Leila Gurruwiwi

Leila is one of Australia's best loved sports presenters.  Getting her start with Radio 3KND 'Cool 'n'Deadly' she is a journalist, producer, actor, social activist and business owner. Leila sees herself  an 'ambassador for difference' supporting many marginalised groups to help them stand strong. 

Born in north east Arnhem Land, Leila and her family came down to Bendigo when she was small in order to get a better education.  In 2007 Grant Hansen offered her a role as a reporter on the Marngrook Footy Show.  At that time 50% of AFL memberships were held by women but this wasn't reflected in the associated media.  Leila was shy and just out of school but Grant said 'You know your footy' and threw her in the deep end. This began her association with voicing the perspectives of two underrepresented groups in the AFL community, women and Indigenous people.  

As well as MC-ing high profile events and sitting on expert panels Leila mentors young girls through the Wirrpanda Foundation's Deadly Sista Girlz program and tutors at the Pavillion School, a school for young people who have been disengaged or excluded from mainstream education.  Leila also is an actor in the award-winning television series The Secret River and Glitch.

Leila and her partner Zach Green opened Elijah's Kitchen pop up restaurant in Darwin this year which specialises in sensational bush food and giving a voice to Indigenous issues.