Goreng Menang Elder John Alexander will be remembered as a man of deep conviction and unwavering dedication to helping others rebuild their lives.
Uncle John passed away last month aged 79.
His legacy is etched into the lives of hundreds of men who, through his guidance, found a path forward.
Highly respected as the visionary behind the successful Carey Bindjareb civil construction training program, Uncle John created a transformative education and mentoring initiative for Aboriginal men in prison.
Drawing on decades of experience in the mining logistics industry, he crafted a training program with cultural reconnection at its heart.
In Uncle John’s own words, “The key difference to other training programs is that it re-introduces prisoners to culture. We give them the tools to survive all the challenges they faced before prison—and will face again after.”
He became a lifeline to the men he worked with, standing beside them not just during incarceration but well beyond their release. It became his life’s mission—and his passion.
Larry Smith, Assistant Director for Prisoner Employment Programs and Transitional Services, worked alongside Uncle John in delivering the Carey Bindjareb program.
“His vision of guiding people toward a more productive and fulfilling future—while remaining firmly grounded in culture—has changed the lives of many men and their families,” Mr Smith said.
Uncle John not only mentored his people in their cultural identity, but also educated non-Aboriginal people on how both cultures can thrive together and enrich one another,” he said.
Uncle John's personal journey gave his work a deeper purpose.
One of the Stolen Generations, he was taken from his mother as an infant, and only discovered his Aboriginal identity when he was nearly 50.
That revelation drove him to partner with the Department of Justice to establish in 2010 what is now called the Carey Bindjareb program at Karnet Prison Farm, followed by the Carey Maramara program at Roebourne Regional Prison from 2023.
Since inception, 400 men have graduated from the course, the majority of whom have gone on to secure employment.
“Uncle John had an unwavering dedication to supporting those who had lost their direction,” Corrective Services Commissioner Brad Royce said. It’s an immense loss — the passing of someone who gave so generously of himself and left a lasting impact on countless lives.”
As Uncle John recently reflected, “It’s humbling for me. But it’s so important. I’ll be 80 at my next birthday, and it’s nice to think I can pass on not only my culture, but my life story.”
Uncle John’s legacy lives on not just in the men he mentored, but in his own family.
His daughter Debb now works in the women’s custodial estate, while granddaughter Zali supports young people at Banksia Hill Detention Centre.
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