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 (everything a family would need when escaping domestic violence with nothing and are placed in safe accommodation) and their striking Donation Stations, proudly designed and produced by Pressroom Philanthropy.
To learn more, visit: https://www.msfin.org.au/
Find out more about MSFIN's Reverse Advent Calendar concept: https://www.msfin.org.au/reverseadventcalendar
In this episode, Rebecca Passlow, Executive Office 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 help secure the future for Australia's coastal species - especially Phillip Island's beloved Little Penguin.
Tune in to learn more one of Victoria's most popular tourist attractions - the nightly 'Penguin Parade' and how the Penguin Foundation's creative initiatives such as their 'Adopt a Penguin' program are preserving Phillip Island's flora and fauna for generations to come.
To learn more, visit: https://penguinfoundation.org.au/
Adopt a Penguin: https://penguinfoundation.org.au/donate/adopt/little-penguin
Buy the Children's Book 'Goodnight Little Penguins': https://www.penguin.com.au/books/goodnight-little-penguins-9781761349119
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 lasting impact by empowering educators in childcare, kindergartens, and schools to build inclusive classrooms through hands-on support, practical tools and real-time coaching.
To learn more, visit: https://www.learningforlife.com.au/
Learning For Life's Giving Day, Thursday 16th October 2025: https://www.charidy.com/l4lifegivingday
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 Story Dogs creates a calming, non-judgmental setting (outside the pressures of the classroom) that makes reading fun. As their self-belief grows, the child develops a love of reading and is on their way to becoming a confident, lifelong reader - the foundation of all learning!
To learn more, visit: https://www.storydogs.org.au/
Watch the explainer animation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mIa6UrYgpC4
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 unimaginable grief for 19,588 families.
Tune in to hear Gavin discuss how his own lived experience led to the creation of this empathetic charity and has shaped the free service that they offer to now include inkless hand and footprints in addition to tender photographs to provide bereaved parents with memories to cherish.
To learn more, visit: https://www.heartfelt.org.au/
Read testimonials from Heartfelt's recipients: https://www.heartfelt.org.au/who-we-are/testimonials
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, bridges the gap between wealthy donors and emerging nonprofits to create strategic philanthropic connections that drive meaningful change.
To learn more, visit: https://www.epadvisory.co/
Subscribe to Catherine's Substack for regular thought leadership content: https://equitablephilanthropy.substack.com/subscribe
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.
Laila's visit also coincided with a very exciting milestone in the history of Free 3D Hands when Chuck Hull, the founder of 3D printing, visited Free 3D Hands in Phillip Island with a film crew to interview Mat and Laila for an upcoming documentary. Chuck is particularly impressed with the remarkable and compassionate use of his technology by Free 3D Hands and both Mat and Laila were lucky enough to hold the very first item that Chuck 3D printed back in 1983.
To learn more about Free 3D Hands, visit: https://free3dhands.org/
This video features Chuck Hull explaining his 3D printing technology: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3uYsviZ8Cuo&t=44s
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 hungry at lunchtime to ensure they're in a position to learn, grow and succeed. Plus, discover Eat Up's unique Corporate Volunteering model that enables them to have impact on such a grand scale and their recent Guinness World Record, set on Sydney Harbour in association with Wonder Bread, where a group of volunteers made the world's longest line of sandwiches.
To learn more, visit: https://www.eatup.org.au/
Read about Eat Up's Guinness World Record: https://mumbrella.com.au/wonder-and-eat-up-break-guinness-world-record-for-longest-line-of-sandwiches-874344
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 isolation through a series dedicated horticultural programs. Kevin Heinze Grow also operate a retail nursery and café as well as host open days for the public.
To learn more, visit: https://kevinheinzegrow.org.au/
Visit the Nurseries:
Doncaster (incl. Cafe): 39 Wetherby Rd, Doncaster VIC 3108
Coburg: 2A Station Street, Coburg VIC 3058
Meet the team and learn about the programs by attending an Open Day:
Doncaster: Saturday 18th October 2025
Coburg: Saturday 15th November 2025
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 years, from specifically composed calming music to theatrical plays written to highlight serious cultural problems in Healthcare and more. Catherine also shares how Hush's Gathering of Kindness initiative is promoting compassion, respectful communication and a more human-centered experience for patients, families, and health professionals.
To learn more, visit: https://www.hush.org.au/
Watch the 30 second Gathering of Kindness 2024 Wrap Up Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ICHUpcoamAI&list=PLimibY9kWNFMbKTK_owERJ6Mi_K2ghyRT
In this episode, Open Table CEO, Peta Christenson and Volunteer Facilitator, Catherine Berryman share how this remarkable charity reduces food waste by rescuing surplus food from bakeries, supermarkets and grocers to prepare nutritious meals for people in need at their free community lunches and free food markets.
Tune in to hear Peta explain how 70% of household food waste is still perfectly edible and how Open Table educates the community on how to reduce their own household food waste with their amazing No Waste Cooking Workshops and their No Waste Cookbook. Plus, see the show notes for the ingredients to make Peta's delicious Avocado Chocolate Mousse.
To learn more (and watch the explainer animation), visit: www.open-table.org
Peta's Avocado Chocolate Mousse Ingredients:
- 2 x Ripe Avocados
- Maple Syrup
- Cocoa Powder
- Dark Choc Chips
- Salt
- Orange Zest
In this episode, Kylie Greer, CEO of Artists for Kids Culture (AKC), is joined by AKC ambassador Brian Nankervis and talented grant recipient Opal McInnes. Together, they explore how AKC is opening doors for young people experiencing hardship, giving them access to meaningful artistic experiences and the joy of creative expression.
Listen in as they discuss AKC’s dynamic programs (including the innovative 'Arts Bus' mobile art studio) and how Opal found her passion for digital art and animation — proving the power of creativity to transform lives when given the opportunity.
To learn more, visit: https://www.akc.org.au/
About the Arts Bus: https://www.akc.org.au/akc-artsbus/
In this episode, Anthony Chesler, CEO of Thread Together gives an insight into this remarkable charity that partners with over 2,000 Australian fashion brands to divert brand-new, unsold clothes destined for landfill and provide them to the most disadvantaged people across the country, offering choice and restoring dignity.
Tune in to hear how Thread Together are leveraging AI to quickly identify the geographical locations where the need is greatest as well as a range of innovative programs that are designed to not only transform an individual's appearance, but also their sense of confidence and self worth.
To learn more, visit: https://www.threadtogether.org/
In this episode, Nikki Blanch, Co-founder and Programs Manager, shares how Meals With Impact is creating connection, confidence and employment opportunities for migrant women through this incredible social enterprise.
Tune in to hear how each new migrant recipient contributes a recipe of special significance to them, which is then commercialised and served for sale at their Docklands Café and via distribution as ready meals. Nikki also shares stories of the remarkable resilience and determination of these women as they look to create a better life for their families in Australia.
To learn more, visit: mealswithimpact.com.au.
Visit the Meals With Impact Cafe: Shop 1-2, 747 Collins Street, Docklands, VIC 3005 (Corner of Collins Street & Batmans Hill Drive)
In this episode, Ifrin Fittock, CEO of SisterWorks, shares how this community-driven charity supports women from refugee, asylum-seeker and migrant backgrounds by helping them gain skills, confidence and community connections.
Tune in to hear Ifrin explain their 'Work, Learn and Support' model that equips their recipients - known as Sisters - with training in sewing, cooking, digital literacy and entrepreneurship. Plus, learn about a pioneering partnership between SisterWorks and Yarra Trams where the charity supplies them with textiles and catering as well as a project to refurbish the fabric seats of their Tram fleet, creating new revenue streams.
To learn more, visit: www.sisterworks.org.au/
Café: 611 Nicholson St, Carlton North
Retail Outlet: 102A Bridge Road, Richmond, VIC, 3121
In this episode, Women Spirit Project's Managing Director, Suzanne Murphy and past program graduate Mel (now Project Co-Ordinator) share how they're transforming the lives of disadvantaged women through dedicated fitness, health and well-being activities.
Listen to Suzanne describe how a passionate group of women are filling an important gap to help those in need in the Frankston and surrounding areas. Mel shares how the Spirit of Transformation program turned her life around after hitting rock bottom in 2017, from being homeless having escaped family violence to finding her calling and now helping to inspire other women to transform their own lives.
To learn more, visit: womensspiritproject.org
Watch their documentary 'I Am Enough': https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3UpCZ3obcT4
In this episode, Ready Set's CEO Cynthia Kralik and previous client Lily Day share how this amazing charity provides a sense of hope, confidence and dignity to disadvantaged men and women through free, styled wardrobe solutions, career coaching and connections to enable them to enter the workforce.
Tune in to hear Cynthia explain how this charity provides so much more than 'an outfit to wear to a job interview' and how Ready Set's assistance helped Lily look the part, present confidently at interview and secure a role to start her corporate career.
To learn more, visit: https://www.readyset.org.au/
Watch Ready Set's recent Channel 7 News feature: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=PLXHFh5TndI
In this episode, Bernie Shakeshaft, Founder of BackTrack Youth Works shares how he drew on his own personal experiences, heartbreaks and frustrations as a youth worker to create this remarkable charity. Through sheer hard work, a series of chance encounters and a mindset to do whatever it takes, Bernie and team are 'keeping vulnerable kids alive and out of jail' in Armidale, NSW.
Tune in to hear how Bernie, a father figure for troubled youth that everyone else has given up on, is transforming their lives and influencing the paths of future generations through BackTrack's innovative and ever-evolving program to provide a sense of hope and a genuine purpose for their recipients.
To learn more:
- Visit BackTrack's website: https://backtrack.org.au/
- Watch the award winning 'BackTrack Boys' documentary: https://backtrack.org.au/documentary/
In this episode, Jane Rowan, Executive Director of Eating Disorders Families Australia (EDFA) shares how this incredibly dedicated charity is implementing innovative 'lived experience' strategies and resources to help families best care for a loved one with an eating disorder.
Tune in to learn about Jane's own heart-breaking experience caring for her daughter Charley throughout her successful recovery from an eating disorder and how the various lived experiences of all those involved in starting and growing this charity has led to EDFA becoming the only peak national organisation providing support, education, advocacy and counselling solely for carers and families impacted by an eating disorder.
To learn more, visit: https://edfa.org.au/
Listen to livedexperience carers: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=U0aUQA-o1-w
In this episode, Dave McNamara, CEO of Foodbank Victoria shares how his background as a chef running hospitality ventures and a series of chance encounters led him to finding his calling at Foodbank Victoria.
Tune in to hear Dave discuss Foodbank Victoria's approach to addressing food insecurity, from innovative partnerships to community-driven solutions, as well as some of the challenges and triumphs as he leads the fight against hunger at this iconic Victorian charity.
To learn more, visit: https://www.foodbank.org.au/?state=vic