Brenton Hawken

From the Classroom to Council: Brenton Hawken’s Mission to Empower Through Education

In the NSW rural town of Temora, Brenton Hawken’s determination to build a better world has unleashed a groundswell of positive change – not only for young First Nations students and their classmates, but across the whole community.

Growing up on a sheep stud outside Parkes, the Charles Sturt Bachelor of Education graduate always saw his future in teaching.

“School was an incredible experience for me. With so many wonderful mentors in the classroom, I saw firsthand how education can change lives and knew early on that this was how I wanted to make a difference,” Brenton says.

Throughout his education – from learning Wiradjuri language at school to services like Ngunggilanha at Charles Sturt – he thrived in environments where First Nations culture was visible and valued. So when the proud Wiradjuri man walked through the front gate of Temora High School to begin his teaching career, he was taken aback by the lack of acknowledgement of First Nations culture he found.

“It was a strange experience for me; there was no visual cultural acknowledgement anywhere in the school, not even an Aboriginal flag,” he recalls.

“But it really hit home when I experienced Aboriginal kids who, through no fault of their own, had no connection to their cultural identity. I could see the role of community and education to change that, the potential to shift school policy and culture.”

And change it he has. Brenton shared his ideas with aligned colleagues, and together they brought staff and the wider school community on board. The Aboriginal flag soon flew proudly at the school’s entrance – the first step in a widespread transformation that has strengthened Aboriginal student engagement and connected the broader community with First Nations culture.

“We’ve established a dedicated Aboriginal Education Team, revitalised Wiradjuri language, created culturally safe spaces, and embedded Aboriginal culture across the school – from uniforms and water tanks to community outreach events. And that’s just the beginning,” he says. “The proudest moment comes from seeing kids owning their culture and sharing it with their peers, families and communities. The ripple effect across the town has been significant, with many community members expressing that the visibility of our programs has helped strengthen cultural pride and identity.”

The 2021 NSW/ACT Young Achiever of the Year in Aboriginal Education is also transforming vocational education and training at Temora. As Head Teacher of Technology and Applied Studies, Brenton has revitalised programs, secured investment in industry-standard facilities, driven curriculum reform and enrolment growth, and created genuine pathways to employment for rural students.

Brenton’s mission doesn’t rest when the school bell rings. In 2024, at just 29 years old, he was elected a Temora Shire Councillor – the first Aboriginal person to hold the position in the shire’s history. Here he champions First Nations representation, from Acknowledgement of Country to Wiradjuri signage, and gives voice to the region’s evolving younger demographic.

“Young people in our community have strong aspirations, and as a teacher, I hear their goals and ideasevery day. Through this platform, I can help ensure their voices – and those of everyone in our diverse community – are reflected in decision making and shape our region’s development.”

Studying teaching and then the Graduate Certificate in Wiradjuri Language at Charles Sturt has been fundamental to Brenton’s path, enabling him to grow in an environment that reflected his own experience and values and equipped him to lead in rural education. As an undergraduate student, he also represented NSW in the National Indigenous Youth Parliament and attended the national Student Leadership Forum in Canberra, beginning his path as a powerful advocate for change.

“I’ve faced harmful stereotypes that continue to disadvantage Aboriginal Australians,” he says. “These experiences fuel my determination to challenge prejudice, educate others, and create pathways for a more inclusive and understanding future.”

But his greatest source of inspiration is his family: his mother, a proud Aboriginal woman and single parent of four, and his sister Tara, who had Down syndrome. Though both have sadly now passed, their legacy lives on in him. Brenton credits his mother for his work ethic and determination.

“Mum worked incredibly hard and instilled a belief in me that nothing can stop you from pursuing your goals and aspirations, and Tara taught me the meaning of patience, unconditional love and the drive to uplift those around me.”

Brenton will soon step away from classroom teaching in pursuit of greater impact, joining the NSW Department of Education as Aboriginal Education Strategic Delivery Advisor across the Riverina in 2026.

“As a teacher and local councillor, I have the privilege of shaping futures, building connections, and creating opportunities that empower others to thrive, and there’s no greater reward than seeing the impact of that work in the lives of students and the strength of our community,” he says. “I’m excited to take our model out to schools, sharing our knowledge and building capacity among staff and leaders. Working together, we can dismantle systemic barriers and do better for our children and communities.”