April 7, 2025 • 39 mins
Vincent De Luca OAM doesn't just talk about community service—he embodies it. From starting advocacy work at just nine years old to becoming one of Australia's youngest Order of Australia Medal recipients, his journey reveals what happens when someone refuses to look away from society's most challenging issues.
Growing up under the guidance of remarkable women activists, Vincent learned early that meaningful change requires courage and persistence. His grandmother (the first woman to surf at Dee Why Beach) and mother (a founding member of Mundaring Netball Association) showed him that service isn't something you choose—it's something you live. This foundation propelled him into decades of groundbreaking work in youth suicide prevention, drug reform, domestic violence advocacy, and disability inclusion, often before these issues received mainstream attention.
When diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma during his first council campaign and given just six weeks to live, Vincent's response wasn't to retreat but to double down on service. Even from his hospital bed, he organised fundraisers for the cancer ward. This experience fueled his later advocacy with the Australian Gynaecological Cancer Foundation and Cure the Future Foundation, addressing critical funding gaps he witnessed firsthand as a patient.
Vincent's story offers profound insights into authentic leadership and community building. He demonstrates how sports create belonging, how leveraging networks amplifies impact, and how systems often fail those designed to help. Most importantly, he reminds us that real change happens when ordinary people refuse to wait for permission to make a difference.
Subscribe to hear more conversations that bridge divides, spotlight unsung heroes, and provide practical pathways to strengthen our communities from the ground up. Together, we can build the kind of world where everyone belongs.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Leon Goltsman (00:00):
Hello and welcome back to another episode of
Engaging Conversations.
I'm your host, Leon Goltsman,and I want to thank you for
tuning into a podcast that's allabout real people, real
challenges and the kind ofconversations that lead to real
change.
As always, a special thanks toNiaz Cannoth from Invest
Intelligence, a committedsupporter of this program.
(00:21):
His beliefs is the power ofcommunity compassion and
meaningful dialogue continues tomake conversations like this
possible.
Today's episode featuressomeone who truly stands out in
public life.
It's rare to meet someone asdeeply connected to their
community and as courageous incalling out what's not working
as Vincent DeLuca OAM, alifelong advocate and
(00:44):
independent counsellor onNorthern Beaches Council.
Vincent has spent decades on theground listening, serving and
acting from suicide preventionand drug reform to domestic
violence advocacy and disabilityinclusion.
He's been there often beforethe rest of the system catches
up.
In this episode, vincent shareshis journey, starting from just
(01:06):
nine years old, with a lifeshaped by service by family and
by a desire to fix what's broken.
We talk about the cracks in oursupport systems, the barriers
people face when trying toaccess help, and the power of
persistence when change doesn'tcome easy.
He opens up about survivingcancer not once, but twice the
(01:26):
inspiring women in his life whoshaped his values and why he
believes community isn't justabout something you belong to.
It's something you build.
This episode is a reminder thatimpact starts with showing up,
Whether that means volunteeringat a local level, checking in on
a neighbour or standing up forsomeone who's been overlooked.
So stay with us, because whatVincent shares might just shift
(01:50):
the way you see leadership,community and your role in
making a difference.
Vincent De Luca OAM (01:56):
Hello, I'm Vincent DeLuca.
I'm an independent councilloron Northern Beaches Council.
I've been involved in communityand welfare endeavours since I
was nine years of age, and sothe Northern Beaches is
exceptionally important to mebecause it's where my family, my
predecessors, have made acommunity and formed so many
(02:16):
community and sportingorganisations.
I'm also extensively involvedin youth welfare, drug and
alcohol prevention, suicideprevention, domestic violence
prevention and a lot of cancerresearch organisations, and it's
been practically all my lifethat I've served in those
(02:38):
capacities, and it's somethingthat brings me great
satisfaction.
Leon Goltsman (02:42):
I truly believe, like you, that there's nothing
more satisfying than servingothers.
With your early work in youthwelfare and co-founding the GAPS
Youth Suicide PreventionAssociation.
What inspired you to takeaction at such a young age, and
how can the same sense ofpurpose help others identify and
respond to the needs aroundthem?
Vincent De Luca OAM (03:01):
Anything that I've helped establish, be
it give anything, prevent youthsuicide, or be it the
elimination of violence againstwomen.
City to country, it's alwaysbeen, because I grew up at the
feet of some outstanding womenwho I believe are icons of our
(03:22):
nation.
My late grandmother, MarjorieSmith OAM, during World War II
as well as post-World War II,was the central figure on the
Northern Beaches for caringabout families and kids, often
who lost their loved ones at war.
My mother, Roslyn De Luca OAM,has been involved in welfare and
(03:46):
sport all her life.
Nan was the founder, with otheroutstanding women, of Warringah
Amateur Swimming Associationand brought men's and women's
swimming together, and mum was afoundation member of Mundaring
Netball Association, then knownas Basketball.
So in my family you wereinvolved in everything that they
(04:08):
did.
So when mum was raising moneyat the local hotel for women who
had been abused, who some,sadly, were on alcohol or drugs
or both, one of my earliest,fondest memories was being able
to hold the meat platter atthese raffles.
(04:29):
I would have been about six orseven.
I was dressed up in a littlebow tie and I was hopping with a
raffle and that's what you gotused to.
So I suppose it was thathistory that more or less led me
into what I've done, andparticularly when it came to
suicide prevention because mumwas involved in that and also
(04:51):
involved with so many youthservices it was just the natural
progression.
Leon Goltsman (04:57):
So serving the community.
It's in your blood.
Vincent De Luca OAM (05:00):
Yeah, well, it's not just my grandmother
and my brilliant mother but allour family.
So my aunt Pam Beckhouse, oem.
She was one of the first torecognise the need for special
education in schools or createspecial education schools,
particularly at the end of the1960s.
(05:21):
She was a teacher's aide andsadly got diagnosed with
chickenpox, and my cousin thenwas sadly born deaf but also had
numerous other cognitive issuesand comorbidity diagnoses.
So Aunty Pam was a trailblazerin ensuring that kids were not
(05:43):
ignored, not put in cupboards,like was a common scenario back
in those days.
If you had a disabled child,many people would keep them
secret and some were found tohave been locked in cupboards.
So Aunty Pam went aboutinsuring education services
everywhere, but particularly inCanberra.
(06:06):
So she too was awarded theOrder of Australia for all her
years of selfless service.
So yeah, in a family like thatyou participate, you see and you
get inspired.
Leon Goltsman (06:18):
And it wasn't that long ago as well.
We're only talking about 40, 50, 60 years ago, so it's really
important.
It's still very relevant to beengaging with your community.
Vincent De Luca OAM (06:29):
Well, 40 and 50 years ago, engagement
with the community was verydifferent.
If you're a politician, you hada soapbox, and I often laugh
seeing people on their soapboxesliterally in parks.
Now we're completely different.
We've got electronic means,we've got Facebook, we've got
you know, Instagram andeverything else, so it does make
(06:53):
it easier to get out themessage to certain people, but I
never forget that not allpeople are on social media, so I
still get a lot of handwrittenletters, manually typed letters,
and so I make sure that I go tothe effort to responding to
those as well, because I thinkit's important that you have to,
(07:14):
as an elected representative,respond to everything and also,
you know, often if it's a verysensitive constituent matter, I
pick up the phone, I'll meetwith people, and I think that's
just so important for aneffective elected representative
, and I think I learned thatvery young from, again, some
brilliant women of differentpolitical persuasions.
(07:37):
I certainly learned a lot fromthe Honourable Bronwyn Bishop AO
who, whether you love or hateher, she's one of the most
responsive and, I think, one ofthe best local MPs that our area
has ever had.
On the other side of thepolitical aisle, I learned a lot
from the Honourable FrancaArena, the first Italian ever
(07:58):
elected to an AustralianParliament, who had the guts to
stand up in parliament andpursue new terms of reference
for the then Wood RoyalCommission so that it was
expanded to take in thepedophilia reference and the
police's failure to actuallyproperly investigate pedophile
(08:19):
networks in New South Wales andindeed across Australia.
And I'm so proud that the workof Frank Arena AM resulted in
people being charged andconvicted, and some of the
people, the perpetrators, wereat the highest levels of society
.
And then, of course, theHonourable Marie Ficarra OAM, a
(08:39):
woman who got elected, like me,very young, to local government
government, and she was in aman's world in 1979, and yet she
went on to be the mayor ofHurstville City Council and
serve with the distinction, notjust at local government.
She then went into thelegislative assembly and then is
the first woman to ever go fromthe legislative assembly to the
(09:00):
legislative.
And I think the common themethat all those three outstanding
women taught me was care aboutpeople, always do what you think
is right and that was certainlyembedded in me by my late
grandmother, my mother and myaunts and never be intimidated
from standing up for what'sright.
Leon Goltsman (09:22):
And you've been standing up for what's right
from a very young age.
In fact, if I'm correct, you'reone of the youngest councillors
to be elected.
Vincent De Luca OAM (09:29):
Well, back in 99 was actually my first
election campaign.
I was 20.
Now, back then that council wasexceptionally dysfunctional.
I during the election campaignin 1999, I was diagnosed with
Hodgkin's lymphoma cancer andgiven six weeks to live.
It was a hard campaign and thecouncil that did get elected was
(09:52):
subsequently dismissed, andthat's very serious.
There was an ICAC investigationas well.
There were constant allegationsin the New South Wales
Parliament about that council.
So, yeah, I have been involvedwith local government since my
early years.
I took up, you know, thechairpersonship of Kokol Youth
and Community Centres ManagementCommittee, the Warringah
(10:13):
Council Management Committee,from 1996.
So I was a mere teenager, butit was an excellent experience.
But it certainly made me awareof what's vested interests and
how you always need people whohave the courage of their
convictions to stand up againstthe greedy and the vested
(10:33):
interests.
That's for sure.
Leon Goltsman (10:35):
And so you've obviously interacted with many,
many people, especially theyoung people, because young
people can sometimes be veryimpressionable.
What strategies did youimplement and how can
communities replicate suchsuccess to encourage youth?
Vincent De Luca OAM (10:50):
involvement .
So encouraging youthinvolvement is something that's
so essential in society.
So when I was in high school,at 14 and 15, I formed the
regional multicultural network.
I also formed the regional drugand alcohol prevention network
and, of course, the suicideprevention network and I went on
(11:11):
to chair the National YouthAdvisory Council.
So I was the vice president ofthe National Council People's
Council Council for Drug andAlcohol Prevention and it was an
(11:34):
extremely difficult rolebecause you did see some of the
worst things happen in societyand so many young people
affected.
And that national advisory sortof role sought to develop policy
to address the drug and alcoholissues plaguing society and
it's even worse today.
And it is definitely somethingthat getting younger people
(11:57):
involved it's, I think,important in that it actually
tells you what's going on on thestreets, the realities of the
situation and, sadly, just howsome kids are sent out by their
parent or parents and told goand have fun, we're too busy for
(12:18):
you, and I think that's one ofthe major things.
Particularly on the northernbeaches you've got a lot of
people who have a lot of moneyand necessarily not enough care
for children.
Leon Goltsman (12:28):
And that seems to be one of the greatest
challenges, not just in thenorthern beaches but everywhere.
And given those challenges thatyou faced in this advocacy, how
can individuals contributeeffectively to such sensitive
issues?
Vincent De Luca OAM (12:42):
I think parents, guardians, aunties,
uncles have to be more cognisantof what kids are both up to and
going through.
They need to acknowledge thatunfortunately we do have drugs
and alcohol in our society.
We have significant mentalhealth issues in our society.
(13:03):
They can't be dismissed.
They can't be dismissed asattention seeking and they need
to encourage kids to actuallyspeak and come forward, and not
just kids.
We have a huge suicide rate inAustralia involving adults as
well, and I think that's mainlycaused by the lack of
(13:24):
willingness or the shame andstigma for people to come out
and say I'm having issues, wouldyou help me or are you willing
to talk.
But also the more systemicproblems that we have so few
youth counsellors and youthpsychiatrists, and similarly,
psychiatrists have recentlyresigned from the New South
(13:46):
Wales Health Service because thestate governments across the
country are not properly payingour nurses, our mental health
nurses, our midwives, ourpsychiatrists and our
psychologists.
Last year I successfully moveda motion at council that the
federal government and stategovernment need to work together
and actually look at bothbetter salaries for all those
(14:09):
professions that I've just named, but also consider incentives
going out to country areas,providing housing, and I think
that should even be in metroareas that it's very hard the
cost of living.
So I think governments of allpersuasions should at the very
least be offering tax exemptionssome sort of incentive to keep
(14:33):
these such essential services inthe areas that are needed.
Leon Goltsman (14:38):
And it does help when you've got the right
support and with your extensivenetwork spanning politicians to
sports figures.
How have these connectionsenhanced your community
initiatives?
And, Vincent, what can ourlisteners learn about leveraging
their networks for positivechange?
Vincent De Luca OAM (14:53):
Leveraging networks is a paramount
consideration.
If you are trying to advocatefor an issue or you're trying to
raise money for an issue or acharity or a sporting group, you
do need the help of highprofile people.
Fortunately, I'm blessed tohave people in my corner like
the great Phil Gould.
(15:13):
I am like Liam Knight, lukeLewis, josh Mansour, the
Trubojevic brothers, who have nohesitation in coming and
supporting any charity event.
Tv-wise, the Packham brothershave helped me considerably with
the elimination of violenceagainst women and have attended
(15:35):
every elimination of violenceagainst women event and we're
able, you know, to use themoften for media.
But also they put their hand intheir own pockets.
They agree to being auctionprizes.
Gina Reinhart and Imelda Rochehave attended events as well and
(15:56):
not just donated money, boughtprizes, donated them back to
refuges and safe houses.
Gina even ended up an auctionprize herself and gave a lunch.
And it's, you know, generouspeople that are the centrepiece
to all the charities and alsocan be great spokespeople for
(16:17):
the issues of the day.
So, yeah, there's just so manypeople out there who've helped
along the way and I could nothave done what I have done
without their support.
So, yeah, network contacts andhaving their encouragement and
backing and support is soessential, and also having
(16:37):
parliamentary support SophieKotsis, the Minister for
Industrial Relations, davidHarris, the Minister for
Aboriginal Affairs, and then, onthe Liberal side, mark Speakman
, natalie Ward, the retiringmember for Port Macquarie,
leslie Williams so many of themover the years have just been so
supportive and without themdefinitely there would not be
(17:01):
the events, the charity moneygoing to all these refuges, safe
houses and the other charitiesthat I'm involved in, it is
really important to talk aboutthese issues.
Leon Goltsman (17:11):
One of the things about doing these programs that
we do is I am very fortunate,like yourself, that I get to
speak to a lot of people and youget to hear things straight
from their mouth to your ears.
And I suppose what we're doingis we're amplifying that to our
network, and I suppose whatwe're doing is we're amplifying
that to our network and ourcommunity.
Vincent De Luca OAM (17:28):
So, um, definitely form good
relationships with people uh whoare both sporting community and
political leaders and I supposeone of the other big things
that having those contacts uh.
During the Bondi murders, as anexample, a dear friend of mine
was very affected because,naturally, because her dear
(17:51):
daughter had been murdered,sophie Kotsis was the first port
of call to help that family andeven this week, on a suicide
where assistance was needed andaction in relation to the
coroner, sophie Kotsis could berelied upon to help that family.
(18:14):
So having those sort ofcommunication lines and having
people who care as much asSophie and David Harris and
people like that and MarkSpeakman certainly helps our
community and particularly inrelation to representations on
behalf of the community.
Leon Goltsman (18:34):
What I love about this conversation that we're
having is that this is farbeyond politics.
Vincent De Luca OAM (18:41):
Look as an independent.
I am blessed to have thesupport of people in all
political parties, but I dosincerely respect those people
who genuinely care, who showthat they will work hard for
their communities.
So to me, I don't care whatparty you are with.
(19:06):
To me, I don't care what partyyou are with, as long as you
show that you are a person ofintegrity, are willing to pick
up the phone and do the hardwork and yeah, I've seen that on
all sides of the parliament.
I've seen it on the crossbenchand, having been in parliament
for so long as a staffer, you doform brilliant relationships
with people who you learn tolove.
(19:27):
And they're not necessarilypeople that you know have your
same philosophical beliefs, butyou learn to love them because
they're just such hard,dedicated workers for the
community and selfless.
Leon Goltsman (19:45):
And I feel exactly the same way.
There's plenty of good peopleon all sides of politics.
Vincent De Luca OAM (19:50):
The great majority of people on all sides
of politics are in there for theright reasons.
It's only the fewself-interested and completely
arrogant that give all of them abad name, and that's sad.
Like Senator Holly Hughes isone of the finest advocates for
the community and yet her ownparty has done her in, having
(20:13):
seen what she has done,particularly in country areas by
way of the country autismnetwork, that she founded her
great advocacy for people whoare in receipt of the NDIS.
It is just such a concern to methat we lose such a brilliant
woman as Senator Holly Hughesfrom the Parliament because, at
(20:35):
the end of the day, very fewpeople can achieve what she has
achieved on behalf of the peopleof New South Wales and indeed
Australia.
Leon Goltsman (20:45):
Well, I am going to reach out to Senator Holly
Hughes, I'm sure in a very shortwhile, because I'd love to have
her on the program and I'm sureshe'll probably shed more light
on the subject.
Vincent De Luca OAM (20:57):
I can honestly say in the Parliament
no one knows more about autismor the needs and interests of
those with a disability thanSenator Holly Hughes.
In the community it's certainlyGrace Fava, oem, who founded
the Autism Advisory and SupportService out at Liverpool and
these are the inspirationalpeople that you get to meet
(21:19):
along the way and help a bitlike Grace.
But Grace is just one of themost amazing and extraordinary
people I've ever met.
To think that, you know,motivated because she had has, I
should say, two boys, lovelyboys with autism, and she saw
the gap that there was nosupport services back in the
(21:43):
early 2000s to support thesekids, so she formed her own
clubhouse.
Little did she realise that itwould go national.
She'd have a national supporthotline as well as a library
service where parents can comefrom across the state to borrow
things that help their kids, getconstant advice from her and
(22:05):
her fellow volunteers Justextraordinary.
And it's the extraordinarypeople that set themselves apart
through the great work thatthey do.
Exactly the more work you do,the more, I think, work you
receive, and it's those womenwho I've just mentioned.
They go under the radar.
Some criticise them becausethey only see a small portion of
(22:29):
what they do.
They don't look at the holisticapproach and say, well, they're
doing great work there, so theymight have a different
political view on that.
But unfortunately I think somepeople seek to hate and
persecute certain politiciansbecause of one view, but they
(22:50):
don't look at that holisticapproach.
Leon Goltsman (22:53):
Well being in local government for 13 and a
bit years.
I've noticed at first hand thatsometimes people tend to put
self-interest before thecommunity and it doesn't matter
what people say, it's what theydo.
Vincent De Luca OAM (23:07):
That's true .
Unfortunately, there are peoplein local government that don't
necessarily sit there for theright reasons.
You often get people who areusing it as a stepping stone to
parliament.
You often get people who arejust so ideologically drawn that
, regardless of what theircommunity wants, they will go
with what they want, or theirego or their vested interest.
(23:31):
And that concerns me greatly,and you know.
Leon Goltsman (23:35):
to see block voting along party lines, to see
people attacked by thoseparties because they had a
different opinion, has been veryscary, but also disheartening
and you see, of course you seesome of the behaviour that goes
on in Parliament, and if we aretrying to set a good example to
(23:58):
the young people, that's wherethey should be setting good
examples, especially if they'vegot children in the gallery or
watching it from home for aschool assignment, and I feel
that in that sense, we'reletting them down.
Vincent De Luca OAM (24:17):
I'd have to agree with that that.
Yes, certain electedrepresentatives at council level
and parliamentary level do letthe community down by their
behaviour in the chamber.
Now that does bring thecredibility and the trust down.
Yes, people do revealthemselves and the true selves
(24:37):
on how they vote, how they speakto people and how they
constantly conduct themselves inpublic.
Leon Goltsman (24:45):
So, having been awarded the Order of Australia
Medal for your service, how didthis recognition influence your
community work?
Vincent De Luca OAM (24:52):
The Order of Australia being awarded is
something that I'll never stillreally accept because it was
just such a shock.
But at the time I was dealingwith and still today serious
issues of drug and alcohol abuse, suicide and mental health
issues.
So that Order of Australia,while it was for my service to
(25:14):
those issues and thoseorganisations that I served in,
for my service to those issuesand those organisations that I
served in, it actually was abreaking point because I think
it helped break the stigma ofthose issues and acknowledged
and recognised it.
And we're talking about, youknow, early 2000s, when it was
very taboo to talk about mentalhealth, it was very taboo to
(25:37):
talk about suicide, it was verytaboo to talk about mental
health, it was very taboo totalk about suicide, it was very
taboo to talk about domesticviolence, and so I think it's a
recognition to all those peoplethat I got to meet and help.
But it was also special to mebecause at that time my mother
and my grandmother before me hadbeen awarded the Order of
Australia, and then then, sincethen, my aunt and my uncle too.
(26:00):
So that I think was a verysentimental consideration, but I
consider it one of the greatesthonours and something that I'll
always cherish.
Leon Goltsman (26:13):
It really is a significant recognition.
And how old were you when you?
Vincent De Luca OAM (26:17):
received it ?
Oh, so it was 2004.
Years, a significantrecognition.
And how old were you when youreceived it?
So it was 2004.
So I was the youngest that yearin the Queen's Birthday Honours
List 21 years ago.
Leon Goltsman (26:27):
Wow, very well deserved, considering your
involvement in other things,especially the Australian
Gynaecological Cancer Foundationand Cure the Future Foundation.
Vincent, what drives yourcommitment to health-related
causes so as?
Vincent De Luca OAM (26:40):
a two-time survivor of cancer and, as I
said earlier, I was given sixweeks to live in 1999, I realise
what patients go through and Irealise what families and loved
ones and friends go through.
So during my hospital stay Inoticed the lack of money for
(27:01):
research for women's cancers andthe lack of money for stem cell
research.
So it was actually MarieFicarra and Diane Langmack that
got me involved with theAustralian Gynecological Cancer
Foundation, and then DianeLangmack again with the Cure,
the Future Foundation, which isprimarily concerned with stem
(27:22):
cell research.
I was saved, my life was savedby a bone marrow stem cell
transplant.
Unfortunately, women's cancersreceive less money than
practically every other cancer.
Money than practically everyother cancer.
(27:42):
Yes, breast cancer is finallyreceiving the funding that it
deserves, but gynaecologicalcancer, which is a silent killer
, is not receiving the money itshould, particularly by federal
governments and stategovernments.
So it is so important for thecommunity to care about their
sisters, their mothers, theiraunts, their grandmothers.
Important for the community tocare about their sisters, their
mothers, their aunts, theirgrandmothers and help raise
money, but also raise awarenessof the testing requirements when
(28:04):
it comes to stem cell research.
It's the next lifesaver.
In other countries people arereceiving stem cell therapy for
dementia, for arthritis, forquadriplegia, and so it is
something that I think we needto look very strongly at and
(28:25):
advocate for funding, becauseit's going to be the future, and
I think there's nothing sadderthan seeing people die of MN, ms
cancer but dementiaparticularly when you see
someone just go downhill infront of you I think it's just
so important yeah and it'sanother thing that I admire
(28:48):
about you that you see somethingthat needs to be called out and
you do.
Well, I was taught by my motherand grandmother that it's so
important never just to talk,act, and by sitting there you're
being hypocritical, and that ifyou want to change something,
you've got to change it yourself.
So, raising money for thosebrilliant charities, be it
(29:14):
Australian Gynecological CancerFoundation, be it Cure the
Future, be it AustralianGynaecological Cancer Foundation
, be it Cure the Future, or beit for the numerous refuges,
safe houses, emergency centresthat I've helped, I realise it's
just so important becausethey're the forefront and hearts
of souls of our community.
They're dealing with some ofthe most significant issues in
our community and, unless wesupport them, there's very
(29:38):
little money for them.
They've been let down by alllevels of government, so we need
to fill that gap.
Unfortunately, they're theforefront and hearts of souls of
our community.
They're dealing with some ofthe most significant issues in
our community and unless wesupport them, there's very
little money for them.
They've been let down by alllevels of government, so we need
(30:00):
to fill that gap unfortunately.
Leon Goltsman (30:03):
Yes, absolutely Vince, and that's always going
to be a challenge.
And speaking of challenges,that leads me to the next
question.
So you mentioned your battlewith non-Hodgkin's lymphoma
during your initial councilcampaign.
How did this personal challengeshape your perspective on
community?
Vincent De Luca OAM (30:18):
service.
Well, back in 1999, my firstelection when I was diagnosed I
think I went into shock andthere was no way in hell that I
was going to accept that I'd diewithin six weeks.
I got a brilliant specialist bythe name of Naomi McKinley and
while she acknowledged that itwas going to be a very hard
(30:39):
fight and a new regime of chemoand radio, I got there in the
end.
It came back a year later samehad to do it all again and have
a bone marrow stem celltransplant.
I think what got me through thatwas having such family and
(30:59):
friends that were just sodevoted to being by my side,
keeping me interested.
But at the same time I keptactive Even though I was
bedridden in hospital.
I ran a fundraiser for thecancer ward at Royal North Shore
Hospital that I was allowed togo to at the Waterview
restaurant down at Miller'sPoint or wherever it is.
I think always trying toinspire, to look positively on
(31:23):
everything is the way to go, butwhat will always guide me is
what has been instilled in me bymy grandmother, by my mother
service above self and to beresilient and not give up.
Exactly.
You're going to get some knocksin life, but you've just got to
(31:44):
brush yourself off and get backup.
If one door closes, you bang onanother, and that is something
you know.
When I'm asked to go and speakto students at schools and
universities, I say, as anexample, an HSC or a first year
university result that's notgood doesn't mean that's going
to adversely affect your wholefuture.
(32:06):
You've just got to keepknocking on doors.
You've just got to keep workinghard and you'll get through.
Leon Goltsman (32:12):
Really, there's no such thing as a failure if
you just keep coming back,because eventually you achieve.
Vincent De Luca OAM (32:18):
If you keep going, you do achieve.
And if you work hard, you'llget what you want.
Leon Goltsman (32:23):
And that's all it is.
The people who really fail arethe ones that didn't keep going.
Vincent De Luca OAM (32:29):
Yeah, unfortunately some people do
give up and have a very sad lifeand don't succeed and go and
spiral and end up in dreadfulsituations where often they will
need a helping hand up.
And we are a compassionatesociety and we do need to have
(32:49):
that safety net and help peoplewho don't necessarily succeed or
can't because of physical ormental disability.
Leon Goltsman (32:58):
And there is some hope, especially those who want
to belong Now, recognising yourrole on the Board of Directors
for Netball NSW, how do you seesports as a vehicle for
community building and whatadvice do you have for
integrating sports initiativesto strengthen community ties?
Vincent De Luca OAM (33:16):
So sport has been very important to my
family.
My grandmother was a brilliantswimmer and a brilliant surfer.
She was the first woman ever tosurf at DY Beach.
She worked hard.
She was a member of the DYLadies Amateur Swimming Club,
the oldest ladies swimming clubin Australia, based at a rock
(33:36):
pool since 1922.
And she, with her dear friendIsa Y MBE OIM, travelled the
world together.
They helped bring New SouthWales men's and women's swimming
together and my mothersimilarly helped establish
(33:57):
Mandaringa Women's Basketball,now Mandaringa Netball
Association.
Now I've seen firsthand howsport can help people.
It's an equaliser, it can giveleadership skills, it can
prevent poor mental health, itincreases fitness, but it also
increases mental health and Ijust think it is so important
(34:17):
and I've seen people who havebeen in the worst situations and
I've seen Nan and Mum use sportto bring those people out of
dreadful situations and reachthe top.
And that is something that'sinspired me and as a director of
Netball NSW a very prouddirector, I must say I see some
(34:38):
inspirational people practicallyevery week and I think sport is
just so important because itteaches so many life skills,
particularly team leadershipskills and team working skills.
For those sports that are teambased, I think it's a great
thing.
Leon Goltsman (34:55):
I have to agree with you on that one.
Sport is really importantbecause it really does.
Apart from just having the teamvalue the spirit, it gives you
something to look forward toSport definitely inspires people
, whether you're participatingor you're a supporter and
watching it.
Vincent De Luca OAM (35:11):
It gives like a tribal, almost family
orientated.
I look at whenever I go to theNational Rugby League and I see
these people who are suchdevoted fans and that is their
great joy to be there, that'stheir team, it's if it's family
and it's just something great tosee.
It gives them something to livefor, someone to support,
(35:33):
someone to look up to and I justthink it's wonderful.
Leon Goltsman (35:36):
The sense of belonging.
Vincent De Luca OAM (35:38):
Yeah, belonging is just so important.
Leon Goltsman (35:40):
Our tribe, and that is why it's important to
have these conversations, to dowhat we do and let everybody
know that they're not alone.
They belong somewhere.
Vincent De Luca OAM (35:51):
It is belonging and being part of a
community, a team, is just soimportant because you have that
support, you have thatrecognition and you have the
love and affection of others andthat, I think, is something
that is the best thing thatanyone can ever want Support,
(36:12):
love, affection.
Leon Goltsman (36:14):
Support, love and affection.
I love that.
I think we've spoken on quite afew topics and, to great extent
, on some of them as well.
I just want to say thank youvery much.
Thank you so much foreverything that you do and for
our listeners to get a betterunderstanding of what goes on.
So thank you very much forsharing with us your journey and
(36:35):
hopefully giving a lot morepeople out there some hope.
Vincent De Luca OAM (36:39):
And one thing I do want to say strongly
is, leon, you have served yourcommunity as a counsellor for
Waverley with great distinction,great selflessness.
You are someone I greatlyadmire, I cherish as a friend
and I thank you for all thatyou've done for the many people
(37:00):
you've helped, and pleaseconsider coming back to either
local government or other levelsof government, because people
like you are desperately neededthe sincere, the selfless and
the genuine.
Leon Goltsman (37:14):
Thank you so much , and I really appreciate the
amazing feedback.
It does mean a lot to me tohear that and not just hear that
, but also hear it from someonelike yourself, vince.
Thank you very much for that,and I look forward to seeing you
continue to grow and evolve asyou have been.
Thank you so much for that, andI look forward to seeing you
continue to grow and evolve asyou have been.
Thank you so much foreverything.
(37:34):
Thanks, liam.
And that brings us to the end ofanother powerful episode of
Engaging Conversations.
A heartfelt thank you toVincent DeLuca, oam, for sharing
his journey of service andresilience, as well as his
honest insights into the gaps inour systems that we need to
fill.
What Vincent reminds us is thattrue advocacy isn't just about
(37:56):
power.
It's about people, and realchange often starts with those
willing to stand alone beforeothers join them.
Whether it's challenging policy, supporting a neighbor or
simply showing up, it allmatters.
The response to recent episodescontinues to grow, with more
listeners tuning in from acrossAustralia and around the world,
(38:18):
and as we prepare to takeengaging conversations deeper
into local communities, it'sclear that people are not only
listening.
They're engaging, reflectingand stepping up.
Next week, I'm joined by TrudyMacDonald, award-winning keynote
speaker, performance coach andone of Australia's leading
voices in leadership, cultureand business performance.
(38:38):
Together, we'll explorepractical, forward-thinking
strategies to help businesses,especially those in high-growth
regional areas like LakeMacquarie, newcastle and the
Hunter, better attract, engageand retain the next generation
of professionals.
This is an episode you'll wantto listen to from start to
finish, because the insightsTrudy shares are just that good.
(39:02):
And, as always, thank you toour sponsors for their ongoing
support and to all of you ourguests, listeners and the
community for continuing to walkwith us on this journey.
I'm Leon Goltsman.
Until next time, stay engaged,stay informed and let's keep
building the kind of communitieswe all want together.
Hello and welcome back to another episode of
Engaging Conversations.
I'm your host, Leon Goltsman,and I want to thank you for
tuning into a podcast that's allabout real people, real
challenges and the kind ofconversations that lead to real
change.
As always, a special thanks toNiaz Cannoth from Invest
Intelligence, a committedsupporter of this program.
(00:21):
His beliefs is the power ofcommunity compassion and
meaningful dialogue continues tomake conversations like this
possible.
Today's episode featuressomeone who truly stands out in
public life.
It's rare to meet someone asdeeply connected to their
community and as courageous incalling out what's not working
as Vincent DeLuca OAM, alifelong advocate and
(00:44):
independent counsellor onNorthern Beaches Council.
Vincent has spent decades on theground listening, serving and
acting from suicide preventionand drug reform to domestic
violence advocacy and disabilityinclusion.
He's been there often beforethe rest of the system catches
up.
In this episode, vincent shareshis journey, starting from just
(01:06):
nine years old, with a lifeshaped by service by family and
by a desire to fix what's broken.
We talk about the cracks in oursupport systems, the barriers
people face when trying toaccess help, and the power of
persistence when change doesn'tcome easy.
He opens up about survivingcancer not once, but twice the
(01:26):
inspiring women in his life whoshaped his values and why he
believes community isn't justabout something you belong to.
It's something you build.
This episode is a reminder thatimpact starts with showing up,
Whether that means volunteeringat a local level, checking in on
a neighbour or standing up forsomeone who's been overlooked.
So stay with us, because whatVincent shares might just shift
(01:50):
the way you see leadership,community and your role in
making a difference.
Vincent De Luca OAM (01:56):
Hello, I'm Vincent DeLuca.
I'm an independent councilloron Northern Beaches Council.
I've been involved in communityand welfare endeavours since I
was nine years of age, and sothe Northern Beaches is
exceptionally important to mebecause it's where my family, my
predecessors, have made acommunity and formed so many
(02:16):
community and sportingorganisations.
I'm also extensively involvedin youth welfare, drug and
alcohol prevention, suicideprevention, domestic violence
prevention and a lot of cancerresearch organisations, and it's
been practically all my lifethat I've served in those
(02:38):
capacities, and it's somethingthat brings me great
satisfaction.
Leon Goltsman (02:42):
I truly believe, like you, that there's nothing
more satisfying than servingothers.
With your early work in youthwelfare and co-founding the GAPS
Youth Suicide PreventionAssociation.
What inspired you to takeaction at such a young age, and
how can the same sense ofpurpose help others identify and
respond to the needs aroundthem?
Vincent De Luca OAM (03:01):
Anything that I've helped establish, be
it give anything, prevent youthsuicide, or be it the
elimination of violence againstwomen.
City to country, it's alwaysbeen, because I grew up at the
feet of some outstanding womenwho I believe are icons of our
(03:22):
nation.
My late grandmother, MarjorieSmith OAM, during World War II
as well as post-World War II,was the central figure on the
Northern Beaches for caringabout families and kids, often
who lost their loved ones at war.
My mother, Roslyn De Luca OAM,has been involved in welfare and
(03:46):
sport all her life.
Nan was the founder, with otheroutstanding women, of Warringah
Amateur Swimming Associationand brought men's and women's
swimming together, and mum was afoundation member of Mundaring
Netball Association, then knownas Basketball.
So in my family you wereinvolved in everything that they
(04:08):
did.
So when mum was raising moneyat the local hotel for women who
had been abused, who some,sadly, were on alcohol or drugs
or both, one of my earliest,fondest memories was being able
to hold the meat platter atthese raffles.
(04:29):
I would have been about six orseven.
I was dressed up in a littlebow tie and I was hopping with a
raffle and that's what you gotused to.
So I suppose it was thathistory that more or less led me
into what I've done, andparticularly when it came to
suicide prevention because mumwas involved in that and also
(04:51):
involved with so many youthservices it was just the natural
progression.
Leon Goltsman (04:57):
So serving the community.
It's in your blood.
Vincent De Luca OAM (05:00):
Yeah, well, it's not just my grandmother
and my brilliant mother but allour family.
So my aunt Pam Beckhouse, oem.
She was one of the first torecognise the need for special
education in schools or createspecial education schools,
particularly at the end of the1960s.
(05:21):
She was a teacher's aide andsadly got diagnosed with
chickenpox, and my cousin thenwas sadly born deaf but also had
numerous other cognitive issuesand comorbidity diagnoses.
So Aunty Pam was a trailblazerin ensuring that kids were not
(05:43):
ignored, not put in cupboards,like was a common scenario back
in those days.
If you had a disabled child,many people would keep them
secret and some were found tohave been locked in cupboards.
So Aunty Pam went aboutinsuring education services
everywhere, but particularly inCanberra.
(06:06):
So she too was awarded theOrder of Australia for all her
years of selfless service.
So yeah, in a family like thatyou participate, you see and you
get inspired.
Leon Goltsman (06:18):
And it wasn't that long ago as well.
We're only talking about 40, 50, 60 years ago, so it's really
important.
It's still very relevant to beengaging with your community.
Vincent De Luca OAM (06:29):
Well, 40 and 50 years ago, engagement
with the community was verydifferent.
If you're a politician, you hada soapbox, and I often laugh
seeing people on their soapboxesliterally in parks.
Now we're completely different.
We've got electronic means,we've got Facebook, we've got
you know, Instagram andeverything else, so it does make
(06:53):
it easier to get out themessage to certain people, but I
never forget that not allpeople are on social media, so I
still get a lot of handwrittenletters, manually typed letters,
and so I make sure that I go tothe effort to responding to
those as well, because I thinkit's important that you have to,
(07:14):
as an elected representative,respond to everything and also,
you know, often if it's a verysensitive constituent matter, I
pick up the phone, I'll meetwith people, and I think that's
just so important for aneffective elected representative
, and I think I learned thatvery young from, again, some
brilliant women of differentpolitical persuasions.
(07:37):
I certainly learned a lot fromthe Honourable Bronwyn Bishop AO
who, whether you love or hateher, she's one of the most
responsive and, I think, one ofthe best local MPs that our area
has ever had.
On the other side of thepolitical aisle, I learned a lot
from the Honourable FrancaArena, the first Italian ever
(07:58):
elected to an AustralianParliament, who had the guts to
stand up in parliament andpursue new terms of reference
for the then Wood RoyalCommission so that it was
expanded to take in thepedophilia reference and the
police's failure to actuallyproperly investigate pedophile
(08:19):
networks in New South Wales andindeed across Australia.
And I'm so proud that the workof Frank Arena AM resulted in
people being charged andconvicted, and some of the
people, the perpetrators, wereat the highest levels of society
.
And then, of course, theHonourable Marie Ficarra OAM, a
(08:39):
woman who got elected, like me,very young, to local government
government, and she was in aman's world in 1979, and yet she
went on to be the mayor ofHurstville City Council and
serve with the distinction, notjust at local government.
She then went into thelegislative assembly and then is
the first woman to ever go fromthe legislative assembly to the
(09:00):
legislative.
And I think the common themethat all those three outstanding
women taught me was care aboutpeople, always do what you think
is right and that was certainlyembedded in me by my late
grandmother, my mother and myaunts and never be intimidated
from standing up for what'sright.
Leon Goltsman (09:22):
And you've been standing up for what's right
from a very young age.
In fact, if I'm correct, you'reone of the youngest councillors
to be elected.
Vincent De Luca OAM (09:29):
Well, back in 99 was actually my first
election campaign.
I was 20.
Now, back then that council wasexceptionally dysfunctional.
I during the election campaignin 1999, I was diagnosed with
Hodgkin's lymphoma cancer andgiven six weeks to live.
It was a hard campaign and thecouncil that did get elected was
(09:52):
subsequently dismissed, andthat's very serious.
There was an ICAC investigationas well.
There were constant allegationsin the New South Wales
Parliament about that council.
So, yeah, I have been involvedwith local government since my
early years.
I took up, you know, thechairpersonship of Kokol Youth
and Community Centres ManagementCommittee, the Warringah
(10:13):
Council Management Committee,from 1996.
So I was a mere teenager, butit was an excellent experience.
But it certainly made me awareof what's vested interests and
how you always need people whohave the courage of their
convictions to stand up againstthe greedy and the vested
(10:33):
interests.
That's for sure.
Leon Goltsman (10:35):
And so you've obviously interacted with many,
many people, especially theyoung people, because young
people can sometimes be veryimpressionable.
What strategies did youimplement and how can
communities replicate suchsuccess to encourage youth?
Vincent De Luca OAM (10:50):
involvement .
So encouraging youthinvolvement is something that's
so essential in society.
So when I was in high school,at 14 and 15, I formed the
regional multicultural network.
I also formed the regional drugand alcohol prevention network
and, of course, the suicideprevention network and I went on
(11:11):
to chair the National YouthAdvisory Council.
So I was the vice president ofthe National Council People's
Council Council for Drug andAlcohol Prevention and it was an
(11:34):
extremely difficult rolebecause you did see some of the
worst things happen in societyand so many young people
affected.
And that national advisory sortof role sought to develop policy
to address the drug and alcoholissues plaguing society and
it's even worse today.
And it is definitely somethingthat getting younger people
(11:57):
involved it's, I think,important in that it actually
tells you what's going on on thestreets, the realities of the
situation and, sadly, just howsome kids are sent out by their
parent or parents and told goand have fun, we're too busy for
(12:18):
you, and I think that's one ofthe major things.
Particularly on the northernbeaches you've got a lot of
people who have a lot of moneyand necessarily not enough care
for children.
Leon Goltsman (12:28):
And that seems to be one of the greatest
challenges, not just in thenorthern beaches but everywhere.
And given those challenges thatyou faced in this advocacy, how
can individuals contributeeffectively to such sensitive
issues?
Vincent De Luca OAM (12:42):
I think parents, guardians, aunties,
uncles have to be more cognisantof what kids are both up to and
going through.
They need to acknowledge thatunfortunately we do have drugs
and alcohol in our society.
We have significant mentalhealth issues in our society.
(13:03):
They can't be dismissed.
They can't be dismissed asattention seeking and they need
to encourage kids to actuallyspeak and come forward, and not
just kids.
We have a huge suicide rate inAustralia involving adults as
well, and I think that's mainlycaused by the lack of
(13:24):
willingness or the shame andstigma for people to come out
and say I'm having issues, wouldyou help me or are you willing
to talk.
But also the more systemicproblems that we have so few
youth counsellors and youthpsychiatrists, and similarly,
psychiatrists have recentlyresigned from the New South
(13:46):
Wales Health Service because thestate governments across the
country are not properly payingour nurses, our mental health
nurses, our midwives, ourpsychiatrists and our
psychologists.
Last year I successfully moveda motion at council that the
federal government and stategovernment need to work together
and actually look at bothbetter salaries for all those
(14:09):
professions that I've just named, but also consider incentives
going out to country areas,providing housing, and I think
that should even be in metroareas that it's very hard the
cost of living.
So I think governments of allpersuasions should at the very
least be offering tax exemptionssome sort of incentive to keep
(14:33):
these such essential services inthe areas that are needed.
Leon Goltsman (14:38):
And it does help when you've got the right
support and with your extensivenetwork spanning politicians to
sports figures.
How have these connectionsenhanced your community
initiatives?
And, Vincent, what can ourlisteners learn about leveraging
their networks for positivechange?
Vincent De Luca OAM (14:53):
Leveraging networks is a paramount
consideration.
If you are trying to advocatefor an issue or you're trying to
raise money for an issue or acharity or a sporting group, you
do need the help of highprofile people.
Fortunately, I'm blessed tohave people in my corner like
the great Phil Gould.
(15:13):
I am like Liam Knight, lukeLewis, josh Mansour, the
Trubojevic brothers, who have nohesitation in coming and
supporting any charity event.
Tv-wise, the Packham brothershave helped me considerably with
the elimination of violenceagainst women and have attended
(15:35):
every elimination of violenceagainst women event and we're
able, you know, to use themoften for media.
But also they put their hand intheir own pockets.
They agree to being auctionprizes.
Gina Reinhart and Imelda Rochehave attended events as well and
(15:56):
not just donated money, boughtprizes, donated them back to
refuges and safe houses.
Gina even ended up an auctionprize herself and gave a lunch.
And it's, you know, generouspeople that are the centrepiece
to all the charities and alsocan be great spokespeople for
(16:17):
the issues of the day.
So, yeah, there's just so manypeople out there who've helped
along the way and I could nothave done what I have done
without their support.
So, yeah, network contacts andhaving their encouragement and
backing and support is soessential, and also having
(16:37):
parliamentary support SophieKotsis, the Minister for
Industrial Relations, davidHarris, the Minister for
Aboriginal Affairs, and then, onthe Liberal side, mark Speakman
, natalie Ward, the retiringmember for Port Macquarie,
leslie Williams so many of themover the years have just been so
supportive and without themdefinitely there would not be
(17:01):
the events, the charity moneygoing to all these refuges, safe
houses and the other charitiesthat I'm involved in, it is
really important to talk aboutthese issues.
Leon Goltsman (17:11):
One of the things about doing these programs that
we do is I am very fortunate,like yourself, that I get to
speak to a lot of people and youget to hear things straight
from their mouth to your ears.
And I suppose what we're doingis we're amplifying that to our
network, and I suppose whatwe're doing is we're amplifying
that to our network and ourcommunity.
Vincent De Luca OAM (17:28):
So, um, definitely form good
relationships with people uh whoare both sporting community and
political leaders and I supposeone of the other big things
that having those contacts uh.
During the Bondi murders, as anexample, a dear friend of mine
was very affected because,naturally, because her dear
(17:51):
daughter had been murdered,sophie Kotsis was the first port
of call to help that family andeven this week, on a suicide
where assistance was needed andaction in relation to the
coroner, sophie Kotsis could berelied upon to help that family.
(18:14):
So having those sort ofcommunication lines and having
people who care as much asSophie and David Harris and
people like that and MarkSpeakman certainly helps our
community and particularly inrelation to representations on
behalf of the community.
Leon Goltsman (18:34):
What I love about this conversation that we're
having is that this is farbeyond politics.
Vincent De Luca OAM (18:41):
Look as an independent.
I am blessed to have thesupport of people in all
political parties, but I dosincerely respect those people
who genuinely care, who showthat they will work hard for
their communities.
So to me, I don't care whatparty you are with.
(19:06):
To me, I don't care what partyyou are with, as long as you
show that you are a person ofintegrity, are willing to pick
up the phone and do the hardwork and yeah, I've seen that on
all sides of the parliament.
I've seen it on the crossbenchand, having been in parliament
for so long as a staffer, you doform brilliant relationships
with people who you learn tolove.
(19:27):
And they're not necessarilypeople that you know have your
same philosophical beliefs, butyou learn to love them because
they're just such hard,dedicated workers for the
community and selfless.
Leon Goltsman (19:45):
And I feel exactly the same way.
There's plenty of good peopleon all sides of politics.
Vincent De Luca OAM (19:50):
The great majority of people on all sides
of politics are in there for theright reasons.
It's only the fewself-interested and completely
arrogant that give all of them abad name, and that's sad.
Like Senator Holly Hughes isone of the finest advocates for
the community and yet her ownparty has done her in, having
(20:13):
seen what she has done,particularly in country areas by
way of the country autismnetwork, that she founded her
great advocacy for people whoare in receipt of the NDIS.
It is just such a concern to methat we lose such a brilliant
woman as Senator Holly Hughesfrom the Parliament because, at
(20:35):
the end of the day, very fewpeople can achieve what she has
achieved on behalf of the peopleof New South Wales and indeed
Australia.
Leon Goltsman (20:45):
Well, I am going to reach out to Senator Holly
Hughes, I'm sure in a very shortwhile, because I'd love to have
her on the program and I'm sureshe'll probably shed more light
on the subject.
Vincent De Luca OAM (20:57):
I can honestly say in the Parliament
no one knows more about autismor the needs and interests of
those with a disability thanSenator Holly Hughes.
In the community it's certainlyGrace Fava, oem, who founded
the Autism Advisory and SupportService out at Liverpool and
these are the inspirationalpeople that you get to meet
(21:19):
along the way and help a bitlike Grace.
But Grace is just one of themost amazing and extraordinary
people I've ever met.
To think that, you know,motivated because she had has, I
should say, two boys, lovelyboys with autism, and she saw
the gap that there was nosupport services back in the
(21:43):
early 2000s to support thesekids, so she formed her own
clubhouse.
Little did she realise that itwould go national.
She'd have a national supporthotline as well as a library
service where parents can comefrom across the state to borrow
things that help their kids, getconstant advice from her and
(22:05):
her fellow volunteers Justextraordinary.
And it's the extraordinarypeople that set themselves apart
through the great work thatthey do.
Exactly the more work you do,the more, I think, work you
receive, and it's those womenwho I've just mentioned.
They go under the radar.
Some criticise them becausethey only see a small portion of
(22:29):
what they do.
They don't look at the holisticapproach and say, well, they're
doing great work there, so theymight have a different
political view on that.
But unfortunately I think somepeople seek to hate and
persecute certain politiciansbecause of one view, but they
(22:50):
don't look at that holisticapproach.
Leon Goltsman (22:53):
Well being in local government for 13 and a
bit years.
I've noticed at first hand thatsometimes people tend to put
self-interest before thecommunity and it doesn't matter
what people say, it's what theydo.
Vincent De Luca OAM (23:07):
That's true .
Unfortunately, there are peoplein local government that don't
necessarily sit there for theright reasons.
You often get people who areusing it as a stepping stone to
parliament.
You often get people who arejust so ideologically drawn that
, regardless of what theircommunity wants, they will go
with what they want, or theirego or their vested interest.
(23:31):
And that concerns me greatly,and you know.
Leon Goltsman (23:35):
to see block voting along party lines, to see
people attacked by thoseparties because they had a
different opinion, has been veryscary, but also disheartening
and you see, of course you seesome of the behaviour that goes
on in Parliament, and if we aretrying to set a good example to
(23:58):
the young people, that's wherethey should be setting good
examples, especially if they'vegot children in the gallery or
watching it from home for aschool assignment, and I feel
that in that sense, we'reletting them down.
Vincent De Luca OAM (24:17):
I'd have to agree with that that.
Yes, certain electedrepresentatives at council level
and parliamentary level do letthe community down by their
behaviour in the chamber.
Now that does bring thecredibility and the trust down.
Yes, people do revealthemselves and the true selves
(24:37):
on how they vote, how they speakto people and how they
constantly conduct themselves inpublic.
Leon Goltsman (24:45):
So, having been awarded the Order of Australia
Medal for your service, how didthis recognition influence your
community work?
Vincent De Luca OAM (24:52):
The Order of Australia being awarded is
something that I'll never stillreally accept because it was
just such a shock.
But at the time I was dealingwith and still today serious
issues of drug and alcohol abuse, suicide and mental health
issues.
So that Order of Australia,while it was for my service to
(25:14):
those issues and thoseorganisations that I served in,
for my service to those issuesand those organisations that I
served in, it actually was abreaking point because I think
it helped break the stigma ofthose issues and acknowledged
and recognised it.
And we're talking about, youknow, early 2000s, when it was
very taboo to talk about mentalhealth, it was very taboo to
(25:37):
talk about suicide, it was verytaboo to talk about mental
health, it was very taboo totalk about suicide, it was very
taboo to talk about domesticviolence, and so I think it's a
recognition to all those peoplethat I got to meet and help.
But it was also special to mebecause at that time my mother
and my grandmother before me hadbeen awarded the Order of
Australia, and then then, sincethen, my aunt and my uncle too.
(26:00):
So that I think was a verysentimental consideration, but I
consider it one of the greatesthonours and something that I'll
always cherish.
Leon Goltsman (26:13):
It really is a significant recognition.
And how old were you when you?
Vincent De Luca OAM (26:17):
received it ?
Oh, so it was 2004.
Years, a significantrecognition.
And how old were you when youreceived it?
So it was 2004.
So I was the youngest that yearin the Queen's Birthday Honours
List 21 years ago.
Leon Goltsman (26:27):
Wow, very well deserved, considering your
involvement in other things,especially the Australian
Gynaecological Cancer Foundationand Cure the Future Foundation.
Vincent, what drives yourcommitment to health-related
causes so as?
Vincent De Luca OAM (26:40):
a two-time survivor of cancer and, as I
said earlier, I was given sixweeks to live in 1999, I realise
what patients go through and Irealise what families and loved
ones and friends go through.
So during my hospital stay Inoticed the lack of money for
(27:01):
research for women's cancers andthe lack of money for stem cell
research.
So it was actually MarieFicarra and Diane Langmack that
got me involved with theAustralian Gynecological Cancer
Foundation, and then DianeLangmack again with the Cure,
the Future Foundation, which isprimarily concerned with stem
(27:22):
cell research.
I was saved, my life was savedby a bone marrow stem cell
transplant.
Unfortunately, women's cancersreceive less money than
practically every other cancer.
Money than practically everyother cancer.
(27:42):
Yes, breast cancer is finallyreceiving the funding that it
deserves, but gynaecologicalcancer, which is a silent killer
, is not receiving the money itshould, particularly by federal
governments and stategovernments.
So it is so important for thecommunity to care about their
sisters, their mothers, theiraunts, their grandmothers.
Important for the community tocare about their sisters, their
mothers, their aunts, theirgrandmothers and help raise
money, but also raise awarenessof the testing requirements when
(28:04):
it comes to stem cell research.
It's the next lifesaver.
In other countries people arereceiving stem cell therapy for
dementia, for arthritis, forquadriplegia, and so it is
something that I think we needto look very strongly at and
(28:25):
advocate for funding, becauseit's going to be the future, and
I think there's nothing sadderthan seeing people die of MN, ms
cancer but dementiaparticularly when you see
someone just go downhill infront of you I think it's just
so important yeah and it'sanother thing that I admire
(28:48):
about you that you see somethingthat needs to be called out and
you do.
Well, I was taught by my motherand grandmother that it's so
important never just to talk,act, and by sitting there you're
being hypocritical, and that ifyou want to change something,
you've got to change it yourself.
So, raising money for thosebrilliant charities, be it
(29:14):
Australian Gynecological CancerFoundation, be it Cure the
Future, be it AustralianGynaecological Cancer Foundation
, be it Cure the Future, or beit for the numerous refuges,
safe houses, emergency centresthat I've helped, I realise it's
just so important becausethey're the forefront and hearts
of souls of our community.
They're dealing with some ofthe most significant issues in
our community and, unless wesupport them, there's very
(29:38):
little money for them.
They've been let down by alllevels of government, so we need
to fill that gap.
Unfortunately, they're theforefront and hearts of souls of
our community.
They're dealing with some ofthe most significant issues in
our community and unless wesupport them, there's very
little money for them.
They've been let down by alllevels of government, so we need
(30:00):
to fill that gap unfortunately.
Leon Goltsman (30:03):
Yes, absolutely Vince, and that's always going
to be a challenge.
And speaking of challenges,that leads me to the next
question.
So you mentioned your battlewith non-Hodgkin's lymphoma
during your initial councilcampaign.
How did this personal challengeshape your perspective on
community?
Vincent De Luca OAM (30:18):
service.
Well, back in 1999, my firstelection when I was diagnosed I
think I went into shock andthere was no way in hell that I
was going to accept that I'd diewithin six weeks.
I got a brilliant specialist bythe name of Naomi McKinley and
while she acknowledged that itwas going to be a very hard
(30:39):
fight and a new regime of chemoand radio, I got there in the
end.
It came back a year later samehad to do it all again and have
a bone marrow stem celltransplant.
I think what got me through thatwas having such family and
(30:59):
friends that were just sodevoted to being by my side,
keeping me interested.
But at the same time I keptactive Even though I was
bedridden in hospital.
I ran a fundraiser for thecancer ward at Royal North Shore
Hospital that I was allowed togo to at the Waterview
restaurant down at Miller'sPoint or wherever it is.
I think always trying toinspire, to look positively on
(31:23):
everything is the way to go, butwhat will always guide me is
what has been instilled in me bymy grandmother, by my mother
service above self and to beresilient and not give up.
Exactly.
You're going to get some knocksin life, but you've just got to
(31:44):
brush yourself off and get backup.
If one door closes, you bang onanother, and that is something
you know.
When I'm asked to go and speakto students at schools and
universities, I say, as anexample, an HSC or a first year
university result that's notgood doesn't mean that's going
to adversely affect your wholefuture.
(32:06):
You've just got to keepknocking on doors.
You've just got to keep workinghard and you'll get through.
Leon Goltsman (32:12):
Really, there's no such thing as a failure if
you just keep coming back,because eventually you achieve.
Vincent De Luca OAM (32:18):
If you keep going, you do achieve.
And if you work hard, you'llget what you want.
Leon Goltsman (32:23):
And that's all it is.
The people who really fail arethe ones that didn't keep going.
Vincent De Luca OAM (32:29):
Yeah, unfortunately some people do
give up and have a very sad lifeand don't succeed and go and
spiral and end up in dreadfulsituations where often they will
need a helping hand up.
And we are a compassionatesociety and we do need to have
(32:49):
that safety net and help peoplewho don't necessarily succeed or
can't because of physical ormental disability.
Leon Goltsman (32:58):
And there is some hope, especially those who want
to belong Now, recognising yourrole on the Board of Directors
for Netball NSW, how do you seesports as a vehicle for
community building and whatadvice do you have for
integrating sports initiativesto strengthen community ties?
Vincent De Luca OAM (33:16):
So sport has been very important to my
family.
My grandmother was a brilliantswimmer and a brilliant surfer.
She was the first woman ever tosurf at DY Beach.
She worked hard.
She was a member of the DYLadies Amateur Swimming Club,
the oldest ladies swimming clubin Australia, based at a rock
(33:36):
pool since 1922.
And she, with her dear friendIsa Y MBE OIM, travelled the
world together.
They helped bring New SouthWales men's and women's swimming
together and my mothersimilarly helped establish
(33:57):
Mandaringa Women's Basketball,now Mandaringa Netball
Association.
Now I've seen firsthand howsport can help people.
It's an equaliser, it can giveleadership skills, it can
prevent poor mental health, itincreases fitness, but it also
increases mental health and Ijust think it is so important
(34:17):
and I've seen people who havebeen in the worst situations and
I've seen Nan and Mum use sportto bring those people out of
dreadful situations and reachthe top.
And that is something that'sinspired me and as a director of
Netball NSW a very prouddirector, I must say I see some
(34:38):
inspirational people practicallyevery week and I think sport is
just so important because itteaches so many life skills,
particularly team leadershipskills and team working skills.
For those sports that are teambased, I think it's a great
thing.
Leon Goltsman (34:55):
I have to agree with you on that one.
Sport is really importantbecause it really does.
Apart from just having the teamvalue the spirit, it gives you
something to look forward toSport definitely inspires people
, whether you're participatingor you're a supporter and
watching it.
Vincent De Luca OAM (35:11):
It gives like a tribal, almost family
orientated.
I look at whenever I go to theNational Rugby League and I see
these people who are suchdevoted fans and that is their
great joy to be there, that'stheir team, it's if it's family
and it's just something great tosee.
It gives them something to livefor, someone to support,
(35:33):
someone to look up to and I justthink it's wonderful.
Leon Goltsman (35:36):
The sense of belonging.
Vincent De Luca OAM (35:38):
Yeah, belonging is just so important.
Leon Goltsman (35:40):
Our tribe, and that is why it's important to
have these conversations, to dowhat we do and let everybody
know that they're not alone.
They belong somewhere.
Vincent De Luca OAM (35:51):
It is belonging and being part of a
community, a team, is just soimportant because you have that
support, you have thatrecognition and you have the
love and affection of others andthat, I think, is something
that is the best thing thatanyone can ever want Support,
(36:12):
love, affection.
Leon Goltsman (36:14):
Support, love and affection.
I love that.
I think we've spoken on quite afew topics and, to great extent
, on some of them as well.
I just want to say thank youvery much.
Thank you so much foreverything that you do and for
our listeners to get a betterunderstanding of what goes on.
So thank you very much forsharing with us your journey and
(36:35):
hopefully giving a lot morepeople out there some hope.
Vincent De Luca OAM (36:39):
And one thing I do want to say strongly
is, leon, you have served yourcommunity as a counsellor for
Waverley with great distinction,great selflessness.
You are someone I greatlyadmire, I cherish as a friend
and I thank you for all thatyou've done for the many people
(37:00):
you've helped, and pleaseconsider coming back to either
local government or other levelsof government, because people
like you are desperately neededthe sincere, the selfless and
the genuine.
Leon Goltsman (37:14):
Thank you so much , and I really appreciate the
amazing feedback.
It does mean a lot to me tohear that and not just hear that
, but also hear it from someonelike yourself, vince.
Thank you very much for that,and I look forward to seeing you
continue to grow and evolve asyou have been.
Thank you so much for that, andI look forward to seeing you
continue to grow and evolve asyou have been.
Thank you so much foreverything.
(37:34):
Thanks, liam.
And that brings us to the end ofanother powerful episode of
Engaging Conversations.
A heartfelt thank you toVincent DeLuca, oam, for sharing
his journey of service andresilience, as well as his
honest insights into the gaps inour systems that we need to
fill.
What Vincent reminds us is thattrue advocacy isn't just about
(37:56):
power.
It's about people, and realchange often starts with those
willing to stand alone beforeothers join them.
Whether it's challenging policy, supporting a neighbor or
simply showing up, it allmatters.
The response to recent episodescontinues to grow, with more
listeners tuning in from acrossAustralia and around the world,
(38:18):
and as we prepare to takeengaging conversations deeper
into local communities, it'sclear that people are not only
listening.
They're engaging, reflectingand stepping up.
Next week, I'm joined by TrudyMacDonald, award-winning keynote
speaker, performance coach andone of Australia's leading
voices in leadership, cultureand business performance.
(38:38):
Together, we'll explorepractical, forward-thinking
strategies to help businesses,especially those in high-growth
regional areas like LakeMacquarie, newcastle and the
Hunter, better attract, engageand retain the next generation
of professionals.
This is an episode you'll wantto listen to from start to
finish, because the insightsTrudy shares are just that good.
(39:02):
And, as always, thank you toour sponsors for their ongoing
support and to all of you ourguests, listeners and the
community for continuing to walkwith us on this journey.
I'm Leon Goltsman.
Until next time, stay engaged,stay informed and let's keep
building the kind of communitieswe all want together.
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