Leading with pride

This article is part of a series by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples living and working on Gadigal land. The series, a joint project of South Sydney Herald and the City of Sydney, is curated by Wiradjuri woman Aunty Norma Ingram.

I’m Luciano Svagelli and I currently live in Rockdale. As a youngster, I lived in Erskineville with my parents and 2 sisters, Djanala and Maya. I went to Endeavour Sports High School because I loved sports.

My mother was a teacher at Cleveland Street High School then Alexandria Park Community School. My dad Carlos Svagelli went to Cleveland Street High School. After he completed high school, dad went to TAFE and trained as an electrician. After that, he worked at Aboriginal Affairs NSW, where he still works today.

My grandmother Lilly Kunoth grew up at Old Telegraph Station outside of Alice Springs. She was taken by the government as a young girl to Darwin and then to Sydney. My nan’s brother is Bobby Randall who wrote and sang Brown Skin Baby. My grandfather Luciano Svagelli, who I was named after, migrated from northern Italy and met my grandmother.

My family has always been connected to Redfern, Waterloo and Erskineville. When I left school, I worked with a young Koori lad at Eastlakes Primary School as a support teacher. I’ve always been passionate about working with young Aboriginal peoples, especially supporting them in their learning, living a healthy lifestyle and being independent. I started off working as a consultant at the Tribal Warrior Association in Redfern in 2020, engaging the support of corporates such as Tier One Construction to seek employment and deliver Aboriginal cultural awareness training.

I have always loved playing sports. I started playing with Redfern All Blacks Rugby League Football Club (RAB) in 2004 as a front-row forward. I love RAB and have remained connected with them as a player, a coach (currently coaching the 14-year-olds) and now I am proud to be a member of the RAB Board as vice chair since March 2025.

My dad played for RAB and I’m proud to follow in his footsteps for this great team. We now both play in the NSW Koori Knockout which is held every year on the October long weekend. My dad has been playing since 1998 and I started in 2017. We also played together in the Koori Knockout in 2017. I’m so proud of that.

I want to remain involved in the local Redfern Waterloo community. I want to build up my career by supporting local Aboriginal peoples, particularly with youth. One day, I hope to play a major role and perhaps be a leader. I love being a part of Redfern and I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. I’m very proud to raise my 3-year-old daughter, Mirri, here.