Ivan Wellington grew up on a Government run mission under the Aboriginal Protection Board, New South Wales. He lived on the mission until he turned sixteen, then he began picking beans for a living until he earned enough money to move to Sydney, New South Wales.
Ivan Wellington strongly believes in his Aboriginal culture and heritage, which was strengthened by his parents and personal memories of knowing who his grandmother is. He is a respected Elder of the Campbelltown, New South Wales, community, and regularly visits the Juvenile Justice Centres to promote and encourage Aboriginal values and history to the youth who are in those centres.
