There are many ways your time can make a difference, from joining reading programmes in the foundational years, to assisting at Homework Club in the senior years, to mentoring, providing work experience, or career opportunities.
Alternatively consider skills-based volunteering, whether you’re a history tutor, a paediatrician, a speech therapist, an occupational therapist or if you have cultural knowledge to share, you can put your skills to work. Reach out and have a yarn with us.
“I have been reading with Gawura students since our daughter started at St Andrew’s Cathedral School in Year 5. She is in Year 12 now and she has been reading with the Gawura students for a couple of years as well. We both agree that it’s one of the best things we do every week and we always walk out lighter and brighter than when we walk in. In short, children are miraculous and Gawura School is magical!
Opportunities are not spread evenly in life and many people bemoan that ‘closing the gap’ is impossible. I invite them to visit Gawura School – better yet to volunteer for a term – because closing the gap is happening there every day. Children flourishing through the Australian curriculum while being immersed in culture. For over 20 years, Gawura School has proven that with adequate financial support, exceptional leadership and world-class teaching, children’s lives can be changed with infinitely expanding benefits that flow way beyond their families and communities, to benefit all Australians.”
“I want to see a Gawura School inside every independent school in Australia. The cultural education and transformative results of the school have touched our family deeply and I urge you to get involved – volunteer, donate, pester your local MPs for government funding. Gawura School is the best school in the country – come and see!”
Eugenie Knight, current St Andrew’s Cathedral School parent
Volunteering opportunities
Volunteering opportunities allow you to contribute your skills, interests and knowledge.
“For the past eight years, I have enjoyed being part of the Gawura School volunteer reading program. Once a week, I spend just 30 minutes face-to-face with a student, listening as they read and sometimes reading a story to them. It’s a simple way to give back, plus I benefit by starting my day on a positive note. I get to support young learners as they grow in reading, and I also have the chance to contribute to Indigenous excellence.”
Ngar-yi Ho, former St Andrew’s Cathedral School parent
Support reading through the primary years
Reading volunteers support Gawura School students through short, focused one‑to‑one reading sessions. You listen to students read, encourage them, and help build confidence and fluency in a calm, supportive environment.
You don’t need to be a teacher, we provide the training. We ask for a willingness to listen, encourage and commit to attending regularly for the school term.
- Reading sessions are held four mornings a week- Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 8.00am-8.30am
- Volunteers sign up online each term via a simple SignUp link. You choose the day that suits you
- We provide a brief training session at the start of each term, with clear guidance, including the reading approach used in class.
- A short application process is required, including providing current Working With Children Check (which is easy to obtain) and agreeing to our privacy requirements.
Contact us at gawura@sacs.nsw.edu.au
“When I learned about the difference between literacy rates for First Nations children and other Australian children, I wanted to help change that. Gawura School offered that opportunity and more. The volunteering scheme is well-organised and the children are delightful. Spending time, one-on-one, to help them read is easy and very rewarding. I look forward to seeing them each week.”
Phil Greenwood, Community volunteer
Hampers for families
Hamper volunteers deliver food hampers to some of our Gawura School families every week. These deliveries are a simple, but powerful way, to support family wellbeing.
Our food hampers are generously supplied by our community partners The One Box and Keyton and they are distributed during the school term.
Hampers provide practical assistance while respecting privacy and independence. Each volunteer delivers approximately three to four hampers on their rostered week, working as part of a small, dedicated, weekly team.
“At Keyton, we value building genuine relationships with First Nations’ communities through collaboration, shared experiences, and mutual learning.
Our ongoing partnership with Gawura School reflects this commitment and the importance we place on connecting people and communities.
In 2024, we began contributing essential items for Gawura School’s weekly school hampers and taking part in the Kindergarten to Year 6 reading programme, with Keyton staff volunteering their time to engage with students. These initiatives support literacy while creating meaningful connections between students, families, and our team.”
“We are proud to continue working alongside Gawura School and look forward to strengthening this partnership as part of our broader commitment to community and positive social impact.”
Keyton, A leading owner and operator of retirement villages in Australia.
Corporate volunteering
Many organisations actively encourage workplace volunteering as part of their culture and values.
Some offer paid volunteering leave, others support structured workplace programmes, and many recognise community contribution as an important element of leadership, wellbeing and professional development. Supporting employees to give back is now a well‑established part of corporate social responsibility.
Corporate volunteering is an opportunity that aligns strongly with the values and Reconciliation Action Plans (RAPs) of many organisations, particularly those committed to First Nations education, reconciliation, equity and long‑term community partnerships. It offers a positive, people-focused way for workplaces to support First Nations education while engaging employees in reconciliation in action.
“Thank you to the current corporate partners who are supporting First Nations education by volunteering in our reading programme K-6.”
“We are proud to support Gawura School and our longstanding relationship reflects our commitment to reconciliation and meaningful engagement with First Nations communities. Supporting Gawura School is an important way we bring this commitment to life.
Over many years, our people have had the privilege of volunteering in the School’s morning reading programme, connecting with students and developing a deeper appreciation for the strength and richness of First Nations cultures.
Volunteering has been incredibly valuable for our people. Many describe it as the highlight of their week, valuing the opportunity to make a meaningful contribution by supporting students to build their literacy skills and confidence, and feeling grateful to be actively involved.
We look forward to continuing our support of the Gawura School volunteering programme into the future.”
Baker McKenzie
Volunteer impact
“The contribution of our reading volunteers has a proven and lasting impact on student learning. In 2025, Gawura School students achieved our strongest ever NAPLAN results, performing well above the national average for First Nations students. Regular, consistent reading support from our volunteers is a key part of that success. The impact is immediate and visible. Many volunteers tell us that seeing students grow in confidence and ability makes this half‑hour each week one of the most rewarding parts of their routine.”
John Ralph, Head of Gawura School
“I volunteer because the vision of providing scholarship education to First Nation Peoples and the programme used is so inspiring … providing education to change a person’s future so they can fulfil their full potential. It is so great to be able to contribute in a small way to that outcome.”
“I’ve learned so much from volunteering, from learning more about First Nations histories to helping with food service to how the Schools work…It is an immensely enjoyable and enriching journey. Very important have been all the wonderful friendships I have made and will continue to make with people. That brings a smile to my face.”
“Don’t worry about a particular activity you are volunteering for, just put your name down, if you are unsure as a first timer, find someone who has done it before, everyone is friendly, and become buddies, then go for it and enjoy the experience.”
How to join
Contact us at gawura@sacs.nsw.edu.au
Sharing is caring
One of the most powerful ways to support our students is by helping grow our voice and community.
By sharing our stories, following and engaging with us on social media, inviting friends or colleagues to events, sharing our fundraising campaigns, or even letting others know why you chose to support the Gawura First Nations Scholarships, you help raise awareness, and create meaningful connection to our purpose.
You might also consider creating a giving circle with family, friends or colleagues, pooling support, to create collective impact for First Nations students.
Spread the word and create an introduction to Gawura School and the Gawura Scholarship Fund to help us open new doors and strengthen the community walking alongside this generation of students.