As Director of Koori Communications and Training, Peter Cooley runs courses for young people in learning, leadership and organisation skills. These courses sometimes include a cultural component. Peter Cooley trained as a TAFE automotive teacher and Qantas mechanic.

He is a former Director of Aboriginal Tourism Australia and is the Indigenous representative on the NSW Advisory Council for Recreational Fishing. Peter is also the Manager of the NSW Aboriginal men's cricket team and the former manager of the National Indigneous Cricket Development squad.

His Racing to the Top (R) 2-Stroke engines/remote control race car program operates in schools and youth services across Sydney and is in great demand in schools because of its ability to increase student retention rates for Aboriginal and youth at risk. It is also being run as an after school program where juvenile offenders are required to attend as part of their obligations as youth offenders.

His Catch N Cook fishing program was funded by the Federal Government to run in 10 locations across NSW and is also privately funded by various other organisations.

Chairperson of Guriwal Aboriginal Corporation based in La Perouse, NSW which in 2009 introduced Shellworking, carving, burning and didgeridoo making courses for schools and youth, Peter has a belief in training Aboriginal youth in the skills of their culture as a way of increasing self esteem and bridging the gap between the generations.

He has been a recipient of a number of awards for the youth programs that he has developed that engage young people in education and skill development; including the 2005 NSW Department of Community Services' (DoCS) Children's Week child development award, the 2006 Pauline McLeod award for Reconciliation and the 2009 Inaugural Premier's Excellence Awards Recognising Leadership in Aboriginal Communities for Education - Learning and Knowledge. Peter was also one of 25 young leaders from around Australia recognised at the 2007 Future Summit held in Melbourne. The Summit is the main forum for established and emerging leaders from business, government, academia and the community to discuss strategic trends and directions by Australians across all sectors of society.

He has also spoken at a number of international conferences on educating Indigenous youth

Mobile: 0404 134 655 petercooley@kooricommunications.com www.kooricommunications.com