With our foundation in Christ, William Clarke College is a servant-hearted community that seeks to know and respond appropriately to the needs of others. We do not live in isolation, and this compels us to be passionate about service that benefits the community. We strive to develop extraordinary learners who demonstrate a passion for serving others, whether at a local, national or global level.

Established in 2009, the Alumnus of the Year award honours an outstanding former student who has not only excelled in their field but also demonstrated a deep commitment to serving others. This could be through their professional work or by developing specialised knowledge and skills to uplift their community. We are therefore delighted to announce that Esther Gounder, from the Class of 2008, was named Alumnus of the Year for 2024 during our Presentation Day celebrations recently.

Esther’s journey is one of an unwavering dedication to culturally responsive practices and a commitment to supporting remote Aboriginal communities. Her work, particularly in rural and remote areas of the Northern Territory, reflects her deep passion for understanding culture as central to both personal and professional growth. “I believe my passion for understanding culture as a central part of who we are, and how this can be better understood as a strength, has driven me to embark on a journey of experience in rural and remote practice in the Northern Territory,” said Esther recently. “I truly have sought to serve others, and deeply connect and make genuine ongoing relationships with communities to make sense of what I can do to help.”

Esther’s journey started in 2021 when she took a working holiday to Darwin. During this time, she supported local communities, including the Batchelor Area School, which serves semi-remote areas, and Lajamanu, a very remote Aboriginal community. This experience sparked a deeper connection with the people of the Northern Territory, enticing Esther to stay on to deepen her understanding and connections and improve her practice.

In her role as a social worker, counsellor and academic, Esther has continually expanded her knowledge and skills. She describes this as an essential part of her professional and personal development, stating, “I’ve been able to extend myself as an extraordinary learner, using academic opportunities to extend learning in the space of culturally responsive practice. I have continually challenged myself by putting myself in unique, new situations where I am learning, growing both personally and professionally, and have engaged in a lot of personal critical reflection to work on my approaches.”

Esther’s passion for culturally sensitive and holistic practices has been integral to her success in supporting over 30 remote and rural communities in the Northern Territory. Despite unique challenges such as language barriers, limited resources and harsh environmental conditions, she has prioritised the needs of those she serves by adapting her approach to be both effective and culturally appropriate. By “asking community members, the people themselves, sitting in yarning circles, getting clinical advice from people who are more experienced and ensuring ongoing consultation with Indigenous staff” as Esther explained, she has built meaningful, respectful relationships that are central to her mission and work.

Her dedication to Aboriginal communities is evident in her volunteer work, where she consistently supports meaningful gatherings and initiatives alongside her professional responsibilities. “I have shown loyalty and commitment to supporting communities, being a help in whichever way possible,” she shared. “I have made myself available for key cultural and community events and enjoyed sharing my passion with others to encourage their service to community too, wherever they are.”

Whether it’s supporting a local art centre in Lajamanu, assisting in trauma-informed practices at a local school, or contributing to the wellbeing of students and staff in the region, Esther’s dedication goes beyond her professional obligations. In Lajamanu, she worked closely with the community to “support the Elders in continuing to teach their culture, dreamings and beliefs, and art practice which contributes to their overall wellbeing. This relationship has continued over the years where I have reconnected with staff and community members, sold a substantial amount of art whose funds go directly back into the community, and represented them at the Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair,” she said.

Esther’s work has also focused on addressing the long-lasting effects of the Stolen Generations and advocating for redress schemes in communities around Alice Springs and the Tiwi Islands. By listening to Elders and understanding their experiences, Esther has been able to share knowledge about available resources, further demonstrating her passion for serving others and helping communities heal.

But that’s not all – Esther’s academic achievements are equally impressive! She graduated with her Master’s degree with excellence for receiving an overall distinction from the University of NSW (UNSW) and then earned a high distinction for her thesis titled ‘Exploring the Experiences of Culturally Responsive Therapeutic Practice with First Nations Children and Young People in Australia’. She plans to share this research at conferences and pursue further studies to continue her work in this field. “You can truly achieve your goals when you really stick to a plan, create the supports around you and bounce back regardless of the adversity you face,” Esther says, typifying the resilience that has defined her career.

Through her work in the Northern Territory, Esther has distinguished herself as a leader in culturally responsive practices, demonstrating unwavering dedication to supporting Aboriginal communities. Her ability to navigate the challenges of remote communities, build meaningful relationships and continuously improve her practice makes her a true role model. Through her efforts, she inspires others to embrace learning, step outside their comfort zones, and pursue their passions with dedication and integrity, qualities she hopes all students at the College will adopt.

As she continues her work in the Northern Territory, Esther remains committed to both her professional development and her personal mission to serve Aboriginal communities. Her journey is a testament to the power of passion, service and continuous learning, and her example encourages others to pursue their dreams and make a lasting difference in the world. In recognising Esther’s achievements, the College not only honours an outstanding alumnus but also showcases the compassionate and service-oriented spirit at the heart of William Clarke College. Congratulations to Esther on being named Alumnus of the Year for 2024.

By Catherine Sanchez, Publications Officer