Lester Wynne-Jones’s best life
Chief Executive of Can:Do Group Lester Wynne-Jones reveals how the children’s charity has been helping shape the lives of young South Australians for the past 150 years.
Give us a brief insight into what you do.
As the Chief Executive of Can:Do Group I think I have one of the best jobs in South Australia. Originally incorporated as Townsend House, we are South Australia’s oldest children’s charity with a history of helping children who are deaf, hard of hearing, blind, have low vision or developmental needs. We celebrated 150 years in 2024, and I therefore have a long legacy and tradition to help guide the future. I see my role as helping to make sure Can:Do has highly professional talented staff who are dedicated to making a difference for the children and their families we work with in our purpose-built centres.
What is the hardest lesson you’ve had to learn?
You never quite know what is around the corner and therefore it is important to make the very most of your talent and passion whatever that is. And do it with a smile on your face.
What is your most treasured photograph and why?
This photo of myself with 11-year-old Oscar at Can:Do 4Kids’ 150th celebrations. Oscar was the very first client I met when I joined Can:Do in October 2022. Oscar wears hearing aids and has always grown his hair long to cover them. Recently Oscar decided to cut his hair short to raise funds for Can:Do 4Kids as part of Loud Shirt Day. Oscar bravely wanted to show all children that we should be proud of our differences! Like me (a long time ago!) Oscar is a soccer goalkeeper, and it is simply great to see him confidently enjoying life to the fullest with his family and friends.
Lester and Oscar.
What brings you joy in life?
A bit like walking my dog Maverick early in the morning, tail wagging and simply ready to go. I feel the same way about Can:Do and seeing every day the work we do helps very young children on a pathway that can help set them up and prepare for life in kindergarten, school and beyond. Some of our longest serving therapists have “kids” they helped that are now in their 30s with families. How good is that?
Top five songs on your play list?
Men at Work – Land Down Under
The Goo Goo Dolls – Iris
Sum 41 – With Me
The Rolling Stones – Angry
Opus – Live is Life
And they really are on my playlist!!!!!!
My life philosophy is …. “When faced with a choice of the easy or hard way, I always choose the hard way believing the rewards will be greater in the long run.”