John Raymond Shepherd AM

Former Executive Director, Operation Flinders; currently Senior Consultant, The Sapling Connection & General Manager, LBI Foundation

John spent twenty-five years within major branches of the S.A. Police Department. Formerly the Executive Director of the Operation Flinders Foundation, which runs a world leading wilderness adventure program for young offenders and young people at risk.

John is currently the Senior Consultant for The Sapling Group (a small consulting  firm providing the corporate, government, community and not for profit sectors with advice and support in the development and growth of an organisation or concept) and General Manager of the LBI Foundation (a not-for-profit agency dedicated to partnering with individuals and communities supporting Australians impacted by trauma, mental illness, disadvantage, social exclusion or disability). 

He has been involved as a board member in numerous Australian and South Australian educational, emergency service and social inclusion organisations. 

John is an enthusiastic speaker with a particular passion for helping the youth of South Australia. 

Meet our Ambassadors

Ranielson Santana

Inclusion Advocate & Community Leader

Ranielson Santana’s journey from Recife, Brazil to Australia exemplifies resilience and dedication. Arriving in 2018 as an international student with English as his third language, Ranielson faced significant challenges.

Gill Golding

South Australian Citizen of the Year 2024

Gill is an inspirational leader who feels the pulse of her community in Hackham West and the hardship it faces as a low socio-economic area ranking in the top 3 percentile of disadvantaged suburbs nationally, with significant levels of disadvantage across a myriad of social indicators.

Glyn Scott

Founder, Love Hope & Gratitude Foundation, 2024 SA Senior Australian Of The Year Nominee

Glyn Scott survived years of violence and sexual abuse – first as a child and later in her first marriage. In 2006, Glyn gave evidence to the Children in State Care Commission of Inquiry about her childhood experience of sexual abuse.

Alexandra Seal

Young Citizen of the Year 2024

Alexandra is a dedicated and passionate advocate for social justice, community service and environmental sustainability, demonstrating active citizenship and enhancement of community life through various platforms, both within and without her school.

Kylan Beech

Young Citizen of the Year 2024

Just before Kylan Beech’s 14th birthday, he lost his mother, Tammy, to cancer. Rather than focusing on his grief, Kylan became determined to help ensure others would not have to experience the same tragedy.

Stella Braund

Mental Health and Social Justice Advocate and nominee for South Australian of the Year 2024

Stella Braund uses her lived experience of childhood domestic violence and sexual assault -at home and in institutional settings – to improve people’s lives.
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