David Liddiard
For three decades David Liddiard, OAM. has been committed to closing the education, health and wellbeing and employment gaps between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.
David is a Ngarabal man from northern NSW and a well known passionate advocate of Indigenous Australians. David was a successful sportsman, playing in the National Rugby League (Parramatta, Penrith and Manly), was recipient of the Dally M Rookie of the year in 1983 and played in two grand finals for Parramatta Eels in 1983 and 1984 - winning the premiership in the 1983 season.
On returning to Australia from a stint with Hull FC (England), David founded NFP organisation, the National Aboriginal Sporting Chance Academy (NASCA), which provides opportunities for Aboriginal youth in sport and education. Having seen first hand the opportunities that can be opened through sport, David has long promoted it as a bridge to a brighter future. The National Aboriginal Sporting Chance Academy has had impressive success with thousands of Indigenous youth being involved.
This success has broadened into other areas such as education, health and employment with one of NASCA's programs, ARMTour (Athletes as Role Models on Tour), taking high profile athletes out to remote communities and interacting with Indigenous communities, providing Indigenous youth with positive role models and encouraging completion of schooling and transitioning to a career. In addition to his role as founder and Chief Executive Officer of NASCA, David has spearheaded initiatives, which provide practical support to businesses large and small with workplace participation strategies for Indigenous talent. He has worked with programs at both national, state and territory levels, which focus on economic leadership development and has presented at numerous forums, conferences and events in this arena.
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In 2004 he was instrumental in the formation of the Indigenous owned business MessageStick (an Indigenous telecommunications company) and appointed to the position of first chairperson. From 2008, David was integral to the Indigenous Corporate Partnerships strategy for Dare to Lead, working with Principals Australia to assist in building strong links between schools and business to further strengthen education, transition and employment opportunities for Indigenous youth. In 2009 David was awarded a Churchill Fellowship in the area of Minority Supplier Diversity. The opportunity to experience first hand the work being done to improve economic opportunities for Indigenous people across the world provided him with valuable insights into how to accelerate the economic and commercial opportunities for Indigenous Australians. On his return he played a key role in the establishment of the Australian Indigenous Minority Supplier Council, now named Supply Nation.
In 2010 David established CorporateConnect.AB, through which he engaged in Indigenous community economic development and employment initiatives in partnership with government and private sector support. More recently David extended his scope of business opportunities to include project management and delivery in construction, services and recruitment and training.
His JV partnerships have successfully provided employment and procurement outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth and adults across diverse industry areas and his support for new Indigenous businesses has enabled them to build their businesses.
David has been recognised for his tireless work and commitment to Indigenous Australia being awarded the Gold Harold Award in 2010 for services to Aboriginal Health and Education, the NSW Outstanding Community Service Award in 2013 and an Order of Australia medal (OAM) for service to Indigenous youth, sporting and employment programs in the 2014 Australia Day honours.
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Board Positions and Recognition
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NSW Industry Skills Board (2016 – 2022)
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Board member of the RUOK Foundation (2016 – 2018)
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Director (Founder), CEO and board member of NASCA (1995 – 2018)
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Order of Australia medal for service to Indigenous youth, sporting and employment programs in the Australia Day honours (2014).
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NSW Outstanding Community Service Award (a tribute to David Liddiard by the NSW Legislative Council) (2012)
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The Gold Harold Award for services to Aboriginal health and education (2010)
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Churchill Fellowship to investigate Indigenous minority supplier diversity (2009)
Professional Experience
Founder, Chief Executive Officer, Director
NASCA (1995-2018)
The National Aboriginal Sporting Chance Academy (NASCA) is dedicated to creating positive futures for young Aboriginal Australians through educational engagement and life skills training.
Managing Director
David Liddiard Group (2014-present)
DLG brings together experienced and reputable industry leaders who are committed to supporting Indigenous business development.
Managing Director
CorporateConnect.AB Pty Ltd (2010-present)
Indigenous community economic development and employment initiatives in partnership with government and private sector support.
National Coordinator
Principals Australia (2008-2010)
Led the Indigenous Corporate Partnerships strategy for Dare to Lead 4 Business establishing links between schools and business to further strengthen education and employment opportunities for Indigenous youth.
Inaugural Chairperson
MessageStick (2005-2014)
Instrumental in the formation and inaugural Chairperson of MessageStick an Indigenous telecommunications company.
Gunya Tourism (2005-2010)
Led much of the work to establish the community driven tourism enterprise at Titjikala community.
Athletes as Role Models on Tour (2003-present)
ASCA’s success resulted in ARMTour. High profile athletes visit remote communities providing Indigenous youth with positive role models and encouraging completion of schooling and transitioning to a career.