NRL Cowboys House is removing distance as a barrier to quality secondary education for Indigenous students from some of Australia's most remote and geographically disadvantaged communities.
Our House is a unique, culturally-safe boarding facility for young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men and women attending partner schools in Townsville.
Our students are supported by dedicated teams in education, wellbeing, culture and career transitions in a holistic wraparound model of care.
Managed by the Cowboys Community Foundation, the charity arm of the North Queensland Toyota Cowboys, NRL Cowboys House is a joint initiative between the National Rugby League, North Queensland Cowboys, the Queensland Government and the Australian Government.
83 graduates
Celebrating the transition of our secondary students to further education, training or employment since 2017!
104 students
Our Boys and Girls Campus are a 'home away from home' during the school year for Year 7-12 students aged 12-18 years.
26 communities
Our students represent remote communities from across North and Far North Queensland, including the Torres Strait Islands.
10 schools
Our partner school communities are tireless in their care and commitment to helping our students to learn, grow and achieve.
Our Difference
Our team is dedicated to building a ‘best practice’ model for Indigenous student boarding facilities with a focus on improving historically poor retention and academic success rates for young Indigenous people through:
- Academic outcomes
- Fully-supported placement
- Health & wellbeing focus
- Recreation & community involvement
- Cultural education
- Staffing
- Family & community engagement
- Commitment to purpose & best practice
- Transitions focus – education for purpose
Our Partners
"They help us grow and do our best but still be ourselves" – NRL Cowboys House students Makeilla (Year 12, Cooktown) and Bruce (Year 12, Yam Island) reflect on their boarding experience, with gratitude for those who have supported them and their peers on the way.
Thank you to our valued partner family for their commitment and shared vision in helping to remove distance as a barrier to education and creating life-changing opportunities through education equity.
House Partners
Bursary Partner
Friends of the House
Founding Friends of the House
Contact us
T 07 4727 6400
E cowboyshouse@cowboys.com.au
272 Hugh Street, Gulliver Qld 4812
PO Box 446, Aitkenvale Qld 4814
