Bachelor of Business Administration (Indigenous), 2018
Indigenous Australian Award
For more than 30 years, Clarence Slockee has poured his efforts into growing Australians’ knowledge of our First Nations culture and unique flora.
A proud Cudgenburra/Bundjalung man, Clarence’s passion for biodiversity shines through in many ways. Perhaps the avenue dearest to his heart is Jiwah, the 100% Aboriginal-owned company he founded in 2020.
As Director, Clarence and his team incorporate Indigenous cultural perspectives into green space urban design under their motto of ‘Native by design, nature by necessity’. He also works with other design teams to instil Connection to Country principles across medium- and large-scale developments around Sydney.
Clarence has also shared knowledge whilst an Education Officer with Sydney’s Royal Botanic Gardens and as Team Leader with the Barangaroo Delivery Authority through many years of environmental and cultural education,.
Clarence is driven to create development opportunities for young (and young at heart) Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander entrepreneurs, whilst also increasing awareness and appreciation of our native species ecosystems and the threats of climate change, population growth and overdevelopment. He feels the experience of First Nations people caring for our Earth Mother for thousands of years, and their knowledge and connections, are crucial for rebuilding biodiversity in our urban ecologies. And in turn develop a better appreciation of the diversity of Indigenous cultures.
His long list of achievements and accolades include a Public Service Medal during his time at the Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney, being named 2020 Horticulturalist of the Year by the Australian Institute of Horticulture. As well as earning the 2021 Sustainability Future Shaper Award from Time Out magazine and the 2022 Chapter Presidents Award from the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects. Clarence also appeared at TEDxSydney in 2019 and has been seen on several popular TV shows, including Gardening Australia and Playschool.
UTS provided the foundation for Clarence’s success and helped sow the seeds of his work, exposing him to the business skills and frameworks that helped him launch Jiwah. He hopes to commence a Master of Environmental Management to continue these studies soon.
As any award it's nice to have recognition of hard work really but quite a long road to get to where I am now and I have quite a bit of that to having studied here at UTS so it's really nice to be able to share in some of that hard work through recognition of alumni award.
Generally from a business perspective I think it's just trying to support other young indigenous business people, entrepreneurs or people working in in a similar space in particularly in the infrastructure whether it be green infrastructure or whether it be various areas of construction and hopefully treading a little bit lighter.
My extended family aunties and uncles and my parents and grandparents always instilling in us that you know education is key there's no substitute for hard work really if you put your mind to something you can achieve it to have that that sense of purpose, but also the support of family and my immediate family now my wife and my children have been able to not only support me but of you know probably put up with quite a bit in the working full-time studying full-time and then you know just trying to make a difference and trying to remember that work-life balance and and the family time.
Australia’s native flora and fauna is unique and vital. Unfortunately, it’s under threat. We need to better understand and appreciate our local ecosystems and ecology. Through this, we can minimise our impacts, restore bushland and rejuvenate our natural systems.