Vale Russell Taylor, founder AILC

Vale Russell Taylor AM. His contribution is vast and he leaves a powerful legacy across Indigenous Affairs.

The AILC exists because of Russell's vision. After he completed a leadership program with a mainstream organisation he knew there needed to a Leadership Centre for Indigenous Peoples, he with the support of the AIATSIS Board, brought his vision to life and here we are 21 years later.

In 2015, Russ was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for his significant service to the community as a cultural leader and public sector executive in Indigenous affairs. In 2018, he was awarded the 2018 National NAIDOC Male Elder of the Year (image below).

To many Russ was a friend, a work colleague, a staunch supporter of his beloved rabbitohs. He was a great bloke who will be missed.

On behalf of the AILC Board, Staff and over 3000 Alumni we honour you, we thank you and know that your legacy will live on through the work that the AILC continues to do.

In 2020, we sat down with Russ to discuss the AILC's origins in preparation for the organisation's 20th anniversary. It was a wonderful opportunity to reflect on the organisation's history and Russ' key role in it. Read Russ' reflections on the Our History page of this site.