Rod Towney’s ability to interact with people from all walks of life stems from his proud upbringing which also placed value on humility and has helped him be honoured with an Order of Australia Medal (OAM).

Also known as Uncle Rod, Mr Towney was given the honour in January for his contributions to community across a wide-variety of roles.

This honour came a decade after Mr Towney was awarded the Public Service Medal for his public service work across a variety of fields back in 2015.

Describing himself as ‘Wiradjuri and proud’, the affable Mr Towney has always sought interactions with all people to try and make the world a better place.

He was shocked when he joined a distinguished group of Australians recognised in January 2025 via OAMs for their beneficial impacts on their respective areas.

“It was a surprise to me,” he said. “It is an honour to be recognised in such a way.”

His biography tells the story of a man that grew up in a poor but loving family across Wellington, Gilgandra and Balladoran.

He has kept believing and kept working to improve not only his life, but many others.

Mr Towney has served as a member of the Wiradjuri Elders Council and is passionate about his Wiradjuri culture.

He was elected to represent Aboriginal peoples on two National ATSIC boards namely the WIrawongam and Binaal Billa ATSIC regional councils where he was chair of both for approximately eight years.

He also chaired a number of other Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal organisations including Land Councils and housing corporations.

For many years he was a Justice of the Peace for NSW (JP).

He also loves sport and music and loves to see people succeed in life.

Mr Towney has four beautiful children, three sons and one daughter.

He is so proud of all four, and is also the proud poppy to his beloved six grandchildren.

Mr Towney believes following a path in education, believing in his own worth and being accessible to others has helped him succeed.

“I have worked with all people,” he said.

“I’d like to be known for working with all people, Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal. That’s important to me.”

On his journey with TAFE NSW Western and previous career as a school teacher, Mr Towney said education is critical to building a person’s future.

“Education is the key which open the doors to opportunities as one gets older,” Mr Towney said.

“I’ve always had a passion for education and seeing other people do well in their education.”

A trained school teacher, Mr Towney taught across primary schools, high schools, TAFE and university to see people achieve through learning.

His previous work included being the director for Aboriginal education and equity provision within TAFE NSW Western, based in Dubbo.

He led a fine team of Aboriginal staff and was a member of the TAFE Western executive.

“It was where the real decision-making was done,” Mr Towney said.

“Not only in respect to Aboriginal people, but TAFE generally in Western NSW.

“I had an extremely good director (TAFE NSW Western regional general manager Kate Baxter)... who has empathy for us.”

He said TAFE non-Aboriginal directors not only had to learn about Aboriginal culture and barriers to education Aboriginal people faced, but also had to cover a region from Lithgow in the east to the South Australian border in the west, south to the Victorian border and north to the Queensland border.

Mr Towney also had the same distance barriers as he had staff working for him in isolated areas such as Bourke, Brewarrina, Walgett, Moree, Tamworth and Armidale, Wilcannia and Menindee.

He was chosen to represent NSW TAFE to travel overseas along with other TAFE staff during 2016 and 2017.

Mr Towney has a passion for education and in particular assisting and witnessing Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal students graduate from school, TAFE and university courses.

Holding several university degrees and diplomas including Master of Indigenous Languages, Diploma of Teaching, Bachelor of Education in Adult Education, Graduate Certificate in Adult and Community Education, Cert 1V TAA, Mr Towney also teaches the Wiradjuri Language.

He has also been a source of advice and information for councils, senior bureaucrats and ministers in state and federal governments.

But also having also worked on farms, shearing sheds, the railways and at Gilgandra Post Office where he would deliver the mail on pushbikes, Mr Towney can relate to all people.

“In the past I’ve been put down because of who I am, for being black,” he said.

“I’ve faced discrimination. This shows that Aboriginal people can achieve, and do things, as anyone else can.

“If it wasn’t for education, and my mother and aunties and uncles and grandparents pushing me, I wouldn’t be where I am today.

“My message to people today, young and old, Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal, is get a good solid education and follow your dreams.

“Make your family, your community, your state and your nation proud.”

On his ability to interacting with people, Mr Towney put it down to simple values taught by his family.

“My elders always said to me: ‘You are as good as anyone else on the planet’,” Uncle Rod said.

“’But never ever think you are better than anyone else because you are not’.

“We are all the same. To me, we all belong to the once race, and that is the human race.

“And if people can think like that, and help one another, we can do away with wars and fights that are happening around the world.

“We are so blessed to be living in a wonderful country like Australia, we need to work together to keep it like that.”

Having a grandfather on his mother’s side that was a pastor that taught him a lot of religious values.

“I’ve always believed in the creator, God the creator,” he said. “People need to read the good book (Bible) and have a look for themselves.”

And Dubbo and the Central West forms a special place in his heart and will always be home.

“I love this part of the country... I’ve had opportunities to move, but love it here in Dubbo,” he said. “Life is about being there for people and just helping people.”