Make Awkward Awesome with Initiative
Creating a culture of belonging starts with a single, sometimes uncomfortable, conversation. At The Pinnacle Foundation, we are dedicated to providing scholarships and mentorship to LGBTQIA+ students, but our mission extends beyond financial support. It’s about fostering a world where every young person can be their authentic self.
Our latest campaign, Make Awkward Awesome, is proving just how powerful those moments of vulnerability can be. By leaning into the discomfort of “the talk”, whether it’s coming out to a colleague, a parent, or a client, we are breaking down the barriers that often keep people from living openly.
The advertising industry, known for its creativity and celebration of self-expression, has stepped up in a major way to support this initiative. We are thrilled to see industry leaders sharing their own real-life experiences, proving that these moments don’t have to be perfect to be meaningful.
One of our most steadfast supporters, Danielle Galipienzo from Initiative, recently shared her own coming out story as part of the campaign. Her journey, like so many others featured, reminds us that while these conversations can feel intimidating, they are the very foundation of genuine connection and progress.
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…
Sarah Sandford – Pinnacle alumnus
Tell us a little about your journey and how you became involved with The Pinnacle…
VIC EOFY Event 2025
Last week, we were delighted to gather with our partners and supporters in Melbourne for…
Scholar Welcome 2025 – QLD
Our gold partner Allens generously hosted another wonderful Scholar Welcome event in Brisbane this week….
Caitlyn Georgeson
Caitlyn took part in The Pinnacle Foundation’s Scholarship program during 2014-2017 while undertaking a Bachelor…
Mardi Gras 2022
If you’re anything like us, reliving the amazing Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Pride…
The History of The Pinnacle Foundation
The Pinnacle Foundation’s journey began serendipitously back in October 2005 when Sean Linkson OAM, filling…
Brisbane Pride Festival March 2021
After the uncertainty of the last eighteen months, The Pinnacle Foundation’s Queensland committee seized the…
The LGBTQIA+ Executive Fellowship 2024
The LGBTQIA+ Executive Fellowship, a one-week intensive executive leadership program developed by The University of Sydney…
EOFY – NSW
Our incredible Platinum Partner @mirvac_residential, hosted a fabulous cocktail event to raise funds for The Pinnacle…
Scholar Welcome 2026 – ACT
We are so grateful to our Gold Partner Maddocksfor hosting our Scholar Welcome in Canberra…
Scholar Welcome 2021 – ACT
As we start to emerge, in a COVID-safe way, our scholars, mentors, Committee and Board…
Picnic For Pinnacle – SA
All across the country, people are getting together in pubs, breweries, restaurants, wineries and at…
My worlds are clashing by Rhian Mordaunt
Pinnacle Foundation scholar, Rhian Mordaunt, recently penned this beautifully written and powerful piece for the…
Partners’ Dinner 2023 – Melbourne
On Wednesday night, The Pinnacle Foundation, Australia’s LGBTQIA+ education charity, hosted its annual partners’ dinner…
MEDIA RELEASE
Developments at The Pinnacle Foundation Established in 2007, The Pinnacle Foundation is a national charity…
TasPride 2024
Over the weekend The Pinnacle Foundation family in Tasmania proudly marched at TasPride. Our Tasmanian…
Lorraine Hall
Lorraine Hall has been a valued mentor at the Pinnacle Foundation for nearly four years,…
Power of words – King & Wood Mallesons
Pinnacle Foundation gold partner, King & Wood Mallesons believes that responsible business is everyone’s business,…
Professor Jennifer Westacott AC, Patron of The Pinnacle Foundation
Professor Jennifer Westacott AC shares her thoughts about the importance of the Pinnacle program.
Nathan Cappelluti
Tell us a little about your journey and how you became involved with The Pinnacle…
The Mardi Gras Parade 2026
What an incredible Mardi Gras experience for The Pinnacle Foundation! This year’s float was filled…
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…
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…
The Honourable Justice Thomas Bradley
The Honourable Justice Thomas Bradley shares with us why he decided to become a Pinnacle…
Beyond the Rainbow
Watch Devon Esper, Lead Author of WPP’s global research, “Beyond the Rainbow – An investigation…
Vale – Geoff Selig
The Pinnacle Foundation, Australia’s LGBTQIA+ education charity, mourns the tragic passing of Geoff Selig. Geoff…
WA Pride 2024
The Pinnacle Foundation shines bright at WA Pride! The WA committee had an absolute blast…
Mardi Gras & World Pride 2023
Truly a night to remember. The Pinnacle Foundation marched in the Sydney Gay and Lesbian…
Midsumma Parade and Melbourne Pride
The Pinnacle Foundation’s Victorian committee joined this year’s Midsumma Festival Pride March. With a marching…
End of Year Fundraiser 2023 – WA
As we bid farewell to another incredible year, the Western Australian Committee celebrated in style…
NSW EOFY Event 2025
Last Thursday, we were thrilled to celebrate the End of Financial Year with our partners…
End of Year Fundraiser 2023 – NSW
Last Monday night, the Sydney Committee hosted a spectacular End Of Year Cocktail fundraiserOur incredible…
Scholar Welcome 2023 – WA
On the 25th of March, we welcomed incoming and returning scholars and their mentors in Western…
Profile: Anthony Copeland (he/him) – Pinnacle alumnus
Tell us a little about your journey and how you became involved with The Pinnacle…
Penny Wilson
Penny Wilson is one of our valued regular donors and has supported The Pinnacle Foundation…
End Of Year 2025 – QLD
A heartfelt thank you to our gold partner, KPMG, for so generously hosting our end-of-year event…
Picnic For Pinnacle
Things are in full swing with Picnic for Pinnacle. Picnics are being hosted by supporters…
Scott Aldred and Zac Hayes
Each year at The Pinnacle Foundation we introduce new scholars into our Pinnacle Scholarship Program….
Scholar Welcome 2023 – Victoria
On the evening of 21st March, The Pinnacle Foundation welcomed its incoming and returning scholars…
Crown Pride Luncheon 2025 – Melbourne
On Friday 20 June, The Pinnacle Foundation was the charity beneficiary for the inaugural Crown…
Partners’ Dinner 2025 – NSW
Last week in Sydney, our principal partner, Commonwealth Bank generously hosted our annual Sydney corporate…
Melt Festival River Parade 2024
The Pinnacle Foundation QLD committee participated in the 2024 Melt Festival River Pride Parade over…
Commonwealth Bank Unity Gala 2025
On Friday 21 March, our principal partner, Commonwealth Bank, and its LGBTQIA+ and ally network,…
TasPride 2023
So great to see the Tasmanian Pinnacle Foundation family out and proud (very colourfully) at…
Scholar Welcome 2025 – VIC
A heartfelt thank you to our gold partner Allens for so graciously welcoming us 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…
A Warm Welcome to the 2026 Pinnacle Foundation Scholars
As Australia’s LGBTQIA+ education charity, we are thrilled to welcome and introduce the recipients of…
Scholar Welcome 2024 – QLD
Last week, The Pinnacle Foundation welcomed its incoming and returning scholars in Queensland at a…
LGBTQIA+ Executive Fellowship
The inaugural LGBTQIA+ Executive Fellowship, a one-week intensive executive leadership program developed by The University of…
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…
Picnic For Pinnacle – VIC
Scholars in Victoria gathered with members of the Victorian Committee for a Picnic for Pinnacle,…
James Holland – Pinnacle alumnus
Tell us a little about your journey and how you became involved with The Pinnacle…
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…
Julien Grosmaire – Pinnacle alumnus
Tell us a little about your journey and how you became involved with The Pinnacle…
End Of Year 2024 – NSW
Thank you to our gold partner, Herbert Smith Freehills for generously hosting our end of…
Midsumma Pride March 2023
The Pinnacle Foundation marched proudly (and rather colourfully) in Victoria’s Midsumma Pride March. Scholars, alumni,…
End of Year Fundraiser 2023 – VIC
This week in Melbourne, KPMG set the stage for a heartwarming evening as they hosted…
“The art of changing lives”
A gift made possible by two of South Australia’s most significant arts figures is changing…
End of Year Event 2023 – TAS
Last Wednesday, the Tasmanian Committee lit up the night at our End of Year event,…
Adelaide Cabaret Festival 2025
The SA Committee had a truly memorable night last Thursday, connecting with our wonderful South…
Scholar Welcome 2026 – NSW
A heartfelt thank you to our Gold Partner Allens for generously hosting Pinnacle’s Scholar Welcome in Sydney…
Partners’ Dinner – VIC
Thank you to our gold partner, King & Wood Mallesons for generously hosting our annual…
Scholar Welcome 2026 – WA
A heartfelt thank you to our Gold Partner Allensfor generously hosting our Scholar Welcome event…
Ben Henry – Pinnacle alumnus
Tell us a little about your journey and how you became involved with The Pinnacle…
Scholar Welcome 2024 – NSW
On Thursday 7 March the Pinnacle family in NSW welcomed the 2024 NSW Pinnacle Foundation…
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: Han Worsely – Pinnacle alumnus
Tell us a little about your journey and how you became involved with The Pinnacle…
Scholar Welcome 2024 – ACT
The Pinnacle Foundation’s ACT Committee recently held the 2024 Scholar Welcome event. A special shoutout…
The Hon Michael Kirby AC CMG and Jason Ma
Pinnacle Foundation scholar, Jason Ma, invited our patron and Cornerstone donor, the Hon Michael Kirby…
Isabella (Izzy) Kotasek
Tell us a little about your journey and how you became involved with The Pinnacle…
First Nations Voice to Parliament
As an education charity supporting young LGBTQIA+ Australians to achieve their full potential, The Pinnacle…
TasPride 2026
What an incredible weekend in Hobart! The Pinnacle Foundation’s Tasmanian committee was out in full…
Picnic For Pinnacle 2022
Pinnacle co-founders Sean Linkson OAM and Philip Comans hosted their 2022 Picnic for Pinnacle in…
Alan Joyce AC, Patron of The Pinnacle Foundation
Alan Joyce AC shares his thoughts about the value and impact of the Pinnacle program.
WA Bingo Night 2024
What a night! Huge thanks to everyone who made the WA Committee’s Bingo Night at…
Brisbane Pride Festival 2022
This year, the Pinnacle Foundation again participated in Brisbane Pride March. Our Queensland committee was…
Odette Maher
Every year we receive inspiring and outstanding applications from young LGBTIQ+ Australians all around the…
Scholar Welcome 2023 – ACT
The Pinnacle Foundation would like to thank our Gold Partner – Maddocks for their generosity…
End Of Year 2025 – NSW
Last week, our gold partner Maddocks generously hosted our End-of-Year event in Sydney, and we’re…
Scholar Welcome 2024 – SA
Last Thursday night the SA Committee hosted our Scholars Welcome event at the Treasury, generously…
Scholar Welcome 2024 – WA
Our WA Committee recently hosted a Scholar Welcome Event, a night filled with gratitude, warmth,…
Cameron Tirendi
BHP | Principal Program Delivery | Global Co-Lead Jasper, LGBTIQ+ ally network | Mental Health…
End of Year Fundraiser 2023 – QLD
Last week, the QLD Committee hosted a heartwarming End of Year charity fundraiser, weaving together…
End Of Year 2025 – VIC
Last Tuesday, Hall & Wilcox kindly hosted our End-of-Year event in Melbourne, and we’re so grateful for…
Cornerstone Members & Patrons Dinner
On Tuesday 8 August we held our annual Cornerstone members and patrons dinner. The event,…
Article posted in the Star Observer (August 17, 2020)
Philip Comans graduated in the 1970s when tertiary degrees were free for students in Australia….
Perth Pride Parade 2025
There is nothing quite like the energy of the Pride Parade, and The Pinnacle Foundation’s…
Crown Pride Luncheon 2025 – Perth
On Friday 21 November, our partner, Crown Resorts held its seventh annual Pride Luncheon in…
Mardi Gras 2021
The Pinnacle Foundation participated in our first ever #SydneyMardiGras and what an amazing night it…
Scholar Welcome 2023 – QLD
On 23 March, The Pinnacle Foundation welcomed its incoming and returning scholars in Queensland at…
Scholar Welcome 2022
The Pinnacle Foundation family has welcomed incoming scholarship recipients and their mentors in five states…
Out For Australia 30 Under 30 Award
Congratulations! We at The Pinnacle Foundation would like to congratulate everyone who has been awarded…
Midsumma Pride Parade 2025
Joyous day at Midsumma Pride March over the weekend in Melbourne. Thank you to everyone…
Angel St James
Tell us a little about your journey and how you became involved with The Pinnacle Foundation….
Partners’ Dinner 2023 – Sydney
Last night in Sydney, at our annual partners’ dinner, we thanked our corporate and philanthropic…
Scholar Welcome QLD 2026
We are grateful to our Gold Partner Allens for generously hosting our Pinnacle event last Thursday. It…
Scholar Welcome 2025 – WA
Last night in Perth, we had the very great pleasure of introducing eight new WA…
Midsumma Parade 2026
Yesterday in Melbourne scholars, mentors, alumni, volunteers, donors and partners of The Pinnacle Foundation proudly…
EOFY – VIC
Gold Partner L‘Oreal recently hosted the Melbourne committee’s EOFY fundraising cocktail function. This event provided an…
Caitlyn Georgeson
Can you tell us how you became a Pinnacle Foundation board member? I was appointed…
Scholar Welcome 2024 – TAS
Last night the Tasmanian Committee held the 2024 Scholar Welcome Event, graciously hosted by Hydro…
Tasmania – Winter in Italy Quiz Night
On 11 August our Tasmanian Committee hosted a Winter in Italy quiz night, generously hosted…
Scholar Welcome 2025 – ACT
Last week, our gold partner KPMG generously hosted our Scholar Welcome event in Canberra. It…
IDAHOBIT 2022
Today is #IDAHOBIT, the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Transphobia & Discrimination Against Intersex People….
Midsumma Pride March 2024
Over the weekend The Pinnacle Foundation’s Victorian Committee joined with scholars, alumni and partner reps…
TasPride Parade 2025
We had an absolute blast marching in the TasPride Parade over the weekend! Our amazing…
Partners’ Dinner 2025 – VIC
On Wednesday night, our gold partner, King & Wood Mallesons generously hosted our annual Melbourne…
Midsumma Carnival Day – VIC
The Pinnacle Foundation’s scholars, mentors and volunteer Victorian Committee were at Midsumma Festival’s Carnival. It was…
End Of Year 2024 – VIC
Huge thanks to everyone who made it to the Victorian Committee’s end-of-year celebration at Allens…
Scholar Welcome 2025 – NSW
Thank you to our gold partner Allens for generously hosting another wonderful Scholar Welcome event…
End of Year Fundraiser 2023 – ACT
The ACT Committee’s End of Year Cocktail Fundraiser was an absolute blast, filled with joy,…
Trans Day of Visibility
Trans Day of Visibility is an annual international celebration of transgender pride and awareness, recognising…
Leann Duff – Pinnacle alumnus
Tell us a little about your journey and how you became involved with The Pinnacle…
Profile: Lee Taube (they/them) – Pinnacle alumnus
Tell us a little about your journey and how you became involved with The Pinnacle…
Picnic For Pinnacle 2023
Picnic for Pinnacle featured as a Pride Amplified event, part of Sydney WorldPride, and we…
A Country Practice – Dr Jacinta Clark
PREGNANT women in the Limestone Coast will be delivered easier access to specialist care, thanks…
The extraordinary joy of being considered ordinary
South Australian committee member, Simon Royal, wrote a gorgeous article for Indaily, featuring Pinnacle scholar…
End Of Year 2025 – WA
Last Thursday, our gold partner KPMG generously hosted our End-of-Year event in Perth. We’re so…
Tips on how to Support Your Child Who is Coming Out
Support is available if you’re feeling confused, concerned, or simply want to talk with other…
Tailor tertiary scholarships for marginalised students
Multi-year scholarships are now open to First Nations applicants who identify as LGBTQIA+ and considering…
Georgie Stone OAM
Congratulations to Georgie Stone OAM, a Pinnacle Foundation ambassador and alumnus, who was last night…
Cornerstone members’ dinner 2024
A Night of Tears, Cheers, and a Million Reasons to Celebrate! Last night was pure…
Louise Fisher and Peter Maher
Louise and Peter have been involved with The Pinnacle Foundation and have generously sponsored the…
WA Pride March 2023
The Western Australian Committee stood strong and recently marched at the WA Pride March. With…
Andrew Staite on Joy Radio
Andrew Staite, the CEO and Managing Director of The Pinnacle Foundation, was interviewed on Joy…
Patrons’ and Cornerstone Members’ Dinner 2025
The patrons’ and Cornerstone members’ dinner was held on Thursday 28 August in the magnificent ILUMINA venue at 1 Elizabeth Street, Sydney, generously hosted by our…
Scholar Welcome 2026 – VIC
A heartfelt thank you to our Gold Partner Allens for generously hosting Pinnacle’s Scholar Welcome in Melbourne…
Scholar Welcome 2024 – VIC
Recently, the Victorian Committee gathered in Melbourne for a truly special occasion – the annual…
Drag Bingo – Uni of Syd
A heartfelt thank you to our incredible Pinnacle scholar, Max, for organising a Drag Bingo…
