Panel Discussions

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.

Purpose - The key to a thriving community.

“Your entire life depends on the quality of the community or communities you associate yourself with and create,” says Adam McCurdie, founder and CEO of Humanitix.

Community connection is important to humanity. It is at the centre of every thriving society and civilisation around the world, and provides a framework for understanding, belonging, culture and identity.

In this Helping Hands panel discussion, Adam McCurdie is joined by Mike Gore, founder and CEO of Charitabl.; and Prof. Kristy Muir, CEO of the Paul Ramsay Foundation, to discuss community connection and purpose.

Unravelling the meaning of time well spent

“We need to see time as like gold,” says Amanda Rose, founder of Entrepreneurial and Small Business Women Australia.

Time is a precious commodity. Each day, humans all around the planet are gifted the same amount of time. How do we get to the end of a day and, eventually, to the end of our lifetime, and know that we’ve spent our gift of time well?

What does it mean to be successful?

Many people aspire to be successful without first defining what success means to them, and how to achieve it.

The definition of success varies from person to person, and there are often many factors that come into play when defining what success looks like for different people.

In this Helping Hands panel discussion, Amanda Rose, business mentor and entrepreneur; Jon Owen, CEO of Wayside Chapel; and Jenny Blok, Aged Care chaplain; talk about success, and show that one size does not fit all!

The Impact of Cheering on Young People

The many pressures and expectations being faced by young people today makes it harder than ever before for them to find motivation, according to Brett Ryan from Focus on the Family.

Whether the pressures from the people around them, their social media feeds, or self imposed, the fast paced nature of modern life juxtaposed with the slower pace of emotional, physical, social and spiritual development can impact a young person's desire to reach their potential.

Finding family outside the box

“The notion of family”, says Mike Gore from Charitabl., “is incredibly fluid. It’s always changing.”

Mike has a unique family story. Born in India and adopted at six months old by an Australian family, he was a 'dark skinned kid' who grew up in one of the whitest neighbourhoods in Sydney. He is  joined by Emmylou Brasser, from the Salvation Army’s Oasis Youth Services, and by Brett Ryan, from Focus on the Family Australia, to explore exactly what family is and where to find it.

For the love of humanity

“Generosity is about giving," says Kristy Muir, the CEO of the Paul Ramsay Foundation, "and giving is a love of humanity."

On this Helping Hands panel discussion, Kristy Muir, Adam McCurdie and Mike Gore discuss Charitable Giving and Generosity.

The DNA of a Purpose-led Business

A purpose-led business balances profit and purpose in a way that allows the business to grow while making a positive impact.

On Helping Hands, founder and CEO of Pro Purpose, Alana Nicholls; mental health expert and founding board member of R U OK?, Graeme Cowan; and CEO and chief storyteller of the ImpactInstitute, Mark Jones; reveal the clear indicators we can all use to identify a purpose-led business.

Celebrating Aussie Mums

The role of a mum is unique, says Emmylou Brasser, from the Salvation Army’s Oasis Youth Services.

Emmylou, and other case workers and social workers, support young people to learn life skills and assist with other practical needs but, she says, she would never presume to replace the relationship a young person has with their mum, no matter how complex it is.

Enabling Kids to Thrive

The environments we create for young people and children to rest, play and learn can hinder, or help them to thrive.

This week, we discuss the importance of creating safe spaces for children and young people, and identify the three main environments in which kids spend the majority of their time – at home, online and at school.

The business of changing the world

Socially aware businesses have an incredible impact on society as they tackle environmental and social issues, in addition to providing employment and making a profit.

They exist to benefit themselves, their customers, their social cause, and the economy, but what does it look like for a business to be socially aware in practical terms?