Transforming Perceptions

Áine speaks with Professor Jongenelis, senior author and Co-Convenor of the Public Health Association of Australia’s, Alcohol, Tobacco and other Drugs Special Interest Group about a new study recently published in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health.

The study ‘A day in the life: An ecological momentary assessment of people’s experiences with vaping’, was led by the University of Melbourne using qualitative research strategies together data and better understand peoples vaping experiences and the factors which contribute to the use of vaping. The findings will be used to inform policy development and in developing effective interventions to reduce harm and support users.

Professor Jongenelis is a Clinical Psychologist with expertise in health promotion, intervention development and evaluation, and behavioural science. She works across multiple and diverse health-related behaviours including alcohol and tobacco control, nutrition, physical activity, and sun protection. Michelle is on the Board of the Australian Council on Smoking and Health; co-convene the Public Health Association of Australia’s Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drugs SIG; am Deputy Convener of the Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand’s Tobacco and Other Substances SIG; and am a member of the World Federation of Public Health Associations' Tobacco Control Working Group.

Áine chats with Ben Fioramonte about the recently released report ‘No Child Left Out – Designing Thriving Kids for a Diverse Australia’ and the role of SSI in partnership with the National Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Reform Committee (NCDRC) in the research. Ben shared that the “NCDRC was established in response to a recognised need for a collective and coordinated approach to inform disability reform impacting culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities. The committee brings together a wide network of services, peak bodies and community organisations who work closely with culturally diverse communities to provide collaborative input to disability service reforms”.

He discussed the many barriers faced by people of diverse linguistic backgrounds when seeking supports, especially for children and family members who live with disabilities, and the ways in which state, territory and federal government and community can co-design solutions together.

Áine chats with Dr Piers Gooding, newly appointed Director of the La Trobe Mental Health and Disability Law Centre about his recently published international review. The co-authored paper published in The Lancet, reviewed “350 research papers across 35 years, finding a persistent gap between global human rights commitments and the lived reality experienced by people with psychosis in low and middle-income countries”.

Piers shared, that human rights abuses and violations may include confinement, systemic discrimination and coercive practices including seclusion and restraint.

Piers stated that “advancing the rights of people with psychosis requires coordinated legislative, policy and community-based action to align national laws with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of People with Disability (UN CRPD), to end discrimination and coercion, strengthen community inclusion and promote access and investment in universal health care”.

Dr Piers Gooding is a leading national and international expert on mental health, and disability law and policy. He is author of ‘A New Era for Mental Health Law and Policy: Supported Decision-Making and the UN Convention on the Rights of People with a Disabilities’ (Cambridge University Press, 2017).

Áine chats with Juliana Nkrumah AM to discuss the early findings from the RISE Project, how the project came about and some of the key outcomes for Settlement Services International (SSI), its partner organisations and the women who participated.

RISE stands for Realise, Inspire, Support, Energise, and was a “four-year initiative working with 25 organisations across Australia to break down systemic barriers and expand leadership pathways for CARM women. The project was led by Diversity Council Australia (DCA), Settlement Services International (SSI) and Chief Executive Women (CEW), with funding from the Australian government Office for Women”.

Juliana Nkrumah AM is the Manager, Gender Equality and Women's Safety at Settlement Services International (SSI). Originally from Ghana, Juliana is passionate about training and community engagement on women's human rights and gender-based violence, but also women's empowerment. She was awarded a membership of the Order of Australia in 2013 and was winner of the Human Rights medal in 2023 for her work in advocating on gender-based social justice and human rights.

Áine chats with well-known Canberra musicians and performers, Moya Simpson and John Shortis about their long performance history, music projects and how singing, creativity and humour can improve well-being.

John and Moya have been honing their storytelling and particular political satire and cabaret artistry since the early 90’s.

Moya is well known for her love of world music, vocal workshops; Canberra-based choirs Worldly Goods and Can Belto; and her solo shows ‘Close Your Eyes and Think of England’ and ‘Yodel Lady’ amongst other projects and collaborations with local and national artists and musicians.

John, a former school teacher has worked as a composer, musician, song and script writer, and has a passion for research having held fellowships to the National Library of Australia and the Museum of Australian Democracy.

Together John and Moya, through their original and collaborative projects have engaged and brought people together through music and song. Their most recent performance ‘Off the Cuff’ at Smiths Alternative in Canberra, was on Sunday the 21st June 2026, showcased their individual and combined talents. John and Moya have a website and regular newsletter to keep fans up-to-date on their musical adventures.

Áine speaks with Professor Ludmila Stern founder of the Master of Interpreting and Translation in Interpreting and Translation Studies at UNSW - a professional program endorsed by the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI).  Professor Sternhas played a key role in shaping translation and interpreting education in Australia over the past 20 years. Professor Stern discusses whether AI has a role in professional translating services; the ethical and practical considerations, especially in specialised translation in court systems, health and mental health settings and whether human expertise till matters.

Professor Stern's "main research area is currently in the field of interpreting studies". She" examines interpreter-mediated communication in complex legal/courtroom settings, including those of war trials in national and international courts". She is "particularly interested in the role of interpretation users - judicial officers and lawyers. This includes research on interpreting practices during the Australian War Crimes Prosecutions (1986-1993) and international courts and tribunals, such as the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY) and the International Criminal Court (ICC)". She is "the Lead investigator of the ARC Linkage project Communication between judicial officers and court interpreters: Implications for access to justice https://research.unsw.edu.au/projects/access-justice-interpreted-proceedings. I also work on the project Interpreting in War Crimes Trials. From the Nuremberg Trials to the International Criminal Court".

Áine chats with local Canberra volunteer and businesswoman, Rosemary Dupont, about the theme for National Volunteering Week 2026 – “Your Year to Volunteer.”  Rosemary shares her personal experience of volunteering and why formal and informal volunteering is so important to our communities and well-being.

Statistics - According to Volunteering Australia -

* Volunteering remains essential to Australian communities, with millions of Australians continuing to contribute despite rising cost-of-living pressures and increasing demand for support services;

* New data shows that 9.5 million people volunteered in Australia in 2025, in either formal or informal volunteering or both.

In light of the recent announcements about cuts to the NDIS and the use of algorithmic assessment tools, Áine chats with Dr Georgia Van Toorn to unpack and explain in plain language what algorithms are; how they are created; and how they are being used in health and disability assessments. 

What is good governance?  Do ethics and ethicalframeworks have a role in ensuring safety and good outcomes for the health of citizens, especially those most vulnerable in our communities?  What is the future of AI and how is it best used?

Dr Van Toorn is a senior lecturer at the School of Social Sciences at the UNSW, and an associate investigator at the ARC Centre of Excellence for Automated Decision Making and Society.  Her research explores the growing impacts ofdata analytics and algorithmic decision-making in the public sector, with a particular focus on disability and social justice.

Áine speaks with Jarrod Sandell-Hay from PWDA following on from the Australian Federal Minister Mark Butler’s announcement on Wednesday 22nd April 2026 of the government’s plans to make huge cuts to NDIS spending and exit 160,000 participants from the program.

How will these huge changes affect people with disability and their families? What are they most concerned about? What supports are currently available in the community? With huge unmet need, what will this mean to people living with disability and their families into the future?

Jarrod is a disability communication specialist now working in policy and advocacy to strengthen the person-centred process, and to provide advice on NDIS reforms and systems change from the lived experience.

Áine speakse with Dr Evelyne Tadros, CEO of the Mental Health Coordinating Council. We discuss the announcement by Federal Minister Mark Butler MP on Wednesday 22nd April 2026 of the government’s plans to make huge cuts to NDIS spending and exit 160,000 participants from the program.

Without adequate psychosocial supports currently available in the community and with huge unmet need, what will this mean to people living with complex mental health needs and their families?Transforming Perceptions, bringing you news, views, updates and information from the lived and living perspective, community, multicultural and mainstream mental health sectors; and music from round the world.

Áine chats with Kristy Turnbull, a Practice Specialist in Relationship and Sexuality Education from Interrelate. Kristy shares why the old fashioned one conversation on the "birds and bees" no longer meets the needs of young people and their families. Kristy says that its essential that sex education begins from an early age and that there are multiple conversations throughout a young persons adolescence and early adulthood, each presented at a level that they can understand. Interrelate offers a range of training and support for kids, parents, families and schools which can be accessed via their website.

Transforming Perceptions, bringing you news, views, updates and information from the lived and living perspective, community, multicultural and mainstream mental health sectors; and music from round the world.

“The [Australian] Federal Government has committed $14.6 million in new funding to strengthen Australia’ response to allergic disease” and to support further research and education initiatives.

Áine chats with Natalie Nguyen, mother of Edward, a 9 year old boy who has been diagnosed with multiple allergies. we discuss the challenges that Edward faces every day and how their family deals with challenges of a child growing up with an allergic disease.

Transforming Perceptions, bringing you news, views, updates and information from the lived and living perspective, community, multicultural and mainstream mental health sectors; and music from round the world.

“The [Australian] Federal Government has committed $14.6 million in new funding to strengthen Australia’ response to allergic disease” and to support further research and education initiatives.

Áine chats with Dr Sandra Vale, CEO of the National Allergy Council about the issues affecting the community and the impact on individuals and families dealing with allergic disease.

Dr Sandra Vale has a background in public health nutrition with experience in project management and implementation, resource development and training. Prior to becoming the National Allergy Council Chief Executive Officer, Sandra was the ASCIA Education Officer and in that role was the project officer involved in developing and implementing the National Allergy Strategy.  Sandra completed her PhD through the University of Western Australia in the area of food allergy prevention.  She has a PhD; BSc (Nutrition & Food Science); Certificate IV (training and assessment).

Our community radio show is on air on Saturday afternoons on 2xx 98.3 FM Community Radio Canberra.

Transforming Perceptions, bringing you news, views, updates and information from the lived and living perspective, community, multicultural and mainstream mental health sectors; and music from round the world.

In this episode Áine chats with Albert Jamae about his career in the entertainment industry working as a documentary film-maker, TV, radio, film and theatre as an actor, singer, dancer and children’s entertainer. Albert and his wife established a performing art school in their home town and mentored and supported many local kids who had a passion for performing. His increasing interest in writing and his own reflections on his childhood experiences brought Albert to explore men’s development, attending men’s retreats and men’s circles. Albert is now documenting his insights in a new book titled Shaping Tomorrow’s Man, which is due out in July 2026.

This interview was done live-to-air on Transforming Perceptions radio show and has been edited for podcast.

Áine chats with James Gray, Principal Coordinator at BiPolar Australia about the upcoming global day of awareness for BiPolar on the 30th March 2026. James discusses the important work of Bipolar Australia, advocating for those living with and caring for those with bipolar in the community and working to influence change and policies within local and federal government. We also shares his personal experience and recovery from bipolar.

James has a background in data analysis and hands-on experience across volunteer organisations. He's skilled at turning complex information into practical insights that promote growth and deliver real outcomes for people and communities.

Áine chats with Megan Spindler-Smith, Acting CEO of People with Disability Australia (PWDA) about the concerns expressed by families and those living with disability around the latest reforms to the NDIS and the Thriving Kids Initiative being rolled out across 2026 and 2027. 

Key concerns expressed in feedback to PWDA and its member organisations are the lack of timely information about what people can expect and what is being proposed and how that may change eligibility and access to support; funding for foundational supports, including psychosocial supports; the introduction of algorithmic tools to assess participants, and whether the NDIS system is ready to transition at scale.

Megan is a strategic, innovative and influential Executive Leader with over two decades of driving highly successfulinclusion, culture and change initiatives across the not-for-profit, public and private sectors.  They are currently theActing CEO of People with Disability Australia, the national cross-disability rights and advocacy organisation.

As a proud Disabled person, they are passionate about developing and implementing profound intersectional-focused strategic change for people with disability at a national level, to foster widespread accessibility and integrated inclusion. Megan creates cultures ofrespect, inclusivity and intersectionality.  Through their lived experience, clinical and human-centred/organisational development background, they have driven change atthe national level for accessible media and inclusion of people with disability networks across multiple sectors. They were named as a finalist and the top 8 Disability Inclusion Changemaker 2024 and a finalist for the DLI Change Maker2022 and 2023.

PWDA has been a peak national cross-disabilityand advocacy organisation in Australia since 1981.  They not only represent the needs and issues of people with a range of disabilities, but demonstrate inclusivity through theengagement of people with disabilities in their staffing, board management and membership.  ”They represent Australianswith disability at the United Nations, particularly in relation to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and are a designated Disabled Persons Organisation”.  PWDA area founding member of Disabled People’s Organisations Australia, with First Peoples Disability Network, National Ethnic Disability Alliance and Women with Disabilities Australia.  PWDA’s “vision is for a socially just, accessible and inclusive community, in which the human rights, belonging, contribution, potential and diversity of all people with disability are recognised, respected and celebrated with pride”.

Áine chats with Tim Heffernan, about the launch of the advocacy toolkit on 12th February 2026 at Parliament House Sydney, NSW designed to assist and support individuals and organisations to argue the case for NSW to adopt a Human Rights Act. 

A human rights Act would not only provide protections for vulnerable people living in the community, especially those living with disabilities and mental illness, but would also strengthen and support frameworks and structures that already exist in legislation and provide a human rights lens through which to create new legislation.

Tim is an experienced Peer Worker with a demonstrated history of working from a lived experience perspective mental health.  He is skilled in Peer work, non-profit organisations, Social Services, Coaching, and Crisis Intervention.  Tim is a strong communityand social services professional with a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) focused in English and Australian History from University of NSW (UNSW) and a Certificate IV in Mental Health Peer Work from MHCC.

In Conversation Samantha James, Director at the Sensory Specialist:

Áine chats with Sarah James, a small business commentator, Founder of the Sensory Specialist and disability advocate, who contributes to public conversations around inclusion, accessibility and consumer issues.  Sarah speaks about the concerns expressed by families around the upcoming reforms to the NDIS, changes to the Assessment tools and the introduction of Thriving Kids Program which are scheduled for mid-2026.

As a former Psychology teacher, Sarah has worked closely with children of all needs and abilities.  This lived experience hashelped her to curate and develop inclusive tools that actually work for children and adults with a range of abilities. 

The Sensory Specialist is an NDIS registered provider which opened in 2020 and is based in Melbourne.  Sarah has recently been featured in The Age, The Herald Sun, The Sydney MorningHerald, 9Honey and ABC Radio Melbourne.

Karen is an Author, Veterinarian and Podcaster and lover of Australian wilderness, flora and fauna. I chatted with Karen Viggers about her journey to becoming an author. She has written five novels all based in Australia and is currently working on her sixth novel. Her stories have been set on the south eastern coast of Australia; Brunei Island and Antarctica; Canberra; and also Tasmania and include - The Stranding (2008), The Lightkeeper’s Wife (2011), The Grass Castle (2014), The Orchardist’s Daughter (2019) and Sidelines (2024).

Her work is set in Australian landscapes and communities, and explores contentious issues, such as dying with dignity, displacement of First Peoples, wildlife conservation, clear-felling of native forests, and now, modern parenting and junior sport. She also co-hosts a podcast Secrets From the Green Room where she interviews writers and other book industry colleagues about books and writing.

I really enjoyed chatting with Karen about her work. It made me think about my own love of writing and storytelling and how luxurious it might be to enjoy reading her stories across the festive season, either reading at home, on a beach, in the bush, or early on Christmas morning in bed.

Áine speaks with Dr Georgia Van Toorn. We discuss concerns about the potential negative impacts of the recently announced changes to the NDIS assessment process. The federal government has announced the introduction in mid- 2026 of computer-based algorithmic tools to standardise decision-making for individuals who are participants of the NDIS. These participants, who are living with disability, often have complex and very unique experiences and needs. It is unknown whether these changes will live up to the expectations of the disability community and the underpinning principles of the NDIS which was created to provide choice and control for people living with disabilities.

Dr Van Toorn is a senior lecturer at the School of Social Sciences at the UNSW, and an associate investigator at the ARC Centre of Excellence for Automated Decision Making and Society. Her research explores the growing impacts of data analytics and algorithmic decision-making in the public sector, with a particular focus on disability and social justice.

Coming into the festive season when many have an expectation of spending time with family and friends, and when many others experience loneliness and dislocation, Áine speaks with Josh about family and relationship breakdown that results in an estrangement of that/those relationships.

We discuss what estrangement is, how it occurs and how we can address it across the festive season to ensure that we are making wise and healthy choices for ourselves.

Josh has extensive experience working with community members and over a decade of frontline and leadership roles across the mental health and community sector. At EveryMan Australia, he leads the Violence Prevention Services, Counselling Service and Men’s Accommodation Support Services; and manages multidisciplinary teams delivering trauma-informed, evidence-based interventions to men with high and complex needs. He is also a skilled psychologist and family therapist.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Australian Mental Health Prize, a decade of recognising Australians whose leadership, research and lived experience have transformed how we understand and respond to mental health. Established by the University of NSW (UNSW) Sydney in 2016, the Prize has honoured advocates, clinicians, researchers and community leaders who have changed lives and shaped national conversation. The 2025 winners reflect that legacy, by celebrating two national trailblazers and two emerging change-makers whose work is strengthening care, culture and connection across Australia.

Áine speaks with Professor Pat Dudgeon (Perth, WA), prize winner in the category of Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander. Pat was Australia’s first Aboriginal psychologist and a national leader in Indigenous mental health and suicide prevention. She was born and raised in Darwin, descending from the Bardi people of Kimberley. “As Director of the Centre of Best Practice in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention at the University of Western Australia, she has been instrumental in embedding cultural, strengths-based and lived experience perspectives into policy and services. She led the landmark Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention Evaluation Project (ATSISPEP), whose 2016 report ‘Solutions That Work’ reframed national understanding of suicide prevention by centring Indigenous-led and culturally grounded responses. A founding chair of the Australian Indigenous Psychologists Association, her work continues to shape research, policy and frontline practice across Australia”.

Chris discusses the findings of the recently released landmark report, the Mental Health Compass, conducted by Australians for Mental Health. The report has revealed “the diversity of attitudes towards the issue of mental health” and that the nation desire” more from their governments, communities and services.” Key findings include 59% of the population acknowledging that “Australia is experiencing a mental health crisis that requires urgent action”, and “76% believing that it can be addressed through the right approach, investment and leadership”. Better policy development and legislation with a focus on a whole-of government approach was seen as a solution; with loneliness being widely experienced and how that is impacting mental well-being. Other factors such as the cost of living crisis; and critically the impact of the rise of AI and other technology based mental health supports were also key issues of concern.

Australians for Mental Health, is a grassroots mental health advocacy group who are urging governments to get serious about the root causes of mental-ill-health. As Chris said “the public wants policy decisions weighed against their mental health consequences, and they want systems and environments that make it easier to live well. It’s very clear what needs to happen. Governments must make mental health outcomes part of every major policy decision.”

Áine speaks with Markus Fischer following up on the interview they had in October 2021. 

With the proliferation of gambling ads on the TV, social media and internet they discuss the impact on younger people, youngmen and women and about the importance of raising awareness and taking action around gambling harm every day.

Markus shares updates on the changes happening in the sector and in Canberra; especially the new drop in sessions available in the ACT to better support family members and friends of those at risk of gambling harm; and how the language being used to explain gambling is changing.  He discusses the need for role models and mentors from all sections of the community, especially the sporting community - people willing to share their experience and help young people to make better choices for their well-being.

Markus has a lived experience of gambling harm, and works within the ACT Gambling Support Service at Relationships Australia Canberra as a Peer Worker providing education, support and awareness-raising in the ACT region.  Markus shares his personal story and insights into the harmful impactsof gambling addiction and how that may affect a person’s mental health and well-being and relationships with families and friends. 

In this interview from October 2025, Áine chats with Croatian-Australian, local musician, artist and creative, Michael Simic, also known as Mikelangelo from Mikelangelo and the Black Sea Gentlemen, about his latest solo show, 'In the Belly of the Whale' which he was touring through the eastern states and being performed at Smith's Alternative in Canberra.

This rollicking and revealing tale, combining songs, storytelling, comedy, and physical theatre was co-created with writer/director Tracy Bourne, who has worked extensively in Australian music and theatre.. Michael shares a deeply personal story within the mythological imagery of "what happens when a man meets his alter ego in the belly of the whale?" Who is he when confronted by his darker self? What are his desires, his fears? How is he a man amongst other men? How is he a father, an artist, a husband?

Michael is musician, performer and mentor, professional singer, songwriter, who has released over 17 independent albums, and toured across Australia, NZ and Europe and the UK. He is well-known for his work with his long term group Mikelangelo and the Black Sea Gentlemen. Michael has recently been named the 2025 Canberra Artist of the Year.

For more about Michael see -

https://humecon.nsw.edu.au/michael-simic/

https://www.facebook.com/mikelangelo.bsg/

In advance of Melbourne Cup Day Áine speaks with Kate Seselja, Founder of the Hope Project, Co-Chair Canberra Gambling Reform Alliance, Co-Chair of GHLEE-Gambling Harm Lived Experience Experts, Recovery Coach, Community Educator andPublic Speaker, on the impact of gambling addiction and harm.

Kate established the Hope Project in 2015 to help others in the community who were struggling with gambling addiction. 

Using her own lived experience, Kate speaks truth to power.  

As an advocate and recovery coach she works to free others from the shame and stigma that can be an outcome of gambling addiction. 

In her advocacy work she in involved across a number of organisations and advocacy groups at both the state at national level to lobby for systemic change to legislation, gambling reform including putting safeguards around gambling products, holding the gambling industry to account, and for increasedfunding for education and support for those living with, and at risk of gambling harm.

In Canberra and many parts of Australia we have wonderful flower and Tulip Festivals at this time of year in Spring. In this interview we shift gears and get our hands into the 'dirt' and our minds onto what energises us and helps us to more deeply connect with nature and the world around us and why that is good for our well-being.

Áine chats with Vivien Sinclair of IndieGreen. Vivien is a horticultural therapist who comes from an occupational therapy background. In a career shift, Vivien studied garden design in the UK and then a bridging course as a pathway to her work now supporting people to heal through horticulture.

Our conversation is wide-ranging and covers the importance of having access to and engaging in nature for well-being, and how our cityscapes need more than ever to ensure biodiversity for local flora and fauna, as well as for spaces that ensure the health and happiness of communities.

Vivien has a lifelong belief that people are a part of the natural world and that time spent in nature can stimulate, nurture and replenish each one of us. Nature-based activities are proven to increase our physical, psychosocial and mental health and wellbeing and should be accessible to all regardless of age, mobility and ability. Vivien tailors programs towards each person or groups requirements and goals with the aim of creating meaningful and practical outdoor spaces that empower people to engage in nature.

World Suicide Prevention Day 10th September and R U Okay Day 11th September 2025.During a week that is globally focused on preventing suicide rates around the world through breaking stigma and raising awareness about the impact of suicide; and with the R U Okay Day campaign aiming to increase help-seeking, Áine chats with Chris about how we can create change every day for better community well-being.Chris shares about the mission and vision of Australians for Mental Health, a grassroots mental health advocacy group who are urging governments to get serious about the root causes of mental-ill-health. We discuss whether one day each year devoted to asking each other whether are okay is adequate and whether we need to start talking about why we aren’t ok and what we can do create change for better well-being of our communities.

World Suicide Prevention Day 10th September and R U Okay Day 11th September 2025.

Áine speaks with author Debbie Swibel about the importance of raising awareness around suicide to help support people who are struggling and encourage them to reach out for help. Debbie is a suicidologist, counsellor; therapist, criminologist and educator whose hope is to break down stigma and deepen the understanding surrounding suicide and mental health. Her new book shines a light on the darkest places, offering hope and breaking down stigma, through sharing personal stories of those impacted by suicide, alongside professional insights into its causes, consequences, and the journey beyond.

World Suicide Prevention Day 10th September 2025 - Child Homelessness Crisis in Australia – Vulnerability, Risk and Suicidality.

In advance of World Suicide Prevention Day and R U Ok Day Áine speaks with Kate Colvin, CEO of Homelessness Australia to discuss the latest data on child homelessness and the urgent call to federal, state and territory governments for immediate action to invest in safe housing and support for children experiencing homelessness.

National data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) has shown that unaccompanied children and young people aged 12 – 17 years are seeking support from specialist homelessness services and are often being turned away due to lack of beds or appropriate housing.  Without adequate investment they are becoming trapped in homelessness and are at significant increased risk of suicide and death.

In “2023-2024, 4,462 children who presented for help needed medium term housing, but 2,863 did not receive it.  Over the same period, 4,435 children needed long term housing, but, 3,551, or 80.7 missed out (Homelessness Australia, HomeTime)”.  “The leading cause of death for the 520 children who died in the decade to 2023 was suicide ... Homelessness can have significant effects on mental wellbeing.  Australia cannot accept children dying because they are situations they have no control over (Chris Gambian, Australians for Mental Health).”

World Suicide Prevention Day 10th September 2025 - Changing the Narrative on Suicide, and the Child Homelessness Crisis in Australia – Vulnerability, Risk and Suicidality.

In advance of World Suicide Prevention Day Áine speaks with John Macmillan, CEO Yfoundations, an expert working in homelessness advocacy to discuss the latest data on child homelessness and the urgent call to federal, state and territory governments for immediate action to invest in safe housing and support for children experiencing homelessness.

National data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) has shown that unaccompanied children and young people aged 12 – 17 years are seeking support from specialist homelessness services and are often being turned away due to lack of beds or appropriate housing. Without adequate investment they are becoming trapped in homelessness and are at significant increased risk of suicide and death.

In “2023-2024, 4,462 children who presented for help needed medium term housing, but 2,863 did not receive it.

Over the same period, 4,435 children needed long term housing, but, 3,551, or 80.7 missed out (Homelessness Australia, HomeTime)”. “The leading cause of death for the 520 children who died in the decade to 2023 was suicide ... Homelessness can have significant effects on mental wellbeing. Australia cannot accept children dying because they are situations they have no control over (Chris Gambian, Australians for Mental Health)”.

Áine speaks with Ingrid Roche, Senior Project Officer with the National Allergy Council, an Accredited Practising Dietitian with many years’ experience as a paediatric allergydietician working with lots of families with children who have been diagnosed with allergies.  

Ingrid shares about the results of a the "2023 needs analysis conducted by the Healthy Eating Advisory Service" which identified that cooks did not feel confident to modify menus to meet both nutritional and safety standards ... [resulting in] inconsistent food provision, and increased risk of allergen exposure." “The new national training program ... is helping long day care services across Australia respond to a growing need of how to manager food allergies while providing nutritious meals for children with diverse dietary requirements”.  Of the “1.3 million Australian children underthe age of 12 attending childcare services … an estimated 52,000 to 86,000 children are living with a food allergy.” This has highlighted the need for the 11 short practical training modules that have been developed “for cooks, chefs andeducators in early childhood education and care.”

Ingrid has "worked clinically with children and families with food allergy in her role as Senior Paediatric Dietitian in the Immunology Department at Perth Children’s Hospitalin Western Australia for 13 years and still works part time in her private practice.  Ingrid has been an active ASCIA member, serving as the Chair of the Dietitian Committee and leading the development of online training for dietitians, as well as an advanced face-to-face food allergy training course for dietitians which is a partnership between ASCIA and the Dietitians Association of Australia.  Ingrid has a strong interest in food allergen management in food service.  She was heavily involved in the development of the new menu and food service system at the new Perth Children’s Hospital."

Áine shares an interview with local emerging Canberra artist Elliott Fox.  Elliott migrated with his parents to Australia from Czechoslovakia as toddler.  Growing up, he always loved art creation, but chose to pursue studies that led him to a formal career in the Human Resources industry. 

Elliott shares his personal story of recovery and return to art after a mental health setback which dramatically altered his life path. His inspiring story and recovery parallels that of his rescue greyhound, Adam Barker who became his Muse and a fundamental force behind Elliott's art creation. Elliott is a staunch advocate for the abolition of GreyhoundRacing and passionate about supporting Greyhound re-homing.

Elliott is holding exhibitions across August and September 2025 in Sydney, Melbourne and Perth to raise awareness on the devastating impact of racing on Greyhounds and to advocate for the abolition of Greyhound Racing.

To see more about Elliott or his work to support Greyhounds check out - https://share.google/images/KxQaSppq5xkZXqDil

It is National Homelessness Week in Australia from 4 - 10 August 2025. National Homelessness Week is a national week of awareness that shines a spotlight on the growing crisis of homelessness in Australia.Áine speaks with Shayne Herriott, Chief Operating Officer from Orange Sky about the latest research data on homelessness and how community members can better support those living with homelessness.

I speak with Jennifer Tierney, Executive Officer, Médcins San Frontières, Australia to hear directly of the dire situation in the Gaza Strip and the urgent need for action from global powers to stop the genocide of Palestinians. 

The deliberate starvation of babies, women, children, elderly and people with disabilities, daily shootings of those seeking food and water, have become a brutal occurrence.  After 22 months, MSF staff, and workers from other Aid organisations on the ground are also succumbing to malnutrition due to a lack of food, leaving them with a sense of hopelessness and the belief that the world has forgotten about them.

We discuss what ordinary people in Australia, who are finding the situation distressing, can do to help, what practical actions we can take to support MSF and those suffering in Gaza.

Áine has a wide-ranging conversation with CEO Greg Aldridge OAM, and Josh Hewitt of Everyman Canberra. Everyman does valuable work by providing support to men in the ACT and surrounding region who marginalised and experience high and complex needs.

Greg and Josh discuss the challenges of providing support to this cohort in a sector that is constantly underserviced and under-supported.

Our conversation also takes in the complexities for men living in a world that is constantly changing and more pressured than ever before. The #metoo movement and #Notallmen campaigns and work to prevent violence. How men define themselves, is very much down to the structural and community supports they have, and in being able to enact the very best versions of themselves.

Áine chats with local Canberra Artist and Musician, Michael Simic.  Michael is better known to some as Mikelangelo, front man of Mikelangelo and the Black Sea Gentleman, which was formed over 20 years ago with Phil Moriarty of The Gadfly’s fame and the late David Branson. 

After a three year hiatus the band are touring to commemorate the 20 year anniversary tour of their amazing album - Journey Through the Land of Shadows released in 2005 and all things BSG’s.

Áine speaks to Susi Tegen, CEO of the National Rural Health Alliance about the proposed changes to the NDIS travel allowance which will be introduced on 1st July 2025.

Service providers and people living with a disability in rural, regional and remote communities have expressed serious concerns around the potential impacts to the delivery of essential support services in their communities which already suffer from inequity in health care provision; a lack of access to local services and long travel times to seek appropriate health and disability care.

“Under the proposed changes, providers will face limits on the travel they can claim when supporting participants in harder-to-reach areas.  This poses a major threat to cliniciansworking in rural Australia [who are] assisting people with disability, where long-distance travel is a necessity, not a choice”.

Áine chats with former four-time Paralympian and medal-winning wheelchair basketball player Koen Jansens.  Originally from the Netherlands, Koen was born with spina bifida.  As a teenager he discovered wheelchair basketball, which led to an elite sporting career spanning over a decade.  He represented the Dutch national team at four Paralympic Games: winning gold in Barcelona (1992), silver in Sydney (2000), and competing in Atlanta (1996) andAthens (2004).

Now current President of the Manly Wheel Eagles, assistant coach and board member of Wheelchair Basketball Australia, Koen talks about the national wheelchair basketball league that tips off this weekend; how wheelchair basketball changed his life and the importance of access to exercise and sporting activities for people living with a disability.

Áine chats with Shaun Pianta, Disability & Inclusion Advocate, Paralympian, Motivational Speaker, Educator, Podcaster and Brand Ambassador for atWork Australia.

As a Paralympian Shaun defied his visual impairment to train in Para-alpine skiing to became a member of the Australian Para National team. He dedicated the next four years of his life to the sport and represented Australia at the 2018 Winter Paralympics in South Korea, competing in the men’s slalom and giant slalom visually impaired division.

Shaun shares his personal experience of seeking employment as a person with a disability post the games. He speaks of the importance of leadership in the workplace, of the value of creating systems which ensure diversity and equity as foundational principles of a successful organisation. Shaun also gives examples of how atWork Australia has identified workplaces that are inclusive and appropriate for people with a disability, and how they can assist those from diverse cultural backgrounds and abilities back into employment.

Áine speaks with Kate Colvin, CEO of Homelessness Australia to discuss the key findings from the National Housing Supply and Affordability Council’s ‘State of the Housing System 2025 report. 

“The report revealed households are under growing pressure, with increasing rental stress, and a sharp rise inpeople stuck in rental stress for over two years, and social housing as a proportion of all housing continuing to decline”. 

Kate discusses housing affordability, the need for urgent investment in social housing, greater funding and support homeless services and the factors underpinning the rise in mental distress and poor well-being of renters and the homeless.

Áine chats with Mark about the work of Menslink in the ACT. Menslink have been active in the ACT for over 20 years with free counselling, mentoring and education programs that they provide free and which are available to help support young men.  

Mark also shares about some of his early experiences and the struggles that made him passionate about working to support young people in our community.

Megan Daley is an award-winning children’s author and teacher-librarian, and a founding member of YourKid’s Next Read, along with fellow authors Allison Tait and Allison Rushby.

In 2017, Megan and two other mother's, Allison Tait and Allison Rushby were inspired by their own challenges with helping their kids to become readers, to identify and share quality children's books with friends in their community. Not all kids are readers, or find reading easy. Megan says finding books that interest them can require creativity.

Initially they established a Facebook page, Your Kid’s Next Read which has now grown into a movement amassing a following of over 38,000 members; the 200th episode in a popular podcast series; and a newsletter, all aimed at growing readers and writers and helping parents find books to interest their kids”.

With rates of gendered violence remaining devastatingly high, more needs to be done than simply understanding the problem. Áine speaks with Dr Meredith Nash, to discuss the topic of Sexual Harassment and Gender Equity and the need for evidence-based research and leadership in our workplaces and community to respond to gendered violence.

Dr Meredith Nash, an internationally recognised genderequity leader and former National Lead for Respect@Work at KPMG Australia, who also led the transformative 2022 Nash Review of Diversity, Equity and Inclusionin the Australian Antarctic Program, as Director of Communications and Engagement.  She is involved with theAustralian National Research Organisation for Women’s Safety (ANROWS) as a translational researcher and as a member of their executive.

Áine chats with Lucas Hayden, the regional manager for Royal Life Saving Australia about the hazards and skills required to stay safe around water in Australia, and theparticular challenges facing swimmers in our ACT and surrounding region.

Royal Life Saving Australia NSW has just celebrated 130 years and the ACT branch will celebrate 50 years of support for the ACT community later this year.  In spite of advertising campaigns, many people still get into trouble in our waterways.  “The National Drowning Report 2024 revealed 323 drowning deaths between July 1, 2023, and June 30, 2024, a 16% increase compared to the 10-year average … with 1 in 5 fatalities happening at rivers and creeks”.  Many migrants and people from overseas lack both the ability to swim and knowledge of water safety in Australia.  With these statistics learning to stay safe around the water is an imperative for all Australians.

International Women's Day 2025 - 'Accelerate Action'.

On International Women’s Day 2025 Áine chats with Michael Bayliss, Communications Manager and Spokesperson for Sustainable Populations’ Australia (SPA) about the recent massive funding cuts to by the Trump administration to international aid agencies and how this will affect women's progress and their access to family planning and other support services globally. How can women be supported to 'accelerate action' and achieve equality in the current global climate. We also discuss the current global political situation, climate change and population sustainability.

Áine speaks with Eryn Marshall, a local emerging Canberra artist. Eryn "aims to use her art as a tool for social change by starting the conversation about eating disorders [helping] to break down the stigma".

Growing up Eryn always loved art and drama. During her teenage years, as well as creating her own artwork, she also loved acting in theatre performances, and considered that acting might be her career path. At 19 she developed an eating disorder.

She speaks openly about her experience. Her eating disorder mentality; how that affected her life, work choices; the steps she took to seek help; and her eventual recovery through focus and exploration through her art creation and practice.

Eryn says, " ... healing is possible and awareness matters". "An exploration of colour helped Eryn rediscover the optimism that’s everywhere around us if we just look for it. Now, she shares her experience through her art to break the stigma of eating disorders and encourage understanding".

Eryn "takes the raw and the real – the bits people try to hide – and turns them into art that pops, art that smiles, art that screams… “hope wins!”

Eryn is passionate about raising awareness for and support for those living with eating disorders and donates 5% of each artwork to the Butterfly Foundation.Eryn can be contacted through - https://www.erynmarshallartistry.com/

Áine chats with Sammy Moynihan, Artistic Director of Stages of Empathy at Rebus Theatre about their latest project and working with people with disabilities to create moving and thought provoking works.

Stages of Empathy is a transformative, interactive training program designed to help community groups - including sports clubs, arts collectives, hobbyist organisations and special interest groups - become more accessible for autistic people and people with intellectual disabilities, and psychosocial disabilities. The project will also look at the intersection of disability and LGBTQ+ identities.

Rebus is seeking community groups and organisations across the ACT, NSW and VIC to take advantage of this amazing free inclusion training opportunity. Stages of Empathy is tailored for all types of community groups.

Stages of Empathy uses Forum Theatre, a proven, hands-on approach that brings real-life scenarios from our community consultations to the stage. Rebus theatre facilitators and actors all have lived experience of disability, and have developed the program based on community consultations.Participating organisations explore accessibility challenges through role-playing, gaining insight and practical strategies to make their organisations more inclusive.