Biography
Ivan Clarke is a Barkinjii man (Darling River region NSW) who was raised on the far North Coast of NSW and identifies as a member of the Stolen Generation. Ivan worked as a Technician with Telstra for 11 year before changing careers after a life change event in 2000.
Ivan is a qualified AOD, Problem Gambler, Trauma grief and loss, Social, emotional and wellbeing and Specialist trauma and Dual Diagnosis Counsellor. Ivan is a Qualified Training and Evaluation Facilitator.
Ivan worked as a Residential support worker for the WHOS drug and Alcohol rehabilitation centre in Redfern for 4 years. Ivan also worked at the Salvation Army and Foundation House Rehabilitation centre.
In 2008 Ivan was instrumental in establishing the Link-Up NSW Aboriginal Corporation Counselling service where he became the Senior Counsellor and the operations manager in 2012. Ivan specialised in supporting stolen generation clients with alcohol and other drug issues, trauma, grief and loss, dual diagnosis and mental health issues. Ivan was invited to develop the Strong Aboriginal men’s program with Eric Hudson for ECAV NSW Health in 2011. The program has been presented to 24 Communities across NSW and has effectively engaged with in excess of 400 Aboriginal men and has assisted them in their pathways of healing and reclaiming their roles and responsibilities in creating safety in their respective communities.
As the Clinical consultant for the Men’s Programs Ivan regularly guest lectures at Macquarie University on the impacts of Colonisation on Aboriginal people. Ivan is also responsible for delivering the “Weaving the Net” series of workshops throughout NSW with a focus on Child protection and the “Journey of Survival” which assist Aboriginal people to identify the impacts of Colonisation and the ideals of healing for individuals, families and communities.
Ivan is the founding director of Wiimpatja and has strongly invested in supporting the self determination of first Nation people through Healing programs and empowerment workshops.
Ivan sits on the Aboriginal Communities matter advisory Group (ACMAG) which advises NSW Health Education Centre Against Violence as well as a number of other community based bodies.
Ivan is a member of the White Ribbon Campaign, he plays Cricket for the Redfern All Backs Cricket Club as well as being the Club secretary. Ivan is an avid Golfer, West Tigers supporter and a part time actor and lives in Sydney’s inner west.