First Nations Voice to Parliament
As an education charity supporting young LGBTQIA+ Australians to achieve their full potential, The Pinnacle Foundation recognises the importance of having a voice in the decisions that affect our lives. We know from our lived experience of the marriage equality plebiscite how challenging and stressful it can be to have our rights and dignity put to a public vote. We also know how empowering and uplifting it can be to have our voices heard and respected.
Barriers to education continue to exist for LGBTQIA+ young people, especially those from intersectional communities, including LGBTQIA+ First Nations people. Listening to voices from these communities will encourage better educational outcomes.
That is why we support the Voice to Parliament referendum, which would amend the Australian Constitution to recognise the First Peoples of Australia by establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice. The Voice would be an independent and permanent advisory body advising the Parliament and Government on matters that affect the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, including more equitable educational outcomes.
We are proud to have many Indigenous scholars, alumni and supporters in our Pinnacle family, who are inspiring role models and leaders in their communities and fields. We stand with them and all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in their quest for recognition, representation and respect.
The History of The Pinnacle Foundation
The Pinnacle Foundation’s journey began serendipitously back in October 2005 when Sean Linkson OAM, filling…
“The art of changing lives”
A gift made possible by two of South Australia’s most significant arts figures is changing…
End Of Year 2024 – VIC
Huge thanks to everyone who made it to the Victorian Committee’s end-of-year celebration at Allens…
Midsumma Pride March 2023
The Pinnacle Foundation marched proudly (and rather colourfully) in Victoria’s Midsumma Pride March. Scholars, alumni,…
Nathan Cappelluti
Tell us a little about your journey and how you became involved with The Pinnacle…
Picnic For Pinnacle
Things are in full swing with Picnic for Pinnacle. Picnics are being hosted by supporters…
Lorraine Hall
Lorraine Hall has been a valued mentor at the Pinnacle Foundation for nearly four years,…
Scholar Welcome 2024 – NSW
On Thursday 7 March the Pinnacle family in NSW welcomed the 2024 NSW Pinnacle Foundation…
Leann Duff – Pinnacle alumnus
Tell us a little about your journey and how you became involved with The Pinnacle…
The Honourable Justice Thomas Bradley
The Honourable Justice Thomas Bradley shares with us why he decided to become a Pinnacle…
Partners’ Dinner 2023 – Melbourne
On Wednesday night, The Pinnacle Foundation, Australia’s LGBTQIA+ education charity, hosted its annual partners’ dinner…
‘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…
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 2024 – ACT
The Pinnacle Foundation’s ACT Committee recently held the 2024 Scholar Welcome event. A special shoutout…
TasPride 2024
Over the weekend The Pinnacle Foundation family in Tasmania proudly marched at TasPride. Our Tasmanian…
Vale – Geoff Selig
The Pinnacle Foundation, Australia’s LGBTQIA+ education charity, mourns the tragic passing of Geoff Selig. Geoff…
Profile: Anthony Copeland (he/him) – Pinnacle alumnus
Tell us a little about your journey and how you became involved with The Pinnacle…
End of Year Fundraiser 2023 – QLD
Last week, the QLD Committee hosted a heartwarming End of Year charity fundraiser, weaving together…
Angel St James
Tell us a little about your journey and how you became involved with The Pinnacle Foundation….
MEDIA RELEASE
Developments at The Pinnacle Foundation Established in 2007, The Pinnacle Foundation is a national charity…
Cornerstone members’ dinner 2024
A Night of Tears, Cheers, and a Million Reasons to Celebrate! Last night was pure…
Power of words – King & Wood Mallesons
Pinnacle Foundation gold partner, King & Wood Mallesons believes that responsible business is everyone’s business,…
Odette Maher
Every year we receive inspiring and outstanding applications from young LGBTIQ+ Australians all around the…
EOFY – VIC
Gold Partner L‘Oreal recently hosted the Melbourne committee’s EOFY fundraising cocktail function. This event provided an…
Picnic For Pinnacle 2023
Picnic for Pinnacle featured as a Pride Amplified event, part of Sydney WorldPride, and we…
Scholar Welcome 2024 – TAS
Last night the Tasmanian Committee held the 2024 Scholar Welcome Event, graciously hosted by Hydro…
Scholar Welcome 2024 – WA
Our WA Committee recently hosted a Scholar Welcome Event, a night filled with gratitude, warmth,…
Profile: Han Worsely – Pinnacle alumnus
Tell us a little about your journey and how you became involved with The Pinnacle…
Alastair Lawrie
Alastair Lawrie has been a valued mentor at The Pinnacle Foundation for the past three…
Ben Bjarnesen
What inspired you to become involved with The Pinnacle Foundation? Growing up I didn’t have…
Trans Day of Visibility
Trans Day of Visibility is an annual international celebration of transgender pride and awareness, recognising…
Midsumma Carnival Day – VIC
The Pinnacle Foundation’s scholars, mentors and volunteer Victorian Committee were at Midsumma Festival’s Carnival. It was…
Caitlyn Georgeson
Can you tell us how you became a Pinnacle Foundation board member? I was appointed…
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…
Mardi Gras & World Pride 2023
Truly a night to remember. The Pinnacle Foundation marched in the Sydney Gay and Lesbian…
Sarah Sandford – Pinnacle alumnus
Tell us a little about your journey and how you became involved with The Pinnacle…
End of Year Fundraiser 2023 – NSW
Last Monday night, the Sydney Committee hosted a spectacular End Of Year Cocktail fundraiserOur incredible…
Mardi Gras 2021
The Pinnacle Foundation participated in our first ever #SydneyMardiGras and what an amazing night it…
TasPride 2023
So great to see the Tasmanian Pinnacle Foundation family out and proud (very colourfully) at…
The extraordinary joy of being considered ordinary
South Australian committee member, Simon Royal, wrote a gorgeous article for Indaily, featuring Pinnacle scholar…
Picnic For Pinnacle – SA
All across the country, people are getting together in pubs, breweries, restaurants, wineries and at…
Brisbane Pride Festival 2022
This year, the Pinnacle Foundation again participated in Brisbane Pride March. Our Queensland committee was…
Picnic For Pinnacle 2022
Pinnacle co-founders Sean Linkson OAM and Philip Comans hosted their 2022 Picnic for Pinnacle in…
A Country Practice – Dr Jacinta Clark
PREGNANT women in the Limestone Coast will be delivered easier access to specialist care, thanks…
Out For Australia 30 Under 30 Award
Congratulations! We at The Pinnacle Foundation would like to congratulate everyone who has been awarded…
Caitlyn Georgeson
Caitlyn took part in The Pinnacle Foundation’s Scholarship program during 2014-2017 while undertaking a Bachelor…
End of Year Event 2023 – TAS
Last Wednesday, the Tasmanian Committee lit up the night at our End of Year event,…
WA Pride 2024
The Pinnacle Foundation shines bright at WA Pride! The WA committee had an absolute blast…
LGBTQIA+ Executive Fellowship
The inaugural LGBTQIA+ Executive Fellowship, a one-week intensive executive leadership program developed by The University of…
Profile: Lee Taube (they/them) – Pinnacle alumnus
Tell us a little about your journey and how you became involved with The Pinnacle…
End of Year Fundraiser 2023 – ACT
The ACT Committee’s End of Year Cocktail Fundraiser was an absolute blast, filled with joy,…
Penny Wilson
Penny Wilson is one of our valued regular donors and has supported The Pinnacle Foundation…
Midsumma Pride March 2024
Over the weekend The Pinnacle Foundation’s Victorian Committee joined with scholars, alumni and partner reps…
WA Bingo Night 2024
What a night! Huge thanks to everyone who made the WA Committee’s Bingo Night at…
Louise Fisher and Peter Maher
Louise and Peter have been involved with The Pinnacle Foundation and have generously sponsored the…
Alan Joyce AC, Patron of The Pinnacle Foundation
Alan Joyce AC shares his thoughts about the value and impact of the Pinnacle program.
Scholar Welcome 2023 – Victoria
On the evening of 21st March, The Pinnacle Foundation welcomed its incoming and returning scholars…
Ben Henry – Pinnacle alumnus
Tell us a little about your journey and how you became involved with The Pinnacle…
Isabella (Izzy) Kotasek
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…
The LGBTQIA+ Executive Fellowship 2024
The LGBTQIA+ Executive Fellowship, a one-week intensive executive leadership program developed by The University of Sydney…
Julien Grosmaire – 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…
Cameron Tirendi
BHP | Principal Program Delivery | Global Co-Lead Jasper, LGBTIQ+ ally network | Mental Health…
Scott Aldred and Zac Hayes
Each year at The Pinnacle Foundation we introduce new scholars into our Pinnacle Scholarship Program….
End of Year Fundraiser 2023 – VIC
This week in Melbourne, KPMG set the stage for a heartwarming evening as they hosted…
Beyond the Rainbow
Watch Devon Esper, Lead Author of WPP’s global research, “Beyond the Rainbow – An investigation…
James Holland – Pinnacle alumnus
Tell us a little about your journey and how you became involved with The Pinnacle…
Georgie Stone OAM
Congratulations to Georgie Stone OAM, a Pinnacle Foundation ambassador and alumnus, who was last night…
WA Pride March 2023
The Western Australian Committee stood strong and recently marched at the WA Pride March. With…
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,…
Scholar Welcome 2022
The Pinnacle Foundation family has welcomed incoming scholarship recipients and their mentors in five states…
Profile: Audrey Crémer – Pinnacle alumnus
Tell us a little about your journey and how you became involved with The Pinnacle…
Midsumma Parade and Melbourne Pride
The Pinnacle Foundation’s Victorian committee joined this year’s Midsumma Festival Pride March. With a marching…
Melt Festival River Parade 2024
The Pinnacle Foundation QLD committee participated in the 2024 Melt Festival River Pride Parade over…
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 2022
If you’re anything like us, reliving the amazing Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Pride…
Tasmania – Winter in Italy Quiz Night
On 11 August our Tasmanian Committee hosted a Winter in Italy quiz night, generously hosted…
Brisbane Pride Festival March 2021
After the uncertainty of the last eighteen months, The Pinnacle Foundation’s Queensland committee seized the…
MEDIA RELEASE
Launch of Project Pronoun Only two chief executive officers of Australia’s top 100 ASX-listed companies…
End Of Year 2024 – NSW
Thank you to our gold partner, Herbert Smith Freehills for generously hosting our end of…
Scholar Welcome 2024 – QLD
Last week, The Pinnacle Foundation welcomed its incoming and returning scholars in Queensland at a…
Drag Bingo – Uni of Syd
A heartfelt thank you to our incredible Pinnacle scholar, Max, for organising a Drag Bingo…
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 2023 – WA
On the 25th of March, we welcomed incoming and returning scholars and their mentors in Western…
My worlds are clashing by Rhian Mordaunt
Pinnacle Foundation scholar, Rhian Mordaunt, recently penned this beautifully written and powerful piece for the…
Article posted in the Star Observer (August 17, 2020)
Philip Comans graduated in the 1970s when tertiary degrees were free for students in Australia….
Jennifer Westacott AO, Patron of The Pinnacle Foundation
Jennifer Westacott AO shares her thoughts about the importance of the Pinnacle program.
End of Year Fundraiser 2023 – WA
As we bid farewell to another incredible year, the Western Australian Committee celebrated in style…
Scholar Welcome 2024 – VIC
Recently, the Victorian Committee gathered in Melbourne for a truly special occasion – the annual…
Partners’ Dinner – VIC
Thank you to our gold partner, King & Wood Mallesons for generously hosting our annual…
IDAHOBIT 2022
Today is #IDAHOBIT, the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Transphobia & Discrimination Against Intersex People….
Scholar Welcome 2021 – ACT
As we start to emerge, in a COVID-safe way, our scholars, mentors, Committee and Board…
Scholar Welcome 2023 – ACT
The Pinnacle Foundation would like to thank our Gold Partner – Maddocks for their generosity…
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…