Inspirational.Australians by Awards Australia Podcast: Recent Episodes
Inspirational.Australians by Awards Australia Podcast
Join us as we chat with inspirational Australians making a real difference in their
communities, Australia and often the world.
Be inspired by ordinary Australians achieving extraordinary things!
Jamie Bucirde is a trailblazing sexologist who has made a huge impact in her local city of Adelaide, creating massive reform and progress, especially in the hospitality industry. Josh chats with Jamie about sexology – it can be a slightly “mysterious” topic to those who aren’t familiar with it – and dives into her important work that despite the name, it is not very sexy. On the back of Jamie’s success through her consultancy On the Cusp and the 'Not So Hospitable' project in Adelaide, Jamie is now looking to make impacts nationally and after hearing this episode, you’ll be backing her in to do just that.
Through the 7NEWS Young Achiever Awards in South Australia, Jamie was named 2024 winner of the University Senior College Create Change Award and was also the 2024 SA Young Achiever of the Year.
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Lucy Laurita is an Australian fashion designer known for women's event wear. Passionate about celebrating life’s special moments, Lucy believes that designing a gown is not just making a dress. It is having the privilege to be a part of someone else’s journey in creating their memorable occasion. “When you look at my collection you need to live the idea that together we have created a story”.
Lucy has partnered with the 7NEWS Young Achiever Awards for 3 years now and we hear about some of the amazing young achievers that Lucy has dressed, as well as some top tips for looking your best at an awards night, charity ball or any of life’s special moments where you want to dress to impress.
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Josh Murray of Josh's Rainbow Eggs and Manon Beauchamp-Tardieu of Little Green Panda join forces to discuss ethical business business practices.
In this chat, hosted by Josh Griffin from the 7NEWS Young Achiever Awards, we dive into the way Josh's Rainbow Eggs and Little Green Panda were developed with their values front of mind and how the businesses grew, the challenges they faced along the way and whether their initial vision for ethical business is still possible when you start competing with the major players.
There are some great words of wisdoms in this discussion for business owners or for anyone in business, that wants to do the right thing whilst achieving their business goals.
Here's some info on the two amazing guests in this episode.
Josh Murray, Josh’s Rainbow Eggs:
Josh started his business, Josh’s Rainbow Eggs, at the age of 9 with 40 hens on his family farm. Fast forward to 2025 and Josh’s Rainbow Eggs have developed a unique model of free-range egg production with mobile solar powered sheds, custom designed by us and made in Melbourne. With a focus on ethical practices, sustainability and a quality product, Josh’s Rainbow Eggs have grown to be a major player in the Victorian egg industry and are stocked in Woolworths, Coles, IGA and more.
Josh believes in using business as a force for good, which is why he introduced the Josh’s Rainbow Eggs Ethical Business Award as a category in the 7NEWS Young Achiever Awards program, to encourage and celebrate other young business owners prioritising ethical practices in their businesses.
Manon Beauchamp-Tardieu, Little Green Panda:
Manon Beauchamp-Tardieu is driving a greener, ethical future for businesses and the planet. Manon founded Little Green Panda, a company reshaping the packaging industry with sustainable and innovative solutions. By transforming agricultural waste into eco-friendly straws and packaging, Manon combines environmental responsibility with ethical practices. Her collaborations with Southeast Asian farmers and The Bridge Inc. highlight her commitment to empowering communities and promoting inclusivity. Despite pandemic-related challenges, Manon remains dedicated to refining operations and exploring local manufacturing in Australia. Little Green Panda's revolutionary products, such as home compostable straws and cutlery made from upcycled coffee grounds, have replaced millions of single-use plastics.
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Join Josh as he chats with inspirational Australians, who make a real difference in their communities. This podcast is brought to you by the team at Awards Australia, featuring amazing people from the 7NEWS Young Achiever Awards and Community Achievement Awards programs. Be inspired by ordinary Australians doing extraordinary things!
Felicity Graham launched the not-for-profit Fostering Change Australia to educate, advocate, and change the Child Protection system. Felicity has represented No Capes, a group of young people with care experience, in the co-design of DCP’s Child and Youth Engagement Strategy. She has written and published multiple books, including a children’s book, “Oscar’s Layers”, to educate children about child protection and help them cope with big feelings.
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Join us as we chat with inspirational Australians, who making a real difference in their communities. This podcast is brought to you by the team at Awards Australia, featuring amazing people we meet through the 7NEWS Young Achiever Awards and Community Achievement Awards programs. Be inspired by ordinary Australians doing extraordinary things!
Find out more at: www.awardsaustralia.com/podcast
Ella Burke founded her Human Resources consultancy Employii in 2021 as a sole-trader, with a vision to do HR differently. Ella now leads her team of eight and supports over 150 companies nationwide. Respected equally for her technical expertise and community contributions, Ella is recognised as a Leader within the HR field. Ella leads many social impact initiatives, using business as a force for good and demonstrating her commitment to making a positive impact on a social scale.
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Join us as we chat with inspirational Australians, who making a real difference in their communities. This podcast is brought to you by the team at Awards Australia, featuring amazing people we meet through the 7NEWS Young Achiever Awards and Community Achievement Awards programs. Be inspired by ordinary Australians doing extraordinary things!
Find out more at: www.awardsaustralia.com/podcast
Jordon Humphreys of Alice Springs advocates for youth and disability rights in Central Australia. Through legislative lobbying and community leadership, he empowers individuals. Spearheading initiatives like the NT Youth Conference showcases his commitment. Aspiring to join the NT Parliament, he inspires others by proving that overcoming hardships is possible. Jordon uplifts and empowers his community, fostering resilience among Central Australian youth.
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In this week’s episode, Geoff chats with Theresa Mitchell, who is representing Agape Outreach Inc – Winner’s of the 2023 NSW/ACT Community Achievement Awards - Awards Australia Connecting Communities Award.
Agape Outreach Inc was founded by Theresa Mitchell in 2009, started with distributing meals to those in need. It has since grown to over 240 volunteers, providing 800 weekly meals across New South Wales and Queensland. Agape's model rescues edible foods to create meals, reflecting its mission of unconditional love and commitment to helping the vulnerable
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In this week’s episode, Geoff chats with Sara Blunt, who is representing Kalyra – Winner’s of the 2023 South Australian Community Achievement Awards - Office for Ageing Well Tackling Ageism Award.
Kalyra is at the forefront of the battle against ageism, recognising the need to break down stereotypes and prejudices. Through the co-location of a Montessori Middle School within Kalyra Woodcroft Aged Care, Kalyra has created a unique platform for intergenerational activities. Students and residents engage in shared experiences, fostering mutual understanding and empathy. Overcoming challenges, including opposition and COVID-19, Kalyra remains dedicated to the cause. Their program is reshaping perceptions of older individuals and challenging ageist assumptions. It exemplifies how intergenerational connections can pave the way for a more inclusive and age-friendly society, ensuring that ageism becomes a thing of the past.
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In this week’s episode, Geoff chats with Rachael Cook – Winner of the 2023 Queensland Community Achievement Awards - Awards Australia Charitable Foundation Mental Health and Wellbeing Award.
Inclusee is a not-for-profit charity dedicated to alleviating isolation and loneliness among older Australians by fostering meaningful connections and empowering them to engage with a virtual community centre. Through its Digital Programs and Virtual Community, trained volunteers provide companionship, support, and learning experiences that promote social engagement and personal growth for participants. Inclusee believes that everyone should be able to build lasting connections and enjoy a rich social life, regardless of their location or circumstances. The dynamic virtual community of Inclusee serves as a lifeline, significantly reducing social isolation and positively impacting the physical and mental health of older Australians.
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In this week’s episode, Josh chats with Catelyn Richards - 2023 TAS Young Achiever Awards Finalist - St.LukesHealth Healthier Communities Award.
Catelyn is a proud Registered Nurse and co-founding director of Climate Action Nurses. She has been a co-contributor to 12 peer-reviewed publications through her work in the Monash University Wound Research Team and the Climate and Health Alliance. As a 2022 Westpac Future Leader’s scholar, Catelyn is passionate about delivering sustainable and equitable healthcare for all Tasmanians.
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In this week’s episode, Josh chats with Louise Mathieson - 2023 NSWCAA Community Achievement Awards, Winner - Konica Minolta Customer Service Award.
The Administration Agency of Dubbo is empowering businesses and fostering sustainable growth. The Administration Agency, formerly Performance PA, was founded by Louise Mathieson. Starting as a Virtual Assistant in 2019, Louise's journey led to the creation of a one-stop shop for small business administration. Her commitment to exceptional customer service and collaboration, from initial interaction to off-boarding, sets her apart Louise and her team handle tasks efficiently, from archiving emails to raising over $80,000 for a not-for-profit. They prioritise client feedback, ensuring every interaction exceeds expectations. Beyond business success, Louise sponsors local events like the Vinnies CEO Winter Sleepout, embodying her dedication to the community.
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In this week’s episode, Geoff chats with Ashleigh Mounser - 2023 NSWYAA 7NEWS Young Achiever Awards, Semi Finalist - Western Sydney University Academic Achievement Award.
Ashleigh Mounser is an Australian writer who has been published across print and media. In 2016, Mounser graduated as a Deans Scholar with a Bachelor of Creative Writing from the University of Wollongong and later completed a Graduate Certificate in Screenwriting at the Australian Film, Television and Radio School. She was Sydney Morning Herald’s Young Writer of the Year in 2012; the overall winner of the Future Leaders Writing Competition, winner of the ‘Time to Write’ contest conducted by the University of Melbourne and recipient of three arts grants from the Bouddi Foundation for the Arts, presented by John Bell. Her debut feature film QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS premiered at festivals across Europe, America and South Africa and has received numerous laurels. Her first children's novel, HOW TO BE COOLER THAN THE MOON, was released October 1st, 2023.
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In this week’s episode, Josh chats with Annabel Hay – finalist of 7NEWS Young Achiever Awards NSW/ACT - Off Trail Coffee Small Business Achievement Award 2023.
CLUTCH Glue, founded by determined entrepreneur Annabel Hay, addresses the shortcomings of traditional fashion tape with a water-soluble clothing adhesive. Annabel's frustration with existing options led her to develop CLUTCH over four years, balancing it with a demanding full-time job. Collaborating with a freelance chemist, she created a patentable, water-soluble, vegan, and hypoallergenic adhesive. Manufactured sustainably in Sydney, CLUTCH quickly gained popularity after its December 2022 launch, with orders worldwide. Annabel's focus extends beyond product innovation, advocating for fashion inclusivity and environmental sustainability. The brand's rapid success is evident through global media recognition, influencer endorsements, and interest from major retailers.
Annabel, leveraging her background in Construction Management, collaborated with a freelance chemist from UNSW to create CLUTCH, revolutionizing the stagnant fashion adhesive market with a patent-pending, eco-friendly solution. CLUTCH's innovative formula, boasting serious strength and sustainability features like being vegan, palm-oil free, and packaged with 100% recycled materials, has empowered individuals worldwide to confidently wear their clothes.
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In this week’s episode, Josh chats with Mina Skandari,Finalist – 7NEWS Young Achiever Awards NSW/ACT. Spirit Super Connecting Communities Award 2023.
Mina has founded SKANDARI FOUNDATION, which is all about creating community connections, Unity and diversity. She is very compassionate, caring and selfless, Mina has distributed many hampers and food packages to homeless people, disability pensioners and many other people struggling during tough times. Mina is also a childrens author, she has written a book “YOU ARE AMAZING AND UNIQUE IN THE WAY YOU ARE” the book is filled with positive affirmations concerning mental health, self love and about accepting your differences. Mina is also a mother of 2 who recently graduated from university (3 months ago) with a bachelor of social science majoring in criminology. Mina also works full time and does a lot of community service / volunteer work. She has been involved in organising multicultural festivals with Multicultural Society Of Campbelltown, she arranged the young championships awards for Macarthur, her dedication commitment and selfless act for her community is special and she deserves recognition for always putting her community first despite her busy life schedule. Mina has achieved so much despite being a refugee from Afghanistan and coming to Australia when she was only 9 years old. Despite the war and trauma she has achieved so much and followed her dream/goal which is to help people and especially those who are struggling.
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In this week’s episode, Geoff chats with Jazmyn Smith, Winner – 7NEWS Young Achiever Awards QLD. Queensland Small Business Commissioner's Small Business Achiever Award 2023.
Jazmyn has made strides in the Australian Music Industry within the first three years of her career, with a diverse array of clients ranging from Murray Cook and Lee Kernaghan to Hayley Marsten and Melody Moko. 2023 saw Jazmyn receive Channel 7’s Small Business of the Year award for Queensland for her music media company, Jazmyn Produces. At just 28, Jazmyn is a self-taught filmmaker and photographer and has travelled across Australia, New Zealand, and America for her creative endeavours. She employs young regional creatives in her hometown of Gympie as production assistants, giving them the opportunity to work in both the arts and the music industry. Jazmyn also runs a sister brand, Calamity Jane Music Management, where she has worked extensively with artists from Murray Cook to Vixens of Fall, supporting them with social media management, content creation, press, fundraising, and marketing efforts. Jazmyn has been recently shortlisted for ABC's Trail Blazers program, which would see Jazmyn and her team travel to Canberra to address Parliament House. Jazmyn is a single mother, a member of the LGBTQ community, and has found her success despite trying beginnings, including moving out of home at just 15 to a women's shelter, and independently putting herself through the completion of high school, graduating with a scholarship to Griffith University.
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In this week’s episode, Josh chats with Angelique Wan, Winner of the Spirit Super Create Change Award in the 2022 NSW/ACT 7NEWS Young Achiever Awards and she was the Young Achiever of the Year 2022 of NSW/ACT 7NEWS Young Achiever Awards.
Angelique Wan – CEO of Consent Labs, 24 of Surry Hills co-founded a non-profit that revolutionizes the discussion around sexual consent. From 2016 to 2018, Angelique and her co-founder focused on developing an evidence-based program, consulted and built relationships with experts, and conducted focus group discussions for market research. In 2021, she left her corporate job to work full-time for Consent Labs. They have since reached 10,000 students and parents across Australia. This year, Consent Labs is spearheading a sector wide campaign - Charity Cringle - aiming to divert just 1% of the unused Christmas Cringle spend to charities.
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In this week’s episode, Josh chats with Amelia Ayris, was a winner in the Spirit Super Connecting Communities Award in the 2022 Queensland 7NEWS Young Achiever Awards.
She is a 16 years old high school student passionate about Child Safety. From the age of 2 years, she started performing within the Entertainment Industry. She has worked in Film, TV, Professional Theatre, Modelling, and Singing. By the age of 10 she had an acting manager in Los Angeles, and at 13 years, she got her first Visa (Entertainer of Extraordinary Ability) approved to work in the US. Her growing profile gave her the platform to represent her peers in child safety, and her commitment and passion continues to grow. Some of her achievements include: # The Youth Ambassador for Bravehearts # A member of the Bravehearts Youth Advisory Council. # Generation Z representative and speaker at the 2021 National Child Protection Forum in Darwin # Producer and Writer of award winning short film Short Sleeves about teen self harm # Raising Awareness of Child Sexual Assault through interviews and speeches # Assistance in fundraising events for Bravehearts # Called to Queensland State Parliament House to importance of Child Safety within the Domestic and Family Violence Protection (Combating Coercive Control) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2022. She aspires to study Law and Politics at University when I graduate high school.
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In this week’s episode, Geoff chats with David Titeu, was a finalist of the National Protective Services Safety and Wellbeing in the Workplace Award and a finalist in the First National Leadership Award in the 2023 Victorian7NEWS Young Achiever Awards. He is a mental health advocate and social entrepreneur, devoted to creating solutions that promote holistic well-being. Also, a speaker, coach, and founder with a passion for empowering humans to embrace their unique voices and redefine vulnerability as a strength.
David Titeu is the founder of Linkmate, a social enterprise devoted to proactive emotional support. David and his team implement initiatives that foster a psychologically safe environment at work. These include displaying radical candour and vulnerability for deep collaboration; learning and development initiatives co-designed with leading experts to explore intersections of mental health; and an interconnected network of peer support, breeding empathy and companionship - or “Mateship”.
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In this week’s episode, Josh chats with Nargis Mardani, a member of the Future Leaders Advocacy Group and QPASTT’s Youth Voice and was a finalist of Soroptimist International Women Empowering Others Award in the 2023 Queensland 7NEWS Young Achiever Awards.
She has actively participated in a wide range of community activities spanning various sectors, driven by a profound passion for community advocacy and affecting positive change. Her involvement has been extensive and diverse, including membership in the Future Leaders Advocacy Group and QPASTT’s Youth Voice. Moreover, she took the initiative to organize the 2022 Hazara Genocide Rally in Brisbane, aimed at raising awareness about the issue. To educate and inspire the younger generation, she visited primary schools on the Gold Coast to share her refugee experience. Additionally, she has been privileged to serve as a guest speaker on the Women’s Resilience Panel and as an organiser and Master of Ceremonies for the Youth Voice Cultural Night. Her commitment to education led her to participate in Government Round Tables for Education and previously part of the Interact group during her high school years in 2021. Furthermore, she has actively contributed to various fundraisers and worked as a Cultural Support worker with Multicultural Australia, providing vital support to newly arrived Afghan families and youth during the resettlement process. These experiences have been profoundly rewarding, allowing her to make a tangible difference in the lives of others and strengthening the sense of community.
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In this week’s episode, Josh chats with Sean Guy, a member of the Darwin Theatre Company board and was the winner of McDonald's NT Career Achievement Award in the 2023 Northern Territory Young Achiever Awards.
Sean Guy has been working at the Bookshop Darwin for over eleven years. In his time there, he has demonstrated creativity, innovation, and a genuine passion to support and engage with the community. In his career as an author/playwright, he has written four successful books, joined the Darwin Theatre Company board, and had plays performed around the country.
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In this week’s episode, Josh chats with Heimy Molina, a committee member for Young Engineers Australia who was a Finalist of the Western Sydney University Academic Achievement Awardin the 2023 7News Young Achiever Awards – NSW/ ACT.
Heimy Molina, completed her Engineering (Honours) with a First-Class Honours Award and University Medal, majoring in Civil Engineering. She is a consistent Dean’s Merit Lister and awardee of the Vice Chancellor’s Excellence Award, Women in STEM Education Champion, and Emerging Designer of the Year. Heimy is a committee member for Young Engineers Australia and has been featured in talks (in schools and universities) seminars, podcasts, articles, and panels to talk about female empowerment in STEM.
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In this week’s episode, Josh chats with Lindsey Dang, CEO of Lindsey’s VCE Tutoring who was the Winner of the Strategic Alliance Network Small Business Award in the Community Award at the 2023 7News Young Achiever Awards Victoria.
Linsey Dang founded Lindsey's VCE Tutoring at the age of 19 after developing her skills from the ground up in her personal studies. She moved to Australia by herself before turning 16, and immediately fell in love with English Literature and the Humanities (despite that English was not her first language) - subjects that are not ordinarily prioritized in the Vietnamese STEM-centric curriculum. Lindsey's VCE Tutoring is a boutique VCE English tutoring company that focuses on ensuring that their students don’t study for the sake of studying, but to be critical thinkers, to grow through reading writing, and creating; the essential skills to keep up with an ever-changing world. We believe in specialist tutoring and advocate for personalized education.
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In this week’s episode, Josh chats with Fiona Sanford, CEO of Flourish Girl who was the Winner of the Victorian Government Group Achievement in the Community Award at the 2023 7News Young Achiever Awards Victoria.
Flourish Girl is helping build self-confidence, self-awareness and social connectedness. Flourish Girl is a preventative mental health and emotional intelligence charity. They deliver rites of passage programs to teenage girls and gender-diverse teens aged 13 to 18 years old. Since 2018, Flourish Girl has worked with over 12,500 teens across 84 schools. They delivered close to 150 workshops in 2022 alone.
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In this week’s episode, Josh chats with Conor Pall, winner of the Spirit Super Connecting Communities Award at the 2022 7NEWS Young Achiever Awards Victoria.
Conor is a young person shaking up the family violence system, determined to use his lived experience as a male survivor, to drive change that matters in Victoria. He is youngest member to be appointed to the Victorian Victim Survivor's Advisory Council, using his experiences to influence change in the way children and young people are seen as victim-survivors in their own right. Conor talks about his debut children’s book, The Shadow that Follows, which describes the shadow of family violence that can follow a child everywhere and impacts all aspects of their lives but is often not visible to others. He is passionate about primary prevention and early intervention, and sees his book as one day working alongside programs in schools like Respectful Relationships.
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In this week’s episode, Geoff chats with Kate Howard & Emma Murray from Hub Gymnastics, winners of the 2022 Woolworths Community Group of the Year Award at the South Australian Community Achievement Awards.
Hub Gymnastics Club was established in 1985 by a group of volunteers to run a recreation gymnastics program. The Club has since embarked on delivering new programs for the community, allowing families access to professionally run classes with highly skilled coaches. They also offer school holiday gymnastics, after-school, and in-lesson gymnastics programs. Hub Gymnastics continues to increase participation of girls and boys from the age of 1 and now has around 750 members, with about 350 children on waitlist! The Club prides itself on being an inclusive and welcoming family-based Club that provides high quality programs.
Kate and Emma also talk about the way Hub Gymnastics achieves sustainability as a community club, by valuing the development and progression of athletes, who may have grown up at the club, to highly skilled coaches that can now remain active within both the club and the sport.
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In this week’s episode, Josh chats with Bianca-Jaye Mazzuchelli, finalist of the Spirit Super Create Change Award at the 2023 7NEWS Young Achiever Awards Victoria.
Bianca is a proud Gunditjmara woman who is currently studying her undergraduate degree in Psychological Science. She talks about the development of Auditory Sensory Prevention Technology (ASPT), which is an earpiece that emits white noise and is designed to help children and adults who are neurodiverse, to combat challenges they may face in social settings due to sound sensitivity. In 2022 her ASPT start-up won the Swinburn Venture Cup.
“I believe that it's a human right for every child to have a friend”
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In this week’s episode, Josh chats with Isabella Dewar who was the Winner of the Spirit Super Connecting Communities Award at the 2023 Tasmanian Young Achiever Awards.
Isabella began her martial arts journey when she joined a karate class at the age of 4 and by 14, she had earned her black belt. Through karate, Isabella has learnt not just the physical skills of self-defence, but also mindfulness, discipline, and a feeling of empowerment that has helped her overcome bullying. At 16, she is now a certified karate instructor and runs free self-defence classes and empowerment programs to kids and adults who have experienced bullying.
Isabella is a carer for her mum and she was recently appointed as the youngest member of the Minister’s Carer Advisory Council that provides advice, information and insights about issues affecting carers to assist in the development and delivery of informed, effective and evidence-based policy, programs and projects to support and recognise unpaid carers. She hopes to use her voice and lived experience to advocate for supports for other young people juggling school and caring responsibilities.
“I think all young people, if they have something to say, should be saying it, because if we want to make change in the world, we have to listen to everybody’s ideas”
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In this week’s episode, Josh chats with Paige Horrigan who was the Winner of the Spirit Super Create Change Award at the 2022 Northern Territory Young Achiever of the Year.
In 2019, Paige was the victim of a hate-motivated assault while at school and no one was held accountable. This sparked their passion to highlight LGBTQIA+ issues and create positive change for queer young people in the Palmerston and surrounding communities. They have worked for organisations like Rainbow Territory to help in the fight against discriminatory legislation and advocated for the creation of safe spaces dedicated to LGBTQIA+ young people.
“People need to step up and speak up”
“I'm proud to be an LGBTQ person, and I'm proud to be an active member in the community. I wish there was things we didn't have to fight for. I wish it was just basic human rights, that we had the same as everyone else. But just because of our gender identity or our sexual identity, it means we have to work harder to be respected or have the same rights as others”
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In this week’s episode, Josh chats with Harrison James who was the Winner of the 2023 Spirit Super Connecting Communities Award at the 7News Young Achiever Awards for NSW & ACT.
Content Warning This episode includes a discussion about child sexual abuse. Listener discretion is advised.
Harrison James is a survivor of child sexual abuse and is now an advocate for other survivors. He was the co-founder of the Your Reference Ain’t Relevant campaign that is petitioning to the NSW government to remove the provision of character references for perpetrators of child sexual abuse in the sentencing procedure. Harrison was also a key collaborator for Safe Sounds, Australia’s first sexual assault awareness music festival.
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In this week’s episode, Josh chats with Neeka Zand who was the winner of the 2023 Spirit Super Connecting Communities Award at the 7News Young Achiever Awards in Western Australia.
Neeka is the daughter of Iranian political refugees, and through her upbringing she has become passionate about ensuring equitable access to appropriate well-being support. She has a background in Psychology and Business and is currently the Youth Advocate on the Menal Health Commission’s Multicultural Committee. She aims to amplify the voices of young people and people from multicultural communities, in the mental health space, and reduce the stigma that can still exist around mental ill health.
After a personal experience speaking with a young person at risk, Neeka led the development of Right By You; a youth peer-to-peer suicide prevention website to help young people develop the skills and confidence to respond and help a friend in need.
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In this week’s episode, Geoff chats with Dr Ramesh from the South West Indian Group who were the winners of the 2022 Woolworths Community Group of the Year Award at the WA Community Achievement Awards.
Dr Ramesh was born in the small streets of Chennai, Tamil Nadu South India. He qualified as a doctor from Stanley medical college in India and did postgraduate training in the UK and Australia. He has been actively involved in community support programs, charitable activities and cricket. His passion is to promote multiculturalism, harmony, happiness and peace. Along with a small team, he formed the South West Indian Group (SWIG) in Bunbury WA which shared his passion and vision: Breaking Barriers, Bridging Cultures.
South West Indian Group (SWIG ) is a not-for-profit community volunteer group promoting harmony, wellness, and unity through their Indian themed events and various fundraising and community efforts. During the Covid 19 pandemic, SWIG campaigned for ventilators in India. SWIG events contribute towards education for girls living in poverty as well as Aboriginal communities. SWIG, in collaboration with City of Bunbury Council, planted 260 seedlings on World Environment Day on the 5th June 2022.
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In this week’s episode, Josh chats with Shannon and Zane from City of Marion’s Youth Collective Committee who were the 2023 winners of the Spirit Super Connecting Communities Award at the 7News Young Achiever Awards in South Australia.
City of Marion’s Youth Collective Committee, or YCC, is group of young people selected to represent the views and values of young people in the City of Marion.
They aim to work with Council on issues, topics and concerns that are important to the young people in their local Council area. Their vision is to work on issues such as safety and security, mental health, the environment, arts and music, education and technology. They also work to provide a unique perspective on Council issues, whilst also gaining important skills, learning about local government and youth specific issues.
Since beginning in 2019, the YCC have held an Esports tournament, Battle of the Bands, planting of a native garden, a music event at the Capella Skate Park opening and more.
Shannon Swart, the youth worker facilitating the program was 22 when the YCC began and has been with the program since the beginning. Zane LeBlond is the current chairperson of the YCC for 2023.
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In this week’s episode, Josh is talking to Claire & Kate from Hoedowns For Country Towns. They were winners in the 2023 7NEWS Young Achiever Awards, QLD
Hoedowns for Country Towns - Claire Harris and Kate Strong embarked on a bootscooting road trip around Australia in 2022 teaching line dancing, putting events back on the calendar for rural communities, and raising money for seven rural charities. Across nine months, the duo ran 75 hoedowns in halls, pubs, schools, outback stations and everything in between, danced with nearly 3,000 people from all walks of life, and raised $38,250.
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Whilst we are busy interstate at the Community Achievement Awards Gala Dinners, we thought we would provide you with a flashback to Episode 86, with Victoria Pham
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In this week’s episode, Josh is talking to Taylah who was a Finalist in the 2022 Northern Territory Young Achiever Awards.
My name is Taylah King and I am 26 years of age. I'm currently working as a chef in Far North Queensland. My ultimate goal as a chef is to inspire and train the next generation of young chefs. To show them that hospitality is one of the best industries to be in and it's never too late to chase your dreams. My biggest achievement so far is being a finalist in both the NT Training Awards and NT Young Achievers and Top 10 finalist in Nestlé.
Tayla was a kitchen team member at Phat Mango and is now a chef at the Townsville RAAF Base. In 2020, she started the discussion about Cupcake Day, which resulted in the Darwin Convention Centre donating 200 cupcakes to an RSPCA fundraiser. She has hosted a master cooking class for students. Taylah made the top 10 finalists of the Golden Chefs Awards, representing NT. She was a 2021 International Women’s Day NT representative.
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In this week’s episode, Geoff is talking who is representing George Town Council, winner of the Get Moving Tasmania Physical Activity Award in the 2022 Tasmanian Community Achievement Awards.
Ever since I was a little boy, I have always loved sport and recreation.
Master of business (Sport management) - Deakin University (Received a scholarship) Bachelor of business management (Distinction)
Worked for the State Sport Centres Trust that managed the Melbourne Sports and Aquatics centre, lakeside Stadium, and state netball and hockey centre in Melbourne, before moving to Tasmania to work for the George Town Council as a Community Officer for Sport, Recreation, Events, Health and Wellbeing.
I am so grateful to have the opportunity to make a difference, and help grow a community. I am very passionate about working towards providing a platform to the people of a community that lack opportunities that they deserve.
Utilising my knowledge, skill and experience in making someone else's life better is what keeps me going.
Apart from my professional career, I play cricket for the Greater Northern Raiders, which represent Northern Tasmania in the State League.
A good cappuccino along with an almond croissant is my simple pleasure.
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In this week’s episode, Geoff is talking to Ashley Watt from Why Leave Town Promotions who was a Winner in the 2021 Community Achievement Awards for Regional NSW & the ACT.
Why Leave Town Promotions of Narrabri is encouraging people to ‘Shop Local’. Why Leave Town Promotions (WLT) offers community gift cards that use a ‘closed loop’ technology that ensures dollars stay local. The WLT Community Gift Card can be purchased at local ‘load up’ points or online and can only be spent back on participating local businesses. WLT works with over 60 communities across Australia and has created a website, Shop Local Hub. In 2018, the gift cards were used by organisations to distribute funds raised to support farmers and others in need during the drought. To date, WLT has helped keep over $12m in local communities.
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In this week’s episode, Stephanie Lenehan is talking to Steffi Patience who was a Winner in the 2018 7NEWS Young Achiever Awards for Victoria.
29yr old female. Born in Stawell Victoria. Winner of the 2015 City of Ballarat Youth Award (18-25 division) & the 2018 VYAA Regional & Rural Health Award (sponsored by the Royal Flying Doctor Service). Author of the Young Adult Fiction books "The Unexpected" (published in 2016) & "Sahara the Forgotten Desert Princess" (published earlier this year). Mental Health Volunteer in multiple fields, primarily suicide prevention. Was homeless for a few years, even during volunteer work & winning the Ballarat Youth Award.
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In this week’s episode, Geoff is talking to Steve Pearce from the Glen Innes & District Historical Society who was a Winner in the 2021 Community Achievement Awards for Regional NSW & the ACT.
Semi-retired. Originally from 'Old' South Wales; in Australia over 40yrs; living in Glen Innes 4.5yrs - moved from Melbourne to take up a volunteer position at the Land of the Beardies Museum. Many different previous occupations, including visitor services for Western Australia Museum (Fremantle & Perth); also worked for a national conservation organisation whilst based in WA; passion for history and the natural environment.
Glen Innes & District Historical Society Inc. has been serving as the proper custodian of the cultural heritage of the Glen Innes & District community since 1968. The Historical Society functions as a community chronicle, recording and informing successive generations through artefacts, documents and records at the Land of the Beardies Museum History House Museum and Research Centre. The Land of the Beardies occupies the former Glen Innes & District Hospital, which is listed as a heritage building. Over the past three years, the Society has been actively engaged in repairing and refurbishing the buildings, storage facilities and display areas. The Society has 255 members.
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My name is Siobhan. I'm 13 and I'm the founder and owner of Our Pixie Friends. I was born at 27 weeks - that's 3 months early! I weighed 843g and I was being resuscitated 3-4 times a day until I had open heart surgery when I was about 1 month old. As a consequence, I have a range of medical conditions, including bowel/bladder dysfunction, sensory processing disorder (dyspraxia) and NVLD - Nonverbal Learning Disorder. I also have allergies, anaphylaxis, eczema, asthma, and surprise, surprise- Generalised Anxiety Disorder! I have also experienced PTSD, depression/obsessive thoughts and had suicidal tendencies after some medication. I used to think, "Why am I the only kid with all this?" I'd get upset when other kids didn't want to hold my hand in line, or their parents wouldn't invite me over because they were afraid I'd have a medical emergency. When I was 6, I realised I wasn't the only kid in the world with medical conditions and I decided I would start a business to help other kids not feel alone and isolated, and encourage other kids to be kind and inclusive. That's when Our Pixie Friends was born. On a trip to the allergist for another round of scary skin prick testing, I brainstormed all my ideas, and by the time I came home, I had an outline of my website, ideas for books and merchandise, and a dream of raising $1 million for medical research and one day having my pixie characters in ambulances so kids experiencing trauma have one of Our Pixie Friends with them. Mum didn't know how to help me, so she just encouraged me to write my ideas down. It wasn't until I was 10 that I finally met a wonderful lady, Sharron Pountney from SLP Consulting, who said she would help me. She registered my companies when I was 10. In July last year, phase one of my website was launched (and I was notified that the character blogs on the website would be added to the Radio Lollipop global playlist for kids in hospital all over the world) and my first book was published. I have 2 more books coming out this year, and I have been working with a haematologist at the Sydney Children's Hospital to develop a pixie with a bleeding disorder (who should be appearing on the website soon). I have also been invited to a number of speaking events including author talks and creative character development workshops at schools, the YES Summit, where I was on the panel to help over 400 high school students and I will be speaking at a Redlands Women in Business event in September. But the best part of my life is when I have an impact on young children. I love seeing their faces light up and hearing how my ideas are helping them.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In this week’s episode, Geoff is talking to Sunny Liu who was a Winner in the 2021 7NEWS Young Achiever Awards for Victoria.
Sunny Liu passionately serves the local and international communities in Darwin. Sunny is the Vice-Chair of Kindness Shake Inc., a charity that has handed out over 6,000 free meals, assisted 800 individuals and raised more than $200,000 in grants and donations. An international student, she is also a committee member of the Multicultural Council NT and 2022 Youth Advisory Group at Headspace Darwin.
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Shania became the first Regional Female Aboriginal Youth Governor of South Australia in 2022. In 2021, she joined the Indigenous Affairs and Reconciliation Committee, where she helped create the Youth Justice Bill (Age of Criminal Capability) as assistant manager and main sponsor for debating the bill in the Legislative Council. Shania is currently organising the Youth Parliament Program of 2022 for SA.
Shania was a Finalist in the SA Young Achiever Awards Multicultural Youth South Australia Spirit of Resilience Award.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Independent Living Care is an (NDIS) provider that supports people living with mental health difficulties and disabilities throughout Adelaide in transforming their lives into ones filled with enthusiasm and purpose. Independent living care is a devoted and passionate team that organises a variety of services including day programmes, supported independent living, mentorship, counselling, in-home help and hosting a number of respites throughout Australia.. Independent Living Care aims to promote that everyone has a right to live and work towards a self-actualized fulfilling life through the holistic, inclusive approach taken Independent Living Care.
Benigne was a nominee in the SA Young Achiever Awards Western Sydney University Academic Achievement Award.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In this week’s episode, Josh is talking to Pallavi Verma who was a Semi-Finalist in the 2022 7NEWS Young Achiever Awards for New South Wales.
Currently working as a Senior IT Consultant, Pallavi is a gold medallist in Bachelor of Computer Applications who started her journey in Australia as an international student in 2017. She is a high achiever who had also been awarded ‘Wg. Cdr. H S Gill Memorial Gold Medal’, for being the best all round student of her cohort, by PCTE Group of Institutes. Recently, Pallavi has also been awarded a Dean’s Medal by Western Sydney University for her outstanding performance in Master of Information and Communications Technology (Advanced). This year, Pallavi had been a semi-finalist in 7News Young Achiever Awards.
At WSU, she had been a voice of the student community and held positions at various committees including the ‘Vice Chancellor’s International Student Advisory’, ‘Review of Academic Senate Committee’ and ‘School Academic Committee – School of Computing, Engineering and Mathematics’. Pallavi is highly passionate about guiding students to have the best out of their university life. She has delivered various talks, webinars and podcasts for young ICT professionals, international students and women in STEM education. Pallavi is a role model to students and young professionals and had also been a speaker at ACS Young Professionals Summit, ISANA Conference and various Women in STEM events. She highly believes that every person can achieve their goals with the right mindset and support.
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In this week’s episode, Geoff is talking to Brittany Hayward-Brown who was a Finalist in the 2021 Northern Territory Young Achiever Awards.
I’m a Bachelor of Science (Honours) graduate from Charles Darwin University, with an interest in ecology, threatened species conservation and science communication. I currently work as a research assistant at CDU on threatened species research, where I conduct data collection, management and analysis, literature reviews and write scientific papers. I am also the Community Officer with Inspired NT, where I am responsible for science outreach in the Greater Darwin region, including Science Week 2021. I am passionate about science and enjoy research, but also recognise the importance of communicating research to the wider community.
I'm a passionate volunteer, volunteering with a student group and a local environmental organisation. From 2019 to 2020, I was the President of the environment student group at CDU, EnviroCollective CDU, where myself and the committee organised 15 environmental education events for our Conservation on Campus program, reaching over 400 people, which resulted in the group winning the Territory NRM Environment and Conservation Award in 2020.
I am actively involved in conservation and management with BirdLife Top End, a branch of the not-for-profit BirdLife Australia as the conservation and advocacy officer. In this volunteer role, I am responsible for planning and delivering a campaign in line with the branches priorities and the organisation's policies.
My top skills include critical thinking, communication, initiative, teamwork and leadership.
My top 2-values are: Belonging and making a difference.
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22 years old and currently work as a program facilitator for youth express. I work in schools across the hunter with the next generation and help connecting them to their culture. In my spare time I enjoy coaching sport
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In this week’s episode, Josh is talking to Samantha Price who was a Finalist in the 2022 Northern Territory Young Achiever Awards.
Samantha opened Royal Existence Dance Academy in October 2018 and offers seven different styles of dance to children aged 2 to 18 years old. They hold over 55 classes weekly. As of 2021, Royal Existence has 13 staff members who share their passion for dance with over 330 young people. During Covid lockdowns, Samantha navigated the business to ensure her staff could keep their jobs.
Experienced Small Business Owner with a demonstrated history of working in the performing arts industry. Skilled in Business Management, Leadership, Dance, Public Speaking and Human Resources. Strong business development, graduated from Australia College of Ministries.
Samantha produced winning routines at National Competitions.
Samantha was a Finalist in the NT Community Achievement Awards Sports in the Community Award, Finalist in the NT Young Achiever Awards Small Business Achievement Award, Winner of a Dance Studio Owners Association Award.
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In this week’s episode, Geoff is talking to Hamish Munro who was a Finalist in the 2021 Community Achievement Awards for Regional NSW & the ACT.
Pairtree delivers a cutting-edge service to the Australian agriculture sector to help our clients make the most of the smart farm revolution.
We turn your farm data and digital services into priceless information to help drive efficiencies and improve decision-making support and confidence.
Pairtree specialises in aggregating data, allowing you to access, visualise, compare and analyse information from different sources together for the first time.
We don’t tell you which hardware, software or digital services to use on your farm. That’s entirely up to you.
In addition to delivering detailed weather, markets and mapping, Pairtree Intelligence acts as a ‘data translator’ to overcome incompatibility issues between your agtech devices and digital service.
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At the age of 15, Peter is now studying to become a doctor at Charles Darwin University in Darwin.
Between excelling in high school and selling Indonesian delicacies with his sister to raise funds for charity, Peter studied extremely hard to obtain a high ATAR last year. Peter received a near perfect score of 99.60 and became the dux of his year at Haileybury Rendall School in Darwin's east. Which placed Peter second across all year 12 students in the entire Northern Territory. Peter was also the youngest year 12 student.
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Jerusha Mather is a PhD student at Victoria University investigating strength training and non - invasive brain stimulation. Her research was funded by the Cerebral Palsy Alliance. She is a recipient of the Bridge Create Change Award and the prestigious L'Oréal -UNESCO Women in Science mentee program. She was also an outstanding finalist in the Women's Agenda Leadership Award (in the health category) and is a profound motivational speaker and poet who recently published her poetry collection 'Burnt Bones and Beautiful Butterflies". She is also a leading disability activist particularly for medical students with a disability, inclusive immigration, and accessible packaging and fashion.
The Australian Academy of Sciences acknowledged her as one of the STEM change maker. Her portrait is hung on Questacon ( the National Science Centre) as one of the outstanding female role models in medicine. Her petition on change.com regarding increasing accessible packaging received over 13,000 signatures. In her spare time, she enjoys music and travelling.
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In this week’s episode, Geoff is talking to Victoria Pham who was a Finalist in the 2019 7NEWS Young Achiever Awards for NSW/ACT.
Victoria was nominated in the Academic Achievement Award and is now undertaking a PhD at the University of Cambridge in Biological anthropology, specifically studying the evolution of signalling and communication in the hopes we can have a better understanding of our connection to nature, and how to build alongside nature in a way that is more sustainable. Aside from this, I am continuing with my arts and music practice which has led to exhibitions, commissions and premieres of my work across Australia, USA, UK and Europe, as well as hosting and producing my own podcast DECLASSIFY. I was a semi-finalist in the arts and culture category in 2018 and a finalist in the academic/science achievement category in 2019, and so my interdisciplinary career reflects both those nominations.
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In this week’s episode, Josh is talking to Aimen Jafri who was a Winner in the 2021 Tasmanian Community Achievement Awards:
Aimen Jafri is part of the Multicultural Council of Tasmania, Pakistani Cultural Society of Tasmania, and Shia Association of Ahl-e-Bayt Tasmania. In December 2020, she organised a Women’s Gala attended by women from all walks of life who showcased their businesses. Aimen has also organised International Women’s Day to bring together and help network women from migrant and culturally diverse and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
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Belinda Adams, became a carer for her eldest son after he sustained a traumatic brain injury in a near fatal car accident in 2012, prompting her to drive around Australia on “Belinda’s Big Bus Tour for Brain Injury Awareness” distributing resources and raising awareness for people affected by brain injury. A strong advocate for diversity and inclusion, Belinda was then invited to speak at numerous events such as “Simply Humans – Unsung Heroes” in 2017, The Hopkins Centre’s Bold Idea’s, Better Solutions Rehabilitation panel discussion facilitated by award winning journalist Emma Griffiths for ABC Focus in 2018 and at WIFT’s (Women In Film & Television) panel discussion “Inclusion by Design: Creating an equitable environment on screen and behind the camera” at the Gold Coast Film Festival in 2019. Also in 2019, Belinda was invited to join The Hopkins Centre Ambassador Council and honoured with an Adjunct Research Fellowship at Griffith University. In this role she founded Ballet for Brain Injury, a dance rehabilitation program for people affected by brain injury, developed in partnership with and facilitated by Queensland Ballet. In 2021 Belinda completed a Postgraduate Certificate in Creative Business at the University of Canberra whilst working on some of Australia’s biggest film and television productions, currently as a Screen Queensland Attachment on NBC Universal’s Ticket to Paradise starring George Clooney and Julia Roberts. Belinda formed her own production company “Citrine Sun Entertainment” with a mission to tell authentic and inclusive stories receiving a Highly Commended for her “Ballet for Brain Injury” short documentary in 2021’s Focus on Ability Film Festival. Belinda was the recipient of an Australia Day Achievement Award in 2018 and in November 2021, was presented as a semi-finalist for the Australia Pacific Community Hero Award in recognition of her contributions to the community.
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Dr Mikaela Seymour is a medical doctor working in Papua New Guinea. Over the last two years she has worked as the only doctor in some of the most remote and rural villages of Western Province PNG, accessible only by grass airstrips. During the global pandemic she was responsible for the COVID19 response and vaccine roll out. Working among a team of PNG health workers, she was responsible for maintaining primary health care, antenatal, family planning, and childhood immunisation programs, despite the challenges of the pandemic.
Graduating from Griffith University in 2015 with a Masters of Medicine (MD) and Bch of Medical Science, she completed a Masters of Surgical Sciences at the University of Edinburgh, Global Surgery Course at Oxford University and Masters of Public Health and Tropical Medicine at James Cook University. She is currently completing her Global Health Engagement Grad. Cert. at USUHS.
Mikaela is the founder of the Bush Dokta Subcommittee (Project Yumi Charity), connecting PNG and Australian remote health care workers, supporting grassroots health projects in Papua New Guinea. In 2018 she was awarded AMA Doctor in Training of the year due to her contributions to health care in the Western Pacific region, and 2020 Qld Young achiever for Health Care.
Dr Seymour is the past deputy chair of the Australian Medical Association of Qld (AMAQ) Council of Doctors in Training, previous Chair of the Junior Medical Officer Forum of Queensland and Doctor in Training member of the Medical Workforce Advisory Committee and Medical Schools Liaison Committee for the Office of the Chief Medical Officer.
During university, Mikaela was president and treasurer of the Griffith University Medical Society, secretary of the Queensland Medical Students Council, and ACRRM John Flynn Rural Scholar.
Mikaela was selected for the Rural Medical Education Association (RMEA) Placement to Western Province PNG and has continued volunteering in Papua New Guinea. She has been recognized by the Lowy Institute’s AUS-PNG Network as a Young Leader in the Pacific, attending the Aus-PNG Dialogue in 2017. Since then, she has been published in the Aus-PNG network blog, the Development Policy Blog Crawford Centre and the Lowy Interpreter on Pacific health issue.
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Owner operator and Master Juggler, Kelly Kuhn (better known as 'Kel') has worked in the South Australian tourism industry for over 20 years, in private enterprise and more government departments than she cares to count. She is the creator of Juggle House Experiences and values the busy life her customers lead. Most recently while starting her tour business, Kelly was the Deputy Mayor of her local Council and tour host of Lions 360 Walk of the Brave at the world famous Monarto Zoo. Now when Kel is not on the road, she is busy juggling commitments for her two beautiful tween daughters, is a Board Member of the Murray River, Lakes and Coorong Tourism Alliance, the Governing Council Vice Chairperson of Mypolonga Primary School and Secretary of the local Progress Association. So, Kel truly lives up to her title as Master Juggler. And she can actually juggle for real - 3 in one hand, 2 in the other!
Kelly’s incredibly diverse background has seen her go from growing up on a wheat and sheep farm, to travelling the world for work through her state government marketing roles. From spending months in Mexico learning the tourism industry, to discovering stories on the back roads of Norfolk Island. Her public relations roles see her work closely with media and celebrities from around the nation, and all of these experiences roll into one incredibly knowledgeable and enthusiastic human! Kel holds an Advanced Diploma of Business in Tourism, and has inroads with oodles of fellow tourism businesses in regional South Australia to help get the best out of her customer’s adventure.
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I am currently employed as a Digital Technology teacher Year 1-6 and coordinate STEM education and Sustainability at Dunsborough Primary School. Previously I taught Drama and Media Arts for many years developing confidence in students and giving them the opportunity to participate in whole school community Musical performances. I have developed and led whole school and community initiatives in sustainability education, the Arts and STEM education in Regional Western Australia for over 20 years. In the past 15 years at Dunsborough Primary I have had great impact in the sustainability education of the whole school community. 9 years of Annual Bay OK Day whole school environmental, science and marine education Excursion (750 + providers and community), 12 years of Active Transport Walking School Bus, 11 Years Waterwise, 11 Years Waste Wise, Solar Schools Project, 4 Sustainability Expos at Centrepoint Shopping Centre, developed an outdoor classroom, Science in the Veggie Garden, Chooks, Compost and a seasonal frog habitat. I manage the school partnership with Dunsborough Coast and Land Care to improve biodiversity, protecting the critically endangered western ringtail possum, and through revegetation of the Blythe Reserve and other locations. In 2019 I added soft plastics recycling to our regime and significantly reduced our landfill. In teaching digital technology I use the United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals as an underlying context for project work where students create digital solutions to real problems using robotics and coding applications. Students share their learning and develop an increased global awareness through these projects. In 2020 my involvement in the new Dunsborough Djiljit Mia Aboriginal Themed Nature Based Gathering Place saw me work with the local custodians to determine culturally sensitive, appropriate reconciliation outcomes to be achieved through the project. These included acknowledgement of people place and country, caring for country through revegetating the adjacent Brook and 'Wongi' sharing stories. Students are contributing to the revegetation element which will help connect them to the place and its purpose.
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Youth Opportunities has been repeatedly recognised through the Community Achievement awards as an innovator in the space of mental health and social and emotional wellbeing. Each year we engage with more than 2,000 young people from 30+ schools and organisations right across Australia. We work in partnership with schools, community organisations and individual young people to deliver wellbeing and resilience programs and a range of wrap-around services. Our young people consistently report that the programs help them develop the lifelong skills, habits and confidence to overcome challenges, strengthen relationships and build resilience.
Erin Faehrmann is the Chief Executive of Youth Opportunities. As a kid from humble beginnings and a childhood facing very complex challenges herself, she has a passion for supporting our youth to be their best no matter their circumstances.
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Ellie ( founder) began her toxin-free journey when her newborn (Gracie) developed rashes using ‘mainstream’ skincare products. Determined to help her daughter, she dedicated her time to researching product labelling. She was horrified to discover the ingredients involved (and it is safe to say that she became a bit of a toxin-free nerd).
When she researched and tested toxin-free products, there were so many suppliers producing top quality products in plastic containers. This created a sore spot in our heart and fire in our bellies to only provide products that are safe for you and our planet. It led us to a business decision that shaped us to be who we are today. We decided to stop plastic at its source and no longer sell any products that were predominantly packaged in plastic.
Ellie spent a whole year learning about all things business, accounting, marketing, websites, wholesale, packing processes, writing product descriptions until her hands were sore (not kidding). She was finally ready to press the launch button and send out her first EDM to a few hundred emails she had collected through her pop-up store test model. From then on go for zero quickly outgrew her spare room, then Murrays (Ellie’s husbands) grandmas garage, then to another pop up store on the main street,
Warehouse all within 9 months of launching! After 2.5 years we seriously outgrew our Moffat Beach Warehouse, ran another 2 pop-up stores in Sunshine Coast shopping centres, and secured 3 permanent mini-stores from Brisbane to the Sunshine Coast. We have now moved into our new space at Kunda Park that is 3 x the size of our Moffat Beach Warehouse!
Go For Zero aims to help people reduce the amount of waste and chemicals in their home, whether that be through our products, educating them on sustainable actions they can make (e.g. how to recycle properly), or motivating them with positive things that people are doing in the sustainability space (a topic that can often become so negative and scary).
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Lyndal Denny has a focus on creating safer roads by educating motorists on safe driving practices around heavy vehicles and working to support more women into truck driving careers. Across a eight-year trucking career, Lyndal has driven road trains throughout WA, SA, NSW, QLD, VIC and across the top end through wet season flood waters and fires - transporting everything from cornflakes - to oversize mining infrastructure. She’s worked extensively under Rio-Tinto, Woodside, Chevron and BHP HSE systems and regulations.
Lyndal co-founded Pilbara Heavy Haulage Girls – providing newly-licenced women with 160 hours free training in real work environs.
Lyndal was honoured to be named a Rotary International Paul Harris Fellow for her work in heavy vehicle road safety.
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In this week’s episode, Geoff is talking to Juanita Hughes who was a Finalist in the 2021 Queensland Community Achievement Awards.
Juanita Hughes was diagnosed with younger onset early-stage behavioural variant frontotemporal dementia in mid-2019 at the age of 54. She has since dedicated herself to advocacy.
Juanita is a Dementia Australia Dementia Advocate, a Dementia Australia Advisory Committee member, and National Older Persons Reference Group member. She is creating dementia-friendly communities and is leading the development of the Western Brisbane Dementia Alliance with great community support, including all 3 levels of government representatives.
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Vasse Valley Hemp Farm is WA's leading hemp foods brand, driving market demand for WA grown hemp seed products.
Established in 2017 by husband and wife power-team Chris and Bronwyn Blake, the brand and the business has experienced strong growth despite the challenges of an industry in its infancy.
The Vasse Valley brand has broken ground for hemp food products. Their innovative roasted, whole-hemp seed range was the first hemp-inspired food range to win awards in Australia. Vasse Valley recently won the WA Business Innovation Award for their Terpene Tonics, a cheaper alternative to CBD oil.
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Glen ‘Cookie’ Cook is an International Powerline Safety Specialist / Speaker. He is very passionate advocate for electrical / powerline safety and works closely with workers in the Agricultural, Aviation and Construction industries, speaking face to face of his experiences regarding powerline safety.
Cookie is the driving force behind the successful powerline mapping 'look up and live' app. Cookie was the Health and Safety Professional of the year at the Australian Workplace Health and Safety Awards in 2020 and also received a Queensland Community Achievement Award for Safety in 2021.
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After 25+ years in executive Human Resource Management roles across a range of world-class companies such as Hilton Hotels and Telstra, Mark established an Aged Care business in South Australia with the very clear intent to change the face of ageing - through the provision of a truly unique, compassionate, client-centered and flexible service, delivering the highest quality of care to older people across South Australia.
My Care Solution has now assisted over 20,000 seniors across Metropolitan Adelaide, the Hills and the Fleurieu Peninsula to live their best life. As the Executive Director of My Care Solution, a premium South Australian provider of home care services, my primary responsibilities in this role now revolve around good governance, growth, acquisitions and advocacy around positive ageing and mature age employment pathways.
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Julia Truong established her own events and production business JT. Production Management in 2013, a highly successful business delivering a variety of events such as the Western Chances 10th Anniversary Gala event, Tourism Fest in the West and the Heart Foundation Victoria Healthy Living conference.
She then developed her second company JT. Weddings, organising many successful weddings and scoring 5 star reviews on Australia’s biggest wedding directory. Julia has also completed work with various theatre and art productions, including stage manager at White Night Melbourne.
Julia has completed a Bachelor of Production and speaks to high school students about the importance of education and continues to volunteer with not-for-profit organisations.
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Dr Anosh Sivashanmugarajah is a Dual Advanced Trainee with the Royal Australian College of Physicians completing training in Cardiology & Internal Medicine. He is also an Associate Clinical Lecturer in the School of Medicine at the University of Sydney, University of Queensland and James Cook University. Anosh finished medical schooling from James Cook University in Townsville with an Academic medal, the Dr David Graham Prize for the Dux of Surgery and the Australian & New Zealand College of Anaesthetists Prize.
He completed internship at Princess Alexandra Hospital in Brisbane and moved back to Sydney to pursue residency and Basic Physician Training at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital. He is currently completing a year of 'Internal Medicine' at Dubbo Base Hospital. Following this, he will pursue Cardiology Advanced Training at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital. Anosh was awarded the '2019 NSW/ACT Young Achiever of the Year' Award and the '2019 NSW/ACT Western Sydney University Academic Achievement Award'. In 2020, he was named the 'Australian Medical Association NSW Registrar of the Year'. His ultimate ambition is to pursue a combined clinical, academic and teaching career as a Consultant Cardiologist in regional & rural settings within Australia.
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Michael Bonnici contributes over 200 volunteer hours every year. He is Director of Lifesaving, educational speaker and award-winning Patrol Captain at Wanda Surf Club. He also volunteers for Meals on Wheels, Australian Red Cross Blood Service and Salvation Army. Michael raised $3,000 for Samaritans Purse Australia and volunteered time to help build schools in disadvantaged Battambang, Cambodia. He was recently named as the Sydney South Young and Overall Volunteer of the Year.
I am a dynamic, organised and committed individual with the ability to pay attention to detail. I am quick to understand innovative ideas and able to work hard on my own initiative to meet deadlines. I also enjoy working in a positive team environment which ensures the best possible result for the organisation, team and client. I pride myself on my work ethic, always striving to continue to learn and improve my knowledge no matter what the task may be.
As a graduated City Planning (Honours) Student, I am extremely passionate about sustainable Urban growth, through a variety of social, economic and environmental factors that determines the future of our cities. With a passion for Strategic and Transport planning, I have high aspirations to work on future large scale development projects which ensure sustainable growth for our cities going into the future.
I am very outgoing person who enjoys volunteer Surf Lifesaving at the beach, Rugby League refereeing and working as a Senior Town Planner at Canterbury Bankstown Council.
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At 16 years old Nathan Woodrow began the Ryde Clothing Brand while in High School and recovering from a knee injury which sidelined him for sport for 18 months.
During this time Nathan was and still is extremely passionate & driven to create something from his love of sport, adventure and his hometown - Renmark, South Australia. In June 2016 Ryde Clothing was launched with a small range of hand printed tees. As a platform to encourage you to get outdoors, share a passion for sport, adventure and to bring a positive community of people together. Ryde Clothing is a brand run with passion and with feeling, a love for the adventure and this community. We exist to create, encourage and to have as much fun as possible. Whether it be hitting a trail on your bike, carving on your wakeboard or skating around with your mates, it’s a type of freedom we want to live and share with everyone daily. We love what we do and we are very grateful for everyone that lives and supports the Ryde lifestyle.
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I am the winner for the 2021 Northern Territory Young Achiever Awards. I am a native title and Aboriginal Land Rights Lawyer working in central Australia. I am a tribunal member for CAAFL, a residential support worker for Alice Springs Youth Accommodation Support Service and a community sports med trainer for CAAFL. I am originally from Adelaide but have called Alice Springs home since early 2019.
Having completed her undergraduate double degree in Law and Business (Marketing) at the University of South Australia (February 2019). Alex successfully completed her Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice and was admitted as a solicitor/barrister to the Supreme Court of the Northern Territory in July 2019; she is proudly and gainfully employed by the Central Land Council; working with, and empowering our first nation Australians.
Alex finds value and has a strong passion for contract, property and criminal law, native title, social justice and the application of justice within communities and at an international and domestic level; advocating without prejudice.
Having previously represented the University of South Australia at the 2015 International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Colloquium at Atma Jaya University in Jakarta, Indonesia presenting a co-written paper on ‘The effectiveness of the participation principle in protecting marine diversity in South Australia’. Alex is also fiercely passionate about the environment.
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Jillian Critchley has made significant impact on the lives of disabled youth. Both her daughters and husband Peter have Charcot Marie Tooth disease (CMT), a hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy of the peripheral nervous system characterized by progressive loss of muscle tissue and touch sensation across various parts of the body.
Jill has been a committee member of the CMT Association of Australia for 10 years, is the founder of the Charcot Marie Tooth Aussie Kids Program and designed the CMTAK Mentor Program.
Jill helps organise annual conferences where medical and health professionals and people with CMT from rural and regional areas can discuss treatment and support. She was an NSW/ACT finalist in the Australian Family Early Education and Care Awards 2017, Early Childhood Educator of the Year category.
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I’m a writer as well as a disability and inclusion activist. For the past 3 years I have been writing my website about my own story as someone who has cerebral palsy as well as educating people about disability and inclusion. Earlier this year I got awarded Youth Citizen of the Year thanks to the City of Cockburn.
I am passionate about the enhancement of community life. Layne is a marketing student at North Metropolitan TAFE who lives with Cerebral Palsy, but that does not stop her from what she wants to achieve in life. She is a member of Cockburn Youth Advisory Collective, Youth Disability Advocacy Network Inc. and Cerebral Palsy Achieve. Layne has been a volunteer at Gosnells Toy Library and a Peer Mentor at Emmanuel Catholic College. She has been involved in athletics and has been breaking Under-18 and Under-20 Australian records. Layne is now completing a traineeship in communications and marketing at Perth’s Arts Festival
Since 2018 my primary focus has been to educate non-disabled people about people with disabilities as well as inclusion. I was diagnosed just after 2 years old with ataxic Cerebral Palsy, and I’ve recently been diagnosed with anxiety (mental health)
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Dr Tullio Rossi is an award-winning science communicator, marine biologist and graphic designer. As Founder of the science communication agency "Animate Your Science", he helps researchers tell their story to the world. His engaging video animations and eye-catching graphics make science understandable for everyone, reaching millions of people around the world, thereby creating a real-life impact.
I am Dr Tullio Rossi, the director at Animate Your Science. My team and I empower researchers and institution to change the world by communicating in an effective and accessible way. Our clients span from Cornell University in New York to The Australian Government. In every case, we've helped them unleash their impact through the power of video and graphics.
Animate Your Science of Adelaide is empowering scientists and the research community. Founded by Tullio Rossi, Animate Your Science (AYS) produces video animations and graphics that make research stand out and obtain visibility. The innovative tools enable researchers to reach audiences outside of their specific field and on a global scale, creating life-changing impact and visibility, a healthy dose of fun and understandable science. AYS tripled their sales in their third year and hired two full-time employees and a team of over 20 contractors. They have attracted $50,000 in angel investment and $23,000 in awards. AYS holds workshops on how researchers can improve their communication skills
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Founder and Director of Racing with Autism Australia. Over 12 years’ experience in the Disability Industry specialising my work in working alongside people on the Autism Spectrum. A confident out going person who loves public speaking and supporting dreams of others.
Jess Benge thrives on helping others reach their potential. Jess is the Founder and Director of Racing with Autism in Tasmania, and is also a Learning Support Officer with Avidity Training. Jess knew she wanted to go into a caring career and forged her own path starting at school.
Jess works with Avidity Training and Development as trainer and assessor in the disability industry. She was previously a workshop facilitator for Autism Tasmania. Jessica was also nominated for Young Australian of the Year 2020.
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My name is Tara Lord. I am 23 years old, I work as a Youth programs Co-ordinator for a youth counselling and suicide prevention organisation and also work in a psychiatric hostel and as a community rehabilitation worker, I also have a role as a Youth Ambassador with the Mental Health Foundation of Australia and have volunteered with a number of organisations in the community. I have my own lived experience with mental health, and have always had a passion for helping people. One of my main passion lies where I run my own animal therapy business (Kupu Kupu Australia) , where I take my dog around to mental health and disability facilities, as well as schools, respite centres, aged care facilities, foster homes and much more. In WA there is little knowledge / services in animal therapy and that is something I am an advocate for to change hence I started my own business.
Animal Therapy is proven to reduce cortisol levels (stress hormone) and increase oxytocin, the love hormone.
I’m so lucky to have an incredible job where I’m able to share this with people. I have always loved animals, and I have seen from a young age the impact they have on people. I've always had a dog and they have always a brought so much joy to my life, whenever I was sick, sad, excited, anything, they were there for me. I have always had a passion for helping people, I learnt quite young the world is a scary place where terrible things happen, I knew from this moment on, I wanted to change the world in one way or another. I wanted to share love and happiness and be a voice raise to awareness for disability and mental illness. So I decided to start up Kupu Kupu Australia. Loki was adopted from SAFE Bunbury and after lots of training and hard work and gaining qualifications and accreditation as a therapy team, We work with private clients to overcome boundaries and join them on their journey in recovery. We visit schools for de stress days, visit hospitals and aged care facilities to spread some love and happiness, and work on recovery goals and facilitate programs and interventions to suit and help people's medical/ recovery plans. Our plans for the next couple of years is to purchase a large property and add some more friends to our Therapy team (including lizards, cats, rabbits, donkeys, alpacas and much more) all rescue- this will be a fully functioning therapy ranch where clients can come for respite, rehab and much more. We also are hoping to have accommodation for families to come and have a getaway as well emergency accommodation for people experiencing domestic violence. Kupu Kupu means butterfly in Indonesia which represents the transformation into a better life. For me its about creating an inclusive environment and ensuring everybody has access, I think there is a lot of stigma in society around mental health, and I want to ensure that everyone feels welcome. I think it’s so important that we raise awareness and speak up about it, and I hope that within the work I do I can encourage people to do that. With all the work that I do I hope to break down barriers and reduce stigma in the community and raise awareness around mental health, I aim to be an advocate for change. I also recently received the Victoria Park Youth Citizen of the Year Award, and was a finalist in the 2019 and 2020 West Australian Young Achiever of the Year Awards, and am currently a finalist in the 2021 awards) I also recently completed the leadership WA course leadability which I found extremely empowering and just completed a training through the Mental Health Commission called recovery college facilitator training which I loved. I am always looking for ways to broaden my horizons and develop to support the community to work towards a shared goal of making a real difference 🙂
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Hugh Dawson is the Head Stockman at Beetaloo Station in the Northern Territory. Hugh is an outspoken advocate for the northern Australian agricultural industry and is an Alumni member of the Northern Territory Cattleman's Association Future Leaders Program. Now actively involved in the Young Livestock Exporters Network as well as The Livestock Collective, Hugh is passionate in improving the public perception of the wider agricultural community as well as promoting the opportunities and benefits of a career in Agriculture in Australia. In addition to this, Hugh has stepped into a role as an ambassador for charity organisation Sober in the Country as he looks to raise awareness around mental health particularly in rural Australia.
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Zelma Tolley is raising awareness and reducing stigma about perinatal mental health. She founded The Postnatal Project during the final stages of her first pregnancy. Zelma built the website and collated all professional service connections in Australia to support mums, dads, families and their village, in their journey to healing. She volunteers for the Perinatal Anxiety and Depression Australia Community and connects rural communities that are otherwise isolated. She has written an eBook and published articles that bring a rural voice on rural issues. In 2018 Zelma wrote and launched "Mama, Let's Be Honest" - an eBook that has sold internationally.
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Laura Byrnes is a Late Models Motorsport competitor in Speedway Motorsport (oval track dirt racing) for Red Shamrock Racing. She has been competing in motorsport for the past 15 years and in the 2020/21 race season, moved into Late Model racing - the pinnacle of sedan dirt track racing.
Despite being only in her first season, Laura was Rookie of the Year Championship for the Pro Dirt Series, finished second overall during the Winter Series, and top 10 (out of 38 of Australia's best) for the Pro Dirt Series and Perth Motorplex Track Championship. Laura is the first in her family to race and got into motorsport through grit and determination at 11 years old.
Laura is currently leading the Women in Motorsport section on Australian Motorsport news site - Behind the Sport, and contributor to Women in Sport WA. Laura has been a committee member for the Junior Sedan Racing Association and was a Women of Australian Motorsport Committee member, where she ran the Junior Driver Development Program.
In 2021 Laura was a sports finalist in the WA Young Achiever Awards, and has recently received a the Shona Joy Sports Mentoring Scholarship through Women Sport Australia.
Laura has also received a General Sports Scholarship from the UWA, where she studied Law and Psychology. Laura is an ambassador for the Miracle Babies Foundation as she was born 9 weeks premature. Standing at only 150cms tall and driving a race car over 5.5 metres long - Laura is determined to show your size, height, weight and background are not as important as your desire to succeed.
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Born and raised in Hobart, where I lived for the first 31 years of my life. In college (grade 11) I got into radio after starting my journalism studies and was offered a radio show on the spot after my first shift as part of our class schedule. That role grew, was at Edge Radio in Hobart for 11 years. Through that I interviewed numerous prominent people from Prince Charles to Prime Minister Julia Gillard, from Willem Dafoe to the lead singer of Eifel 65 and Kevin Bacon. Outside of interviews we started up a joke bid in 2005 for a 'Hobart 2016' Olympic Bid, which we eventually changed to 'Hobart 2020'. It was a constant segment that we would get 'support' from our guests including the Premier of Tasmania (a few of them even), prominent Olympians (Steven Bradbury, Jane Saville) and other big names. It eventually took off to the point where we were getting flown to Melbourne to sit with major companies wanting to sponsor us, being touted by global bidding agencies and having fans around the world show support from buying merchandise (pins & t-shirts) and taking photos of them with the logo in front of global landmarks. We were talked about on national TV & radio and were even talked about by John Coates at an AOC meeting (we heard at least this happened). It was a lot of fun, went a bit too far and somehow I was a finalist as Australian of the Year in Tasmania and got nominated for the Tasmanian Young Achievers for it. So, yeah. Some fun! But it was great to promote little ol' Tassie and Hobart on a global scale with the attention we got from a little radio joke. Which confirms as I mentioned that I'll be the least inspirational person you'll ever have on!
As for more about me, well, there's other random stuff along the way which has now seen me move here to Victoria in BC in Canada. You can check out my website (benwaterworth.com) if you want to read some other random stuff and see my other work, or just Google me to no doubt find some random stuff which will mainly be probably hate threads against me from the Survivor community from my days as a leading Survivor podcast host. Either that or you'll confuse me with the more famous Ben Waterworth sports broadcaster, somebody who I often get hate mail for. It's all a fun time!
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Karmin Poulish is an apprentice at Hentley Farm Restaurant. Karmin experienced mental health issues and bullying that led to her transfer to St. Patrick’s Technical College, where she completed SACE and Certificate II in Cookery. She has completed extra work experience in the hospitality industry, a Beginner’s Cake Decorating Course, and Le Cordon Blue’s French Breakfast Pastry Course and Career Residential Course. She has volunteered in the kitchen of Tasting Australia. Karmin won a place in the Proud To Be A Chef competition and will travel to Melbourne in September 2021 to learn from Australia’s best chefs and compete for an international scholarship. She currently works at Hentley Farm running the pastry section.
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Shane Cook is dedicated to giving back to the community. A proud Wulli Wulli and Guwa descendant, Shane successfully juggles being an artist and a youth mentor. He runs Street Dreamz, a business that handles both spontaneous and scheduled art projects and provides mentoring by encouraging cultural exploration, expression of emotions without words and the processing of complex feelings. Shane is a Peer Mentor for Step Out program, offering valuable mentoring support to young people involved with the youth justice system to reconnect with the community and pursue positive lifestyles. He has helped co-design and facilitate a culturally specific men’s fitness and wellbeing program.
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Jahin Tanvir is passionately action-oriented. Jahin was selected as one of ten “Young Leaders” in Australia and represented ACT at the Consumers Health Forum; which helped raise awareness of youth health issues and develop resources to help the youth better navigate the healthcare system. In 2021, Jahin received the 2021 Young Canberra Citizen of the Year in Individual Community Service. He volunteers for the Wellbeing Health and Youth Commission, where he co-designs and sets research agendas for teenagers. He is a founding member of the Health Literacy Advisory Council at Youth Action NSW and Young Advocates Collective. He is a Youth Ambassador for the Multicultural Youth Affairs Network and a volunteer for ACT at Oaktree and Canberra Blind Society.
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Jack Anderson founded ThrivEd, where he brought together talented writers to author Year 12 textbooks. The proceeds from every two sales are used to produce a third textbook for students who would benefit from the same resource. He has led this organisation to publish two Chemistry textbooks so far and is working to publish another 6 textbooks over the next year with their 20 writing volunteers. Jack is also the General Manager at Ignite Mentoring. He dedicates his personal time to help run weekly classes to give students the self-confidence to tackle life head-on and develop crucial soft skills.
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Andrew Bannister was born with rare brain malfunctions, including Periventricular Nodular Heterotopia (PVNH), but these have not stopped him from achieving many things. Inspired by the story of Ella, whose mother organised to light up the Perth Bell Tower in 2018 after Ella died of PVNH, Andrew decided that he would organise to light up more locations to bring awareness to the condition, and later, of all rare diseases. In 2020, Andrew organised 35 landmarks in Australia and around the world to be illuminated for Rare Disease Day in February. He has already organised for 50 landmarks to be illuminated for Rare Disease Day 2021.
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Kohbi Barrow, still 11 years old has been volunteering since he was 6. From volunteering to coach and referee games for under 8 soccer to volunteering at FeNaCLe Festival he enjoys getting involved. He has researched, written and delivered RUOK speeches to hundreds of adults at Rio Tinto and FMG mine sites. He has raised money for the Hedland Cancer Support Group and Dolly’s Dream and continues to identify ways he can contribute to his community. In 2020, he started Operation School Stationery Swap where he collects end of year school stationery and shares with people who need it. He started an Elf Street Lolly Drive for our street as a count down and have been involved in cleaning up Sam’s Island and the container for change program, donating to SAFE. Kohbi is an active participant with Community activities such as art, photography and writing competitions and wants to do so much about raising awareness about support that bullies and the bullied needs.
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Dr Trudy Lin is one of only five registered specialists in Special Needs Dentistry in South Australia, providing oral healthcare to people affected by disability, psychiatric illnesses, and complex medical issues. A graduate of Bachelor of Dental Surgery, Trudy started working in the Special needs unit of the Adelaide Dental Hospital in 2016. She completed her Doctor of Clinical Dentistry in Special Needs Dentistry Program and an Advanced Diploma in Nutrition in 2020. During COVID-19, she self-funded the establishment of a Supported Independent Living facility for people with disability to live in the community. Trudy has an honorary title with University of Adelaide as a senior clinical lecturer. Trudy is heavily involved in volunteering for the community – including overseas dental aid and humanitarian aid through AHHA (Australian Health Humanitarian Aid), the Royal Flying Doctor’s Service (providing dental care for rural and remote communities in SA), Camp Quality (camps for kids and families who are battling cancer), and fundraising for the Cancer Council (105km ultramarathon on the Heysen trail) and Leukaemia foundation (World’s greatest shave).
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Raw Strength Tasmania is providing affordable, top-quality training to athletes, especially the disabled, aged and disadvantaged people. Raw Strength Tasmania has provided the pathway for drug-free strength within Tasmania. They ran a not-for-profit event, where they flew Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA) to test the competitors, and have since run 12 events. They have run the only Para Lifting Competition in TAS history. They recently proposed to start a very low-cost gym in Clarendon Vale neighbourhood centre to provide health, fitness and well-being at hugely discounted prices. During Covid-19 lockdown, they provided free programs designed for home training for the elderly and vulnerable people.
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"I’m Bryony I am 21 years old, I live in Waikiki and I am a professional Muay Thai Fighter. I have been doing Muay Thai for a short amount of time 3.5 years and of that 2.5 years of fighting I have achieved 11 fights. I have won gold at the Nationals Muay Thai Australia in 2019, bronze in 2020 and have fought in Thailand. In this short amount of time I have made a massive name for myself in the Muay Thai scene as a up and comer in WA. During this time I volunteered for over a year teaching the kids at my gym, and in the last 6 months began as the head coach for the kids. During this time I’ve been sponsored by Victory Recovery Systems - something I’m very proud of. To fund the training, nutritionists, strength coach’s, boxing coaches, recovery, gear and travelling expenses I have worked at Woolworths whilst studying at Curtin University a Bachelors of Nutrition. To note I have done all this within the past few years having to move homes/slept on couches/questionable living circumstances and dealt with unfortunate drama - which influenced me to fail a few units and develop REDs. However as an athlete during this time I’ve learnt how to deal with this, how to balance life, I invested in a health professional to get my health back and after the first corona locked down and after my first 2 losses in a row I had a massive comeback fight. My latest 2 fights I have demonstrated how much I have learnt from life and fighting by absolutely schooling my opponents and being in the best shape of my life!
At the moment I’m 8 weeks out from my next fight where I will be taking another more experienced opponent up in weight. As well as I have taken a massive step up in my side hustles of running the social media for my gym to take on a more invested role and to grow it as it’s manager. Not only this, this morning I received amazing news that my strength gym has offered me a sponsorship.
In short, I’m very busy 21 year old that works at Woolworths, is a professional fighter, teaches kids Muay Thai, manages a Muay Thai gym, studies Nutrition at university and am a role model for other women in the Muay Thai community."
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Nicole is proud and passionate about sharing First Nation culture and is a proud Indigenous woman of Larrakia/Malak Malak descent.
Her passion is breaking down Indigenous barriers with her vast knowledge and skills through Indigenous Engagement Consulting.
Nicole works for the Northern Land Council and also runs her own consultancy.
She is the Deputy Chairperson of the Larrakia Nation Aboriginal Corporation and am a strong advocate for Indigenous women and youth.
In her spare time, Nicole volunteers by mentoring our young people in schools and using her journey to inspire them to become the leaders of tomorrow.
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"My name is Renee Knapp and I am an independent consultant working with people to make effective change through positive action in the areas of student behaviour, mental health and wellbeing and community approaches to mental health. I have over 20 years experience in Education as a Level 3 Classroom Teacher and as a Deputy Principal. I was one of 3 finalists in the 2019 Regional Community & Achievement Awards: Curtin Teacher Excellence Award and one of 4 finalists in the 2019 WA Premier's Primary Teacher of the Year Award.
I am also the Chair and co-founder of a Community Based Mental Health Action Team and have recently been announced as a finalist in the WA Spirit of Volunteering awards.
I am a strong advocate for utilising a community approach to mental health by working collaboratively across government and private sectors to make real change happen for both our youth and the wider community. I have recently worked with the WA Mental Health Commission to write a Community Wellbeing Plan that is currently being shared with other communities in the area as a model of success. I have also presented this model across various platforms including the 2021 Mental Health Services Conference and the 2020 Australian & Rural Mental Health Symposium. For too long, education, health and law enforcement have worked in isolation when managing mental health issues. Yet each of these sectors play a preventative, intervention or supportive role in communities when it comes to mental health.
I have seen the significant benefits of a community model at an educational level as it allows schools to look beyond their school walls and make change happen by utilising protective strategies, support services and opportunities for belonging and connection in the wider community. This community model for mental health improvement, can not only benefit the youth, but also allows for targeted planning and improvements in mental health across the whole community. I now use my Think Effective consultancy business to help schools, individuals and groups to create effective improvement in their unique setting through community mental health approaches or school wide behaviour or mental health initiatives.
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I am an American by birth but Australian by heart. I moved to Australia in 2012 only one week after graduating University. I originally came to Oz to play basketball - I played in Perth, Darwin, the Gold Coast. I even lived in NZ for a brief period of time when I over-stayed my visa.
But as Territorians say, you'll be back...you always come back to Darwin. And it's true. I got married and started setting roots in Darwin by investing in the youth, particularly the underserved and at-risk youth.
I started by founding the first all-abilities basketball program in the Territory called Rising Stars. This filled my heart with so much joy, that I expanded on my mission to be the light in this world and started working for Midnight Basketball which is now called Launch Basketball Night Series. I'm passionate about using sport as a vehicle to drive change in a young person's life. I know how impactful being a part of a team is, because sport in fact changed my life. Also, every program I created or was a part of had to eliminate barriers to access- meaning everything needed to be FREE to the participants.
Moving back to the states, I have continued my work in youth development and empowerment by working for a non-profit called the Oklahoma City Police Athletic League. Our sports programs are free of charge to all PAL participants, and we serve nearly 1500 young people year over year.
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Ben is passionate about multiculturalism, youth empowerment, community engagement and international education. During his studies, Ben held representative office, as the 2019 President of the CDU Students’ Association and the Undergraduate Representative (Board Member) on the CDU Council. Until recently, Ben was the Student Representative (Board Member) in the NT International Education and Training Industry Group, and a StudyNT, CPA and CDU Student Ambassador. He was also the 2019 National Secretary of the Council of International Students Australia.
Ben works as a Policy Officer for the NT Government’s Office of Youth Affairs and has demonstrated commitment to enhancing the welfare of international students by working in several organisations focused on student needs such as Charles Darwin University, Navitas, Unilodge and more recently, the Kindness Shake.
Ben was awarded the 2020 CDU International Alumnus Award and 2018 StudyNT International Student of the Year Award, during the Chief Minister’s Industry and Export Awards. He is a Finalist for the 2020 Excellence in Youth Leadership Award NT.
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In this week’s episode, Josh is talking to Zac Cannell who was a Finalist in the 2017 7NEWS Young Achiever Awards for South Australia.
Zac Cannell is a Sexual Health Counsellor for SHINE SA and has over a decade of experience working with young people, particularly in the areas of mental health, sexual health and human rights advocacy. He is a Master Youth Mental Health First Aid Instructor with qualifications including a Bachelor of Social Work with Honours and a Masters in Mental Health Practice.
Zac, who has lived experience as a transgender man, is well known in the LGBTIQA+ community as a prominent advocate, educator, public speaker, facilitator of groups, and an allied health professional. He is often requested to speak on the topics of health and inclusion, particularly in working with the gender diverse community and safer client engagement.
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Maurice is providing a digital space where people are appreciated. After teaching himself how to code and develop digital platforms, Maurice developed JuJu (Jujuapp.io), an app that is transforming the way a business thinks about its reward and recognitions by tapping into a fundamental truth – employees have a need to be appreciated for their contributions at work. Maurice has developed a systematic way to help organisations deliver on this and in return, reduce turnover while creating lasting and sustainable engagements. At least six companies currently use JuJu, including YMCA Australia and BenchMedia. Maurice has delivered over ten workshops on gratitude, appreciation and company culture.
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I am granddaughter of respected Elder and sheller, Aunty Gloria Templar, descendants of the Trawlwoolway and Plangermaireener people of Lutruwita whom of which were taken to Flinders Island, and Cape Barren where my grandmother was raised. I am known for my activism and continuation of cultural knowledge and practices. Despite the adversary i have faced with having a disability, mental health condition and continued discrimination, I continue to push forward.
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Bree & Alicia are creating an accessible platform that enhances food experiences. They have both co-founded WIRL, a social enterprise that helps women create time, energy and brain space by re-teaching them how to eat. The aim is for users to worry less about food, health and their bodies, and spend more time doing things they love.
WIRL focuses on intuitive eating that has positive physical and mental health outcomes. As a social enterprise, a portion of sales go to The Hunger Project Australia, a not-for-profit committed to ending global hunger by 2030. Bree and Alicia have a Bachelor’s degree in Nutrition and Dietetics.
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Dr. Manuela grew up in southern Tasmania. Her father is from the Cook Islands and her mother has Launceston Aboriginal heritage. So she has a particular passion for working closely with Tasmanian Indigenous communities. With the support of the South East Tasmanian Aboriginal Corporation and the Royal Flying Doctor Service Tasmania, Dr. Manuela has developed a specific program for Indigenous Tasmanian adults to access dental care.
Jess has many awards to her name including the St. Lukes Healthier Communities Award, Tasmanian Premier’s Young Achiever of the Year Award in 2017 and is the 2018 TAS State recipient of the Young Australian of the Year Awards.
As a dental surgeon Dr. Manuela gives more than 20 hours of her own time weekly, speaking to school children about dental health and hosting community evenings and aims to make Tasmania the national leader in promoting oral health education.
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My name Is Dean Morris, I am 17 years old.
Over six years ago, I started a campaign called GOSAC which stands for Give Our Strays A Chance. It is about raising awareness of adopting and donating to animal shelters.
I am raising donations for animal rescue groups in Perth and GOSAC has truly made a difference. Many poor strays have been saved and thousands of dollars were raised to pay for vet, food, beds etc. GOSAC really saves lives!
During COVID-19, I partnered with ARC and Petbarn Foundation to work on "Act Of Kindness", helping struggling families feed their pets. I also help homeless people and families at risk with pet supplies. Keeping families together! During crisis’s, I help collect medical supplies to treat wild life injured by bushfires.
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My name is Heather Baird, and I founded A Better Life for Foster Kids in 2014. I would like to tell you the story of why I went down the path of helping foster children. From the age of 2 ½, I lived in orphanages and many different foster homes. Once l left the homes at the age of 17, it was a real struggle to fit into the world. I knew almost nothing of the outside, normal world, and the easiest way to cope with my life to this stage was to live in denial. How I wished someone had taken the time to explain to me how life worked! I had not even seen a supermarket until then, so entering the world as an adult was extremely difficult. I always wanted to help other children in similar situations, and at the age of 56 l finally had the chance at making my dream come true. In 2013, l completed a Diploma of Social Services at Gippsland TAFE, with the intention of working in the child welfare system. However, while doing a lengthy placement at DHHS as part of my studies, l realised l could do more good advocating for foster children from outside the formal child protection system, and that is what brought this charity to life.
We are launching our new fundraiser May 1st and also a sister charity.
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Gabriel ‘DyspOra’ Akon is an award-winning Hip-Hop recording Artist, Sonic Activist, Poet & founder of the playback 808 Kingdom. The nomadic troubadour was born in South Sudan and raised across various locations in East Africa until his family migrated to the South Australian city of Adelaide.
After spending his formative years in a Refugee camp in Kenya, DyspOra saw music as a key tool in breaking down cultural, lingual and racial barriers which led him to begin writing poetry at the age of 12 & had graduated to writing rhymes by the time he was in high school. He began releasing weekly freestyle videos on YouTube in early 2010 and it was during these sporadic sessions with local producers Luke iLL and Meta Beats where he was inspired to create the playback 808 imprint and began recruiting team members and future label mates.
The Playback 808 founder is the current ambassador for the Timpir Foundation which provides education to more than 1400 Children in South Sudan. He has performed at major events including Clipsal 500, Listen Out Festival, Root Down Festival, Miss Africa, Groovin The Moo, Scouted festival & Sanaa festival. These performances have allowed him to share the stage with Skepta, Skrillex, Paul Kelly, Hilltop Hoods, Amine, HorrorShow, Seth Sentry, Thundamentals, Funkoars, Kerser, Masego and Man Made Mountain. DyspOra released his long awaited ‘AUSTRALIEN’ project in April 2019.
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Adie Delaney is committed to creating new solutions to old problems. Adie left a career as trapeze artist in Europe and opened The Circus Studio to bring the joy and benefits of learning circus and has created a three-year curriculum to teach children circus skills. She started working at the Sexual Assault Support Service, engaging young people in conversations about consent and positive intimate relationships reaching over 5,000 young people. This program won an Australian Crime and Violence Prevention Award. Adie uses the intersection of her roles to make consent, understandable and achievable to all. Adie is also a member of the Huon Valley Arts and Culture committee, a dog parent, surfer, board game enthusiast and multi-potentialite.
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A death in our near family has meant that we are unable to get an Episode to you this week.
Thank you for your understanding.
From, Geoff, Annette and Josh
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Viv Allanson is a CEO who never accepts the status Quo, in fact she has just been announced as the Australian – Game Changer of the Year and Visionary CEO of the year in her role as CEO of Maroba. In that role, Maroba has continued to be on the front foot and is frequently recognised for its innovation within the Aged Care sector and across the Business Community. Viv is a leader who strives to bring others on the journey of growth and change always sharing generously her time and experience to support all who aspire to be a “Difference Maker”. The Registered Nurse in Viv never lays down and is always advocating for the profession and its advancement as an integral part of the Health Care team.
Viv has created a positive teaching Aged Care facility over 25 years which continues to provide exciting career opportunities for the young and more mature students and employees.
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Jules Haddock has worked in the community sector for over 30 years and is a Principal Master Mental Health Instructor. In 2015, she established The Anxious Bird, after supporting her son with Autism through his school years. She provides specific education to teachers, parents, businesses, and the general community in supporting children. In 2019, she supported a young illustrator with intellectual disability and Schizophrenia to create her first children’s book, Chirpee The Anxious Bird. With a concept of running a festival for National Mental Health Week, she formed Art of the Minds, a non-profit voluntary charity that umbrella 33 events in the Surf Coast Shire in 2020.
Author artist, and a person with lived experience of mental illness, she makes it real. She approaches life with gaiety and enjoys a humorous outlook in teaching us the basic fact of mental illness- How can you recover if you don’t know what you are recovering form?
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In this week’s episode, Josh is talking to Georgie Parker who was a Winner in the 2015 South Australian Young Achiever Awards.
Georgie Parker is a former member of the Australian women's hockey team, the Hockeyroos, and currently plays in the AFLW for the Collingwood Football Club. She played over 100 games of hockey for Australia including the Rio Olympics, the 2014 Commonwealth Games and the 2014 Hockey World Cup.
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Nikki A Creber is mission-fuelled and purpose-driven. Having Parkinson’s disease herself, she coordinated to date, the Tewantin Noosa Parkinson’s Support Group for 4.5 years in an area covering Caloundra to Cooroy in the hinterland, to Gympie in the north. Believing that movement is a key ingredient in maintaining a great quality of life when living with Parkinson's disease, Nikki established a WrapAround Team which provides beneficial activities such as boxing, Physiotherapy driven exercise, singing, speech therapy and dance for the members of the Tewantin Noosa Parkinson's Support Group. Nikki and her husband led a campaign to gain a dedicated Parkinson’s Support Nurse for the Sunshine Coast area and continues to campaign for a further three nurses through their newly formed, Parkinson's Disease Community Advocacy, Sunshine Coast incorporated not-for-profit, charitable association. Her active advocacy continues as she connects with media, individuals, business, the local Mayor and State Members to raise awareness about this largely hidden disease and advocate for equality in Queensland by establishment of Clinical Consultant Parkinson's Practitioner Nurses.
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Elise was just 19 years old when a friend offered to sell her Fair Dinkum Dog Coats.
Originally selling to pet shops around Australia she quickly became the go to lady for custom made coats. Handmaking waterproof dog coats to fit any breed, shape or size. With many customers raving about the longevity of the product and their delight in having a custom made, handmade product, Fair Dinkum Dogs has a bright future ahead.
With both her girls in school now and a much better online presence due to a Digital Champions grant and training at Facebook headquarters, Elise is really looking forward to building Fair Dinkum Dog Coats into something that can support her local animal rescue group, provide employment and ensuring your best mates receive the comfort they deserve.
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Jessica Taylor is passionate about empowering women. Jessica is the President and Director of QENDO, a not-for-profit that supports women and girls affected with endometriosis, adenomyosis, PCOS or infertility. She picked up the 30-year-old charity to connect with the new generation and grew the team from three to 59 volunteers. Jessica has improved operations by rebranding the organisation, securing sustainable income and establishing key relationships with government, workplaces, schools and rural communities. She helped develop a National Action Plan for Endometriosis, a Queensland Government-funded app, and successful school programs. Jessica was the Gold Winner at the Aus Mumpreneur Awards’ Making a Difference Award.
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Amy Hetherington is a comedian and business owner from Darwin. Her goal is to make things more fun. Her business Amiable Communications offers a range of services from MCing and Facilitating, Content Creation, Skills Development Workshops and Community Engagement to help businesses and groups spread their message and engage with community in fun ways. As a stand up comedian she travels Australia and has done sold out shows at Adelaide Fringe and MICF and supported acts like Glenn Robbins, Fiona O’Loughlin, Jimeon, Dave O’Neil, Heath Franklin, Akmal, Brad Oaks and Steve-O (MTV Jackass). Also heavily involved in Darwin community as Chair of the headspace Darwin Consortium, a member of the Activate Darwin Board and the Regional Reconstruction Committee and a mentor of the City of Darwin LAUNCH Youth Program.
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Anika Molewsorth has developed creative and critical perspectives on sustainability, focusing her work on innovative ways of enhancing agriculture for the long term. She is a founding member of Farmers for Climate Action and creator of Climate Wise Agriculture, a knowledge sharing platform connecting science research to farmers. Anika also founded and manages INTO Sustainable Farms, a program of the International National Trust Organisation which operates in 70 countries, promoting the conservation and preservation of natural resources, heritage breeds and heirloom species as well as the use of traditional farming practices. Anika is also a highly sought-after keynote speaker and educator.
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Tom Welsby strives to build communities. Tom founded ResVu in mid 2017 as a means to promote and build communities within residential sites and apartment buildings around Australia. Through capital raised from SA companies and individuals, the App provides multiple products. CommunitiLink engages residents to connect with management 24/7, report maintenance issues, and more. CommunitiLocal supports local businesses by promoting their product or service to residents within a one-kilometre radius. FMLink are for facilities managers of large sites while FMLink Inspector offers specific benefits to service providers. A finalist at Urban Developer Awards, ResVu won the Australian eChallenge 2017 and State Award 2017.
Tom recently won the 2020 First National Real Estate Innovation Award, as part of the 7NEWS Young Achiever Awards for South Australia.
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Kit Prendergast is a native bee scientist and conservation biologist, dedicated to promoting evidence-based actions to preserve indigenous native bees. She earned a Forrest Scholarship for her Ph.D. research documenting native bee biodiversity in the southwest Western Australian biodiversity hotspot. She created a Facebook group 'Bees in the burbs' which now has almost 8.5K members, and has conducted citizen science projects to engage the community to care about native bees and ensure that there are thriving bee communities. Kit was awarded the Flow Hive Pollinator Support Program, Graduate Women WA Mary Walters Bursary, Australian Wildlife Society University Student Grants Scheme and the Ecological Society of Australia’s Outstanding Outreach Prize, and was a FameLab Australia finalist. She’s been invited to speak at community events and has published several scholarly articles. Kit has also written the popular book 'Creating a Haven for Native Bees.' When she's not out among the bees and flowers she is spending time with her dog, bunny and birds, or tumbling about doing acrobatics as a circus performer.
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Alexandra Wells established the Gold Coast Inclusive Sports Program for children with disabilities and additional needs when she was just 14 years old. Despite her young age, she met with leaders and spread the word about the club. She was involved in creating the program, promoting and running it, and training the volunteers. What started with 30 athletes and 30 volunteers, now has 90 athletes and 100 volunteers. The program focuses on coaching fine motor skills, teamwork, sportsmanship, and leadership whilst having fun in a safe and inclusive environment. Alexandra recently graduated from Griffith University with a Bachelor of Journalism.
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Cyrus is a young pianist and an aspiring composer who wants to work in Hollywood and produce tracks for artists.
He was a Finalist in the 2020 7NEWS Young Achiever Awards in the Carclew Creative Achievement Category. He also won a Carclew Fellowship in 2020 to assist with his professional development and to further his music career. Cyrus completed his SACE Stage 2 Music whilst in Year 8 and was announced as the ‘youngest South Australian to have completed a SACE subject in 2018 ‘.
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Jessica Dobrovic, 29 of Reynella is committed to improving the homelessness sector in Adelaide and across Australia, through her PhD studies and employment. Jess is an analyst for Aspire Social Impact Bond at Hutt St Centre, the first bond in Australia to focus on homelessness. Through research, she helps build understanding of the impact homelessness has on the individual and systems. Jess also works within the Adelaide Zero Project in collaboration with other services, aiming to achieve functional zero rough sleeping by end of 2020. Jess also volunteers for the Hands on Project, providing prosthetic hands for people who have lost hands in developing countries.
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Thea Kurniawan wears many hats. Professionally based in Perth, she has experience working in consulting, engineering, start-ups, health, and FMCG industries across Indonesia, U.S.A and Australia. Outside of work, Thea actively volunteers with organisations such as Millennium Kids Inc., a sustainability advocacy group that enables thousands of young people to have their say about the environment; and TEDxUWA, one of Australia's only fully youth-run TEDx events that aims to showcase the ideas of the local community to change attitudes, lives and ultimately - the world.
Growing up in Asia and Australia, Thea strongly believes in the importance of bridging the gap between countries, cultures and people, and building the next generation of resilient young leaders with an “ I can do” approach to spark positive change in the community. Thea just completed a Polymer Engineering Research Fellowship in the USA and is now settling back into work and life back home. More recently, she was recognised by DFAT as one of 20 young leaders to participate in the selective Australia ASEAN CoLab program, a digital leadership and entrepreneurship development program, addressing some of the most pressing challenges presented by the COVID-19 global pandemic.
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Matt Boyce hopes to address mental health challenges through human connection. Recognising the role of food in giving a sense of community and connection, Matt established “The Connection Project” which has four pillars. ‘Your Prep’ is a cooked meal kit delivery business designed to get families together. ‘How Good’s Living’ organises events that bring communities together. ‘Life’s Warriors’ is a charity program teaching kid’s resilience. Lastly, the “The Connection Project” App aims to bring connections online and has impacted over 200,000 lives. A carpenter by profession, Matt has been accepted into the ‘Seeds of Change’ accelerator program by Mars Food Australia.
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HY William Chan, 29 of Camperdown has worked towards urban sustainability through architecture and social innovation for over 10 years. A Convocation and University Medallist, William has led community-building projects for the homeless, slum dwellers and refugees around the world. His design solutions have been showcased across 40 cities globally and recognised by over 90 industry accolades. Recently, he founded a plastic waste circular economy initiative that educates youth in design-thinking and STEM skills, which was presented at the 2018 UN General Assembly. Named one of Australia’s ‘Brightest Young Minds’, William is a Fellow of the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network and volunteers as a surf lifesaver at Tamarama Beach.
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Tara Howell founded Blue Derby Pods Ride which offers soft-adventure mountain biking experiences in Derby, Tasmania. Her guests indulge in Tasmanian food and wine, stay in unique, architecturally designed accommodation pods and explore the world famous Blue Derby Mountain Bike Trails. Blue Derby Pods Ride is the first luxury adventure mountain biking experience in Australia, and has carved out a completely new niche in a normally extreme adventure sport. Blue Derby Pods Ride s in its fourth year of operation, with ten employees.
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Travis is the presenter and producer of the award-winning ABC podcast ‘The Parenting Spectrum’, a member of the Australian Autism Research Council, Vice Chair of the Board at Autism Camp Australia, an Education Consultant, Autism Advocate, professional speaker, adventurer and father to an incredible autistic son. He has taught in schools all over the world and worked with autistic students for more than 20 years. Travis travels the country presenting workshops and keynote addresses to students, parents, teachers and allied health professionals about neurodiversity, parenting and how to be a positive guide. In 2020 he was awarded Autism Spectrum Australia ‘Parent/Carer of the Year’.
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In this week’s episode, Geoff is talking to Metui who was a Winner in the 2019 Northern Territory Young Achiever Awards.
Metui Tongatua is promoting the regional community through active student participation in sporting events. Metui has a double Degree in Teaching and Applied Science and is a health and physical education teacher in North-East Arnhem Land. He has secured over $300,000 worth of funding from agencies such as the Indigenous Marathon Foundation, Athletics Australia, and East-Arnhem Regional Council. Metui has also taken coaching and umpiring courses in various sports preferred by the communities he work with. Metui was adopted by Burarrwanga family from Galinwin’ku. He also maintains a strong relationship with the Yolngu people.
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Wallace is passionate about empowering the disadvantaged. He serves as the CEO at CHASE (Community Health Advancement and Student Engagement), a 100% volunteer-run and youth-led charity dedicated to engaging, educating and empowering disadvantaged Victorians aged 16 to 18 through health education and personal mentorship. As CEO and leader of the CHASE Management Team, he is responsible for the overall strategic direction and delivery of the program. During his tenure, he has introduced a new organisational structure to minimise communication bottlenecks and improved opportunities for volunteers to develop professionally. Besides being a full-time medical student, Wallace also volunteers with 180 Degrees Consulting, International House Graduate Student Association, Parity Education and Teach for Australia.
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In founding an intercultural sports league, Raj Chopra has brought people from different backgrounds together to foster a strong Tasmanian community.
Arriving in Tasmania from India with his wife and their two-year-old son, Raj Chopra is all-too-familiar with the overwhelming feeling that comes with starting a new life in an unfamiliar country. Today, he is Founder and President of the Intercultural Sports League (ICSL). Its sole purpose is to bring communities together and draw people out of isolation through participation in social sport.
The league has now more than 600 members. There are teams from India, Nepal, Pakistan, Lebanon and Syria, and local Australian teams as well. It’s the first Nepalese team in Tasmania’s history! These participants have now created their own networks.”
Raj has witnessed friendships develop and confidence flourish. People from non-English speaking backgrounds have the opportunity to practice their English out on the field and cultural harmony is felt in the handshakes after hard-fought games.
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2020 Overall NSW/ACT Young Achiever of the Year and Winner of the TransGrid Indigenous Achievement Award Steven Fordham, 28 of Muswellbrook
NSW Ministry of Health Healthier Communities Award - Winner Sophie Wills, 21 of Wisemans Ferry
First National Real Estate Leadership Award - Winner Harpreet Dhillon, 19 of Eastwood
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Krystal White believes that leadership is a way of living. Krystal has been a volunteer with Hair Aid Inc. since 2013, helping disengaged youth and homeless people. She has attended four International Aid Projects to the Philippines as Project Leader, managing a team of international volunteers are they worked in slum communities. As Gold Coast/Tweed Coordinator for Hair Aid Community Cuts, she partners with community organisations and coordinates volunteer hairstylists/barbers to offer haircutting services in eight locations. Krystal helps fundraise for charities and promote awareness. As an educator, she was inspired to create a Community Closet at YMCA for students needing interview clothing.
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Nic is the Co-Founder and Managing Director of Orange Sky - the world's first free mobile laundry service for people experiencing homelessness.
2016 Young Australian of the Year and 2020 Order of Australia Medalist, Nic Marchesi is an entrepreneur, innovator and storyteller. Nic is committed to solving problems and making a difference, recognised by being selected as one of 200 Leaders to attend the 2019 Obama Foundation Leaders Program. Meeting with Former President & First Lady Barack & Michelle Obama, together they discussed education, environment and entrepreneurship. Nic is also a recent scholarship recipient to study at Stanford Graduate School of Business in the USA.
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Golden Square Pool Inc. is a group of 90 locals of all ages who successfully saved their 102-year-old swimming pool and turned it into a community hub. Since being saved in 2012, volunteers have transformed a once tired, under-used facility, into an inclusive, vibrant and empowering hub for Golden Square and Bendigo residents.
Their goal is to build a happy and healthy community, and have welcomed over 105,000 patrons through the gate in just eight years. In saving the pool, they wanted to create more than just a place to swim. So, they have introduced innovative programs like accessible health and wellbeing classes and programs for all ages, live music events, a Community Garden, and a Junior Volunteer Team mentoring program. One initiative they also host is the SwimSafe Bendigo program where free swimming lessons are given to anyone who hasn't been able to access lessons before, especially for local refugees, migrants and multicultural adults. An update since last October's awards: In July 2020 the pool again faced closure, however locals campaigned tirelessly by writing to councillors and media, placing blue ribbons on fences across the suburb, and holding a strong social media campaign. This was successful, and volunteers gained ongoing long-term certainty of operation. Volunteers are incredibly proud to have reached this milestone they have been working hard to achieve for eight years, and are now busy applying for funding and designing new programs for the future.
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Emmah Money is this year’s 2020 Australian of the Year, South Australian Local Hero. Emmah suffers from Cystic Fibrosis fighter, the most common life-threatening illness effecting Australians today. Emmah has a credible list of achievements and she continues to make a positive difference within the community.
Emmah is also a Mother to two young children, an author and a motivational speaker, where she speaks across the country to not only raise awareness for Cystic Fibrosis, but to empower and inspire others.
Emmah says she has a list of to-dos, not impossibles and the list is forever growing. Through her social media channel, CF Mummy, Emmah shares her journey on motherhood and having an invisible disability. Emmah also has many other exciting adventures that her followers are able to join her on.
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Lila is the 2015 Premier's Young Achiever of the Year, a Tasmanian finalist for Young Australian of the Year in 2016, and a winner of the Australian Institute of Policy and Science Young Tall Poppy award in 2018.
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An advocate of personal sovereignty, property rights and sound money, he’s been an avid writer since a younger age, and in 2016 wrote his first public blog post on Medium. Since then he’s built up an online following, become a top 10 Bitcoin writer on Hacker Noon, and launched one of the world’s most respected Bitcoin Publications; «The Bitcoin Times». He’s also the founder & CEO @ Amber - Australia’s #1 Bitcoin investment App.
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Maya is a bestselling rural romance author and was recently shortlisted as the ARRA 2019 Favourite Australian Romance Author. Her novels Wildflower Ridge and Bottlebrush Creek both gather inspiration from her rural upbringing and the small communities she has always lived in and loved.
A former country journalist and PR writer, Maya now prefers the world of fiction over fact and blogs for Romance Writers Australia. She loves baking up a storm, tending to her rambling garden, and raising three little bookworms. Maya lives on a small property in country Victoria with her family, her menagerie of farm animals and the odd snake or two.
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John is the principal of Trundle Central School and has shown selfless dedication for the community. He has managed to coordinate multiple individuals and agencies to deliver sustained drought relief to the Trundle community. Under John’s leadership, students have been empowered to help their families in times of significant rural need. Their mental health has also been improved. The School was featured on BBC, China News and Seven Network’s Sunrise, leading to visits by rural aid, rotary clubs, government and other organisations. In the last 12 months, they have secured 250 food and toiletry packages and have injected $70,000 into the Trundle economy.
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Afra is a Social Entrepreneur and Management Consultant born in Sri Lanka, raised in Bahrain and living in Melbourne. After working across the 3 countries by the age of 18, and then experiencing the shortcomings of a high performing environment she founded Impact Path, an organisation that aims to combat burnout among young professionals, and she has committed to using her career to drive social change.
Since then, Afra has founded one of the first international Graduate Mental Health seminars, has been selected to work with the UN and is an international published author on gender equality. She was recognised as one of PwC Australia’s top 10 leaders in Diversity & Inclusion, an FYA Young Social Pioneer and a Finalist for the 7NEWS Young Achiever Award.
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Theo Kapodistrias is a multi-award winning lawyer, working for the University of Tasmania for almost 6 years. Theo has been recognized in Australia being named the 2020 Young Lawyer of the Year by the Law Society of Tasmania, the Academia, Training and Education Lawyer of the Year at the 2018 Corporate Counsel Awards, the 2017 and 2018 30 Under 30 (Corporate Counsel), and featured in the 2019 Legal 500 Australian Rising Stars Publication. In addition, he has been shortlisted for several other legal and community service awards. In addition to his substantive legal role, Theo is a Non-Executive Director and Tasmanian Divisional President of ACC Australia, a Tasmanian Ambassador and Industry Champion with Business Events Tasmania, an ambassador for World Idea Day, and the past Co-President of the Southern Young Lawyers Committee of Tasmania. Theo has also recently launched his ‘side hustle’ as a professional speaker, speaking at events and conferences across Australia and internationally.
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Luisa is a Project Manager for major infrastructure projects in South Australia and in 2019, Luisa received the National Association of Women in Construction Graduate of the Year Award for her role in managing a complex program of works involving the construction of 20 civil projects across the Adelaide metropolitan area.
As an Ambassador for Engineers Without Borders Australia, Google and Children’s University Australia, Luisa speaks regularly at schools, careers expos and industry events about her role as a STEM professional to address the negative stereotypes associated with STEM careers.
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In this week’s episode, Geoff is talking to Mitch who won the Premiers 2016 Tasmanian Young Achiever Awards.
Few people have the drive and dedication of Mitch McPherson. When his younger brother Ty took his own life in 2013, Mitch, a glazier by trade, turned the devastating loss into the successful suicide prevention charity SPEAK UP! Stay ChatTY.
Since then, Mitch the 2016 Tasmanian Young Australian of the Year, has spoken to over 600 events and is dedicated to spreading the message that nothing is so bad that you can’t talk about it. Through partnering with key community groups, businesses and sporting identities SPEAK UP! Stay ChatTY educates Tasmanians on the issues surrounding mental health and has over 24,500 likes on its Facebook page, and this support continues to grow daily.
In this episode: • Mitch talks about his suicide prevention charity SPEAK UP! Stay ChatTY • Hear what winning the Award has done for Mitch • Mitch talks about his experience as a judge for the Awards
In this episode: • Mitch talks about his suicide prevention charity SPEAK UP! Stay ChatTY • Hear what winning the Award has done for Mitch • Mitch talks about his experience as a judge for the Awards
Links
Need to talk to someone? – Call Lifeline 13 11 14
Connect with Mitch on Facebook and Stay ChatTY on Facebook Connect with Mitch on Instagram and Stay ChatTY on Instagram
Check out the SPEAK UP! Stay ChatTY website For speaking engagements contact Mitch here
Follow us on our Inspirational.Australians Instagram Page
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A complete transcript of the interview can be viewed at our website: www.awardsaustralia.com/podcast/
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In this week’s episode, Josh is talking to Madison who was a Finalist in both the 2019 and the 2020 7NEWS Young Achiever Awards for Queensland.
Madison is a 19-year-old who has for over a decade advocated for social justice, women empowerment and youth engagement.
A volunteer since six, Madison devised an International Women's Week Conference with assistance from a State Government Grant. She used the platform at the International Women's Day Breakfast to speak about the #pressforchange movement. Madison was shortlisted as 2019 Queensland Young Australian of the Year, and was an Australian Human Rights Award Finalist.
In this episode: Madison talks about her lifelong commitment and will inspire you with her dedication What did Madison and Josh (our host) have in common when we asked for a fun fact? Hear what it meant to be nominated and then be judged as a Finalist two years running
Links
Connect with Madison on LinkedIn
Follow us on our Inspirational.Australians Instagram Page
Want to nominate someone? (It can take as little as 2 minutes to recognise someone making a difference)
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In this week’s episode, Josh is talking to Mike who won the Premiers 2015 South Australian Young Achiever Awards.
Mike is a writer, filmmaker and global adventurer who has spent the past decade capturing and sharing stories that could move people to chase a happier, more connected life that would better our world.
From city streets and remote tribal areas, to warzones and refugee camps, from the Ganges to Wall Street to Beijing, the people and the socio-political issues he explores have the power to change our world, and they already are. Mike's work has reached more than 126 million people from every country on Earth, through his organisation The Happiest.
In this episode: Mike talks about his incredible journey and his passion that drives him Find out about what’s next for Mike and The Happiest Movement. Hear what winning the Award has done for Mike
Links
Connect with Mike on Facebook Check out The Happiest website
Follow us on our Inspirational.Australians Instagram Page
Want to nominate someone? (It can take as little as 2 minutes to recognise someone making a difference)
Like some more information on Corporate Partnership?
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In this week’s episode, Geoff is talking to Navdeep who won the 2019 University of Queensland Create Change Award - in the 7NEWS Young Achiever Awards Qld. He is 23 years old and making a real impact on improving child education.
Navdeep is the founder and CEO of iYouth Global, a training organisation which has presented to almost 15,000 people in five countries. He is also a member of the World Economic Forum and sits on the council of the state’s second largest school. Recently named as a ‘Future Shaper of Australia’, Navdeep dreams of speaking at the United Nations. Currently, Navdeep and iYouth Global are developing an online platform to reduce education inequity around Australia and the world.
In this episode: Navdeep talks about his journey and his passions and where to from here Find out a fun thing you might not know about Navdeep Hear what winning the Award has done for Navdeep
Links
Connect with Navdeep on LinkedIn Connect with Navdeep on Facebook
Follow us on our Inspirational.Australians Instagram Page
Want to nominate someone? (It can take as little as 2 minutes to recognise someone making a difference)
Like some more information on Corporate Partnership?
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Be inspired by ordinary Australians achieving extraordinary things!
To view the transcript click here: https://awardsaustralia.com/category-podcast/welcome-to-the-inspirational-australians-by-awards-australia-podcast/
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