“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.”
Clarence Slockee
UTS Indigenous Australian Alumni Award 2022
At a glance
- Winner of UTS Indigenous Australian Alumni Award 2022
- Bachelor of Business Administration (Indigenous), UTS
- Founder of Jiwah, a 100% Aboriginal-owned company
- “Native by design, nature by necessity”
- TEDxSydney speaker
Clarence studied at UTS a Bachelor of Business Administration (Indigenous)
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
- Public Service Medal (Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney)
- 2020 Horticulturalist of the Year — Australian Institute of Horticulture
- 2021 Sustainability Future Shaper Award — Time Out
- 2022 Chapter Presidents Award — Australian Institute of Landscape Architects
- TEDxSydney speaker (2019)
- Featured on 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.
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High Jackman completed a Bachelor of Arts in Communications at UTS. He says "My passion and fire for learning was lit at UTS"
Dr Anna Funder gained her Doctorate of Creative Arts at UTS. Her best-selling novel All that I Am, was born in the UTS Tower.
While you may have heard of her inclusive performance style, ongoing charity advocacy (and maybe even her 2020 UTS Young Alumni Award), most people don’t know that Emma is also a skilled filmmaker – having graduated from UTS with a Master of Media Arts Production in 2012.
After Joe was born, who was my last child, I enrolled in a Communications course at UTS and that was to change my life.