For more than 20 years, Ganbina has been changing the lives of young people with programs like Jobs4U2, the country’s most successful Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander school-to-work transition program.
The recent release of their new 50-year vision keeps their eyes firmly on the future, empowering young people with the skills they need to reach their full potential.
We caught up with Ganbina’s CEO Anthony Cavanagh to find out more about their work, and how Morris Family Foundation support is helping them make their vision a reality.
Ganbina CEO Anthony Cavanagh
You’ve just released Ganbina’s 50-year vision. Can you tell us a bit about it and what it aims to achieve?
At Ganbina, we envision a future where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people are empowered to thrive culturally, socially, and economically. We focus on helping young people live, love, learn and leave a legacy, by supporting them through education, training, and employment pathways.
Over the next five years, we have a few key goals. Some of those include expanding nationally to bring our successful programs to 19 communities across Australia; we’re aiming to achieve an 80 per cent transition rate for our young people going from school to meaningful employment; and we have some new initiatives being introduced such as an Employment Academy and Alumni Ambassador Program. The vision is bold, practical, and deeply rooted in community empowerment and long-term change.
What drives you personally to do the work that you do?
I’m driven by the opportunity to help young people avoid the paths I saw growing up – poverty, violence, and missed potential. Education gave me a way forward, and I want others to have that same chance. Every day, I’m motivated by the 300+ kids who are Shepparton based that we support annually, knowing Ganbina gives them hope, structure, and opportunity. Seeing them thrive, graduate, find work, and lead is what fuels me. I believe in their potential, and I’m committed to building a future where economic prosperity is the truly achieved.
Out of all the things Ganbina has achieved so far, what outcomes are you the proudest of?
In my 12 years as CEO of Ganbina, I’m deeply proud of the transformative impact we continue to make in the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and youth. This year has been a powerful reflection of our growth – not just in reach, but in depth. We’ve expanded into new regions, forged strong partnerships, and strengthened our core programs in education, training, and life skills.
Our Youth Leadership Program continues to inspire future changemakers, while initiatives like the Driver Skills and Accelerated Learning programs are helping young people build confidence and independence. We’re also laying the foundation for the future through our Alumni Program and Employment Academy, creating tailored pathways into meaningful careers and reconnecting with those who are now leading in their fields.
Ganbina and Morris Family Foundation have had a long relationship. How has the support from the foundation helped Ganbina get to where it is today as an organisation?
Morris Family Foundation has been a cornerstone in Ganbina’s expansion journey. Our relationship began with an in-person meeting in 2015 and since then, Hayley Morris and her family have been unwavering champions of our work. Their belief in our mission – especially through sole funding of our third pilot model in Townsville – allowed us to expand into Queensland and refine our approach. Their support has gone beyond financial; it’s been deeply personal and strategic. They’ve helped us build credibility, scale our programs, and stay focused on our purpose. Today, with over 2,000 young people supported, their early backing has proven transformational.
What kind of role does the foundation play in helping you achieve the 50-year vision?
Morris Family Foundation plays a visionary role in helping us realise our 50-year goal: to create generational change through self-determination and opportunity. Their support has enabled us to test and grow our model in new communities, proving its adaptability and impact. Hayley and her family have been more than funders – they’ve been thought partners, advocates, and believers in our long-term vision. Their commitment to systemic change aligns perfectly with ours, and their continued involvement ensures we can keep pushing boundaries, reaching more youth, and building a future where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander success is not the exception, but the norm.