For UWA graduate Lachlan (Lockie) Cooke (BCom '13), strengthening community has always been at the heart of his work. From founding the Indigenous Communities Education and Awareness (ICEA) Foundation as a student, to creating and serving as CEO of the digital health app iyarn, Lockie has dedicated his career to building bridges between people, cultures, and generations.
Lockie credits his formative years at UWA with instilling in him the confidence to turn bold ideas into action, after being encouraged to take his own ideas seriously, in particular when growing the ICEA Foundation from scratch.
“That experience shaped the way I’ve approached everything since,” Lockie said. “With curiosity, a willingness to take risks, and an understanding that research and community can come together to create lasting change.”
Underpinning Lockie’s work is a deep belief that connection is central to wellbeing. Inspired by his time in the Kimberley, and the special bond he shared with the Bardi Jawi people, iyarn was developed from the concept of liyarn – a truly in-depth look of one’s body, emotion, mind and spirit. Built around simple check-ins, which invite people to share how they are going, the app creates safe spaces for reflection, trust and deeper dialogue.
This commitment to connection was evident at the recent Danjoo Koorliny Djilba Summit at UWA, where iyarn was used as the official data-gathering platform. After each session, participants recorded reflections and insights, giving organisers a means to capture the collective voice of the gathering. Lockie also leveraged iyarn during his own summit session, leading wellbeing check-ins as icebreakers, and creating moments of sharing and deeper exchange.
“It was a great example of how technology can be woven into cultural and community settings to strengthen human connection,” he said.
Since its inception, iyarn has been quickly gaining traction across schools, workplaces, sports groups, government agencies and Aboriginal organisations. It’s also been used in health research initiatives, with a recent collaboration on a Sleep Journal for UWA’s Centre for Sleep Science, captured during 2,500 nights of student data, to inform wellbeing and academic research.
Alongside the success of his entrepreneurship, Lockie’s leadership has been widely recognised. In 2015, he was named EY Entrepreneur of the Year for the Western Region, and has since represented Australia on global stages including the United Nations, G20 and Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).
Parenthood has also brought about new clarity and added perspective, helping shift his entrepreneurial mindset to chase growth at all costs. Instead, he finds himself being reminded that relationships and wellbeing come first.
“Becoming a parent has completely reframed how I think about leadership and balance,” Lockie said. “My son has taught me patience, presence and the importance of simplicity. I now want to model values of empathy and perspective – in business and in life.”
Being present is a principle Lockie believes applies equally to graduates. As UWA continues to connect alumni, students and community, Lockie champions the role of intentional spaces for authentic exchange, whether through yarning circles, mentoring, or inter-generational projects.
“Regular reflection doesn’t have to be complicated,” he said. “Even five minutes a day to check in on where you’re at, what’s working, and what you can shift, will keep you aligned with your values, which is vital both personally and professionally.”
With technology moving fast, Lockie wants us all to remember that true human connection still comes from listening deeply, sitting in a circle, and sharing experiences. It’s those connections that will sustain us in a rapidly changing world.
Top header image (L-R): Dr Eamon Merrick, University of Technology Sydney; Lachlan (Lockie) Cooke, iyarn; Annette Schmiede, Digital Health Cooperative Research Centre (DHCRC); John Saulo, NGNY.