Local Hero Frank scoops top award
An Indigenous construction leader has become the ‘Local Hero’ for WA in the annual Australian of the Year awards.
Whadjuk-Yued Noongar man Frank Mitchell, 43, is co-director of Wilco Electrical and co-founder and director of Kardan, Baldja and Bilyaa in the trades and construction industry.
Starting with just eight staff and $1.5 million turnover in 2015, Mr Mitchell and his partners have created more than 70 Aboriginal upskilling positions in the electrical and construction industry.
Today, all four companies collectively employ more than 200 full-time staff.
A doctor who was instrumental in establishing the nation’s first publicly-funded gaming disorder clinic was named Australian of the Year for WA at the event in Perth.
A pioneer in the treatment of digital addiction and gaming disorders, Daniela Vecchio is head of mental health and addiction services at Fiona Stanley Hospital.
Dr Vecchio, 57, helped establish the first publicly funded gaming disorder clinic in Australia in 2022 after she saw increasing numbers of young people with harmful addictions to video games and social media.
The clinic is unique worldwide in providing early detection and intervention within a hospital setting.
National awards
World-leading botanist Kingsley Dixon was named Senior Australian of the Year for WA for devotion to science and native plant conservation.
The 71-year-old has also helped make the state an international hub for mining environmental science, leading projects that have boosted mine rehabilitation standards and community conservation practices.
The Young Australian of the Year for WA went to positive masculinity educators Haseeb Riaz and Gareth Shanthikumar.
The WA winners will join those from the other States and Territories for the national awards on January 25, 2026.
https://www.wilcoelectrical.com.au/
AAP
