Staff spotlight: Patrick Lesslie on life and IT at the ASC

At a recent staff meeting, after sharing his usual updates, the Asylum Seekers Centre’s Head of IT, Patrick Lesslie, shared some anecdotes from the book “Being Mortal” by Atul Gawande.  He shared how a nursing home introduced animals and plants to revitalise a space defined by illness and gloom.

Patrick spoke of the ‘life’ within the Centre’s halls and how we can always build on this with more music, art, and joy. 

It was a moment that revealed Patrick’s philosophy — that IT should be about more than just numbers and systems; it should foster humanity.

Over a decade of tech with heart

For more than a decade, Patrick has shaped how technology empowers the Asylum Seekers Centre’s work in supporting people seeking asylum.

Patrick first came to the Centre as a volunteer back in 2011, when there were just a handful of staff and IT systems were struggling. 

“What was meant to be a short piece of advice turned into a much bigger journey.”

By 2013, he became the Asylum Seekers Centre’s first Systems Administrator. Over a decade in, Patrick has seen the organisation grow nearly tenfold — and with it, the complexity of the services offered to people seeking asylum.

“Today I lead a small but talented team of IT staff and volunteers, and together we support several hundred staff and volunteers, and thousands of clients.” 

“My role has shifted from being very hands-on with the technical details to also setting strategy, building the right systems, and making sure technology is serving people, not the other way around.”

 Backstage, by design

Patrick describes the IT department as the backstage crew helping other teams find innovative ways to serve the community. 

“If we do our job well, the spotlight stays on the staff and volunteers delivering services — and most importantly, on the community members.”

His team ensures technology quietly enables everything from secure logins and accessible files, to systems tailored to the complexities of community services — like managing healthcare clinics, casework, and volunteer coordination.

“We’ve worked on automating processes like visa checks and transport concession applications.”

“That frees up staff to spend more time on personal support rather than paperwork.”

Data for purpose

Patrick stresses how the IT team puts respect above their work. 

“We track data that helps us understand and improve the support we provide: client needs, services delivered, outcomes achieved.”

“For us, technology is never about collecting data for its own sake.” 

“It’s about giving caseworkers the right information to help someone, and measuring impact to keep programs on track.”

And when the best tool is pencil and paper? 

“We’ll recommend that too. We’re not tech evangelists.”

Tech that changes lives

Patrick knows technology decisions here can directly change lives and one of his proudest achievements at the Asylum Seekers Centre is the device donation program. 

“We’ve refurbished and distributed thousands of laptops and phones to people seeking asylum who wouldn’t otherwise have access.” 

“That’s made a real difference — enabling study, job applications, government interactions, and connection with family.”

Tech as a partner

Patrick sees IT as more than a support role — as a partner in designing and delivering services. 

“There’s huge potential for digital transformation in nonprofits — through better data insights, automation, and user-friendly workflows.”

He emphasises values: “Technology must be ethical, inclusive, and genuinely helpful.”

After more than a decade, Patrick’s blend of sharp intellect, dry humour, and thoughtful leadership continues to bring life — just as Being Mortal inspired — into every corner of the Centre’s work.

***Want to support Patrick and IT’s device donation program? Donate your laptop or mobile today.