Karley Banks Joins Concordia as First Nations Coordinator: Champion On and Off the Field
With a decorated career in elite sport and a lifelong commitment to empowering young Indigenous Australians, Karley Banks brings passion, pride and purpose to her new role as Concordia Lutheran College’s First Nations Coordinator. Karley has an impressive background in both education and sport and brings a wealth of experience and deep commitment to cultural pride, connection and empowerment to Concordia.
“I’m Indigenous, and I’ve always supported kids,” she said. “Whether in schools or through sport I’ve worked closely with young people to help them feel proud of who they are, where they come from, and what they can achieve.”
Karley, a proud Gamilaroi woman, has worked across a range of educational settings, supporting young Indigenous Australians to thrive in both academic and cultural contexts.
She holds degrees in journalism and teaching and has combined both passions throughout her professional life; from media roles with Touch Football Australia to program development at state and national levels.
But for Karley, the most important work is cultural and relational.
“We have many First Nations students boarding here at Concordia, far from home and Country,” she explains.
“My goal is to help them feel connected, to find cultural experiences and community here that bring them closer to home.”
“We are one mob, and Indigenous people have always been about sharing, giving, and looking after each other.”
As part of her role, Karley will be facilitating opportunities for students to engage with local Elders, participate in cultural learning, and build relationships that reflect the spirit of reconciliation and inclusion.
“Our Elders are central to everything. Even if their stories and language differ, they carry the knowledge and wisdom our young people need.”
“I want our students to feel proud of their culture and confident enough to share their stories with others. We are all Australians, and we can learn so much from each other.”
Known nationally for her contributions to sport, Karley has represented Australia in cricket, rugby league, and touch football and has coached Australian teams to multiple World Cup victories. Most recently, she made history as the first female coach of a men’s open team in the State of Origin series, leading NSW to a 2–1 series win.
As the College continues to grow its commitment to inclusion and cultural learning, Karley intends to play a key role in ensuring all students feel seen, valued, and celebrated
“It doesn’t take much to be respectful to each other. Our students have a real chance to positively influence history by being kind, forgiving, and open to learning from one another. It’s a choice we make every day,” she said.
