Congratulations to AILC alumnus Gordon Cole! Gordon’s business Cole Workwear has been awarded Runner Up in the NAIDOC Perth 2020 Business of the Year Awards. Cole Workwear Pty Ltd is a proudly Noongar owned and operated West Australian workwear and safety wholesaler.

Being a Noongar leader and business operator for more than 20 years, Gordon has loads of leadership experience, including completing two AILC leadership courses.  Gordon completed the Certificate II in Indigenous Leadership in 2015 and  Certificate IV in 2016.

Growing up in the Northern suburbs of Perth, Gordon has worked in federal and state government trading entities and agencies, from Australia Post, Aboriginal Affairs, Child Protection, Community Development and Justice along with being in social enterprise for 20 years.

“One of the things that I enjoy most about my work is seeing people and communities thrive to be the best they can be to maximise their untapped potential,” says Gordon. “To me, good leadership is about having a vision, a plan to execute it and having good people around you” 

“The major aspect of good leadership is being consistent. My strengths as a leader include consistency, honesty, passion, being a good listener, having a work ethic, showing emotion, being empathetic and understanding. I always do what I say I will.”

Gordon has also played key leadership roles in establishing not for profit organisations such as The Noongar Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Wirrpanda Foundation, Noongar Mia Mia PTY Ltd and  Noongar Wellbeing and Sports.  He also currently sits on the National NAIDOC committee.

“I do the work that I do because it’s very much needed to improve life outcomes for our people. One of the things that I enjoy most about my work is seeing people and communities thrive to be the best they can be to maximise their untapped potential.”