Panel Discussions

Finding a Joy-Filled Christmas

Do you have a favourite Christmas memory? Perhaps a time when the world appeared to glow a little brighter? Or your footsteps became a little lighter, and the spirit of the season filled the air? What is it that sparked your experience of joy?

In this Helping Hands panel discussion, social commentator, Mark McCrindle; podcaster, speaker and minister Rev. Dr. Megan Powell du Toit, and former CEO of Parramatta Mission, Davyn De Bruyn, join Laura Bennett to help us recapture the joy of Christmas.

Craving community at Christmas

“When we ask, ‘What’s your most hoped-for Christmas present?’ time with family is number one,” says social researcher, Mark McCrindle, also noting that community celebration and Christmas cheer are the two things Australians love most about the festive season.

In this Helping Hands panel discussion, Mark is joined by former CEO of Parramatta Mission, Davyn de Bruyn; and podcaster, speaker and minister, Rev. Dr. Megan Powell du Toit, to explore how and why community is so integral to a meaningful Christmas.

Do Australians understand what it means to live with a disability?

Laura Cowell, the Australian CEO of TLC Disability Services, says there is room for improvement.

Laura is joined by disability advocate, Dr. Louise Gosbell; and Paralympic silver medalist, Jamieson Leeson in this episode of Helping Hands to discuss how we can better understand the disability sector, and play our part in making the world a better place for people who are living with disability.

The even playing field of healthy friendships

“Healthy friendships are all about mutuality,” says psychologist, Collett Smart. “It’s about being on that even field where one isn’t more important than the other.”

In this episode of Helping Hands, Collett is joined by Nathan Brewer, a youth worker; and Ian Barnett, the founder of the National Grandparent Movement, to discuss healthy friendships.

A New Era of Education

Students in rural and regional areas have an educational disadvantage, according to Helping Hands panellists Chris North, Mia Patoulios and Thomas McDonnell.

In this Helping Hands feature panel discussion, Chris North, CEO of Learning for Good; Mia Patoulios, CEO of Sydney Youth Orchestras; and Thomas McDonnell, an English teacher, discuss how innovation in education is driving positive social change.

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.