Catholic Diocese of Broome

A Farewell Tribute to a Community Leader

This year we bid farewell to one of Western Australian Catholic education’s most committed and inspirational leaders. Broome Regional Officer Sandra Brogden leaves the Catholic Education Office on secondment as Director of Projects with the National Curriculum Services in Melbourne.

Sandra has devoted her career to improving conditions for Aboriginal students and helping educators to understand the difficulties and barriers facing Aboriginal people in education and beyond.

Beginning her career in Catholic education in 1995 as a consultant in the Aboriginal Student Support Team, Sandra soon became coordinator of the team. Her achievements and vision saw her nominated for the 1998 Aboriginal Education Awards of Excellence for her commitment to improving the educational experiences of Aboriginal students in Catholic schools.

In 1999, Sandra moved to the Kimberley to take up the role of Regional Officer for the Broome Diocese. In her time in this role she has displayed outstanding passion and determination in her efforts to close the gap between educational outcomes for Aboriginal students and other Australians. Her strong sense of social justice, intellectual acumen and highly-developed interpersonal skills have helped her to form productive relationships with communities, educators and staff. Those who have worked with Sandra speak highly of her innovative, creative approach, her support and encouragement as a leader and her gift for relationship building.

Sandra has taken a leadership role on a wide range of boards and committees including the Gordon Inquiry Committee, the Safer WA Committee and the Burdekin Youth in Action Committee. She has acted on the boards of Centacare Kimberley and the University of Notre Dame Broome.

‘Sandra has had an enormously positive impact on Catholic education in this state and we thank her for her ongoing commitment to improving outcomes for Aboriginal students,’ said Ron Dullard, Director of Catholic Education in WA. ‘We wish Sandra and her family all the best for their time in Melbourne.’

Photo: Courtesy CEO Perth.