The Glitter Effect

Amanda Mandie, founder of Koala Kids Foundation, talks about how the organisation brings happiness to children undergoing cancer treatment and supports their families.

What started with small acts like providing art supplies and lollipops has grown into a network of volunteers and businesses. Mandy shares her personal journey, including being diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 2006, and how she found purpose in volunteering.

She discusses challenges like declining volunteer numbers and funding, as well as Koala Kids’ approach to sustainability, such as intergenerational volunteering and flexible ways to contribute.

Despite the decline in grants for children’s cancer, Koala Kids continues to fundraise through events and corporate partnerships. Mandy’s advice for getting involved in community work: do something you love, find a good team, and make it work with your lifestyle.

Koala Kids Foundation https://koalakids.org.au/

In this inspiring episode, host Kate reconnects with a long-time colleague and friend, Esis Tawfik, the passionate CEO of Ageing with Grace—an organization dedicated to ensuring older Australians live with dignity, independence, and joy.

Esis shares the deeply personal story that sparked her mission: witnessing her own parents’ struggles with ageing, isolation, and the loss of independence. Combined with over 30 years of experience in aged care, disability services, and self-esteem education, Esis built Ageing with Grace to champion inclusivity, advocacy, and human connection for all, regardless of background.

Together, Kate and Esis reflect on their shared history at Vision Australia, discuss the emotional and practical challenges of ageing, and explore how community-driven support can truly change lives.

Takeaway Message: Everyone deserves to feel valued, heard, and connected—at every stage of life. Esis reminds us that it’s never too late to make a difference, and that ageing can be filled with grace, purpose, and sparkle.

Ageing with Grace https://ageingwithgrace.org.au/

In this episode of The Glitter Effect, the host welcomes Maurice Gleeson, OAM, a true legend in the world of community, sport, and inclusion. Maurice is the President and CEO of Blind Sports Recreation Victoria and has dedicated over 40 years to championing opportunities for people who are blind or vision-impaired. He is an advocate for accessibility in sport, recreation, and social connection. His work has earned him numerous accolades, including the Victorian Disability Sport and Recreation Awards Lifetime Achievement and the Medal of Honour of Australia.

Maurice’s leadership has transformed Blind Sports and Recreation Victoria into a powerful force for inclusion, community building, and empowerment. The organization thrives on volunteers, a strong vision, and heart-driven passion. In the conversation, the host highlights Maurice as the embodiment of the “Glitter Effect”—a person who continuously shines, lifts others up, and inspires future leaders.

Maurice shares his personal journey, beginning with a life-altering incident at age 13 when he lost his vision due to a rare condition called Stickler syndrome. Despite initial setbacks and the challenges of losing his sight, Maurice’s journey eventually led him to St. Paul’s School for the Blind, a pivotal moment that opened up a new chapter in his life. Although faced with the discouraging advice that he couldn’t continue his education, Maurice persevered and found work in a factory, an experience that shaped his future. He reflects on how these early challenges, combined with his determination, ultimately led him to a career advocating for people with disabilities, particularly those with vision impairments.

This episode delves into Maurice’s inspiring journey of resilience, leadership, and his commitment to ensuring that all individuals, regardless of their ability, can participate fully in life.

Blind Sport & Recreation Victoria Sports and Recreation for people who are blind or vision impaired. – Blind Sports

In this heartfelt episode, Kate speaks with Sarah DeJonge, the founder of 1000 Hearts, a global kindness movement centered around hand-sewn felt hearts. Born from a time of personal healing and a deep desire to spread compassion, 1000 Hearts began in 2016 as a small personal project and has since evolved into an international community of “heartmakers.”

Sarah shares the deeply personal origin story of the project—sewing the first heart during a difficult period marked by separation, single parenting, and anxiety. Drawing on her background in crafting and her professional work in emotional support and grief care, she found that creating and sharing these small tokens of care was not only healing for others but for herself as well.

Together, Kate and Sarah reflect on the profound impact of small, intentional acts of kindness and how they can offer hope, connection, and comfort in a chaotic world. The episode beautifully illustrates how purpose doesn’t have to be grand or expensive to be powerful—it can be hand-stitched, heartfelt, and held in the palm of your hand.

🧵 “We all need kindness… and this was my way of giving and receiving it.” — Sarah DeJonge

1000 Hearts 1000 Hearts | A global kindness community

In this first episode of The Glitter Effect, Kate Gniel is joined by the incredible Louise Larkin, founder and Chief Inclusion Officer of the charity Friend in Me. Lou’s work is a testament to the power of kindness and inclusion, and she’s the epitome of a community change maker. Described as someone who exudes “glitter,” Lou is a passionate advocate for creating spaces where every child feels included, regardless of their abilities.

Friend in Me started with a simple, heart-wrenching story. While driving to work, Lou heard a mother on the radio in tears because no one had shown up to her son’s birthday party—a boy living with disabilities. The story deeply impacted Lou, sparking an idea. Lou and her friends quickly organized a community party for children who, like the boy, had never been to a party. What started as a single act of kindness soon blossomed into a powerful movement, with larger events and more people involved every year.

In this episode, Lou shares how Friend in Me grew from humble beginnings into a thriving community that fosters inclusion, friendship, and acceptance. Her mission has created spaces where loneliness is replaced with laughter, and where kindness is at the heart of every event. Lou reflects on how her initiative not only impacts children and families but also inspires volunteers and supporters to join in and spread their own “glitter.”

Lou’s story is a testament to the incredible impact of one person’s compassion and dedication to making a difference in the lives of others. It’s a reminder of how small acts of kindness can snowball into something much bigger and far-reaching.

Friend In Me Friend In Me – My WordPress Blog

Welcome to the Glitter Effect, a podcast dedicated to shining a light on the movers, shakers,
change makers, and all round living legends of our communities who are making a real difference.

We all have a little glitter to spread, whether it’s through kindness, action, or simply showing up when it matters most. This podcast is all about those who sprinkle their magic to create positive impact.

Each episode will showcase those who embody the true spirit of community, those who show up, make an impact, and inspire others to do the same by spreading their glitter. I hope that this podcast will inspire a new wave of community royalty, our next generation of glitter kings and queens.

My name is Kate Gniel, and I am a huge community advocate and host of the Glitter Effect.

So join me as we get inspired, empowered, and ready to shine, because the Glitter Effect isn’t just another podcast, it’s a movement. Let’s sparkle together.