AILC facilitator Deon Bird wears many hats!  He is a husband, a father of four, an ex-professional rugby league player, a mental health advocate,  a proud Aboriginal man, a trainer, coach and consultant.

Deon once thought that he was put on this earth to play rugby league but in 2007 he became a mentor for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and this would profoundly change the trajectory of his life.  Deon realised his real purpose – assisting people at risk, in particular Indigenous youth.

After eight years of working in the education sector, Deon transitioned into a similar role within the heath sector. This role would see Deon be at the forefront of the development and delivery of a young Indigenous men’s mental health program, a position that would magnify his purpose in life and see Deon develop an unwavering passion for mental health.

Deon facilitates the AILC's Youth Leadership Program in Queensland.