Country guides Todd’s policy work
Todd grew up in Lightning Ridge, NSW, moving between town and the family farm, while staying closely connected to his community in nearby Goodooga. “Being a small town, I basically spent all of my time outside helping on the farm and hunting,” Todd reflects.
In Year 5, a school counsellor recognised Todd’s academic potential and shared information about Yalari. While Todd was interested in boarding school, the financial barrier made it an unlikely path for his family. Understanding that a scholarship would provide more options for his future, Todd applied for the opportunity.
In 2008, Todd began his journey at Toowoomba Grammar School—the same school attended by Yalari’s Founding Director, Waverley Stanley AM, on scholarship in 1979. The transition brought new challenges, from unfamiliar subjects to a different pace of life. However, with a dedicated support system from Yalari and the school, Todd persevered.
“There were subjects and extracurricular activities I’d never even heard of back home,” Todd says. “If I’d stayed in Lightning Ridge, I probably would’ve left school in Year 10 to work on the farm full-time.”
After graduating Year 12, Todd pursued a Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science at UNE in Armidale. While he eventually moved away from full-time study, the experience helped him clarify how he wanted to contribute to his community.
Todd Ellis at Yalari’s Orientation Camp in 2008.
Todd Ellis participating in the Australian Indigenous Leadership Course.
“The work I do now gives me a platform to serve community, build better outcomes for Aboriginal people, and care for Country for future generations,” Todd says.Todd’s journey is a practical example of how equitable access to education creates a ripple effect. When Indigenous youth are supported to lead, the benefits extend to their families, their communities, and the land itself. By contributing to the Yalari Foundation, you support the self-determination of students like Todd, ensuring more young people have the options they need to shape their own futures.
