Keiron Lander: Two Years of Growth, Connection, and Impact

Chairs and an Orange Sky van captured at a metro laundry shift in Adelaide. Stories Keiron Lander: Two Years of Growth, Connection, and Impact Keiron Lander was part of our Board of Directors for two years, and is an ongoing supporter of Orange Sky. Keiron’s commitment to community, youth and First Nations peoples was at the heart of his work at Orange Sky. As a proud Dieri and Mithaka man from South West Queensland, Keiron brought a wealth of experience, passion, and a strong belief in the power of connection and story. Professional Journey and Values Keiron’s professional journey is defined by hands-on leadership and an unshakable drive to improve outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. He has been at the forefront of the preventative health program – Deadly Choices , playing a pivotal role in growing health checks for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples by 762% over his decade as State Operations Manager. Alongside his career in preventative health, Keiron spent several years contributing to the Rugby League community as a coach for the Ipswich Jets and is now focused on advancing the impact of Young Guns Container Crew, where he leads their Indigenous Impact Strategy. Keiron’s deep connection to his family, Country, and sport has shaped his belief in teamwork, inclusivity, and never leaving people behind. Why Orange Sky? Keiron’s decision to join the Orange Sky Board was driven by a desire to learn and further contribute to his community. “I discussed the opportunity at great length with my family and valued people in my life. They’ve walked with me on the journey and reassured me that this was a good path,” Keiron shared when reflecting on his decision to join the Orange Sky Board. In his role, Keiron bolstered Orange Sky’s mission of positively connecting communities, alongside amplifying the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. With First Nations peoples overrepresented in homelessness statistics, Keiron was passionate about ensuring that the organisation remains community-led, and inclusive, while contributing to the broader conversation about reconciliation and connection. Two Year Journey Within his two years in the Board, Keiron told us that he gained valuable insights into governance and the growing impact of Orange Sky. “I’ve learned a lot from the leadership of Lucas and the wider Board, and it’s been rewarding to contribute in this space,” Keiron reflects. “Orange Sky is a young organisation, but in its short 10 year history, it has achieved remarkable things”, he said, as our community grows to support over 45 locations across Australia. Keiron believes that the organisation’s ability to innovate isn’t about being different but about doing things differently to better support those in need. He continues to advocate for a human-centred approach to service delivery. "We need to stay human-orientated, not compliance-orientated. Our role is about making connections, not just ticking boxes" Keiron Looking Ahead Keiron was passionate about bringing more young advocates into the conversation. He believes that more young people can be at the forefront of solving problems within our communities. “Orange Sky is about creating a safe space to remove shame and judgement,” Keiron said. “Our work ensures that people can be seen, heard, and treated with dignity, and that’s something I’m passionate about carrying forward.” With homelessness in Australia and Aotearoa on the rise, Keiron was committed to driving change through Orange Sky’s services in his time with us. “Families are being squeezed out of homes. People are living in tents, parks, and overcrowded spaces. More support is needed, and the work we do at Orange Sky is about making sure people don’t lose their dignity or become disconnected in these difficult times,” Keiron concluded. A Personal Connection to Orange Sky Keiron’s personal journey with Orange Sky is deeply connected to his values of family, community, and giving back. “Orange Sky plays an important role in our communities. It connects people, gives them the space to share their stories, and helps to elevate those voices,” he explained. Although Keiron is no longer apart of the Orange Sky Board of Directors, he remains driven by the core belief that everyone, no matter their background or experience, deserves connection, dignity, and a sense of belonging. We were proud to have Keiron’s leadership, dedication and passion on our Board, and we look forward to continuing our mission of positively connecting communities across Australia. Learn more Learn more about our Board of Directors What we do What we're working on I want to... Use your service Learn more about how to use our service. Donate Help us support people doing it tough. Volunteer All it takes is a few hours of your time each fortnight to make a difference. Fundraise Raise awareness and funds for Orange Sky. Partner See how your organisation can get involved