ABOUT PAULINE
“When I was two years old, all six children in my family were removed by the Welfare, and for the next twenty-four years, I was separated from them.”
Pauline E. McLeod
The beginning of the story
Our motivation and inspiration
Pauline E. McLeod was born in Delegate, Southern NSW. She was a member of the Stolen Generation and was removed from her natural family in 1962. In 1986 she returned home and became an author, poet, master storyteller, cultural learning educator, director and performer.
Pauline from Play School
Popularly known as Pauline from Play School, Pauline was one of the first Indigenous performers to appear regularly on a nation-wide television show in Australia. Throughout her lifetime Pauline presented her Cultural Learning stories at schools, working with children and youth from preschool to high school grades. She was also a guest lecturer in Aboriginal studies at TAFE colleges and universities throughout New South Wales and a storyteller at the Opera House, Australian Museum and the National Gallery in Canberra.
Dedicated to creating opportunities for the next generation
Michael McLeod, Pauline’s brother, founded the Pauline E. McLeod Foundation in 2023. The Foundation seeks to continue Pauline’s journey of building acceptance, understanding and healing with a focus on creating positive opportunities for the next generations.
The Foundation’s focus areas include First Nations mental health, entrepreneurship and education as well as positive employment opportunities for First Nations Australians.
About Michael
Michael often describes himself as the “lucky one,” but it was simply his grit and determination that broke the cycle.
Michael McLeod is a proud Ngarrindjeri Monaro and Yorta Yorta man from South Australia and Southern NSW and a survivor of Australia’s Stolen Generations.
Michael McLeod
Michael McLeod is a proud Ngarrindjeri Monaro and Yorta Yorta man
- Raised in state ward homes and foster care, Michael’s early life was marked by hardship and trauma. From the age of 10, drugs and alcohol took hold, leading to substance abuse and homelessness by 20.
- Rather than succumbing to the societal expectations placed upon him, Michael chose a different path—one of self-reliance and empowerment. He rejected government welfare and housing benefits, choosing instead to start his own telecommunications business.
- Michael is the Co-Founder and long-standing former Board Director of Supply Nation and was recently honoured as its inaugural Patron.
- Michael is also the Co-Founder and Chair of Message Stick Communications, proud sponsor, and convenor of the annual National Apology to the Stolen Generations breakfast that is held in the great hall of parliament each year.
- Michael also served as the inaugural Chair of Career Trackers, a pioneering initiative that supports First Nations university students through structured internships and mentoring.
- Michael’s leadership and vision have been instrumental in reshaping the landscape of First Nations economic development and creating pathways for First Nations people to thrive and succeed.
- Michael invites all Australians — politicians, philanthropists, corporate leaders — to walk alongside us on this journey.
- Sadly, since Michael’s youth, not much has changed — in fact, the gap continues to widen, with funding consistently failing to reach those who need it most, our young First Nations Australians.