Lionel Dukakis

I am a Proud Gunditjmara Man, who has very strong ties to Framlingham Mission through my Grandmother Vera Austin, and Lake Condah Mission through my Grandfather John Sutton Rose. I am also a Proud Father of four adult kids and a grandfather of six beautiful grandchildren.

As a Member of the Stolen Generation myself, taken from my mother when I was 18 months old, I know what it is like to start life behind the eight ball. I have witnessed first-hand the trauma and devastation which has impacted my siblings and their families, some of whom masked their trauma through addictions. I have buried far too many of my family and relatives and friends because of this.

I am proud to say that I have been working in the Indigenous space for 30 years, 20 years of that working in building and civil construction. I am a former CEO and Program Manager, who has worked for several Aboriginal Controlled Community Health Organisations (ACCHO) and Government departments. I have also worked in mining in remote Western Australia.

I am very passionate about creating change through employment and Empowering Our Mob and their families to be the best versions of themselves, my long career history in the Indigenous sector has allowed me to make an impact and place a handprint in change.