Michael Whitehead

I am a passionate advocate for systemic change in the criminal justice space, especially its treatment of people with trauma, substance misuse, homelessness and the resulting incarceration. I have lived experience of homelessness, substance misuse and engagement in the criminal justice systems in NSW and Victoria over a 20 year period, including rough sleeping and 7 years of incarceration. Over the last 16 years I have built a career in the community services sector, starting as a casual youth worker with the City of Sydney. I have worked extensively in Homelessness, Mental Health, and the Criminal Justices’ areas of the sector in both adult and youth spaces. For the last 10 years I have been in senior management, again in both adult and youth services. I currently manage the Rainbow Lodge Program which celebrates 60 years of operations this year and is the longest running post release accommodation service in Australia and the third longest running in the world. Rainbow Lodge supports men exiting a term of incarnation to heal from their trauma and reintegrate back into the community, we are strongly focused on supporting First Nations men. Rainbow Lodge works with high risk offenders, many with violent histories including domestic violence related offences. I was a NSW finalist in the 2025 Australian of the Year awards, Local Hero category.