Lil Gordon: A Leader Grounded in Culture and Service to First Nations Communities
Lil Gordon is a respected leader and advocate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in Australia. As a Ngemba woman from Brewarrina in New South Wales, she has built her career around bridging gaps between First Nations people and essential services, advocating for their rights, and leading transformative changes that ensure equal opportunities and outcomes for Aboriginal children, young people, and their communities.
Her leadership, grounded in deep cultural understanding and personal connection to her heritage, stands as a beacon for how cultural leadership can fuel social change. In this article, we explore Lil Gordon’s career, her work as Acting National Commissioner for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People, her education, and the values that shape her journey.
Early Life and Cultural Connection
Lil Gordon was born and raised in Brewarrina, a small town in New South Wales. As a Ngemba woman, her life has always been deeply intertwined with the land, her ancestors, and the First Nations communities she serves. Her upbringing in Brewarrina, a town rich in Aboriginal heritage, shaped her understanding of the importance of community, tradition, and cultural preservation.
This cultural grounding remains a central tenet of her leadership style. Gordon continues to honor and learn from her ancestors as she navigates her professional life. Her leadership practices emphasize values-based and culturally rooted strategies for engagement and collaboration.
A Journey of Leadership and Advocacy
Lil Gordon’s career is a testament to her passion for social change and commitment to improving the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Over the years, she has worked across various sectors and roles to foster positive outcomes for her community.
Acting National Commissioner for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People
In January 2025, Lil Gordon was appointed as the Acting National Commissioner for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People. This is a crucial role that involves advocating for the rights and welfare of First Nations children, who face significant challenges such as over-representation in the child protection system, poor educational outcomes, and involvement in youth justice.
In this position, Lil Gordon plays a pivotal role in driving the national agenda for children and young people from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander backgrounds. She is responsible for providing policy advice, ensuring that the voices of these communities are heard, and ensuring that their unique needs and rights are upheld in national and local policies.
Her leadership in this capacity aims to foster an environment where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people can thrive, reconnect with their cultural heritage, and achieve their full potential. She emphasizes the importance of cultural safety and competence in institutions that support children and young people, ensuring that policies and services are designed and implemented with respect for their identities.
First Assistant Secretary, First Nations Partnerships
Before her appointment as Acting National Commissioner, Lil Gordon held the role of First Assistant Secretary for First Nations Partnerships at the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, and the Arts. This position involved leading initiatives to foster partnerships between government agencies and First Nations communities, ensuring that the latter’s needs, aspirations, and priorities were integral to policy development and implementation.
In this capacity, Gordon played a key role in the “Our Stories on Country” initiative. This initiative focused on building cultural competency within government agencies, enhancing engagement between First Nations communities and policymakers, and increasing the representation of Aboriginal people in the workforce.
Her leadership in this role helped facilitate opportunities for Aboriginal people, allowing them to have a more direct say in decisions that affect their lives, including in areas such as infrastructure, regional development, and arts funding.
Head of Aboriginal Affairs, New South Wales
Lil Gordon also served as the Head of Aboriginal Affairs in the New South Wales Department of Premier & Cabinet. In this role, she led efforts to promote the social, cultural, and economic well-being of Aboriginal communities in the state. By influencing government policies, she ensured that the needs and voices of Aboriginal people were prioritized, fostering greater inclusivity and ensuring that Aboriginal people had access to services and opportunities for growth and development.
Other Notable Roles
Throughout her career, Lil Gordon has worked in several leadership positions. These include roles as Director of Partnerships with Aboriginal Affairs, Director of Aboriginal Learning Circle at TAFE NSW, and CEO of Barang Regional Alliance Ltd. She has also been involved in establishing Kimberwalli, an Aboriginal centre of excellence in Western Sydney, which aims to support Aboriginal youth in exploring opportunities and achieving their aspirations.
Her work has always focused on building capacity within Aboriginal communities, empowering individuals to take charge of their futures, and helping shape policies and services that promote social equity and justice.
Education: A Lifelong Commitment to Learning
Lil Gordon’s education is another cornerstone of her leadership. She is committed to continuous learning and self-improvement, ensuring that she remains equipped to lead her community effectively. Gordon holds a Bachelor of Education (PD/H/PE) from the University of Newcastle, which provided her with a foundation in education and community development.
In 2023, she completed a Master of Social Change Leadership at the University of Melbourne. This advanced qualification equipped her with the knowledge and skills needed to lead social change and address the systemic issues faced by First Nations communities. Her studies focused on leadership, social change, and creating impactful strategies for engaging with diverse communities and institutions.
Values-Based Leadership
Lil Gordon’s leadership style is deeply rooted in the values of respect, collaboration, and cultural understanding. She emphasizes the importance of “creating connections that matter,” a philosophy that guides her work and personal life. Her approach to leadership is based on principles of equity, fairness, and shared understanding. She believes that leadership should be collaborative, grounded in curiosity, and driven by a commitment to positive social outcomes.
Gordon’s values-based approach ensures that every initiative, partnership, and interaction she engages in is conducted with integrity, respect, and a clear focus on the well-being of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
The Future: A Vision for Indigenous Advancement
As Acting National Commissioner for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People, Lil Gordon’s work is more important than ever. She continues to advocate for the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, ensuring that their needs are represented at the national level.
Moving forward, Gordon hopes to continue to influence change by prioritizing cultural safety, closing the gap in educational outcomes, and addressing the over-representation of First Nations children in out-of-home care and youth detention. She envisions a future where Aboriginal children and young people are supported, nurtured, and empowered to take on leadership roles themselves.
Her ongoing work in both government and community spaces will play a critical role in shaping a future where all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children can realize their full potential.
Conclusion
Lil Gordon’s career is a powerful example of how culture, leadership, and advocacy can create meaningful change. From her beginnings as a Ngemba woman from Brewarrina to her current position as Acting National Commissioner for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People, Gordon’s work continues to make a significant impact. Through her values-based leadership, commitment to cultural preservation, and advocacy for First Nations people, she is ensuring that the future of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities is brighter and more equitable.
Her dedication to learning, leadership, and service demonstrates the power of cultural knowledge in creating lasting, transformative change. As Lil Gordon continues to lead the charge for Aboriginal children and young people, her influence will undoubtedly extend far beyond her current role, inspiring future generations to take up the mantle of leadership in their communities.
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