Lawrie McKinna is a leader whose journey spans professional football, elite coaching, business, and politics.
From playing professionally in Scotland to becoming the inaugural coach of the Central Coast Mariners, Lawrie helped shape one of Australia’s most recognised sporting clubs. He went on to lead teams to grand finals and later step into executive leadership roles across Australian football.
Today, as Mayor of the Central Coast, Lawrie brings that same leadership mindset into community, infrastructure, and regional development. Driven by values of teamwork, persistence, and real impact.

Want to become a Keep Rolling Patron and help further support the channel, hit the Patreon link below and Roll with the Squad!
https://www.patreon.com/street_rolling_cheetah

Add, Follow or Contact Lawrie:
Website: https://www.centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/mayor-mckinna

Add, Follow or Contact me:
Email: streetrollingcheetah@gmail.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/street_rolling_cheetah/?hl=en
Twitter: https://twitter.com/st_rollcheetah
Face book: https://www.facebook.com/StreetRollingCheetah/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jake-briggs-77b867100/

Timestamps
(00:00:00) Introduction - Lawrie McKinna's Journey

(00:01:49) Sponsor Shoutout

(00:03:57) Welcome Lawrie McKinna

(00:04:22) Growing up in Scotland and the Ten Pound Passage

(00:07:15) Starting Out - Lace Mills and Meeting Christine

(00:11:55) Professional Football Beginnings - Darville Juniors and Dundee United

(00:15:38) Signing with Kilmarnock FC

(00:20:14) Competitive Life in the Scottish Football League

(00:22:45) The Old Firm Rivalry - Rangers vs Celtic

(00:26:06) Moving to Australia - Melbourne and the NSL

(00:30:00) Life in Sydney - Blacktown City and Major Injuries

(00:34:03) Transitioning into Coaching and Sydney Olympic

(00:37:26) The Birth of the Central Coast Mariners

(00:41:55) Building the Mariners Culture and Identity

(00:47:20) Bringing Mark Bosnich Back to Australia

(00:52:20) Coaching in China - Chengdu Blades and Chongqing Lifan

(00:59:48) John Singleton and the 5-Year Menu Contract

(01:07:49) Stepping into Politics - Mayor of Gosford

(01:10:42) CEO of Newcastle Jets and Financial Sacrifice

(01:19:44) Team Central Coast and the Amalgamated Council - Mayor of the Central Coast

(01:26:26) The Reality of Local Government - Roads, Rates and Rubbish

(01:35:34) The Future of Gosford and Regional Development

(01:41:50) New Library & Connecting with the University of Newcastle

(01:47:35) Community Champions and Giving Back

(01:53:27) Sound Advice and Closing Remarks

(02:02:53) Outro and Sponsor Gratitude

Belinda Mason is a social documentarian, internationally recognised photographer, artist, and advocate. Capturing powerful human stories, her work is both technically masterful and deeply meaningful. Beyond the lens, Belinda is a driving force in inclusive, socially engaged art — collaborating with people with disability and marginalised communities and presenting work on global stages.

Want to support the show? Join the Keep Rolling community:
https://www.patreon.com/street_rolling_cheetah

Connect with Belinda:
Website: https://www.belindamason.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/belindamasonau/

Connect with me:
Email: streetrollingcheetah@gmail.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/street_rolling_cheetah/?hl=en
Twitter: https://twitter.com/st_rollcheetah
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StreetRollingCheetah/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jake-briggs-77b867100/

Timestamps
(00:00) Host intro
(04:47) Subscribe & sponsors
(07:31) Interview begins
(08:17) Early life
(13:27) Balancing commercial & advocacy work
(16:28) First exhibition
(20:29) 1988 Bicentenary & Redfern
(24:31) Intergenerational trauma
(28:30) Identity & belonging
(33:33) Long-term storytelling impact
(37:06) Moving to Sydney
(40:39) Intimate Encounters
(45:09) Banned exhibition global tour
(49:11) Working with Aboriginal communities
(52:30) Aurukun workshop
(56:07) Unfinished Business origins
(57:31) Serving Country
(1:00:17) ADF experiences & racism
(1:05:40) Veteran stories
(1:08:05) Film to digital transition
(1:18:30) Powerful storytelling moments
(1:20:48) Women in photography
(1:24:55) Silent Tears project
(1:29:33) Photography techniques
(1:33:04) Global impact of Silent Tears
(1:35:27) International stories
(1:38:23) Voice & empowerment
(1:40:23) Exhibition design
(1:46:57) Outing Disability
(1:55:20) Unfinished Business explained
(1:59:08) Disability in First Nations communities
(2:03:32) Advocacy challenges
(2:09:47) Community accountability
(2:11:13) United Nations presentations
(2:14:42) Global Indigenous parallels
(2:19:15) Grand Designs journey
(2:27:30) Stage production
(2:29:17) Opera House highlights
(2:38:24) Connecting with Belinda
(2:39:48) Advice on storytelling
(2:41:46) Closing thoughts

Going solo on this one, just giving an update on the podcast, life, business, the mental game, past, present and future.

Timestamps added below

Add, Follow or Contact me:
Email: streetrollingcheetah@gmail.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/street_rolling_cheetah/?hl=en
Twitter: https://twitter.com/st_rollcheetah
Face book: https://www.facebook.com/StreetRollingCheetah/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jake-briggs-77b867100/

Want to become a Keep Rolling Patron and help further support the channel, hit the Patreon link below and Roll with the Squad!
https://www.patreon.com/street_rolling_cheetah

Timestamps

(00:00:00) Intro & Life Update

(00:01:52) Mental Resilience & Life's Rollercoaster

(00:03:08) The Mental Game of Being a C5/C6 Quadriplegic

(00:04:05) Podcast Growth & The Power of Conversations

(00:08:19) Career Journey: Construction, Advocacy & Service Provision

(00:10:41) Working with Remote Communities

(00:12:16) Founding Culture Connex During COVID Pandemic

(00:14:18) The New Tuggerah Studio & Scaling the Business

(00:16:58) Reimagining Accessible Housing the right way

(00:18:26) Navigating the NDIS & Consulting Work

(00:22:28) The Importance of a Solid Support System with my wife, Amy

(00:23:07) Wheelchair Travel (Flying Qantas) & Tasmania Trip

(00:25:27) Family, Loss, & Honouring My Grandmother

(00:26:27) The Studio Team & What's Next for the Podcast

(00:29:16) The Impact of Yarning & Call for Future Guests

(00:31:33) Gratitude, Perspective & People that make it happen