In the two years since winning a 2016 UTS Alumni Award for Excellence, Sean Gordon has continued to tirelessly advocate for Indigenous self-determination and economic empowerment.
After serving as CEO of the Darkinjung Local Aboriginal Land Council for almost a decade, striving to make Aboriginal land rights law work effectively for Indigenous communities, Sean funnelled his energy into establishing the Gidgee Group, a unique enterprise which aims to foster productive partnerships, catering to individual projects, between clients and Indigenous Australians.
Sean was a key architect and signatory of the Uluru Statement From the Heart, issued by 250 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders in May 2017 and calling for a First Nations’ voice to be enshrined in the constitution. Deflated but unbeaten by the Turnbull Government’s rejection of the proposal, Sean maintains the momentum for constitutional recognition – without disturbing the constitution’s operation – as well as nutting out operational details through his role on the strategic committee of the non-profit organisation Uphold and Recognise, which also seeks to achieve an enduring Indigenous presence in parliament.
Sean returned to a university environment to improve socioeconomic disadvantage as an Atlantic Fellow for Social Equity at Melbourne University (October 2017–March 2018).
He also received a 2018 Boss Magazine True Leader Award in recognition of his work enhancing the bonds between all Australians and convincing conservative politicians and other citizens of the societal and cultural benefits of formalising Indigenous inclusion. Cultural expression underpins belonging and storytelling, driving Sean’s passion for the arts.
As longstanding board member of the NAISDA Dance College, a leading performing arts college, Sean is currently involved in developing the ‘Naya Wa Yugali’ learning precinct on the NSW Central Coast.
The vision is to build a centre of excellence celebrating Indigenous history and culture for everyone to appreciate.