Frank Mitchell

Frank Mitchell is a proud Whadjuk-Yued Noongar man, co-director of Wilco Electrical, co-founder/director of Kardan, Baldja and Bilyaa in the trades and construction industry, and in January 2026, he was the winner of the Australia's Local Hero category at the national Australian of the Year Awards in Canberra.

Being offered an electrical apprenticeship at age 25 was a turning point for Frank’s career. When he became a business owner in 2015, Frank pledged to create the same opportunities for Mob. He and his partners have created over 70 Aboriginal upskilling positions in the electrical and construction industry, including 30 electrical apprenticeships and awarding over $11 million to Aboriginal subcontractors. Today, all four companies collectively employ over 200 full-time staff. 

In 2025, Kardan Construction worked in close collaboration with the Mirrabooka community to deliver the updated Mirrabooka Town Square project as part of an ongoing effort to revitalise the Mirrabooka Town Centre. The upgrades included new seating, shade sails, a playground, native trees and plants, public art installations, upgraded lighting, and an alfresco wooden deck connected to the new Dome Café.

“Engaging with local mob in Mirrabooka and making sure they had a voice in the project has given them a sense of pride in the result,” Kardan Construction managing director Frank Mitchell said.

“Two of the mob we met on-site are now employed with us and working on our refurbishment of the Fraser Suites project in East Perth.

“This project proves what’s possible when we work together to create safer, stronger neighbourhoods that are welcoming for everyone.”

 - "City of Stirling collaborates with Indigenous builders to revitalise Mirrabooka Town Square", PerthNow - Stirling, 13 November 2025