Leading with pride, purpose and deep commitment to community, Aliyah Gordon’s journey reflects the power of education grounded in culture, identity and opportunity.
From the moment Aliyah Gordon (OA2025) joined Gawura School in Year 4, it was clear she carried something special: a deep pride in her First Nations identity and a natural ability to lead with warmth, clarity and conviction. The quiet confidence she brought to us back in 2017 soon grew into a powerful presence across both Gawura School and St Andrew’s Cathedral School, as Aliyah became a proud voice for her community.
While at School, Aliyah regularly delivered Acknowledgments of Country at assemblies and major events, which developed her public speaking skills to a professional level. For our NAIDOC celebrations in 2023, she conceived, wrote and produced a video for both school assemblies. Bringing Gawura School siblings together, she invited students to share who they were most proud of in their lives. Aliyah coordinated every detail: students, families, photos, scripts and production, ensuring the final piece honoured community, connection and Country.
Academic Strength and Advocacy
Aliyah was a part of the first graduating Aboriginal Studies class at St Andrew’s Cathedral School, completing the subject from Years 9 to 12. Her major HSC project explored the gentrification of Redfern and its impact on First Nations families who lived and continue to live there.
Alongside her HSC, she completed a Certificate III in Business through the Nanga Mai Marri (Dream Big) programme, which supports young Aboriginal students through mentoring, cultural connection and pathways to further study and employment. Her dedication led to her being named a finalist for NSW Trainee of the Year, a remarkable achievement that recognised her academic commitment and leadership.
Sport, Strength and Community
A proud Gooreng Gooreng and Bundjalung (Githabul) woman raised in the heart of Rabbitohs territory, Aliyah has always been passionate about sport. She plays in the South Sydney Rabbitohs female pathways system and continues to be a strong role model for young women in sport.
Since graduating, Aliyah has taken on the role of Business Support Officer at Souths Cares, an organisation dedicated to supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people across NSW. Her work contributes to programmes that reach more than 35,000 young people each year, strengthening education, wellbeing, employment and cultural connection.
In 2026, she was selected as one of three Rabbitohs women to serve as ambassadors for the Souths Cares Gambling Education Campaign, a harm‑minimisation initiative delivered with the NSW Office of Responsible Gambling. The role sees her promote positive choices and help address gambling harm, particularly within First Nations communities.
Aliyah Gordon continues to break barriers, uplift others and lead with cultural integrity. Her journey, from Gawura School student to community leader, athlete, advocate and Souths Cares staff member, shows what is possible when First Nations students are empowered to thrive in every space.
She stands as a powerful example for the next generation: proud of who she is, committed to where she comes from, and is determined to create opportunities for those who follow.
