Posted on 16 Dec 2024
By Greg Thom, journalist, Institute of Community Directors Australia
There are thousands of people working and volunteering in the charity, not-for-profit and community sector who get up each morning determined to make a difference in the world.
At the Community Advocate, we’re proud to share their efforts with a wider audience through our weekly People with Purpose profiles.
From the tireless 91-year-old St John Ambulance volunteer David Heard, to the CEO of the debt relief agency Way Forward, Fiona Guthrie, and refugee advocate Ashoup Atar, each is out on the frontline contributing in their own way.
Here’s a recap featuring some words of wisdom from a few of our People with Purpose class of 2024.
"It is life changing for individuals, but also sometimes for their families."
“I was a refugee girl who moved to the West and have had a lot of privileges, but I remember that there are much more people that are still living there in really dire conditions."
"Work-integrated social enterprises can often achieve double impact: creating employment and addressing social or climate issues."
"Win, lose or draw I think everyone feels happy after the game due to everyone coming together to make better connections in the community."
"Don't get overwhelmed by adversity – just treat every disappointment as another challenge, and if it’s a big one, feel proud of surviving despite it."
"For individuals with a recognised psychosocial disability, the NDIS has enabled them to receive appropriate evidence-based treatment to support skills building and functional improvements, while their other daily care needs are also met."
"Dementia is the second leading cause of death of all Australians. Provisional data suggests dementia will soon be the leading cause of death."
"I know what it takes to recover and heal from trauma and achieve positive change due to my own lived experience. It requires a commitment to peeling away the layers of grief to reclaim one’s life."
"Building leadership capability is imperative. It will directly impact on the social outcomes that your organisation can achieve, as the flow-on effects cascade throughout your organisation and the people and communities it connects with."
"I firmly believe that everybody can – and should – make a difference, no matter how insignificant their contribution may seem."
"I am committed to supporting the growth of philanthropy in Australia and the role of civil society in ensuring we can all live in an inclusive, equitable and flourishing Australia."
"We can all give a little to those doing it tough."
"We know that financial stress has a devastating impact on so many aspects of a person’s life, including their mental health, physical health and relationships."
"I have to say that I didn’t intend to become part of the not-for-profit sector. It was a happy accident, really."
"The vision of Fundraising Institute Australia is bigger impact for a better world through best-practice fundraising."
"Family is the foundation of society, and the sibling relationship is usually the longest relationship of a person’s life. We need to make sure it is strong and supported."
"We're all about empowering communities through the use of technology and helping the not-for-profit sector have more impact in their work through the use of technology."
"I believe we should show up, stand up, step up and speak up to contribute to a better world, so I particularly enjoy being part of events which call on each of us to reflect on our role to ensure a more equitable society."
"My key lessons include being honest with yourself; integrity is a very big thing for me and is definitely my guide.”
"Our philosophy is centred on creating a nurturing, village-like environment where mothers can find understanding, support and resources to navigate the early years of parenthood."
"I just love my job. Why would I want to do anything else?"
"Pets can also become victims in volatile environments, often sustaining injuries while attempting to protect their owners from abuse or being used to control victims from standing up for themselves."
"Of course, my favourite part of each shift is spending time with the cats, particularly the ones who need a bit more love and attention."
"Imagine if every Australian was involved with a charity, a community group and volunteering. That’s a future worth imagining – and working towards – which is why I feel honoured and privileged to play a small role in supporting the work of CCA."
"By focusing on locally led solutions, ygap ensures that the interventions are sustainable and culturally relevant."
"I strongly believe in ensuring people have free and dignified access to period products."
"Humans are inherently community minded. We thrive on human connection and rely on each other emotionally, practically, psychologically and spiritually when dealing with challenging situations."
"Philanthropy has a foundational role to play in sustaining Western democracies; developing institutional resilience has become a high priority for many Western countries – including Australia."
"It was an honour to be recognised for our efforts and achievements in leveraging technology to make a meaningful impact within our community."
"In St John, of course, you learn quite a few top-notch lifesaving skills, particularly things like CPR, which is pretty valuable in the summer in areas where people tend to jump into a swimming pool or into the sea."
"As a national Taekwondo athlete, I experienced the highs and lows of elite sport."
“WHEN exists to challenge the outdated, often misleading information women receive about their health. We cut through the noise of social media “experts” and provide evidence-based education in a down-to-earth, relatable manner.”
"I think the Indigenous values I was brought up with are a very big part of what drives my giving and the satisfaction we get from seeing the impact of our contributions."
“My work in gambling reform crossed over into areas like digital platforms, online safety and privacy, so I have a strong commitment to strategic, safe and equitable access to the internet and communications.”
“Building strong, genuine relationships with the community is crucial for understanding their needs and creating effective programs.”
“Supporting South Australians with a disability to realise their goals and do things that they might not have otherwise had the chance to do is so satisfying.”
"Unchallenged, harmful stereotypes are a root cause of discrimination and inequality. Cultural shifts in attitudes are the key to changing behaviour and the systems that perpetuate society’s inequalities."
“People are usually really friendly. Sometimes customers or passersby stop for a chat.”.
"There are so many rewards, it's hard to name them all."
"Most people are shocked to learn about childhood dementia and curious about how it affects children. I always say, if you know about dementia in adults, you know a bit about dementia in childhood."
"If the world is to meet the UN Sustainable Development Goals, we need to fill an annual funding need of around $6 trillion. We are falling far short of this, and it can only be achieved by crowding in vast amounts of capital to impactful ventures."
"For me, a critical role as a leader is to be a change agent. It’s not just a task or project – it’s a mindset."
"We talk to many clients about the change in their lives when we finish up helping them. Their stories are vital and provide the energy needed to keep going."
"It is our mission to shift how people speak about and respond to poverty and unemployment. Our goal is to help ensure the voices and rights of people on the lowest incomes are at the centre of social policy development and discourse."
"The meals and groceries we provide are often a lifeline, but they’re also a reminder that behind every statistic about the cost-of-living crisis is a real person with real worries."
"By leading a positive transformation in how we think, feel, talk about, and support mental health, we can make a lasting generational impact."
"As a funder, I have learnt to respect an organisation’s expertise whilst also being willing to ask questions and knowing the right questions to ask."
"The giving that I've learnt the most from is the giving where I'm actively involved beyond my financial contribution. It’s good to be well-informed, but it’s even better to be engaged."
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