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Stronger Smarter Institute

About the Stronger Smarter Institute

  • National leader in improving educational outcomes for First Nations children for more than 20 years.
  • Established in 2005, inspired by Dr Chris Sarra’s groundbreaking work at Cherbourg State School.

Our Approach

  • Built on a core belief: honour Indigenous leadership, value identity, hold high expectations and students will succeed.
  • The Stronger Smarter Approach drives cultural, relational and systemic change in schools nationwide.
  • Backed by two decades of evidence informed practice.

An Evolving Role

  • Expanding from practice into policy to influence Australia’s most significant education and cultural conversations.
  • Bringing lived experience, community knowledge and relational expertise into policymaking.

Flagship Initiatives

  • Stronger Smarter Together Summit – a platform for honest dialogue, shared leadership and future-focused policy thinking.

Our Impact

  • Strengthening leadership capacity across schools and systems.
  • Informing policy with grounded, community-centred insights.
  • Helping Australia build stronger relationships to move forward with integrity.
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Contact Us

For all media enquiries please contact Eirenei Fa’amoe Taviuni on 0448 984 350 or enquiries@strongersmarter.com.au.

Dr Chris Sarra

CEO

Dr Chris Sarra is a Gurang Gurang / Taribelang Bunda man and is the Institute’s founder and CEO.  His career spans more than 30 years in positive education reform for Indigenous students based on the Stronger Smarter Philosophy. 

Chris is a highly sought-after advisor on Education, Indigenous policy reform and strategy and is well respected in First Nations communities across Australia. Prior to returning to the role of CEO in 2025, he was the Director General of numerous Queensland Government Departments including the Department of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships and the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries.  Other roles performed by Dr Sarra include a Professor of Education with the University of Canberra and Co-Chair of the Prime Minister’s Indigenous Advisory Committee.  Throughout his career he has received numerous honours including NAIDOC Person of the Year 2016, Queenslander of the Year, Australian of the Year finalist, NRL Commissioner. Dr Sarra is also a 2018 New York Marathon finisher.

Cassie Ryan

SENIOR MANAGER SERVICE DELIVERY

Cassie Ryan is a Kamilaroi woman, a descendant of the Weatherall family.  She was born in Dirrandbandi Queensland and grew up in Oakey, Queensland.  Cassie has over 10 years experience working for the NSW Department of Education.  Prior to joining the Stronger Smarter Institute, she was employed as the Aboriginal Community Liaison Officer in the Lismore area.    Cassie has been involved with the Stronger Smarter Institute since 2011 and is committed to improving educational outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.  Cassie now lives on Bundjalung Country on the North Coast of NSW.

 

Born in New Zealand and raised in Australia, Eirenei proudly embraces her Samoan heritage and has called Australia home for more than 20 years. Guided by the Stronger Smarter philosophy, she is proud to work for an Institute that supports every individual to be strong in both their identity and education, values cultural identity, demonstrates positive leadership, and fosters respectful relationships.

Our Logo

The Stronger Smarter Institute is represented by the soaring wedge-tailed eagle. This honours the contributions made by the Cherbourg community on Wakka-Wakka country and symbolises pride and a strong sense of identity.

Our Stronger Smarter logo represents who we are as a First Nations led organisation and the values we stand for, so we like to make sure it’s always used respectfully and consistently. If you’d like to feature the logo in your story or materials, you’re welcome to do so — we just ask that you use the official version and keep it as it is (no stretching, recolouring or remixing).

The logo is available for media and partners to use when talking about the Stronger Smarter Institute, our programs or our work. Please just make sure it’s not used in a way that implies endorsement of something we haven’t formally approved.

If you’re ever unsure, feel free to get in touch — we’re always happy to help you get it right.

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Quotes

Relational sovereignty is not about who dominates whom. It is about the quality of the relationships we choose to cultivate. It insists on dignity, contribution and mutual respect. It rejects both resentment and naivety. It asks not ‘Who looks like us?’ but ‘How do we stand with one another at a higher standard?’

A confident and principled nation doesn’t narrow the circle of belonging to feel secure. It raises expectations of others and seeks to embrace others at a higher standard. It insists on contribution. It expects mutual respect. It refuses to define itself by fear.

When we honour and embrace the humanity of others, especially those who are different; we do not lose ourselves, we become the best version of ourselves.

Dr Chris Sarra

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