Arthur
Tell us a little about your journey and how you became involved with The Pinnacle Foundation.
I grew up in a country town which is a notoriously unfriendly place to grow up if you are gay. My home life during this time wasn’t great and I was bullied and harassed at school. Due to this, I tried to avoid school as much as I could and when there I found it hard to care as I didn’t think I would even live to see any benefits.
Once I left school I started to realise that life would get better for me and one way I could do that was through my study. I threw everything into my study, but it was very stressful as I had to work every moment I wasn’t at university. Despite this I did better than I ever expected and filled with a newfound pride in my grades I applied for a Pinnacle Foundation scholarship after googling “Gay scholarships”. I was lucky enough to be chosen and have been part of the Foundation now for two years.
What have you gained from being part of the Pinnacle program so far?
The financial help has been amazing. I can finally afford to buy my medication on a regular basis, and I replaced my very slow laptop with a brand new one. If I need a textbook or need to buy a program for a class, I no longer need to worry about how I will buy it. This has been a huge weight off my shoulders.
Pinnacle has also given me a community that I wish I had growing up. My fellow scholars and other members of the Foundation offer such a wonderful support and make me feel so welcome.
What has your experience with your mentor been like?
I really appreciate my mentor who is always happy to listen to my ideas and provide another angle to my problems when it comes to my degree and career path.
What advice would you give to a young person who is thinking about applying for The Pinnacle Foundation Scholarship Program?
Please don’t look at yourself and wonder if you are good enough for The Pinnacle Foundation. Don’t discount your life experiences or your grades or compare yourselves to others. The Pinnacle Foundation has a way of seeing the amazing qualities in people that you might not see yet. I urge any young person who is a member of the LGBTIQ+ community as the sense of community and support is absolutely priceless.
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…
Scholar Welcome 2023 – QLD
On 23 March, The Pinnacle Foundation welcomed its incoming and returning scholars in Queensland at…
End of Year Fundraiser 2023 – VIC
This week in Melbourne, KPMG set the stage for a heartwarming evening as they hosted…
End of Year Fundraiser 2023 – WA
As we bid farewell to another incredible year, the Western Australian Committee celebrated in style…
Alastair Lawrie
Alastair Lawrie has been a valued mentor at The Pinnacle Foundation for the past three…
Vale – Geoff Selig
The Pinnacle Foundation, Australia’s LGBTQIA+ education charity, mourns the tragic passing of Geoff Selig. Geoff…
WA Pride March 2023
The Western Australian Committee stood strong and recently marched at the WA Pride March. With…
Ben Bjarnesen
What inspired you to become involved with The Pinnacle Foundation? Growing up I didn’t have…
Cameron Tirendi
BHP | Principal Program Delivery | Global Co-Lead Jasper, LGBTIQ+ ally network | Mental Health…
Cornerstone members’ dinner 2024
A Night of Tears, Cheers, and a Million Reasons to Celebrate! Last night was pure…
The History of The Pinnacle Foundation
The Pinnacle Foundation’s journey began serendipitously back in October 2005 when Sean Linkson OAM, filling…
Scholar Welcome 2023 – WA
On the 25th of March, we welcomed incoming and returning scholars and their mentors in Western…
TasPride 2024
Over the weekend The Pinnacle Foundation family in Tasmania proudly marched at TasPride. Our Tasmanian…
Picnic For Pinnacle – VIC
Scholars in Victoria gathered with members of the Victorian Committee for a Picnic for Pinnacle,…
Picnic For Pinnacle – SA
All across the country, people are getting together in pubs, breweries, restaurants, wineries and at…
Cornerstone Members & Patrons Dinner
On Tuesday 8 August we held our annual Cornerstone members and patrons dinner. The event,…
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…
Angel St James
Tell us a little about your journey and how you became involved with The Pinnacle Foundation….
The LGBTQIA+ Executive Fellowship 2024
The LGBTQIA+ Executive Fellowship, a one-week intensive executive leadership program developed by The University of Sydney…
Scholar Welcome 2024 – ACT
The Pinnacle Foundation’s ACT Committee recently held the 2024 Scholar Welcome event. A special shoutout…
Scholar Welcome 2024 – TAS
Last night the Tasmanian Committee held the 2024 Scholar Welcome Event, graciously hosted by Hydro…
Isabella (Izzy) Kotasek
Tell us a little about your journey and how you became involved with The Pinnacle…
Midsumma Pride March 2023
The Pinnacle Foundation marched proudly (and rather colourfully) in Victoria’s Midsumma Pride March. Scholars, alumni,…
Scholar Welcome 2024 – WA
Our WA Committee recently hosted a Scholar Welcome Event, a night filled with gratitude, warmth,…
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…
Drag Bingo – Uni of Syd
A heartfelt thank you to our incredible Pinnacle scholar, Max, for organising a Drag Bingo…
EOFY – VIC
Gold Partner L‘Oreal recently hosted the Melbourne committee’s EOFY fundraising cocktail function. This event provided an…
Brisbane Pride Festival March 2021
After the uncertainty of the last eighteen months, The Pinnacle Foundation’s Queensland committee seized the…
The extraordinary joy of being considered ordinary
South Australian committee member, Simon Royal, wrote a gorgeous article for Indaily, featuring Pinnacle scholar…
Partners’ Dinner 2023 – Melbourne
On Wednesday night, The Pinnacle Foundation, Australia’s LGBTQIA+ education charity, hosted its annual partners’ dinner…
Partners’ Dinner – VIC
Thank you to our gold partner, King & Wood Mallesons for generously hosting our annual…
Power of words – King & Wood Mallesons
Pinnacle Foundation gold partner, King & Wood Mallesons believes that responsible business is everyone’s business,…
Mardi Gras 2021
The Pinnacle Foundation participated in our first ever #SydneyMardiGras and what an amazing night it…
Nathan Cappelluti
Tell us a little about your journey and how you became involved with The Pinnacle…
Tasmania – Winter in Italy Quiz Night
On 11 August our Tasmanian Committee hosted a Winter in Italy quiz night, generously hosted…
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…
Scholar Welcome 2022
The Pinnacle Foundation family has welcomed incoming scholarship recipients and their mentors in five states…
The Honourable Justice Thomas Bradley
The Honourable Justice Thomas Bradley shares with us why he decided to become a Pinnacle…
Trans Day of Visibility
Trans Day of Visibility is an annual international celebration of transgender pride and awareness, recognising…
Penny Wilson
Penny Wilson is one of our valued regular donors and has supported The Pinnacle Foundation…
First Nations Voice to Parliament
As an education charity supporting young LGBTQIA+ Australians to achieve their full potential, The Pinnacle…
End of Year Event 2023 – TAS
Last Wednesday, the Tasmanian Committee lit up the night at our End of Year event,…
Midsumma Pride March 2024
Over the weekend The Pinnacle Foundation’s Victorian Committee joined with scholars, alumni and partner reps…
Profile: Lee Taube (they/them) – Pinnacle alumnus
Tell us a little about your journey and how you became involved with The Pinnacle…
Out For Australia 30 Under 30 Award
Congratulations! We at The Pinnacle Foundation would like to congratulate everyone who has been awarded…
Scott Aldred and Zac Hayes
Each year at The Pinnacle Foundation we introduce new scholars into our Pinnacle Scholarship Program….
Leann Duff – Pinnacle alumnus
Tell us a little about your journey and how you became involved with The Pinnacle…
Scholar Welcome 2021 – ACT
As we start to emerge, in a COVID-safe way, our scholars, mentors, Committee and Board…
Mardi Gras 2022
If you’re anything like us, reliving the amazing Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Pride…
Midsumma Parade and Melbourne Pride
The Pinnacle Foundation’s Victorian committee joined this year’s Midsumma Festival Pride March. With a marching…
Georgie Stone OAM
Congratulations to Georgie Stone OAM, a Pinnacle Foundation ambassador and alumnus, who was last night…
Scholar Welcome 2023 – ACT
The Pinnacle Foundation would like to thank our Gold Partner – Maddocks for their generosity…
My worlds are clashing by Rhian Mordaunt
Pinnacle Foundation scholar, Rhian Mordaunt, recently penned this beautifully written and powerful piece for the…
Scholar Welcome 2024 – NSW
On Thursday 7 March the Pinnacle family in NSW welcomed the 2024 NSW Pinnacle Foundation…
Scholar Welcome 2023 – Victoria
On the evening of 21st March, The Pinnacle Foundation welcomed its incoming and returning scholars…
Sarah Sandford – Pinnacle alumnus
Tell us a little about your journey and how you became involved with The Pinnacle…
Midsumma Carnival Day – VIC
The Pinnacle Foundation’s scholars, mentors and volunteer Victorian Committee were at Midsumma Festival’s Carnival. It was…
Odette Maher
Every year we receive inspiring and outstanding applications from young LGBTIQ+ Australians all around the…
LGBTQIA+ Executive Fellowship
The inaugural LGBTQIA+ Executive Fellowship, a one-week intensive executive leadership program developed by The University of…
Profile: Audrey Crémer – Pinnacle alumnus
Tell us a little about your journey and how you became involved with The Pinnacle…
MEDIA RELEASE
Launch of Project Pronoun Only two chief executive officers of Australia’s top 100 ASX-listed companies…
Mardi Gras & World Pride 2023
Truly a night to remember. The Pinnacle Foundation marched in the Sydney Gay and Lesbian…
Article posted in the Star Observer (August 17, 2020)
Philip Comans graduated in the 1970s when tertiary degrees were free for students in Australia….
Louise Fisher and Peter Maher
Louise and Peter have been involved with The Pinnacle Foundation and have generously sponsored the…
Caitlyn Georgeson
Caitlyn took part in The Pinnacle Foundation’s Scholarship program during 2014-2017 while undertaking a Bachelor…
Jennifer Westacott AO, Patron of The Pinnacle Foundation
Jennifer Westacott AO shares her thoughts about the importance of the Pinnacle program.
Scholar Welcome 2024 – SA
Last Thursday night the SA Committee hosted our Scholars Welcome event at the Treasury, generously…
Partners’ Dinner 2023 – Sydney
Last night in Sydney, at our annual partners’ dinner, we thanked our corporate and philanthropic…
Picnic For Pinnacle 2023
Picnic for Pinnacle featured as a Pride Amplified event, part of Sydney WorldPride, and we…
Alan Joyce AC, Patron of The Pinnacle Foundation
Alan Joyce AC shares his thoughts about the value and impact of the Pinnacle program.
End of Year Fundraiser 2023 – QLD
Last week, the QLD Committee hosted a heartwarming End of Year charity fundraiser, weaving together…
IDAHOBIT 2022
Today is #IDAHOBIT, the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Transphobia & Discrimination Against Intersex People….
Caitlyn Georgeson
Can you tell us how you became a Pinnacle Foundation board member? I was appointed…
EOFY – NSW
Our incredible Platinum Partner @mirvac_residential, hosted a fabulous cocktail event to raise funds for The Pinnacle…
Picnic For Pinnacle 2022
Pinnacle co-founders Sean Linkson OAM and Philip Comans hosted their 2022 Picnic for Pinnacle in…
Picnic For Pinnacle
Things are in full swing with Picnic for Pinnacle. Picnics are being hosted by supporters…
“The art of changing lives”
A gift made possible by two of South Australia’s most significant arts figures is changing…
End of Year Fundraiser 2023 – ACT
The ACT Committee’s End of Year Cocktail Fundraiser was an absolute blast, filled with joy,…
Profile: Anthony Copeland (he/him) – Pinnacle alumnus
Tell us a little about your journey and how you became involved with The Pinnacle…
‘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…
A Country Practice – Dr Jacinta Clark
PREGNANT women in the Limestone Coast will be delivered easier access to specialist care, thanks…
Profile: Han Worsely – Pinnacle alumnus
Tell us a little about your journey and how you became involved with The Pinnacle…
Julien Grosmaire – Pinnacle alumnus
Tell us a little about your journey and how you became involved with The Pinnacle…
Scholar Welcome 2024 – VIC
Recently, the Victorian Committee gathered in Melbourne for a truly special occasion – the annual…
MEDIA RELEASE
Developments at The Pinnacle Foundation Established in 2007, The Pinnacle Foundation is a national charity…
Brisbane Pride Festival 2022
This year, the Pinnacle Foundation again participated in Brisbane Pride March. Our Queensland committee was…
Lorraine Hall
Lorraine Hall has been a valued mentor at the Pinnacle Foundation for nearly four years,…
TasPride 2023
So great to see the Tasmanian Pinnacle Foundation family out and proud (very colourfully) at…
End of Year Fundraiser 2023 – NSW
Last Monday night, the Sydney Committee hosted a spectacular End Of Year Cocktail fundraiserOur incredible…
Beyond the Rainbow
Watch Devon Esper, Lead Author of WPP’s global research, “Beyond the Rainbow – An investigation…
Scholar Welcome 2024 – QLD
Last week, The Pinnacle Foundation welcomed its incoming and returning scholars in Queensland at a…
James Holland – Pinnacle alumnus
Tell us a little about your journey and how you became involved with The Pinnacle…
Ben Henry – Pinnacle alumnus
Tell us a little about your journey and how you became involved with The Pinnacle…