Our History

Established on 24 June 1957, Tranby Aboriginal Co-operative is Australia’s oldest independent First Nations education provider. Founded on the belief that education is key to economic empowerment and self-determination, Tranby has grown to become a driving force in community-led learning, social justice, and systemic change.

From its earliest days, Tranby has championed social and political activism, fighting for Land Rights, campaigning against Black Deaths in Custody, and supporting the 1967 Referendum. Today, Tranby continues to evolve, delivering education and community programs that empower Mob, uplift Communities, and create lasting change.

1950s

Establishment

Australia Board of Missions (ABM) appoints Rev. Alf Clint as Director of Co-operatives in Australia and New Guinea. This appointment laid the groundwork for the establishment of Aboriginal co-operative education in Australia.

Rev. John Hope of Christchurch St Laurence pledges Tranby to Rev. Alf Clint. The Reverend Alf Clint, an Anglican Bush Brother and activist for human rights, was looking for somewhere to establish a training centre for the development of co-operative practices for Aboriginal people. Reverend John Hope of Christchurch St Laurence said, 'Tell Alf he can have Tranby. The Co-operative for Aborigines (now known as Tranby) was established. Clint was the founder and first Director of the Co-operative. ABM Christian Community Co-operative Ltd officially took over Tranby as Aboriginal residential training school in co-operative practices on 24 June 1957.

1960s

Early Impact

First NSW co-operative at Cabbage Tree Island established as a cane plantation and community store. It became a model for practical co-operative training and community development.

1970s

Growing Activism and Influence

Seminar held on Aborigines in industry; Tranby board supports campaign to abolish trust fund system in Queensland.

ALP Aboriginal Committee invited Tranby to develop an educational policy, Tenth annual art union is drawn by Faith Bandier. The Trade Union Committee on Aboriginal Rights (TUCAR) was established to create better relationships and communications between Aboriginal people and the trade unions. Kevin Cook was committed to working with the trade unions and Tranby was heavily engaged and supported by these groups, including for fundraising and on-the job training programs.

The Restoration Appeal was launched; ABC filmed ‘Lost Innocence’ at Tranby Homestead; Tranby stood with the Gurindji stockmen, opposing mining companies that “disregard people’s cultural and historical heritage.” Kevin ‘Cookie’ Cook told Tribune, “A win for the miners is a win for all oppressed people.” The link between trade unions and Aboriginal land rights shaped Tranby’s activism across the 1950s–80s.

A protest named 'Operation Aborigine’ was held in Martin Place, Sydney. The Gooriala (Rainbow Serpent) badge was designed by artist Dick Roughsey for the protest and was also used as a creative fundraising strategy for the Tranby; certificates were issued to students who successfully completed subjects; Twentieth (and final) Aboriginal Co-operative Summer School Permanent Conservation Order was placed on Tranby under the 1977 Heritage Act (NSW).

1980s

Indigenous Leadership and Education Expansion

Alf Clint passed away (April 21); Kevin Cook became the Acting General Secretary; Board urges Premier Neville Wran to support land rights recommendations of the NSW Parliamentary Select Committee upon Aborigines; Kevin Cook becomes chairperson of fledgling lobby group promoting land rights - NSW Aboriginal Land Council; Aborigines in Unions seminar run jointly by Tranby and the Trade Union Training Authority.

First government funding for education received; Bob Bellear elected Chairman of Board. Government support enabled the expansion of Tranby’s educational programs. Kevin Cook became the first Indigenous secretary of Tranby. Since then, all Tranby secretaries have been Indigenous. Cook built Tranby into a centre for adult learning and cultural revival, a base for land rights activists, and a hub where visitors from around Australia and from across the world could connect with Indigenous communities.

New courses introduced in Aboriginal Sites Curators Course for trainees with Regional Aboriginal Land Councils in NSW; Students and staff participated in land rights demonstration opposing Government's Preferred National land Rights Model; Students and staff work with Koori prisoners at Long Bay Gaol on creative writing; Lester Bostock, former student became a media studies teacher Support for South African struggle - visits from Oliver Tambo (National African Congress) and Johnson Mlambo (Pan African Congress).

New course was introduced in Certificate of Adult Foundation (CABE); Board supports Save Jervis Bay Campaign and endorsed calls for it to become a national park. Tranby reinforced its dual commitment to education and environmental-cultural advocacy. Tranby was active in the Black Deaths in Custody protests of the 1980s and continued supporting communities after the 1988 Royal Commission through workshops and legal education. This work led to the legal studies course that now exists as the 10861NAT Diploma of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Advocacy.

1990s

Growth and Institutional Recognition

The Rona Tranby Trust was launched at Tranby on 2 September, to support the recording and preservation of Indigenous Australian oral history. It was established with a bequest from Jewish social activists Tom and Eva Rona for oral history projects.

Temporary premises established for teachers and students at Montieth, Glebe Point Road; Three staff members attended World Indigenous Peoples Conference (WIPCE) at Albuquerque, Canada; Student field trip to Goodooga; Launch of Heather Goodall's "Invasion to Embassy' co-published by BlackBooks; Evatt Foundation Scholarship awarded to Peter Powers; Oppen Scholarship awarded to Russell Young and Fiona Smith; Bob Maza appointed Assistant Director of Studies; Honorary doctorates awarded to community leaders, Joe McGinness and Rose Fernando.

New courses introduced in Diploma of National Indigenous Legal Studies and Diploma in Development Studies - Aboriginal Communities; FoT art exhibition held at Sherman Hargrave Gallery raises $15,000; Student exhibition of Decorative Masks at Glebe Public School and Australian Museum; ADU conducted conflict resolution workshops throughout NSW; Honorary doctorates awarded to community leaders Maude Wright and Merle Latham.

New course was introduced in Advanced Diploma of Applied Aboriginal Studies; Inauguration of New ‘Buildings Out the Back’ a collaboration between Tranby and architects Cracknell and Lonergan. The design is in sympathy with the Victorian character of the suburb, with circular rooms reflecting Indigenous learning circle practices. National Sorry Day commemoration lunch was held at Tranby; Tranby fielded a team under George Jones at the Knock-Out; Isabel Flick was the recipient of The Rona Tranby oral history award; Jack Beetson became Executive Director.

Kevin Cook was honoured by the Human Rights Commission list of 50 Eminent Australians; Launch of Tranby Interpretative Walk commemorating the building's Aboriginal cultural significance; Exhibition of artwork by Chris Christophersen inspired by her participation in the Mirrar people's campaign against ERA's Jabiluka uranium mine; Minto Bush Camp purchased from the SEARCH Foundation; First intake of non-Indigenous students into the Advanced Diploma of Applied Aboriginal Studies; Michael Dodson keynote speaker at FoT annual dinner.

2000s

National Reach and Program Expansion

Installation of computer network with support from FoT; Grant from NSW Centenary of Federation for preservation of Alf Clint papers in the archive; Tranby hosted a ceremony of reconciliation where Pat Dodson accepts an Aboriginal king plate for return to the Narunjin people of WA; Tranby and Luigi De Luca distributed Boomeralia bush tucker gelato to visitors during the Olympics.

2010s

Cultural Exchange and Modernisation

Dr Belinda Russon, a proud Yugambeh woman was appointed executive director of Tranby.

The Rona Tranby Trust funded descendants of Indigenous members of the Australian Light Horse to travel to Israel to take part in the Australian National Service to Commemorate the Centenary of the Battle of Beersheba and the Sinai-Palestine Campaign at Beersheba. For the first time in 100 years, in the presence of the Prime Ministers of Australia and Israel, many other dignitaries, international visitors and the local community, a wreath was laid by an Indigenous representative at the formal ceremony in honour of Indigenous servicemen who fought in the campaign.

Tranby celebrated 60 years of providing adult Indigenous education. Since Tranby’s establishment, students and staff have worked together for the right to pursue independence and self-determination on our terms, according to community needs and aspirations. To paraphrase Kevin Cook, we have paved the way for courses to be developed by Elders, according to criteria that remain culturally and educationally Aboriginal. We will continue in the same vein.

2020s

Innovation and Digital Transformation

Tranby courses delivered online for the first time due to COVID-19 pandemic; virtual 'yarning circle' format implemented. This allowed students across Australia to stay connected and continue cultural learning during restrictions.

Tranby launched the National Indigenous Oral History Centre and Keeping Place project to support the digital preservation of generational knowledge, and the Digital Dilly Bag, focusing on First Nations data sovereignty and creates a safe digital data hub for the storage and preservation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ digital audio-visual stories in a culturally sensitive manner. Tranby also welcomed the team from Welcome to Country, a First Nations not-for-profit social enterprise, as a resident partner.

Looking Ahead

2027 and Beyond

Tranby will celebrate 70 years of making positive change for Mob. The anniversary will mark decades of commitment to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adult education and social empowerment.

Our History

Establishment

Early Impact

Growing Activism and Influence

Indigenous Leadership and Education Expansion

Growth and Institutional Recognition

National Reach and Program Expansion

Cultural Exchange and Modernisation

Innovation and Digital Transformation

2027 and Beyond

About

Contact

Address

Phone: +61 2 9660 3444

Freecall: 1800 601 988

Subscribe and stay up to date

Privacy Policy