Voices from the Edge

Voices from the Edge

By Tom BourneSociety & CultureBusiness
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Voices from the Edge episodes

  • Philip Lako

    Born, into Mundari Culture [Tribe], in Jayi, a village in Kerchomba, north of Juba in

    South Sudan, Philip Lako’s childhood was marked by unimaginable hardship. At just
    10 years old, he was forcibly taken by the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA)

    Philip’s journey in Australia has been nothing short of transformative. He began
    working in agriculture [Donnybrook], then transitioned into aged care and disability
    where he worked as a support worker and a Trainer and Assessor. In 2008, he
    entered the mining industry, after earning a Vocational Education Training
    qualifications in Geoscience and later a Work Health and Safety Qualification.

    Currently, Philip is working for a mining company as a Senior Safety Advisor and

    provides ad hoc Training Services to a Western Australian Registered Training
    Organisation (RTO) - facilitating the Statutory Position Training, Local Government
    Industry Regulation Safety Exam Preparations Workshops, Incident Cause Analysis
    Methodology (ICAM) investigations skills and other Safety Related short courses.

    Philip volunteered for Mercy Care, St Vincent de Paul and is an active member of

    the Perth Rotary which is engaged in social program across the state: Passage
    Youth Hub , Path of Hope, Kimberely Dental Team and many other projects aimed to
    improve the quality of human lives internationally.

    Philip is a passionate advocate for refugees and migrants, using his personal story to

    inspire and educate others. He has spoken at national conferences, including the
    Catholic Youth Conference, and has worked closely with government agencies to
    improve services for CALD (Culturally and Linguistically Diverse) communities.

    One of his most notable contributions was initiating and engaging the then Western

    Australia Premier Mark McGowan’s Government to consider and fund the Goldfields
    Migrant Employment Program (GMEP) Kalgoorlie through the Goldfields Community
    Legal Centre. The project aimed to promote job opportunities and regional living in
    the Goldfields to metropolitan communities and assist with attracting and retaining
    employees. The pilot program coordinated by Blessings Masuku, was very
    successful and although, has officially ended, it continues to attract migrants
    interstate many of whom now call Kalgoorlie [Goldfields] Home.

    Philip has spoken across mine sites, corporates offices, Kalgoorlie and city councils,

    Schools, Australia Home Affairs Office, WA Office of Multicultural Interest etc., where
    he expressed appreciation to Australia for the life changing opportunity. Philip also
    uses the opportunity to thank the mainstream Australian for their generosity and
    invites them to get to know the newly arrived migrants better and not only rely on
    media for information on refugees and migrants.

    Philip’s public engagements attracted media outlets including ABC News and Radio

    Programs, Kalgoorlie Miner, Eastern Reporter, Chamber of Minerals and Energy WA,
    6PR Radio, WA Office of Multicultural Interest.

    Philip thinks, the best way to integrate well and know the mainstream culture is to

    have a network beyond one’s own culture.


    Philip’s autobiography, The Ten-Year-Old Man, chronicles his life from child soldier to
    Australian citizen, offering a powerful testament to resilience, faith, and the human
    spirit. He continues to mentor youth, advocate for inclusive policies, and build
    bridges between communities and government agencies.

    His message is clear: “We are all human.” Through storytelling, service, and

    leadership, Philip Lako reminds Australia—and the world—of the strength found in
    compassion and the importance of giving hope to those who need it most.

    1 hr

About Voices from the Edge

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Voices from the Edge brings you to the precipice of bold conversations, where insightful guests explore the boundaries of leadership, social justice, safety, and adult education. Each episode delves into topics that matter, from the pulse of community issues to navigating the complexities of workplace safety and lifelong learning.