Meet Our Speaker

Michael Drapac has been in the property industry since 1987 and has developed commercial, industrial and residential projects in Australia, Asia and the US.

In 2022, following the tragic death of his son Damion at just 30 years old, Michael made a significant gift to Deakin University in Damion’s memory.

Damion was a proud Deakin medical graduate and his desire to be a doctor came from his humility and his goal to be of service to others. That focus is behind the founding ethos of the Damion Drapac Centre for Advancing Equity in Health Professional Education; the endowed Damion Drapac Scholarships; and the endowed Damion Drapac Access Fund.

Michael Drapac’s impact extends beyond Deakin’s medical school through his support for outreach programs to students and communities across south-west Victoria, which seed the potential for a career in medicine for thousands of students.

Growing from this support, the Drapac Centre has demonstrated impact from individual students through to the national policy level; tripling participation in targeted rural outreach, supporting students at risk of financial disadvantage, and translating Deakin-led equity research into nationally endorsed resources, institutional reform and sector-wide practice.