Panel Discussions

Choosing to speak up - why disability advocacy matters

“When disability is on your radar, it’s very hard to get it off your radar … I think it’s not thinking someone else is going to do that, but actually saying, ‘What can I do to make a difference here?’” says Dr. Louise Gosbell.

Louise is a disability researcher and advocate. She lives with a disability, as do all our expert panellists who have come together for this Helping Hands discussion on disability and advocacy. Louise is joined for this important conversation by Laura Cowell, TLC Disability Services’ CEO of Australian Operations, and Jamieson Leeson, Paralympian and QANTAS ambassador.

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.

Great expectations - our desire to be known and loved

“Unmet expectations are usually around relationships,” explains psychologist, Collett Smart. “You feel really let down and unloved, often because you think … they should have known, and they didn’t know, and now you feel hurt.”

Collett is joined in this episode of Helping Hands by Ian Barnett, founder of the National Grandparent Movement; and Nathan Brewer, youth worker, to discuss what unmet expectations are, why they occur and how to avoid them.

Business serving more than the financial bottom line

While every business wants to serve the basic function of creating profit to at least sustain itself, the true success of today’s modern businesses are increasingly being measured by something much more meaningful – their purpose and achievement of positive impact.

Finding the right fit for healthy community

“What does a good fit look like in community? Just like a good shoe,” says Raewyn Elsegood.

Raewyn is a sports chaplain and a panellist on this episode of Helping Hands. She joins psychologist, Collett Smart; and teacher, Rod Braine, to discuss what it looks like to find and live in healthy community.

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.

Have we lost the ability to be selfless?

In the modern world of ‘you do you’ have we lost the ability to be selfless? Like any art form or ability, selflessness is a skill that can be learned and practiced. So, how and when should we practice the art of selflessness and why should we bother?

A helping hand starts with a listening ear

It's not only the ‘needy’ in our community who benefit from a helping hand. We all need help from time to time, and it can also do us good to be the help that someone else needs, but what is the best way to extend a hand of friendship?

Understanding and Addressing Domestic Violence 

Domestic violence is a national crisis affecting every corner of Australian society. That's the sobering message from Helping Hands panellists Delia Donovan (CEO of Domestic Violence NSW), Steve Frost (founder and director of Horizons Family Law Centre), and Kate Fylan (NSW and ACT State Manager of Family and Domestic Violence at the Salvation Army). 

Practical Support Can Save A Life

If someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, there are many practical ways you could help. Being available to listen, taking the person to an appointment, or encouraging them to contact professional support, are all simple steps and can be life-saving.

We discuss these and other practical ways to help someone experiencing domestic violence in this panel discussion with Lilly McKeich (Salvation Army National Domestic and Family Violence Specialist), Dave Kramer (founder of the HALT Program), and Lisa Annabel (CEO of Biyani House).

Having a Voice and a Choice Helps to Restore Dignity and Self-worth 

A purple velvet duvet. A scented candle. A piece of artwork. These simple choices might seem trivial when furnishing a home, but for survivors of domestic violence, the ability to choose represents something profound: the restoration of agency and self-worth. That's the message from Helping Hands panellists Ren Fernando (co-founder of ReLove), Steve Frost (founder and director of Horizons Family Law Centre), and Kate Fylan (family and domestic violence state manager at the Salvation Army). 

Safe Housing is “The Difference Between Staying or Leaving”

Safe housing is the vital first step needed to help someone flee domestic and family violence, according to Helping Hands panellists, Libby Caskey from the Women’s Housing Company; Steve Frost, founder at Horizons Family Law Centre; and Dave Kramer, founder of the HALT program and ambassador at Small Steps 4 Hannah.

Almost half of all people facing homelessness are women fleeing domestic and family violence. That’s why safe housing is a crucial first step for someone escaping abuse.

Safety and Security for Victims of Domestic and Family Violence 

A safe haven is more than a roof – it's where victims of domestic and family violence can feel safe, regain agency, and begin to heal. In this week’s panel discussion on Helping Hands, our panellists Lisa Annabel (CEO of Biyani House), Steve Frost (founder of Horizons Family Law Centre), and Libby Caskey (Community Development Manager, Women's Housing Company) discuss what is means to provide a safe haven. 

To Help a Victim of Domestic Violence, Listen and Believe Them

Listening and believing a victim’s story, respecting their choices, and offering practical help, could be the lifeline that helps someone break free from domestic violence. That’s the advice of Helping Hands panellists Lilly McKeich (Salvation Army National Domestic and Family Violence Specialist); Stacy Jane (Escabags founder and survivor); and Dave Kramer (founder of the HALT Program).

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.