Panel Discussions

The Power of Positive Mentoring

“My mentors changed the course of my life,” says 21 year-old Ellah Johnston. “Knowing that I have them – whenever I fell back down, they were who I contacted to get back on track." Ellah is speaking about her mentorship through Veteran Mentors - a youth development program designed for troubled teens.

In this Helping Hands panel discussion, Ellah is joined by Veteran Mentors co-founder and director, Matthew French, and psychologist, Collett Smart, to discuss how mentorship is changing the lives of thousands of families across Australia.

Nurturing Young People Through Music in Education

“Everyone has music inside them as an inherent way of communicating and connecting,” says Bernie Heard from the Australian Youth Orchestra and Manager of Music in Me, its national mentoring program. “Our role as parents, as teachers, is to try and nurture music in every young person.”

In this episode of Helping Hands, Bernie is joined by Mia Patoulios, CEO of Sydney Youth Orchestras; and Rachel Holmes, a teacher at Wilcannia Public School in far-western NSW, to discuss the benefits of music in education.

Boosting the economy by backing Veteran Business

Veteran-run businesses are more than enterprises; they play a vital role in the social and economic fabric of our communities across Australia. In addition to providing employment opportunities for ex-service and civilian men and women, they are essential points of connection for people transitioning from military into civilian life.

On this week's episode of Helping Hands, we delve into the economic benefits of veteran-run businesses in a feature panel discussion with Chris North, co-founder of Frontline Labs, Adrian Sweatman, a retired nurse and founder of sweatFXmoulage, and Narelle Mason, co-founder of Frontline Mental Health.

Innovation and Education - it's music to our ears.

Playing music in an orchestra is the ultimate team activity, says James Pensini. "Everybody has to contribute.  There's nobody on the bench".

James is a conductor with Sydney Youth Orchestras (SYO) and has been sharing his passion for music for over 22 years. He is now reaching more people with music by using new and innovative ways to connect with people across NSW.

Frontline Labs - empowering veterans for business success

Successful veteran businesses deliver many social benefits to ex-servicemen and women, their families and in many communities across Australia, according to Tim Lewis, a retired Royal Australian Air Force member and a veteran entrepreneur.

In this week's episode of Helping Hands, Tim is joined by Mark Leatham, retired member of the Royal Australian Air Force and co-founder of Frontline Labs, and James Milliss, a former army medic and new owner of a veteran business, to discuss the social benefits of veteran businesses. 

Feeling blessed - getting out of the comparison vortex

“Happiness really is about contentedness,” says social researcher, Mark McCrindle, from McCrindle Research. “And if we’re forever chasing the next thing, that happiness never arrives.”

Happiness, joy, contentment – all factors that the panellists in this Helping Hands discussion recognise as major contributors to defining what it means to be blessed. To discuss this thought-provoking topic, Mark is joined by CEO of Parramatta Mission, Davyn de Bruyn, and Rev. Dr. Megan Powell du Toit.

Body, Mind and Soul - the keys to mental health

“There is no health without mental health,” say Graeme Cowan.

Graeme is a respected author and speaker on resilience, a founding board member of R U OK? and champions the cause of better mental health, especially in the workplace.

In this Helping Hands panel discussion, he is joined by psychologist, Collett Smart, and CEO of Charitabl., Mike Gore, to discuss mental health in support of Mental Health Month, which runs from 1 – 31 October 2024.

Shining a light on good leadership

“A good leader,” says Mark Jones, Chief Storyteller at the ImpactInstitute, “has a very clear picture of the future, a strong vision, and you’re able to bring people along on the journey.”

Mark has more than fifteen years of corporate leadership to his name and, in this Helping Hands panel discussion, speaks openly and candidly about what good leadership looks like.

To talk about what it means to lead well, Mark is joined by fellow experts on the subject; Joce Goto, Chief of Operations at Charitabl.; and Max Jeganathan, former advisor to Federal Government.

Bringing an end to toxic masculinity

“The best masculinity,” offers Graeme Cowan, during a recent Helping Hands panel discussion on the topic of positive masculinity, “It’s being protective, it’s being caring, and it’s being supportive.”

Today, Graeme is a respected resilience author and speaker and has a mountain of experience when it comes to supporting men to be the best versions of themselves. But Graeme’s simple, yet effective definition of masculinity comes from the fond memories he has of the way his own father valued his mother. He became Graeme’s role model, and it’s clear that his example of positive masculinity has left an indelible footprint on Graeme’s life.

Turning up the volume on positivity

“If we all believed that just bringing our little piece, whatever it is, could make a difference, it really does have a really positive impact,” says Joce Goto, Chief Operations Officer at giving App, Charitabl.

Joce is joined by Mark Jones, Chief Storyteller at the ImpactInstitute; and Max Jeganathan, former advisor to Federal Government, to speak about how we can both grasp and wield the power of positive influence in this thought-provoking Helping Hands panel discussion.

What it means to truly belong when living with a disability

“Diversity is being invited to the party, but inclusion is being asked to dance,” begins Dr. Louise Gosbell, on answering the question, What does it mean to be inclusive?

Louise is a disability researcher and advocate. She also lives with a disability, as do panellists Laura Cowell, Australian CEO of TLC Disability Services, and Jamieson Leeson, who is a Boccia Champion and Paralympian.

Celebrating all that's remarkable (and unremarkable) about our dads

This weekend, in families and communities all around Australia, dads, grandfathers and father figures will be recognised and celebrated for the important roles they play in our lives. And those roles, says psychologist, Collett Smart are on an exciting and encouraging new trajectory.

In this Helping Hands panel discussion, Collett is joined by Mike Gore, CEO of Charitabl.; and Graeme Cowan, Resilience Author and Speaker, to speak about today’s dad; how we can see the best in our dads and encourage them to be the best versions of themselves.

How to help on the hard road of hurt

Hurt, pain and regret is common to us all. Mark McCrindle, from McCrindle Research, says that Australians currently face big issues in relation to our declining health, financial strain and business struggles, but our biggest hurts come from broken relationships.

In this Helping Hands panel discussion, Mark is joined by Davyn de Bruyn, from Parramatta Mission, and Rev. Dr. Megan Powell du Toit to speak about the hurt we experience and how we all can be better equipped to help those we know who are hurting.

Taking the empty out of empty nesting

One of a parent’s most heartfelt desires is to see a cherished child transform into an independent adult. In the blink of an eye, our tiny baby-turned-giant is ready to leave the nest. But are we ready for this momentous time? 

When kids leave home, a complex mix of emotion results. It can leave us feeling emptier than the family home now is. In this Helping Hands panel discussion, experts Collett Smart, Ian Barnett and Nathan Brewer discuss empty nesting – how to prepare for it and survive the upheaval it can bring. 

Everyday purchases that make the world a better place!

Our buying power can do more for good than our charitable giving says Adam McCurdie, founder and CEO of Humanitix, and he says that by transforming our buying power into firepower, we can all make a genuine social impact for good.

In this Helping Hands panel discussion, Adam is joined by Prof. Kristy Muir, CEO of the Paul Ramsay Foundation; and Jess Moore, CEO of Social Enterprise Australia, to talk about ethical consumerism, and the role we can all play in helping to make the world a better place.