Lester Bostock

Uncle Lester Bostock has overcome personal challenges with dignity to represent the interests of Indigenous people regionally, nationally and internationally.

A Bundjalung man from Box River Reserve in New South Wales, Lester was unable to read or write when he left school at just 13. Undeterred, he returned to education as an adult and became a teacher.

Lester is regarded as a pioneer of Indigenous media in Australia. He helped to set up Radio Redfern, was involved in creating the first Indigenous theatre group, and was the first Aboriginal presenter on SBS Radio.

Suffering from an accident in the 1950s and needing to have his leg amputated, Lester has worked to raise awareness of the unmet needs of Aboriginal people with disabilities.

He has played important roles in many Indigenous disability and community organisations and was part of the 1967 referendum campaign and the Aboriginal Tent Embassy.

An unsung hero, Lester Bostock has made an extraordinary contribution to Aboriginal services in Australia.