The Community Advocate

Victoria has created history as the first Australian state to sign a treaty with First Nations people. The landmark moment comes days after media legend Ray Martin gave a powerful address at the annual Joan Kirner Social Oration on governments’ repeated failures to face up to the true horror of colonisation.

Martin, who discovered his own Indigenous heritage in the 90s with his great-great-grandmother being a member of the Kamilaroi nation, has been a passionate advocate for a better deal for Australia’s first peoples.

He spoke at the State Library of Victoria before an audience of not-for-profit leaders, and was introduced by Carol Schwartz, Australia business leader and chair of Community Directors’ parent company, Our Community. 

The Joan Kirner Social Justice Oration has been held each year since 2011 to commemorate the works of Victoria's first female premier. 

Become an Institute of Community Directors Australia member (free) to receive all of our news reports and the latest guidance for not-for-profit leaders. 

In this edition of the Community Advocate podcast, CEO of child support charity Act For Kids, Dr Katrina Lines, talks about the upheaval in the nations childcare system, following disturbing revelations of alleged sexual abuse of children.  

In this Community Advocate podcast, we chat with mental health practitioner Kriya Ferrari, to talk about how creative programs such as a very special art exhibition at a gallery in Melbourne is supporting mental health.   

Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) Commissioner Sue Woodward – in conversation with Institute of Community Directors Australia journalist Matthew Schulz – delves into the findings of the eleventh Charities Report. Woodward discusses a spike in charity registrations, the value of a  workforce now comprising nearly 11% of the total, how the $222b revenue pie is sliced, and trends in donations, volunteering and productivity. 

Become an Institute of Community Directors Australia member (free) to receive all of our news reports and the latest guidance for not-for-profit leaders. 

Good360 founder and managing director, Alison Covington, talks about a new report from Deloitte Access Economics which reveals a staggering $4.5 billion of brand new, unsold goods go to waste every year in Australia – goods such as hygiene products, clothing and homewares that instead could be directed to people in need. 

After seven consecutive years taking part in Vinnies’ annual CEO Sleepout — and raising more than $1 million to support Australians experiencing homelessness — philanthropist and real estate entrepreneur Chris Christofi isn’t done yet.

Veteran politician Fiona Patten knows what it takes to win in politics, having achieved a string of progressive social reforms as a former Victorian MLC and leader of the Australian Sex Party, later renamed Reason Australia.

Known as both pragmatic and principled, Patten has returned to the fray as a federal Senate candidate for the Legalise Cannabis Party.

Her latest campaign follows her recovery from three types of cancer in just two years, and builds on a legacy of political victories, including passing voluntary assisted dying legislation, decriminalising sex work, criminal records reform, legalising ride sharing, and ensuring safe access zones near women’s reproductive health clinics.

Speaking to the Institute of Community Directors Australia (ICDA),  Patten shared her knowledge of the inner workings of parliaments, and explained how not-for-profits (NFPs) could better engage with politics.

In this podcast with the Community Advocate, Fundraising Institute of Australia CEO, Katherine Raskob discusses the not-for-profit and charity sector capability gap, and what needs to be done to increase the skills of fundraisers.