Lenny Culbong is the son of Esther Parfitt, from the Dryandra area, and Lindsay Culbong, born in Kendenup. His father Lindsay worked on the railways near Katanning. Len, as he was referred to, was one of seven children removed from his family and placed in Sister Kate's Children's Home in Perth after his parents separated even though his father and older sister Margaret Culbong were working to support the family. He stayed a year before running away and was then sent to Mogumber Mission.
Len undertook an apprenticeship and later joined the Army and fought in Vietnam. On returning from service, he applied to join the Police Force but was denied on the basis of his race. Len got involved with the Aboriginal Legal Service and became a Field Officer before becoming the Executive officer for a few years. He became an advocate for the John Pat death and was part of the planning and lobbying to bring about a Royal Commission into Deaths in Custody.
