Broken Hill born, Daniel Fusi has Barkindji and Tongan heritage. He spent his schooling years between Sydney and Menindee, finishing his HSC at St Gregory's College, Campbelltown.

Daniel ran a popular cafe, where most of the young people of Menindee frequented, before he started working at the school in 2008. The principal of Menindee Central School at the time, Brian Debus, visited Daniel weekly to get advice on how to engage the students the way Daniel was able to, through the cafe. Eventually, he accepted an appointment at the school as the Aboriginal Male Educator, and worked in this role for 4 years. His motivation for taking the position was to help the school understand and work with the students, ultimately improving their educational experience.

Daniel said that one of the best aspects of being employed at the school has been working with parents, followed now by their children. The strong foundation of these relationships with families enables Daniel to continue to improve the lives of the students both at and beyond school.

In 2013, through the Connected Communities Strategy, Daniel was successful in obtaining the Senior Leader, Community Engagement position at Menindee Central School. Two of the initiatives in which Daniel has been integral in the development of, include Enterprise Park and the City Country Alliance (CCA). Through his support of the CCA, schools that visit Menindee on a regular basis, continue to have an experience that exceeds their expectations of life in rural NSW, one in which schools involved promote, as part of their competitive retention initiatives.

As well as giving visiting schools a valuable experience, Daniel is pivotal upholding the school's belief that it is important to create opportunities for young people, broadening their experience of the 'world outside Menindee'. This philosophy is underpinned by the school's Wellbeing and Discipline policy, where good attendance and commitment to school life is rewarded, through excursions to the Schools Spectacular, Uluru and overseas in their HSC year. Daniel's strong relationships with the school's families enable students to be allowed to travel away from Menindee, knowing he is going with them. ​

Daniel has seen a lot of change at the school in the years he has worked there. One of the most significant changes has been the increase in the number of Aboriginal staff employed at the school, from two to over 10, in a variety of positions across the school, including the Executive Principal. These staff represent families across the community and are instrumental in helping young people stay connected to school.

The generational connection Daniel has to the school through his own family keeps him committed to its continual improvement.

Daniel Fusi
Senior Leader, Community Engagement
Menindee Central School

Margaret Simoes

I Commenced in the Shoalhaven High School Senior Leader Community Education position in March 2024.

I applied for the SLCE position because I have always been a staunch advocate for genuine community engagement and creating opportunities to empower our local community to have a voice in decision-making processes that may influence change for the betterment of our people and communities.

I am a proud descendent of the Wandi wandian people (Nowra) and have strong connections to the south coast communities. I bring to the SLCE role a wealth of experiences, skills and knowledge. My involvement in education commenced in the late eighties as a Regional Aboriginal Community Liaison Officer (NSW Department of Education) and worked in various positions with the NSW DET, Catholic Education and TAFE. Worked in local government as a community development officer, with the focus on building relationships, valuing local community assets and strengths, fostering participation and leadership and building the capacity of local community individuals and groups. All of which is applicable to the SLCE role and Connected Community Strategy in building place-based relationships and being a conduit between community and school and creating culturally responsive learning environments.

The SLCE role is crucial in building mutual respect and trust between community and school which can be achieved through collaborative efforts of shared knowledge and experiences, understanding of community vision and aspirations and school-based culturally inclusive practices to achieve equitable outcomes for our students.

Focus areas in 2025 - 2026 include increasing community engagement, promoting Connected Communities Strategy internally and externally and pathways for our students.

2025 Achievements

Shoalhaven High School Aboriginal Student Yarn Up - Pathways initiative

Shoalhaven HS Senior Leader Community Engagement, in collaboration with Shoalhaven HS AEOs and Career Advisors, Neil Bessant from Regional Employment Industry (RIEP) program and Shoalhaven Clontarf Academy.

This gathering provided a unique opportunity for students to engage in meaningful conversations with employees and employers, hear their career stories, and explore local employment pathways that allow them to stay connected to their community. A culturally grounded learning experience for local and regional industry representatives and Shoalhaven HS students.

Shoalhaven 2025 Year 12 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student Graduation

SLCE coordinated the Shoalhaven Year 12 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student Graduation in collaboration with the Year 12 Graduation Steering Committee and 8 local high schools in the Shoalhaven region. Held on the 8 September 2025.

A significant and valued community-led celebration that recognises and honours the educational achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students from Shoalhaven High Schools. In 2025, 73 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students identified as completing Year 12. For many, completing Year 12 marks a deeply personal and family milestone — often the first in their families to do so. This event continues to serve as a powerful symbol of pride, resilience, and community spirit. The graduation is an inclusive event that strengthens community bonds and fosters regional collaboration involving state, catholic and independent schools, government and non-government agencies, local businesses and community services.