#25 - Service Above Self: A Legacy of Community Impact with Vincent De Luca OAM

Engaging Conversations | Inspiring Dialogue, Empowering Communities

Send us a text

Vincent De Luca OAM doesn't just talk about community service—he embodies it. From starting advocacy work at just nine years old to becoming one of Australia's youngest Order of Australia Medal recipients, his journey reveals what happens when someone refuses to look away from society's most challenging issues.
Growing up under the guidance of remarkable women activists, Vincent learned early that meaningful change requires courage and persistence. His grandmother (the first woman to surf at Dee Why Beach) and mother (a founding member of Mundaring Netball Association) showed him that service isn't something you choose—it's something you live. This foundation propelled him into decades of groundbreaking work in youth suicide prevention, drug reform, domestic violence advocacy, and disability inclusion, often before these issues received mainstream attention.
When diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma during his first council campaign and given just six weeks to live, Vincent's response wasn't to retreat but to double down on service. Even from his hospital bed, he organised fundraisers for the cancer ward. This experience fueled his later advocacy with the Australian Gynaecological Cancer Foundation and Cure the Future Foundation, addressing critical funding gaps he witnessed firsthand as a patient.
Vincent's story offers profound insights into authentic leadership and community building. He demonstrates how sports create belonging, how leveraging networks amplifies impact, and how systems often fail those designed to help. Most importantly, he reminds us that real change happens when ordinary people refuse to wait for permission to make a difference.
Subscribe to hear more conversations that bridge divides, spotlight unsung heroes, and provide practical pathways to strengthen our communities from the ground up. Together, we can build the kind of world where everyone belongs.

Support the show

Thank you for listening!

Chapters

1. Introduction to Vincent DeLuca OAM (00:00:00)

2. Growing Up at the Feet of Icons (00:03:01)

3. Family Legacy of Community Service (00:06:47)

4. Youth Welfare and Advocacy Networks (00:09:33)

5. Building Meaningful Community Connections (00:15:15)

6. Fighting Cancer While Serving Others (00:20:54)

7. Sport as a Community Equalizer (00:26:01)

8. Closing Reflections on Community Impact (00:37:36)