Media release

IPROWD has produced more than 1,200 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander graduates since 2008. It offers culturally safe training in foundational skills and career readiness and empowers students to pursue careers in policing and strengthen community representation in the justice system.

An encounter with police as a teenager left Blaze with a lasting respect for the role of empathy in justice. It forged a desire to join the ranks of the police force as an officer with a focus on supporting people and enforcing the law. It sparked a strong commitment to build cultural understanding in the justice system.

Throughout his training as part of the IPROWD program, Blaze consistently excelled both academically and personally. He became a trusted voice in classroom discussions, a thoughtful representative on visits to policing organisations across NSW and the ACT, and a steady source of support to his peers.

Now as a NSW court sheriff in Sydney, Blaze takes pride in creating a respectful, culturally safe environment for all, particularly Aboriginal people who may be navigating the system with uncertainty and trauma.

“The IPROWD program changed my life,” Mr Taylor said. “It opened my eyes to so many career paths and showed me the reality of law enforcement in an honest and culturally safe way.”

“What stood out most was how candid the teachers were. They didn’t sugar-coat the job – they told us exactly what we’d be walking into. That honesty made all the difference.”

Blaze said he hoped to use his work to support greater understanding between communities and the justice system.

“I wouldn’t be working as a sheriff now if I hadn’t done IPROWD,” he said. “It showed me all the different pathways out there – not just police, but courts, corrections, juvenile justice.”

“I really want to recognise the other Gili Award winners as well. Their stories are all inspirational. It wasn’t about winning, it was about celebrating what we’ve all achieved.”

Blaze also shares his culture with the wider community through dance performances with the Dinawans Connection group and regularly joins cultural outings with Elders and Uncles to deepen his connection to Country and traditional knowledge.

TAFE NSW Managing Director Chloe Read praised Blaze’s resilience and leadership, “Blaze embodies the spirit of the Gili Awards. His dedication to self-growth and service is matched by his compassion for others.”

“He is a brilliant example of the difference vocational education can make, not just in a person’s life but in the lives of their family members and the wider community. Blaze’s leadership inside and outside the classroom is inspiring. He represents the future of a justice system that is more inclusive and connected to community,” Read said.

“Through his commitment to reconciliation, cultural pride and respectful service, Blaze is helping change perceptions and make connections. His journey through the IPROWD program to a career in the courts is a powerful reminder of the role education plays in supporting empowerment, building trust and creating lasting social change.

“TAFE NSW is incredibly proud to support students like Blaze, who are shaping a fairer future.”

Media contact: Sarah James, TAFE NSW Communications Specialist,
02 7920 5000.

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