WARNING: This article contains distressing content.
Frank Mitchell's life was heading in the wrong direction.
As a teenager he lost two friends to drugs and suicide and battled through schooling.
But, what pulled the Whadjuk-Yued Noongar man out of the "death spiral" was birth of his son.
With a new lease on life and the weight of fatherly responsibilities, he took the advice of his Uncle and got an electrical apprenticeship.
Now, at 43, Frank runs four electrical and construction businesses in his home state of Western Australia. In the last decade, he has created over 70 roles for Aboriginal people.
It's an achievement that's seen him named 2026 Local Hero at the Australian of the Year Awards.
"I used to talk about paying it forward," he said while accepting his award in Canberra.
"Our Old People had a word for this: reciprocity.
"If more Australians can embrace in ancient cycle of responsibility and reciprocity, we can work together and walk together for a better future for mob, for our children and for all those who come after us."
Frank took the plunge as a business owner in 2015, beginning with only eight staff. Now, he employs 200 full-time staff across four businesses, Kardan Construction, Wilco Electrical, Baldja RSGx and Bilyaa Arch&Design.
His efforts have seen a mammoth investment in Indigenous business with his businesses investing more than $11 million to Aboriginal subcontractors.
Speaking to SBS News, Frank said he prioritises employing those who may not be given the chance elsewhere.
"I know that sometimes opportunity in a small country town can be the difference between turning your life around or heading down the wrong path," he said.
"If we can always offer first line of offer for any position to Aboriginal [people] and then secondly to women, we know that we've exhausted two cohorts that might not otherwise had a look in."
National Australia Day Council chief executive Mark Fraser said Frank is a leader for what can be achieved through "collaboration and social inclusion".
"Frank's lived experience has inspired him to pay it forward and create opportunities for others," he said in a statement.
"His approach to building an industry-led community that combines training, employment and culture is delivering stronger futures for people who need them most, and demostrates what can be achieved through collaboration and social inclusion."
