Australian of the Year

Jason Lord is an Arrernte man, a respected mentor and boxing coach of Alice Springs, who has transformed his own life to help change the future of at-risk young people. Once a troubled teenager, he found balance, discipline and hope through boxing. Jason now leads the Arrernte Community Boxing Academy, a safe space for Indigenous youth in Central Australia. 

The academy welcomes people of all ages, backgrounds and cultures, and is grounded in three pillars: culture, care and control. Under Jason’s leadership, the academy has become a lifeline, offering mentorship, emotional support and a sense of belonging that keeps young people connected and out of harm’s way.  

Working with school kids on the streets and remote communities, Jason uses the boxing ring to teach resilience, cultural pride and emotional regulation. His mission is to give others the second chance that once saved him.