

Jacob Goodwin is a proud Wiradjuri Man and advocate of the Bandu Post-School support program. Prior to finishing his High School Certificate in 2016, Jacob’s post-school transition program introduced him to tertiary education and employment opportunities that supported and guided him through the ensuing six years. Whilst Jacob’s impressive ATAR score ensured he was accepted into Law and Commerce degrees at the University of Sydney, Jacob maintains the cornerstone of his success in the years after graduating high school is attributed to the support he received in the cadetship he was granted at McCabes Lawyers in Sydney. Through the support of his post-school program, Jacob met Terry McCabe and never looked back, still working with Terry today and remaining an outstanding role model to his younger peers.

Jacob Goodwin

Triston Reilly is a proud Dunghutti Man from South West Rocks. An undeniable talent, Triston had the footballing world at his feet upon the completion of high school. Fielding offers from different rugby codes and teams whilst completing his HSC, Triston fully appreciated the support provided as he weighed up the options available to him. With great consideration and maturity, Triston accepted a scholarship to UNSW where he commenced his teaching degree, found a base in the College accommodation, before signing a contract with the Australian Rugby 7s team. Triston has gone on to play for the NSW Waratahs and recently signed with the West Tigers in the NRL - all the while continuing his teaching degree.

Triston Reilly

Lincoln Blackhall is a proud Wiradjuri Man from Wellington, NSW. Lincoln is a fully qualified electrician who completed his apprenticeship with SpaceAge Electrics, a company he connected with in high school, signing with them as part of his post-school transition program. Due to his successful employment, Lincoln was able to support himself in an apartment in Sydney. During his apprenticeship, Lincoln played rugby, mentored younger Indigenous students at his high school, and established himself as a leader amongst his peers, fully embodying the key outcomes and goals of the Bandu program.

Lincoln Blackhall

Aidan is a proud Wiradjuri Man from Dubbo, NSW. After receiving a leadership scholarship and excelling in all areas of life at St Joseph's College, Hunters Hill, Aidan truly embodied the Bandu objective of flying into life after school. He attended a GAP Year at Westminster College, London, before returning to complete his business degree. Throughout his time at university, Aidan was named an RA of Dunmore Lang College, was awarded an internship at Morgans Financial Ltd, and returned to work as an academic and cultural tutor at St Joseph's College. It was here he continued to provide excellent role-modelling to the students as well as a living example of the true value and impact of the support that Bandu provides. The value Aidan placed in such support, led to him becoming a Co-Founder and Director at Bandu Organisation.

Aidan Porter