Anu Francis
Tell us a little about your journey and how you became involved with The Pinnacle Foundation.
After high school I studied Bachelor of Science (Veterinary Bioscience) and graduated in 2017, gaining entry into the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. However, my dreams of becoming a veterinarian were dashed by my diagnosis of Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, and later Cerebral Palsy, which due to disability discrimination from my university forced me to terminate my studies. This injustice sparked in me a passion for equity and inclusive education, so in 2018 I transferred to Flinders University and began studying a double Bachelor’s degree of Secondary and Special Education. Currently in the third year of my degree I was lucky enough to be awarded the Pippa Downes Pinnacle Scholarship, as I have medalled for Australia in Para-Badminton and for South Australia in Para-Rowing, as the first female para rower to represent South Australia. I am also a Flinders University Scholarship Athlete, Challenged Athletes Foundation Athlete, and 2019/2020 Flinders University Student Association (FUSA) Disabilities Officer, and also work with Julia Farr Association, a disability advocacy organisation, on projects to make schools and the education system more inclusive to students with disabilities.
What have you gained from being part of the Pinnacle program so far?
I have gained incredible bonds that I hope will last a lifetime, as well as more confidence and value for myself as the Pinnacle family have helped me to see sparks in me that I had not previously seen. I have also gained an overall sense of security and comfort that I have not had before due to coming from a single-parent, low-income family. Even the simplest things such as being able to purchase my own copies of textbooks so I do not have to rely on scarce library copies has allowed me to focus on and thrive in my studies more than ever before. Gaining the backing of the Pinnacle Family, a network of people who just want to see me succeed not only academically but in all aspects of my life has made a bigger impact than I ever could have imagined and I will be forever grateful.
What has your experience with your mentor been like?
My experience with my mentor has been really organic. In my interview I was asked to prioritise three factors of what I would ideally like in a mentor in order to try and find me the best match possible; sharing my gender and sexual orientation, working in my area of study, and living in the same state as me. Somehow, The Pinnacle Foundation found me the most incredible mentor who met all three factors – we are so alike that it’s uncanny and we spent three hours chatting non-stop the first time we met. We are both super busy people so take a relaxed and organic approach that works really well for us both. When I first got the scholarship I was unsure what I would gain from a mentor, but now I have realised how invaluable it is. Even the simplest thing of meeting my mentor’s wife and children made me realise that even though getting married and having children is certainly something I want for myself, I had never actually spent time with a same-sex couple and their children. This realisation really shook me, as up until that moment I hadn’t had someone to look up to and to show me what my future could look like. It made me realise just how unintentionally damaging it can be to raise LGBTIQ+ in a predominantly cis-gendered and heterosexual society without providing them role models who share their gender and/or sexual identity.
What advice would you give to a young person who is thinking about applying for The Pinnacle Foundation Scholarship Program?
Definitely apply! It took a friend of mine to give me the gentle nudge I needed to apply as I had previously read through the description and didn’t think that I would be accepted because I hadn’t been kicked out of home or anything drastic like that. I didn’t realise how much I needed the scholarship until I got it. When I applied it was primarily the financial element that I believed would be most beneficial, however what I did not understand was the huge positive impact that the Pinnacle Family and in particular my mentor would have on me and my studies. Knowing that even in my darkest moments I now have a family of people who value and support me in every way they can has provided me with a source of comfort and safety that I have never had before, and I will be forever grateful for. So, my advice would be to believe in yourself and submit that application!
Mardi Gras 2021
The Pinnacle Foundation participated in our first ever #SydneyMardiGras and what an amazing night it…
Article posted in the Star Observer (August 17, 2020)
Philip Comans graduated in the 1970s when tertiary degrees were free for students in Australia….
Scholar Welcome 2023 – WA
On the 25th of March, we welcomed incoming and returning scholars and their mentors in Western…
Nathan Cappelluti
Tell us a little about your journey and how you became involved with The Pinnacle…
Rhian on Studio 10 – Wear It Purple Day 2022
The Pinnacle Foundation scholar Rhian Mordaunt appeared on Channel 10’s Studio 10 with Sarah Harris…
Trans Day of Visibility
Trans Day of Visibility is an annual international celebration of transgender pride and awareness, recognising…
Scholar Welcome 2021 – ACT
As we start to emerge, in a COVID-safe way, our scholars, mentors, Committee and Board…
Picnic For Pinnacle 2023
Picnic for Pinnacle featured as a Pride Amplified event, part of Sydney WorldPride, and we…
First Nations Voice to Parliament
As an education charity supporting young LGBTQIA+ Australians to achieve their full potential, The Pinnacle…
Coming out as gay to my parents: Brayden’s story – SBS
Brayden wrote a note to his mum, walked away and started to cry Noongar man…
The Honourable Justice Thomas Bradley
The Honourable Justice Thomas Bradley shares with us why he decided to become a Pinnacle…
Angel St James
Tell us a little about your journey and how you became involved with The Pinnacle Foundation….
Jennifer Westacott AO, Patron of The Pinnacle Foundation
Jennifer Westacott AO shares her thoughts about the importance of the Pinnacle program.
The extraordinary joy of being considered ordinary
South Australian committee member, Simon Royal, wrote a gorgeous article for Indaily, featuring Pinnacle scholar…
Scott Aldred and Zac Hayes
Each year at The Pinnacle Foundation we introduce new scholars into our Pinnacle Scholarship Program….
Profile: Anthony Copeland (he/him) – Pinnacle alumnus
Tell us a little about your journey and how you became involved with The Pinnacle…
Lorraine Hall
Lorraine Hall has been a valued mentor at the Pinnacle Foundation for nearly four years,…
Midsumma Carnival Day – VIC
The Pinnacle Foundation’s scholars, mentors and volunteer Victorian Committee were at Midsumma Festival’s Carnival. It was…
Ben Bjarnesen
What inspired you to become involved with The Pinnacle Foundation? Growing up I didn’t have…
MEDIA RELEASE
Developments at The Pinnacle Foundation Established in 2007, The Pinnacle Foundation is a national charity…
Isabella (Izzy) Kotasek
Tell us a little about your journey and how you became involved with The Pinnacle…
Scholar Welcome 2023 – Victoria
On the evening of 21st March, The Pinnacle Foundation welcomed its incoming and returning scholars…
Cornerstone Members & Patrons Dinner
On Tuesday 8 August we held our annual Cornerstone members and patrons dinner. The event,…
Penny Wilson
Penny Wilson is one of our valued regular donors and has supported The Pinnacle Foundation…
Profile: Han Worsely – Pinnacle alumnus
Tell us a little about your journey and how you became involved with The Pinnacle…
A Country Practice – Dr Jacinta Clark
PREGNANT women in the Limestone Coast will be delivered easier access to specialist care, thanks…
Scholar Welcome 2023 – QLD
On 23 March, The Pinnacle Foundation welcomed its incoming and returning scholars in Queensland at…
Alan Joyce AC, Patron of The Pinnacle Foundation
Alan Joyce AC shares his thoughts about the value and impact of the Pinnacle program.
My worlds are clashing by Rhian Mordaunt
Pinnacle Foundation scholar, Rhian Mordaunt, recently penned this beautifully written and powerful piece for the…
“The art of changing lives”
A gift made possible by two of South Australia’s most significant arts figures is changing…
Brisbane Pride Festival 2022
This year, the Pinnacle Foundation again participated in Brisbane Pride March. Our Queensland committee was…
Cameron Tirendi
BHP | Principal Program Delivery | Global Co-Lead Jasper, LGBTIQ+ ally network | Mental Health…
Out For Australia 30 Under 30 Award
Congratulations! We at The Pinnacle Foundation would like to congratulate everyone who has been awarded…
Alastair Lawrie
Alastair Lawrie has been a valued mentor at The Pinnacle Foundation for the past three…
Beyond the Rainbow
Watch Devon Esper, Lead Author of WPP’s global research, “Beyond the Rainbow – An investigation…
‘Yield!’: Former High Court judge Michael Kirby’s surprising relationship secret
By Benjamin Law (article appearing in Good Weekend ) Each week, Benjamin Law asks public figures to…
The History of The Pinnacle Foundation
The Pinnacle Foundation’s journey began serendipitously back in October 2005 when Sean Linkson OAM, filling…
Midsumma Pride March 2023
The Pinnacle Foundation marched proudly (and rather colourfully) in Victoria’s Midsumma Pride March. Scholars, alumni,…
A message from the Governor of Victoria (Patron-in-Chief of The Pinnacle Foundation): Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
On behalf of the people of Victoria, I extend my sincere condolences to His Majesty…
Profile: Audrey Crémer – Pinnacle alumnus
Tell us a little about your journey and how you became involved with The Pinnacle…
Scholar Welcome 2023 – ACT
The Pinnacle Foundation would like to thank our Gold Partner – Maddocks for their generosity…
Picnic For Pinnacle 2022
Pinnacle co-founders Sean Linkson OAM and Philip Comans hosted their 2022 Picnic for Pinnacle in…
Scholar Welcome 2022
The Pinnacle Foundation family has welcomed incoming scholarship recipients and their mentors in five states…
Caitlyn Georgeson
Caitlyn took part in The Pinnacle Foundation’s Scholarship program during 2014-2017 while undertaking a Bachelor…
Picnic For Pinnacle – SA
All across the country, people are getting together in pubs, breweries, restaurants, wineries and at…
TasPride 2023
So great to see the Tasmanian Pinnacle Foundation family out and proud (very colourfully) at…
Odette Maher
Every year we receive inspiring and outstanding applications from young LGBTIQ+ Australians all around the…
Caitlyn Georgeson
Can you tell us how you became a Pinnacle Foundation board member? I was appointed…
Brisbane Pride Festival March 2021
After the uncertainty of the last eighteen months, The Pinnacle Foundation’s Queensland committee seized the…
Mardi Gras 2022
If you’re anything like us, reliving the amazing Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Pride…
Louise Fisher and Peter Maher
Louise and Peter have been involved with The Pinnacle Foundation and have generously sponsored the…
Midsumma Parade and Melbourne Pride
The Pinnacle Foundation’s Victorian committee joined this year’s Midsumma Festival Pride March. With a marching…
IDAHOBIT 2022
Today is #IDAHOBIT, the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Transphobia & Discrimination Against Intersex People….
Her Excellency the Hon Linda Dessau AC, Governor of Victoria
Pinnacle Foundation Patron-in-Chief, Her Excellency the Hon Linda Dessau AC, Governor of Victoria, hosted a…
Mardi Gras & World Pride 2023
Truly a night to remember. The Pinnacle Foundation marched in the Sydney Gay and Lesbian…
Picnic For Pinnacle
Things are in full swing with Picnic for Pinnacle. Picnics are being hosted by supporters…
MEDIA RELEASE
Launch of Project Pronoun Only two chief executive officers of Australia’s top 100 ASX-listed companies…
Profile: Lee Taube (they/them) – Pinnacle alumnus
Tell us a little about your journey and how you became involved with The Pinnacle…