Left to right: Keremsah Guleoglu (Galiamble Team Leader), Isaiah Carey (Galiamble Residential Rehabilitation Worker),
and Tye Hammersley (Acting Executive Manager of Residential Rehabilitation)

Isaiah Carney – a worker at Galiamble, one of Ngwala’s Residential Rehabilitation Centres – has recently received the Uncle Norman Hunter Award for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year after graduating with his Certificate 4 in Community Services from Kangan Institute.

His journey reflects determination, cultural strength, and a deep commitment to his future. This award recognises the hard work Isaiah has poured not only into his studies, but also his personal growth.

We asked Isaiah a few questions about his experience:

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What’s a key thing you’ll take from your studies that you’re looking forward to bringing to your work at Ngwala?
A key thing I took away from my studies when starting at Ngwala was being able to communicate in an appropriate and sensitive manner towards members of our community. I could also add that another thing that stuck with me throughout my studies and then moving on to Ngwala was the fact that perpetrators of family and domestic violence more often than not have been victims as well. These perpetrators have often been subject to the very emotional neglect and pain they have inflicted, and being able to help break the generational cycles of violence whilst working alongside these men has been a very rewarding aspect of the job.

What does it mean to you to receive this award and recognition?
It’s a great honour to receive this award as an Aboriginal man and as a man that is new to this field of work. It is reflective of my passion of working for and alongside my mob and motivates me to continue working as hard as possible to benefit those who have been less fortunate and not given the chance to flourish as Aboriginal people.

Other than winning this award, what is your proudest moment / something you achieved during your studies?
My proudest moment during my studies was on campus during NAIDOC Week 2025 celebrations at Broadmeadows Kangan Institute. An ex-resident that I had met at Galiamble when I first started for Ngwala, Uncle Ringo, was doing the Welcome and Acknowledgement as a Wurundjeri elder. We had spoken briefly before the festivities commenced and then during the Acknowledgement he pointed me out and publicly thanked me for helping him during his time at Galiamble Men’s Recovery Centre. This was a special moment that was recognised by my peers and teachers and a moment that set in the realisation that I was doing the right work and making a positive impact.

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We’re incredibly proud of Isaiah’s achievements during his studies, and his dedication to the work he does for our Ngwala community.

Watch this video created by Kangan Institute to hear more of Isaiah’s story.