Bronte Charles
Tell us a little about your journey and how you became involved with The Pinnacle Foundation.
I grew up in a Catholic community in Southern Tasmania where it very much felt like I was the only gay in the village. It was an area that was very homogenous with little diversity, and very few opportunities. I knew I wanted to leave to pursue my ambitions, but very few people in my area go to the mainland for university and it is an expensive thing to do. I found Pinnacle online and was blown away that such a thing could exist and determined to be a part of the Pinnacle community.
What have you gained from being part of the Pinnacle program so far?
The biggest gain from Pinnacle without a doubt is the network of people you are introduced to. I went from knowing very few LGBTIQ+ people my age to having a fantastic group of diverse people on my side. The mentors and other community members help ‘light the spark’ and show us all what’s possible. It has been so inspiring to see what we as a community can do.
What has your experience with your mentor been like?
My mentor is fantastic and having that relationship has been life changing. Growing up I did not know any women in my area who had a university degree aside from my teachers. Having a role model to support and encourage and show me what it looks like to be a professional woman has been amazing. My mentor encourages and supports my studies which has been so helpful, she introduces me to people in many fields with different interests who have given me insight into possible paths forward. She also provides solid emotional support, I have never had a non judgemental, unconditionally supportive person in my life and it has hugely helped my ability to ask for advice, or ask questions in general to know she will not judge me.
What advice would you give to a young person who is thinking about applying for The Pinnacle Foundation Scholarship Program?
Definitely apply! Young LGBTIQ+ people are so lacking in mentors and role models of how to be a successful queer adult, having one is so powerful. Pinnacle will change your life, it’s so much more than a scholarship it’s an instant community to lean on.
Lorraine Hall
Lorraine Hall has been a valued mentor at the Pinnacle Foundation for nearly four years,…
Sarah Sandford – Pinnacle alumnus
Tell us a little about your journey and how you became involved with The Pinnacle…
Partners’ Dinner 2023 – Melbourne
On Wednesday night, The Pinnacle Foundation, Australia’s LGBTQIA+ education charity, hosted its annual partners’ dinner…
Midsumma Pride March 2024
Over the weekend The Pinnacle Foundation’s Victorian Committee joined with scholars, alumni and partner reps…
Brisbane Pride Festival 2022
This year, the Pinnacle Foundation again participated in Brisbane Pride March. Our Queensland committee was…
Mardi Gras 2021
The Pinnacle Foundation participated in our first ever #SydneyMardiGras and what an amazing night it…
MEDIA RELEASE
Launch of Project Pronoun Only two chief executive officers of Australia’s top 100 ASX-listed companies…
Brisbane Pride Festival March 2021
After the uncertainty of the last eighteen months, The Pinnacle Foundation’s Queensland committee seized the…
Trans Day of Visibility
Trans Day of Visibility is an annual international celebration of transgender pride and awareness, recognising…
Alastair Lawrie
Alastair Lawrie has been a valued mentor at The Pinnacle Foundation for the past three…
Profile: Audrey Crémer – Pinnacle alumnus
Tell us a little about your journey and how you became involved with The Pinnacle…
Profile: Han Worsely – Pinnacle alumnus
Tell us a little about your journey and how you became involved with The Pinnacle…
Article posted in the Star Observer (August 17, 2020)
Philip Comans graduated in the 1970s when tertiary degrees were free for students in Australia….
Profile: Lee Taube (they/them) – Pinnacle alumnus
Tell us a little about your journey and how you became involved with The Pinnacle…
Profile: Anthony Copeland (he/him) – Pinnacle alumnus
Tell us a little about your journey and how you became involved with The Pinnacle…
Scholar Welcome 2023 – QLD
On 23 March, The Pinnacle Foundation welcomed its incoming and returning scholars in Queensland at…
‘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…
Picnic For Pinnacle 2023
Picnic for Pinnacle featured as a Pride Amplified event, part of Sydney WorldPride, and we…
EOFY – VIC
Gold Partner L‘Oreal recently hosted the Melbourne committee’s EOFY fundraising cocktail function. This event provided an…
Julien Grosmaire – Pinnacle alumnus
Tell us a little about your journey and how you became involved with The Pinnacle…
Scholar Welcome 2024 – TAS
Last night the Tasmanian Committee held the 2024 Scholar Welcome Event, graciously hosted by Hydro…
Partners’ Dinner – VIC
Thank you to our gold partner, King & Wood Mallesons for generously hosting our annual…
Scholar Welcome 2023 – WA
On the 25th of March, we welcomed incoming and returning scholars and their mentors in Western…
End of Year Fundraiser 2023 – VIC
This week in Melbourne, KPMG set the stage for a heartwarming evening as they hosted…
Scholar Welcome 2024 – VIC
Recently, the Victorian Committee gathered in Melbourne for a truly special occasion – the annual…
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…
Angel St James
Tell us a little about your journey and how you became involved with The Pinnacle Foundation….
End of Year Fundraiser 2023 – WA
As we bid farewell to another incredible year, the Western Australian Committee celebrated in style…
Alan Joyce AC, Patron of The Pinnacle Foundation
Alan Joyce AC shares his thoughts about the value and impact of the Pinnacle program.
Picnic For Pinnacle
Things are in full swing with Picnic for Pinnacle. Picnics are being hosted by supporters…
Scholar Welcome 2023 – ACT
The Pinnacle Foundation would like to thank our Gold Partner – Maddocks for their generosity…
Beyond the Rainbow
Watch Devon Esper, Lead Author of WPP’s global research, “Beyond the Rainbow – An investigation…
Caitlyn Georgeson
Caitlyn took part in The Pinnacle Foundation’s Scholarship program during 2014-2017 while undertaking a Bachelor…
Power of words – King & Wood Mallesons
Pinnacle Foundation gold partner, King & Wood Mallesons believes that responsible business is everyone’s business,…
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…
Cornerstone Members & Patrons Dinner
On Tuesday 8 August we held our annual Cornerstone members and patrons dinner. The event,…
EOFY – NSW
Our incredible Platinum Partner @mirvac_residential, hosted a fabulous cocktail event to raise funds for The Pinnacle…
Mardi Gras & World Pride 2023
Truly a night to remember. The Pinnacle Foundation marched in the Sydney Gay and Lesbian…
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…
Scholar Welcome 2024 – NSW
On Thursday 7 March the Pinnacle family in NSW welcomed the 2024 NSW Pinnacle Foundation…
Caitlyn Georgeson
Can you tell us how you became a Pinnacle Foundation board member? I was appointed…
IDAHOBIT 2022
Today is #IDAHOBIT, the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Transphobia & Discrimination Against Intersex People….
The extraordinary joy of being considered ordinary
South Australian committee member, Simon Royal, wrote a gorgeous article for Indaily, featuring Pinnacle scholar…
Nathan Cappelluti
Tell us a little about your journey and how you became involved with The Pinnacle…
Partners’ Dinner 2023 – Sydney
Last night in Sydney, at our annual partners’ dinner, we thanked our corporate and philanthropic…
Cornerstone members’ dinner 2024
A Night of Tears, Cheers, and a Million Reasons to Celebrate! Last night was pure…
Ben Bjarnesen
What inspired you to become involved with The Pinnacle Foundation? Growing up I didn’t have…
The LGBTQIA+ Executive Fellowship 2024
The LGBTQIA+ Executive Fellowship, a one-week intensive executive leadership program developed by The University of Sydney…
Odette Maher
Every year we receive inspiring and outstanding applications from young LGBTIQ+ Australians all around the…
First Nations Voice to Parliament
As an education charity supporting young LGBTQIA+ Australians to achieve their full potential, The Pinnacle…
MEDIA RELEASE
Developments at The Pinnacle Foundation Established in 2007, The Pinnacle Foundation is a national charity…
End of Year Fundraiser 2023 – QLD
Last week, the QLD Committee hosted a heartwarming End of Year charity fundraiser, weaving together…
Scholar Welcome 2024 – SA
Last Thursday night the SA Committee hosted our Scholars Welcome event at the Treasury, generously…
Picnic For Pinnacle – VIC
Scholars in Victoria gathered with members of the Victorian Committee for a Picnic for Pinnacle,…
Tasmania – Winter in Italy Quiz Night
On 11 August our Tasmanian Committee hosted a Winter in Italy quiz night, generously hosted…
LGBTQIA+ Executive Fellowship
The inaugural LGBTQIA+ Executive Fellowship, a one-week intensive executive leadership program developed by The University of…
Picnic For Pinnacle – SA
All across the country, people are getting together in pubs, breweries, restaurants, wineries and at…
Midsumma Carnival Day – VIC
The Pinnacle Foundation’s scholars, mentors and volunteer Victorian Committee were at Midsumma Festival’s Carnival. It was…
Scholar Welcome 2021 – ACT
As we start to emerge, in a COVID-safe way, our scholars, mentors, Committee and Board…
James Holland – Pinnacle alumnus
Tell us a little about your journey and how you became involved with 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…
End of Year Fundraiser 2023 – ACT
The ACT Committee’s End of Year Cocktail Fundraiser was an absolute blast, filled with joy,…
TasPride 2023
So great to see the Tasmanian Pinnacle Foundation family out and proud (very colourfully) at…
A Country Practice – Dr Jacinta Clark
PREGNANT women in the Limestone Coast will be delivered easier access to specialist care, thanks…
“The art of changing lives”
A gift made possible by two of South Australia’s most significant arts figures is changing…
Picnic For Pinnacle 2022
Pinnacle co-founders Sean Linkson OAM and Philip Comans hosted their 2022 Picnic for Pinnacle in…
Scholar Welcome 2024 – QLD
Last week, The Pinnacle Foundation welcomed its incoming and returning scholars in Queensland at a…
TasPride 2024
Over the weekend The Pinnacle Foundation family in Tasmania proudly marched at TasPride. Our Tasmanian…
Scholar Welcome 2023 – Victoria
On the evening of 21st March, The Pinnacle Foundation welcomed its incoming and returning scholars…
Scholar Welcome 2024 – WA
Our WA Committee recently hosted a Scholar Welcome Event, a night filled with gratitude, warmth,…
Scholar Welcome 2024 – ACT
The Pinnacle Foundation’s ACT Committee recently held the 2024 Scholar Welcome event. A special shoutout…
Isabella (Izzy) Kotasek
Tell us a little about your journey and how you became involved with The Pinnacle…
Scott Aldred and Zac Hayes
Each year at The Pinnacle Foundation we introduce new scholars into our Pinnacle Scholarship Program….
Penny Wilson
Penny Wilson is one of our valued regular donors and has supported The Pinnacle Foundation…
Cameron Tirendi
BHP | Principal Program Delivery | Global Co-Lead Jasper, LGBTIQ+ ally network | Mental Health…
End of Year Event 2023 – TAS
Last Wednesday, the Tasmanian Committee lit up the night at our End of Year event,…
Scholar Welcome 2022
The Pinnacle Foundation family has welcomed incoming scholarship recipients and their mentors in five states…
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…
The Honourable Justice Thomas Bradley
The Honourable Justice Thomas Bradley shares with us why he decided to become a Pinnacle…
End of Year Fundraiser 2023 – NSW
Last Monday night, the Sydney Committee hosted a spectacular End Of Year Cocktail fundraiserOur incredible…
Midsumma Pride March 2023
The Pinnacle Foundation marched proudly (and rather colourfully) in Victoria’s Midsumma Pride March. Scholars, alumni,…
The History of The Pinnacle Foundation
The Pinnacle Foundation’s journey began serendipitously back in October 2005 when Sean Linkson OAM, filling…
Georgie Stone OAM
Congratulations to Georgie Stone OAM, a Pinnacle Foundation ambassador and alumnus, who was last night…
Out For Australia 30 Under 30 Award
Congratulations! We at The Pinnacle Foundation would like to congratulate everyone who has been awarded…
My worlds are clashing by Rhian Mordaunt
Pinnacle Foundation scholar, Rhian Mordaunt, recently penned this beautifully written and powerful piece for the…
Ben Henry – Pinnacle alumnus
Tell us a little about your journey and how you became involved with The Pinnacle…
Louise Fisher and Peter Maher
Louise and Peter have been involved with The Pinnacle Foundation and have generously sponsored the…
Jennifer Westacott AO, Patron of The Pinnacle Foundation
Jennifer Westacott AO shares her thoughts about the importance of the Pinnacle program.
Midsumma Parade and Melbourne Pride
The Pinnacle Foundation’s Victorian committee joined this year’s Midsumma Festival Pride March. With a marching…
Mardi Gras 2022
If you’re anything like us, reliving the amazing Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Pride…
Leann Duff – Pinnacle alumnus
Tell us a little about your journey and how you became involved with The Pinnacle…
Drag Bingo – Uni of Syd
A heartfelt thank you to our incredible Pinnacle scholar, Max, for organising a Drag Bingo…