Named in honour of Muruwari storyteller and beloved Play School presenter Pauline E. McLeod, this foundation carries forward her lifelong belief — that every Young First Nations person deserves to see themselves in Australia's future.
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In 1986, Pauline returned home — and began a remarkable second chapter. She became an author, poet, master storyteller, cultural learning educator, director and performer. She presented her Cultural Learning stories at schools across New South Wales, working with children from preschool through high school. She was a guest lecturer in Aboriginal studies at TAFE colleges and universities, and a storyteller at the Sydney Opera House, the Australian Museum, and the National Gallery in Canberra.
But it was as a regular presenter on the ABC's beloved Play School that Pauline became known to a generation of Australians — one of the first Indigenous performers to appear regularly on a nationwide television program. Through warmth, story, and song, she showed children everywhere what it meant to belong.
1962
Removed from family
Pauline is removed from her Muruwari family aged 18 months as part of the Stolen Generation — a policy that forcibly separated Young First Nations children from their communities.
1986
Returning home
Pauline returns to her Country and culture — becoming an author, poet and master storyteller. She begins presenting Cultural Learning programs at schools across NSW.
1990s
Play School & national voice
Pauline becomes one of the first Indigenous performers to appear regularly on a nationwide Australian television program — reaching millions of children as a Play School presenter on ABC.
2023
The Foundation is born
Her brother Michael McLeod founds the Pauline E. McLeod Foundation in her honour — continuing her belief that every Young First Nations person deserves real opportunity, cultural pride and a place in Australia's future.
Pauline's brother, Michael McLeod, became Chair of the Pauline E. McLeod Foundation in 2026 to continue her legacy and create lasting opportunities for First Nations people and communities. Under Michael's leadership, the Foundation is building a sustainable model for impact across mental health, education and entrepreneurship — including scholarships for First Nations psychology students, education initiatives for young First Nations men, and partnerships with purpose-driven organisations across Australia.
Michael has spent decades creating pathways for First Nations people to participate and prosper in Australia's economy. He is Co-Founder and long-standing Board Director of Supply Nation, the nation's leading connector of corporate Australia with First Nations businesses, and was recently honoured as its inaugural Patron. He also served as the inaugural Chair of CareerTrackers, helping establish pathways for First Nations university students into corporate Australia through internships, mentoring and employment opportunities.
Today, Michael serves as Chair of the Pauline E. McLeod Foundation and is a proud sponsor and annual convenor of the National Apology to the Stolen Generations Breakfast, held in the Great Hall of Parliament House. His work continues to bring community, business and government together around a simple belief: that lasting change comes from creating opportunities for First Nations people to determine and build their own futures.
Partnering with the Pauline E. McLeod Foundation means your organisation's resources go directly to Young First Nations communities — with cultural integrity, full transparency and measurable outcomes you can stand behind.
Whether you're a business, government body or NGO, we'll work with you to build a partnership that means something.