Lionel Wood is a proud Gamilaraay man from Goodooga, born in Bourke, NSW, and now residing on Wiradjuri Country in Dubbo, where he has lived for the past 20 years.

His earliest childhood memories are of growing up with his siblings along the banks of the Bokhara River in Goodooga. He spent part of his junior years in Coonamble before moving to Dubbo in 2005.

From the age of 13 to 19, Lionel was featured on the SBS television talk show Insight, which followed the lives of everyday young people, exploring the barriers, stigmas, and opportunities faced by his generation.

In 2010, Lionel was elected School Captain of Dubbo College Senior Campus by his peers. His dedication and leadership were recognised in 2014 when he was named Young Aboriginal Achiever for Local Government NSW and ACT, as well as Young Australian of the Year for Dubbo during the Australia Day Awards. In 2015, he was recognised as a “Rising Star” and featured on the cover of the Yellow Pages phone book for his commitment to supporting and working with youth in the Dubbo LGA.

Today, Lionel serves as a Board Member for LeaderLife, a not-for-profit organisation working in the heart of Dubbo’s Apollo Estate, and as the Aboriginal Community Liaison Officer at Dubbo Regional Council. Through these roles, he continues to dedicate his time, energy, and passion to building strong community connections and empowering the next generation.