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In this episode, Bluebird Foundation's Bron Lawson and Kate Harris are joined by program participant Terry Kelly to share how this Geelong-based community arts organisation is using creativity to strengthen communities, foster inclusion and improve social, emotional and wellbeing outcomes. Through collaborative arts programs, Bluebird Foundation creates spaces where people feel seen and heard....

In this episode, Pippin Remi, Executive Director, and Erin Adams, Marketing and Communications Manager, share the inspiring story of Women's Circus and its mission to create a supportive and inclusive space where women, transgender and non-binary people can build confidence, develop skills and connect through the transformative power of circus arts. Tune in to hear Pippin and Erin discuss how...

In this episode, Pride Cup CEO, Hayley Conway and Engagement Director, Caitlin Bunker share how the organisation is working to make sporting clubs safer, more welcoming and inclusive for LGBTQIA+ communities. Through education, advocacy and community engagement, Pride Cup partners with clubs and sporting organisations across Australia to foster environments where everyone can participate, connect...

In this episode, Kim Michod, Development Support Officer at Pets in the Park, shares how the organisation is supporting people experiencing homelessness, vulnerability and social isolation by providing free veterinary care and essential services for their pets. Through compassionate community outreach and volunteer-led clinics, Pets in the Park is helping keep people and their beloved companions t...

In this episode, Andrew Schauble, CEO, and Felicia Bell, Head of Impact, share the inspiring story of Geelong Foodshare and its mission to alleviate food insecurity in the region. Through innovative food rescue programs, cooking classes, strong community partnerships and a commitment to dignity-driven support with their social supermarkets, Geelong Foodshare is ensuring thousands of individuals an...

In this episode, Sally Beard, Founder and CEO of Backpacks 4 VIC Kids, shares how a simple realisation in her early days as a foster carer has grown into a vital support service for over 10,000 children and young people entering emergency care in Victoria. Backpacks 4 VIC Kids is a not-for-profit organisation that provides essential items to kids experiencing unstable living circumstances, ensurin...

In this episode, CEO Teuila Reid shares the inspiring story behind Helping Hoops - a community-driven charity using social basketball as a powerful tool to engage, empower and support young people facing disadvantage and disconnection across Melbourne. Tune in to hear Teuila discuss how Helping Hoops creates safe, inclusive spaces where participants can build confidence, develop life skills under...

In this episode, Caitlin Dullard and Angela Buckingham provide a glimpse inside the iconic La Mama Theatre, exploring its rich legacy as a cornerstone of Australia’s independent theatre scene that nurtures bold, original voices and provides a platform for emerging artists. Tune in to hear Caitlin and Angela share insights into the challenges and triumphs of sustaining independent theatre and the i...

In this episode, President Sean Callanan, Vice President Jodie Webb and Board Member Fiona Dinner share the story behind Thursday Girls, a Melbourne-based charity supporting women living with a terminal metastatic breast cancer diagnosis. Through a compassionate peer support network, Thursday Girls provides a safe and understanding space where women can connect with others facing similar experienc...

In this episode, Dewi Cooke, CEO of The Social Studio and creative leader Ms. Nyamal Omot share how fashion can be a powerful force for social change. Based at Collingwood Yards, The Social Studio is a social enterprise that supports young people from refugee and new migrant backgrounds to build careers in the fashion industry. The Social Studio provides accredited training, employment pathways an...

In this episode, (It's No) Drama's Artistic Director and Program Manager, Samara Cunningham and Founding Member, Steve Canning share how this Gippsland based, not-for-profit arts company is redefining how people with disabilities contribute to cultural life in our community through innovative, high-quality, multi-disciplinary art projects. Tune in to hear Samara and Steve discuss how the o...

In this episode, Donna Lyon, Founder and CEO of Left, Write, Hook, shares how this unique program that blends boxing and creative writing is empowering adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse and gendered violence to confront their past and turn trauma into strength by creating a safe space to express themselves, build skills and imagine new possibilities. Tune in to hear how Donna drew on her o...

In this special Christmas episode, we’re joined by Juliana Kay, Artistic Director of Young Voices of Melbourne, an organisation that has spent decades nurturing young singers and building a vibrant musical community. Juliana shares how the choir’s welcoming culture, diverse repertoire and strong emphasis on personal growth have helped thousands of young people find their voice—both on and off the...

In this episode, Knit One, Give One's CEO Vicki Davis and Social Media Manager Jodie Kagan explain how a kind-hearted group of more than 20,000 volunteer knitters throughout Australia purchase their own wool and donate their time to knit beautiful, hand-crafted items that are distributed to people experiencing hardship via KOGO's vast network of partner agencies. Tune in to hear Vicki and...

In this episode, The Community Grocer's CEO Georgia Savage shares how this Melbourne-based social enterprise brings affordable, fresh and culturally relevant produce directly to public housing estates and growth corridors across the city — helping make affordable, nutritious food accessible for all. Tune in to hear how Georgia and her team are tackling food insecurity with dignity and choice,...

In this episode, Mums Supporting Families in Need's Strategy and Fundraising Manager Charlotte Davies shares how this volunteer-powered charity redistributes donated essential material aid to 110 agencies, providing a lifeline to more than 1,600 families in the Bayside and South Eastern suburbs each year. Tune in to learn about some of MSFIN's innovations, such as their Hamper of Hope (eve...

In this episode, Rebecca Passlow, Executive Officer of the Penguin Foundation and Stuart Murphy, Ranger at Phillip Island Nature Parks, explore the remarkable conservation work taking place on Phillip Island, Victoria. From caring for injured wildlife to restoring native habitat and researching the impact of climate change, the Penguin Foundation supports the work of Phillip Island Nature Parks to...

In this episode, Learning For Life Autism Centre's Co-founder Mary Muirhead, Head of Early Intervention Claire Birrell and Head of Allied Health Sarah Wood share the inspiring story of how this charity began 20 years ago and how early intervention makes a lifelong difference for children with autism. Tune in to hear how their innovative Inclusion Works program is making real-time changes with...

In this episode, Co-Founder and CEO Janine Sigley and Volunteer Co-Ordinator Megan Morgan give an insight into this feelgood charity. Throughout Australia, Story Dogs (and their volunteer owners) go into Primary Schools and conduct 20-minute reading sessions with children who may never have had books read to them and are in danger of falling behind in their literacy. Tune in to hear about the how...

In this episode, Gavin Blue, renowned professional photographer and Heartfelt founder, explains how this compassionate group of 340 volunteer photographers across Australia and New Zealand give the gift of photographic memories to families who have experienced stillbirth or have children with serious or life-threatening illness. Since 2010, this charity has captured moments of love in the face of...

In this episode, Catherine Brooks, Founder of Equitable Philanthropy, shares how she is leveraging the advantages of AI to help her Charity Partners draw the attention of philanthropists with a shared passion for their cause and best communicate their impact and point of difference to secure financial support. Tune in to hear how Catherine, a highly motivated, innovative and energetic changemaker,...

In this episode, Free 3D Hands Founder Mat Bowtell is joined by a 15-year-old aspiring engineer named Laila El Moselhy from New York City. This episode was recorded while Laila was visiting Mat and his team in Phillip Island for a 2-week internship. Laila shares how she began 3D printing hands from her home using Mat's open-source design and sending them to those in need around the world. Lail...

In this episode, Lyndon Galea, the inspiring founder of Eat Up shares how his response to an article in a local Shepparton newspaper about kids going to school without lunch has evolved into an enterprise scale program delivering free school lunches to hungry kids in over 1,100 schools nationwide. Tune in to hear how Eat Up's toasted cheese sandwiches are nourishing kids who would otherwise go...

In this episode, Patrick Wain, Co-ordinator of Therapeutic Horticulture shares an insight into how Kevin Heinze Grow nurtures the power of plants, purpose and people coming together to support mental health, physical rehabilitation and personal growth. Tune in to hear Patrick share stories of how this amazing charity is empowering individuals with a disability, mental illness or at risk of social...

In this episode, Hush Foundation founder Professor Catherine Crock AM, shares how her own experiences as a physician treating children with Leukaemia while also raising 5 children led to the courageous decision to create this unique and inspirational charity, which is transforming the culture of Healthcare through arts, music and storytelling. Tune in to hear how Hush has evolved over the last 25...