Uncle Malcolm Gollan's leadership and spirit shaped a profound legacy, that continues to guide Life Without Barriers and communities across Australia.
Image: Uncle Mal and Phi Theodoros smiling at each other at Rec in the West.
WARNING: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised that this article contains the name and image of an Indigenous person who is deceased, used with the permission of their family.
Uncle Malcolm Gollan, a proud Ngarrindjeri Elder, carried his culture and community with humility, strength, and an unwavering commitment to justice and reconciliation. Over his time at Life Without Barriers, his leadership and spirit shaped a profound legacy, one that continues to ripple across South Australia, the nation, and the hearts of all who knew him.
On what would have been his 70th birthday, and one year since his passing, Life Without Barriers held a special event to honour the life and legacy of Uncle Malcolm Gollan. The gathering brought together his family, community partners, and staff both past and present to reflect, share stories, and celebrate the incredible impact Uncle Mal had on so many lives.
During the event, a series of reimagined spaces and commemorative plaques were unveiled, spaces shaped by his legacy and spirit, honouring the values he lived every day: cultural strength, truth-telling, and community leadership.
Image: A tribute to Uncle Mal at Life Without Barriers' office.
From the moment he began his role at Life Without Barriers in 2007 as the organisation’s first Aboriginal Policy and Program Manager, Uncle Mal was a central figure in shaping the organisation’s journey toward reconciliation. Alongside colleagues, Elders, and community partners, he helped lay the foundations for Life Without Barriers’ very first Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), contributing his deep cultural knowledge and leadership to a collective effort that grew into a national movement.
His vision and dedication helped guide this journey, culminating in 2023 when Life Without Barriers proudly became the first non-government organisation in Australia to achieve Elevate RAP status, a landmark recognition of reconciliation being fully embedded in the organisation’s work.
But Uncle Mal’s influence extended far beyond policy and plans. He was a teacher, a mentor, and a steadfast advocate for cultural safety, truth-telling, and healing. He carried his cultural authority with quiet strength and grace, helping to educate allies with openness and generosity, and forging lasting partnerships with Elders, Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations, and other key stakeholders.
Through his leadership, many staff and community members were inspired to prioritise cultural connections across programs such as out-of-home care, disability services, and mental health support.
Image: Uncle Mal's family attending Life Without Barriers' memorial event.
His role evolved over the years, shifting from Aboriginal Policy Manager to State Lead for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Initiatives. His commitment to reconciliation and community never wavered. He was instrumental in facilitating partnership opportunities with Life Without Barriers, Anglicare SA and Tauondi Aboriginal College toward the growth and development of Reconciliation in the West, an annual community Reconciliation Week event held in Port Adelaide, that grew into a strong cross-agency collaboration. Today, Reconciliation in the West stands as a flagship celebration of culture and community unity.
Uncle Mal’s hope was clear. He believed deeply in the power of the next generation to carry reconciliation forward, to build on the work he began and to make instrumental, lasting change. His legacy is now firmly placed in the hands of his family, community, and young people. The journey of truth-telling, healing, and justice continues, with new leaders rising inspired by his courage and wisdom.
Until his passing in July 2024, Uncle Mal remained a guiding presence, mentoring staff, advising on programs, and standing as a pillar of cultural knowledge and strength. His leadership was marked by a profound respect for the diversity and resilience of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and a dedication to embedding cultural safety and respect in every aspect of Life Without Barriers’ work.
"Malcolm’s dedication to reconciliation was reflected in his leadership through four consecutive RAPs and the many partnerships he nurtured over the years," said Claire Robbs, Chief Executive of Life Without Barriers, reflecting on Uncle Mal’s enduring impact.
"He was truly a force for change, and we consider him the Grandfather of reconciliation here at Life Without Barriers."
Image: Close-up of Uncle Mal wearing a hat, a Life Without Barriers jacket and a blue polo shirt.
At the centre of Uncle Mal’s life was his family, the foundation of his strength, inspiration, and enduring love. They remain the heart of his legacy, carrying forward his deep commitment to culture and community. Life Without Barriers continues to respectfully walk alongside his family, it is a partnership that reflects the values Uncle Mal embodied.
Healing is collective, listening to lived experiences rooted in strong family bonds and cultural identity is vital, and true reconciliation is carried forward in family, community, and a shared commitment to cultural agency.
Uncle Mal’s legacy is not just one of leadership or advocacy, it is a living, breathing, force that continues to shape the way Life Without Barriers and communities across Australia walk together toward a more just and united tomorrow.
In a powerful recognition of this enduring impact, Uncle Mal was posthumously awarded the 2025 NAIDOC SA Lifetime Achievement Award, one of the most prestigious honours recognising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership. This award pays tribute to a lifetime of service grounded in cultural strength, truth-telling, and a relentless commitment to justice and community.
It stands as a public and lasting acknowledgment of the profound difference Uncle Mal made, and continues to make, through those carrying his legacy forward.
Image: Left to Right: Maurice Karpany, Phi Theodoros, Sharon Gollan, Cohen Gollan, Talera Gollan-Davey, Nicole Gollan, and Lisa Coulthard at the 2025 NAIDOC SA awards.
As we honour Uncle Mal’s memory, we accept the responsibility he entrusted to us, to listen deeply, to stand firmly, and to carry reconciliation forward with courage and compassion. The work he began is far from over, it has been handed to a new generation, ready to walk forward, inspired by the wisdom and love of a truly remarkable man.
Thank you, Uncle Mal, rest peacefully in the Dreamtime.
