Connect To Country
Walking with young Aboriginal people from Country to leadership.
We invest in young Aboriginal people in regional NSW — not because they lack ability, but because too often they lack belief. Through cultural connection, consistent mentorship and on-Country experience, we walk alongside them as they become who they were always meant to be.
Who we are.
An Aboriginal-led foundation, built to last beyond funding cycles.
Winmarra Foundation is an Aboriginal-led Public Benevolent Institution (PBI) and registered charity, co-founded by Latrell Mitchell and Sunny Brar. We design and deliver culturally grounded mentoring and leadership programs for young Aboriginal people aged 10–17 in regional NSW. We work with community, on Country, for as long as it takes.
Three phases. One relationship.
Most youth programs end abruptly at exactly the point a young person needs them most. The Winmarra Emerging Leaders Program is built not to let go — one continuous pathway, from a young person's first contact with us, through structured leadership, into paid cultural leadership as a young adult.
PHASE ONE.
Connect to Country
Entry & healing for young people aged 10–17 who are involved with, or at risk of entering, the youth justice system. No fixed end date — no one is exited for struggling. Delivered in partnership with the Nari Nari Tribal Council in Wagga Wagga.
PHASE TWO.
Emerging Leaders
A 10-month culturally grounded mentoring and leadership journey for young people aged 12–17, earned through sustained growth in Phase 1. Delivered in Brewarrina, with expansion underway to Wagga Wagga and Taree, alongside NRL role models, Aboriginal professionals and Elders.
PHASE THREE.
Alumni & Cultural Leadership
Graduates aged 18+ stay connected — supported into education and employment, and engaged, paid, to return as Assistant Mentors and Cultural Leaders for the next cohort coming through.
In our first 10-month program, every young person finished.
Every family saw change. Every funder asks how. The 2025 Impact Report tells the story — the data, the people, the model.