Community Heroes

We always hear about the incredible people being nominated, being finalist and winning the esteemed awards such as Young Achiever, Regional Achievement and Community Awards. I never considered the business and massive effort behind these awards programs. These awards make such a huge impact on individuals and communities with having their efforts noticed, rewarded and celebrated in a prestigious and public way.

In this episode I speak with Annette Vawser - Annette is Co-Director of Awards Australia, a family owned business, with the sole purpose of finding “ordinary Australians doing extraordinary things in their communities’ and recognising them with their Awards programs which they run in every state and territory of Australia.

Having worked for over 20 years in the Events, Engineering and Finance industries, Annette brings a breadth of skill sets to Awards Australia. Her job role includes Finance, HR, software integration, social media marketing, content strategy and podcast production – a diverse role which keeps her very busy.

Established in 1989, Awards Australia has created Corporate Partnerships with a point of difference.

Specialising in awards recognition programs on a state and national level, our corporate partners and the community receive win/win opportunities and outcomes through established marketing and branding, media and event management expertise.

This year through COVID, she created an Alumni group from Winners and Finalists as far back as 2005 and has initiated and is the Producer on a Podcast sharing the Alumni’s story and highlighting their achievements and passions.

Connect with Awards Australia and Annette:

https://awardsaustralia.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/annette-vawser-griffin/

https://awardsaustralia.com/podcast/

https://open.spotify.com/show/6SdxDVxiNq5bWqC1MRmVmO

PLEASE if you can help Robert in his plight to save his farm from being cut up for a highway, I urge you to reach out to him at the details below. Hear the details of his fight in the episode.

We all know farmers are the salt of the earth. None more so than Robert Mackenzie! Robert is 5th Generation Producer of the Prestigious Mack’s Australian Black Angus Beef. This incredible mans grit and determination to uphold the legacy passed down from his Grandfather and Great Aunties is a story this great country was built upon. He shares openly about the challenges, struggles and constant knocks a farming life offers. This stoic people deserve all of our love and respect with the mammoth amount they selflessly give to their animals, the land, industry and especially their community.

Even in the midst of one of the toughest years, without any help or support from the government, still found ways to donate left, right and centre to make sure those in need received help, support and a decent feed. The Mackenzie's have even gone to massive extremes to support charities by riding postie bikes across Australia!

Hearing how Robert is assisting and constantly advocating better protection of farmers produce shows a real unique ingenuity. Link below to read more of this game changing innovation that will save our farmers millions of dollars.

Mack’s Australian Black Angus Beef - this is a family success story built on passion, quality and commitment.

CONNECT WITH ROBERT:

https://www.australianangusbeef.com.au/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-mackenzie-147a8576/

https://www.facebook.com/MackasAngus

High achiever, hard worker and committed are just 3 describers for the awesome Eloise Grace.

Eloise is a mum of 3 kids, including 7 year old Will who has severe autism and is non-verbal.  Eloise is a lawyer, tv journalist, writer, actor, model and photographer. working as a tv journalist in around 20 newsrooms, solicitor in a very respected firm in Sydney covering all areas before specialising in Employment Law and representing clients in Court Australia-wide.

Eloise is also the co-owner of Andy Grace Media, a software and video production company. She has started selling her photographic work under the name  EloiseG and aims to work on more arms of the business.

Connect with Eloise:

https://www.eloiseg.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/eloise-grace-15a50152/

https://andygrace.com/

Teacher, writer and social activist, Dr Ger Graus has recently been awarded an Order of the British Empire for services to children. Ger is a renowned figure in the field of education and currently he holds the position of the first Global Director of Education at KidZania.

Ger Graus has been at the heart of innovation and project development such as ‘KidZania World Online’, ‘KidZtalk’, ‘KidZania Careers Week’, ‘KidZania LitFests’; education ‘Think-Tanks’, ‘Ambassador Schools’ Ger is now spearheading a ‘Futures Awareness’ campaign to introduce careers education into the primary phase. After all, as he frequently reminds us: “Children can only aspire to what they know exists.”

Ger started at KidZania London in 2014, where he has been responsible for developing the UK-wide education strategy, including partnerships with schools, Higher Education, commercial and third sector learning partners.

KidZania is a place where children aged 4 to14 can experience the world of work through role-play, and is designed to inspire and empower: “from inspiration to aspiration”. Since its inception in 1999 in Mexico City, KidZania now has a presence in 24 cities on 5 continents with plans for further developments in some 20 locations

Ger now works with and advises organisations globally on the learning agenda.

Mother and Daughter team like no other!  Raising the standards for children with disabilities, mentally and physically, and making sure they are seen, respected, and have the technology needed to thrive in their education. Sharon Murphy joins us to share her story, and that of Keeley's Cause and what a story and message it is!!

Sharon Murphy is the Director of Keeley's Cause, and mother of 3 children, 2 of those have Autism and youngest , Keeley, has an Intellectual Disability on top of her Autism diagnosis.

Keeley's Cause was founded by Keeley In 2017 at age 13, created the Organisation after her own personal journey with the inability to learn current taught curriculum in schools without the use of an iPad or technology. Keeley decided the gap for children with Autism and Intellectual Disabilities needed to be bridged, and Keeley's Cause was created. Keeley’s Cause provides iPads for children diagnosed with Autism and Intellectual disabilities. The cause was established by Keeley and her mother Sharon after seeing first hand the benefits technology can bring to children with Autism and Intellectual disabilities.

Keeley's Cause is now a National Charity assisting children across Australia, with a number of Awards including the Diana Award in the UK on July 1st  this year For Outstanding Contribution in Society in memory of Princess Diana. Keeley was 1 of only 2 Australian recipients to receive this prestigious award. 

Since recording the episode Keeley has since been nominated for Victoria’s Young Australian For Australian of the Year Awards and received 2020 Victorian Regional Achievement and Community Awards. CONGRATULATIONS KEELEY! You are an absolute superstar!

CONNECT WITH KEELEY'S CAUSE:

https://keeleyscause.org.au/

facebook.com/keeleyscause

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharon-murphy-88b264181/

The journey of Wil Massara is one you don't want to miss hearing! I am in awe of this young mans determination, vision and  mission to re-engage youth within schools and communities around Australia through Youth Leadership and  Empowerment.  To build a positively sustainable future through youth leadership and empowerment and ensure all young people have access to skills that empower them, regardless of their financial situation.

Since the age of 13, Wil has demonstrated a willingness to step forward and take on leadership roles within his own community, including his school’s Student Executive and the Shire of Collie Youth Advisory Committee.

In 2016, Wil took his leadership skills outside his own community and volunteered to obtain grant funding for the Magic Moments Foundation. This led to the Australian Youth Committee hosting an international event at Sydney with over 300 participants from 10 different countries.

At the age of just 15 - Wil launched the Youth Leadership Academy Australia (YLAA) with the mission of empowering future leaders.

Wil has been recognised for his work, by being one of four finalists in the WA Youth Awards in Community Leadership for two consecutive years. In early 2018, Wil was awarded 2018 International Young Philanthropist and was also a semi finalist in the 2020 WA Young Achiever Awards.

Wil is on a mission to help youth develop leadership skills that have positive ripple effect of young people impacting young people.

Connect with Wil and YLAA Team:

https://www.ylaaus.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/wil-massara/

https://www.facebook.com/YLAaus/

https://www.instagram.com/ylaaustralia/

Hear the inspiring journey of a dedicated freedom fighter and advocate for those in need of the wonderful Lauren Sherson. Her entrepreneurial journey started at just 8 years old! From this age she has embraced her natural ability to solve problems and provide solutions for those in need to build, run and exit many businesses. The pandemic has only ramped up her drive to help and serve those in her community and during this time has founded four businesses to help Australians through the pandemic. Drive-in Gigs to give live entertainment a safe stage and artists paid gigs; Backyard Business, an ebook for parents to give their children entrepreneurial skills that prepares them for unknown futures and The Local Venture Group, which has invested in two ventures designed to increase social connectedness and drive local business activity. 

Lauren  is an entrepreneurial behaviourist who develops people, ventures and communities. Her mission is to help people create healthy minds and healthy businesses through social connectedness and generating local business activity. She has spent a decade lecturing at Universities in Entrepreneurship, started and exited two data companies and was the Liberal Candidate for Melbourne in the 2019 Federal Election and currently running for her Local Melbourne City Council. Lauren looks at the psychology, entrepreneurship and politics of a situation, specifically the social interactions that make progress. She is on the Board of Self Employed Australia advocating economic policy and also completing a Graduate Diploma in Psychology at Melbourne University.

Connect with Lauren:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurensherson/

[email protected]

"To invigorate and inspire community mindedness for better connected, inclusive and resourceful communities across the world" - Vision of Community Minds Inc.

Zizi Charida is a strong advocate of empowering people and building their capacity and skills as opposed to just "helping" people and communities. I also strongly believe that in working with people there is an exchange of learnings and benefits regardless of the context in which that exchange takes place.

Zizi is the Founder and CEO of Community Minds Incorporated. Community Minds Inc aims to work with community (sector, as well as groups and citizens), schools, businesses, corporate and government to strengthen and build capacity of staff, services and programs and to work collaboratively with community stakeholders to build, engage and strengthen communities, to ensure that communities are empowered, resourced and citizen-driven. 

Community Minds Inc believes that no desired change can occur in our local, national or global communities if we do not instill and harness community minded thinking in people, to encourage thinking, perceptions and actions that benefit others, ultimately contributing to health and wealth of communities. And that the 'work' of a community doesn't lie in the hands of community 'professionals' rather it's everyone's business.

With Over 20 years experience in community development and capacity building projects Zizi is pairing her vast experience and passion to create a  unique position of understanding and working with both the community sector and business and corporate sector, and has created the opportunity to work on the ground in developing social enterprises. She has organised and presented workshops on various aspects of community development and engagement, as well as cultural diversity, where we look at innovative ways to engage and celebrate cultural diversity.

CONNECT WITH ZIZI and COMMUNITY MINDS INC:

https://www.communityminds.org.au/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/zizi-zahia-charida-a5b83b19/

https://www.facebook.com/comminds/

Julia Spicer is a vibrant rural woman, a real Change-maker for Regional Business Futures.

Julia was named in the Top 100 most influential women in 2018 by the Australian Financial Review, has completed the Australian institute of Company Directors course and has held many roles and positions on boards at a local, regional, state and federal level.

Founder of two regional businesses based in Goondiwindi, Qld - Engage & Create Consulting and the Goondiwindi Business Hub; Julia's mission is to contribute to the vibrancy and viability of rural and regional Australia by helping businesses grow.

Growing up in a small rural community, Julia learnt from an early age the value of everybody contributing.

She founded Engage & Create Consulting upon these principles - that by helping to achieve something much greater than ourselves and contributing our unique skills and leveraging our community, we bring together diversity and empower people to create their destiny.

Engage & Create consulting helps rural, regional and remote businesses and nonprofits to grow! We do this by facilitating strategic planning sessions, sourcing and writing grants, offering workshops & training and one on one coaching. Engage & Create Consulting is based in Goondiwindi Queensland, but operates all over Australia.

Julia believes ”Strong regional futures are inspired by people who are authentic and true to themselves. Passion and community fuel our growth, and it is so important to remember that we are part of something bigger, and always working to create something better.

With the company of her husband, Tony & a menagerie of animals both large and small, Julia's passion may be spread far and wide but her home truly is where her heart is.

CONNECT WITH JULIA:

https://engageandcreateconsulting.com.au/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/julia-spicer-69a9ab27/

https://www.facebook.com/EngageandCreateConsulting

Pioneering a new path for social enterprise in Australia, Josh Reid Jones is developing entrepreneurial businesses with a social conscience.

With a decade of entrepreneurial success under his belt, Josh has turned his hand successfully to a number of fields building a unique and broad skill set with a common theme of social and business development.

Josh is the founder of the Just Be Nice Project which aims to move people to an equality of opportunity through three core streams: housing, employment and mental health.

The Just Be Nice Project fills the space between buzz-words and actual outcomes for people in need, through partnering with and building character-led organisations and individuals.

Josh's passion is to help people, help people. With a belief that making it easy for people to do the right thing builds long lasting and sustainable positive change. Passionate about bridging the gap between social responsibility and corporate accountability to commercial outcomes, Josh extensively consults and mentors businesses and entrepreneurs, both non-profit and for-profit entities to provide commercially viable, socially responsible outcomes.

CONNECT WITH JOSH:

https://www.joshreidjones.com/

https://www.jbnproject.com/

https://www.facebook.com/JustBeNiceProject