WIP2026 2

Wear It Purple Day 2026

To mark Wear It Purple Day, a number of Pinnacle Foundation partners hosted events across Australia where our scholars shared their stories and experiences.

Thank you to AllensBoston Consulting Group (BCG)BHPCommonwealth BankHerbert Smith Freehills KramerISS Facility Services Australia and New ZealandMaddocksMirvacNOVA EntertainmentQubeRamsay Health CareUnLtd and Woodside Energy for creating these opportunities for connection, learning and visibility.

A special thank you also to the Pinnacle scholars and alumni who so generously shared their personal journeys. Storytelling takes courage, vulnerability and authenticity, and your willingness to share your experiences helps foster greater understanding, inclusion and hope for others.

Wear It Purple shines a spotlight on the importance of inclusion, but it is the year-round commitment of our partners that creates lasting impact. Through their support of Pinnacle’s scholarships, mentoring and community-building programs, they help young LGBTQIA+ Australians overcome barriers, pursue their education and realise their full potential, particularly those who have faced rejection from family, faith or community.

We are deeply grateful for their sustained support and for their belief in a future where every young person can thrive, regardless of their background or identity.

Gabin Soosaipillai

We have just welcomed our new scholars for 2022 and we are so inspired by…

Benjamin Law

‘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…

EOFY 2026 – VIC

Thank you to our gold partner, L’Oréal for hosting our EOFY event in Melbourne last…

James Holland – Pinnacle alumnus

Tell us a little about your journey and how you became involved with The Pinnacle…

MEDIA RELEASE

Developments at The Pinnacle Foundation Established in 2007, The Pinnacle Foundation is a national charity…

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…

Cameron Tirendi

BHP | Principal Program Delivery | Global Co-Lead Jasper, LGBTIQ+ ally network | Mental Health…

Midsumma Pride Parade 2025

Joyous day at Midsumma Pride March over the weekend in Melbourne. Thank you to everyone…

Caitlyn Georgeson

Can you tell us how you became a Pinnacle Foundation board member? I was appointed…

Scholar Welcome 2026 – ACT

We are so grateful to our Gold Partner Maddocksfor hosting our Scholar Welcome in Canberra…

Brisbane Pride Festival 2022

This year, the Pinnacle Foundation again participated in Brisbane Pride March. Our Queensland committee was…

End Of Year 2025 – WA

Last Thursday, our gold partner KPMG generously hosted our End-of-Year event in Perth. We’re so…

Georgie Stone OAM

Congratulations to Georgie Stone OAM, a Pinnacle Foundation ambassador and alumnus, who was last night…

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 Fair Day 2023

On 19 February our NSW committee had a stand at Mardi Gras Fair Day and…

Partners’ Dinner 2025 – NSW

Last week in Sydney, our principal partner, Commonwealth Bank generously hosted our annual Sydney corporate…

Midsumma Pride March 2023

The Pinnacle Foundation marched proudly (and rather colourfully) in Victoria’s Midsumma Pride March. Scholars, alumni,…

Drag Bingo – Uni of Syd

A heartfelt thank you to our incredible Pinnacle scholar, Max, for organising a Drag Bingo…

Cornerstone Members & Patrons Dinner

On Tuesday 8 August we held our annual Cornerstone members and patrons dinner. The event,…

Alan Joyce AC, Patron of The Pinnacle Foundation

Alan Joyce AC shares his thoughts about the value and impact of the Pinnacle program.

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 2025 – ACT

Last week, our gold partner KPMG generously hosted our Scholar Welcome event in Canberra. It…

Picnic For Pinnacle – SA

All across the country, people are getting together in pubs, breweries, restaurants, wineries and at…

Perth Pride Parade 2025

There is nothing quite like the energy of the Pride Parade, and The Pinnacle Foundation’s…

Hannah Worsley

Hannah Worsley

Tell us a little about your journey and how you became involved with The Pinnacle…

rhian

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…

Mardi Gras Fair Day 2025

A huge thank you to everyone who stopped by our stall at Mardi Gras Fair…

Profile: Lee Taube (they/them) – Pinnacle alumnus

Tell us a little about your journey and how you became involved with The Pinnacle…

Mardi Gras 2022

If you’re anything like us, reliving the amazing Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Pride…

Scholar Welcome 2025 – QLD

Our gold partner Allens generously hosted another wonderful Scholar Welcome event in Brisbane this week….

Crown Pride Luncheon 2025 – Perth

On Friday 21 November, our partner, Crown Resorts held its seventh annual Pride Luncheon in…

Penny Wilson

Penny Wilson is one of our valued regular donors and has supported The Pinnacle Foundation…

TasPride 2023

So great to see the Tasmanian Pinnacle Foundation family out and proud (very colourfully) at…

Julien Grosmaire

Julien Grosmaire – Pinnacle alumnus

Tell us a little about your journey and how you became involved with The Pinnacle…

Sujin Jang

Sujin Jang

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…

The History of The Pinnacle Foundation

The Pinnacle Foundation’s journey began serendipitously back in October 2005 when Sean Linkson OAM, filling…

Arthur Forrest

Arthur

Tell us a little about your journey and how you became involved with The Pinnacle…

Oliver McGrath

Oliver McGrath

Tell us a little about your journey and how you became involved with The Pinnacle…

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 2026 – SA

A heartfelt thank you to our gold partner, AGL for hosting our Scholar Welcome in Adelaide this…

rhian

My worlds are clashing by Rhian Mordaunt

Pinnacle Foundation scholar, Rhian Mordaunt, recently penned this beautifully written and powerful piece for the…

Caitlyn Georgeson

Caitlyn Georgeson

Caitlyn took part in The Pinnacle Foundation’s Scholarship program during 2014-2017 while undertaking a Bachelor…

Lewis McFarlane

Lewis McFarlane

Tell us a little about your journey and how you became involved with The Pinnacle…

Anu Francis

Anu Francis

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…

Scholar Welcome 2021 – ACT

As we start to emerge, in a COVID-safe way, our scholars, mentors, Committee and Board…

Melt Festival River Parade 2024

The Pinnacle Foundation QLD committee participated in the 2024 Melt Festival River Pride Parade over…

Profile: Audrey Crémer – Pinnacle alumnus

Tell us a little about your journey and how you became involved with The Pinnacle…

IDAHOBIT 2022

Today is #IDAHOBIT, the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Transphobia & Discrimination Against Intersex People….

Connor Allen

Connor Allen

Tell us a little about your journey and how you became involved with The Pinnacle…

Picnic For Pinnacle 2022

Pinnacle co-founders Sean Linkson OAM and Philip Comans hosted their 2022 Picnic for Pinnacle in…

Mardi Gras 2025

We had an absolute blast marching in the 2025 Mardi Gras Parade over the weekend!…

Make Awkward Awesome with Initiative

Creating a culture of belonging starts with a single, sometimes uncomfortable, conversation. At The Pinnacle…

Bronte Charles

Bronte Charles

Tell us a little about your journey and how you became involved with The Pinnacle…

Benjamin Henry

Ben Henry – 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…

Corporate Partners’ Dinner 2026 – Melbourne

Last night, our gold partner, Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer, generously hosted our Melbourne Corporate Partners’…

TasPride Parade 2025

We had an absolute blast marching in the TasPride Parade over the weekend! Our amazing…

WA Pride March 2023

The Western Australian Committee stood strong and recently marched at the WA Pride March. With…

Partners’ Dinner – VIC

Thank you to our gold partner, King & Wood Mallesons for generously hosting our annual…

Nathan Cappelluti Photo

Nathan Cappelluti

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…

Dylan Lloyd

Dylan Lloyd

I want to share with you some of the ways in which Pinnacle has empowered…

Scholar Welcome 2026 – TAS

We are so grateful to Hydro Tasmania for hosting our Scholar Welcome Event in Hobart…

Scholar Welcome 2024 – WA

Our WA Committee recently hosted a Scholar Welcome Event, a night filled with gratitude, warmth,…

Andy Tran

In 2019, The Pinnacle Foundation welcomed Andy Tran as one of our scholars. During his…

End Of Year 2025 – VIC

Last Tuesday, Hall & Wilcox kindly hosted our End-of-Year event in Melbourne, and we’re so grateful for…

EOFY – VIC

Gold Partner L‘Oreal recently hosted the Melbourne committee’s EOFY fundraising cocktail function. This event provided an…

End of Year Fundraiser 2023 – NSW

Last Monday night, the Sydney Committee hosted a spectacular End Of Year Cocktail fundraiserOur incredible…

MEDIA RELEASE

Launch of Project Pronoun Only two chief executive officers of Australia’s top 100 ASX-listed companies…

WA EOFY Event 2025

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us for our WA Committee’s End of…

NSW EOFY Event 2025

Last Thursday, we were thrilled to celebrate the End of Financial Year with our partners…

EOFY 2026 – NSW

Last week in Sydney, we were honoured to celebrate our EOFY event with our incredible…

Scholar Welcome 2024 – NSW

On Thursday 7 March the Pinnacle family in NSW welcomed the 2024 NSW Pinnacle Foundation…

Profile: Han Worsely – 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…

Picnic For Pinnacle

Things are in full swing with Picnic for Pinnacle. Picnics are being hosted by supporters…

young men at the beach

Scott Aldred and Zac Hayes

Each year at The Pinnacle Foundation we introduce new scholars into our Pinnacle Scholarship Program….

Laura Cripps

August 2019

Laura Cripps What was it like for you to be part of The Pinnacle Foundation…

Midsumma Parade 2026

Yesterday in Melbourne scholars, mentors, alumni, volunteers, donors and partners of The Pinnacle Foundation proudly…

Angel St. James

Angel St James

Tell us a little about your journey and how you became involved with The Pinnacle Foundation….

Scholar Welcome 2024 – VIC

Recently, the Victorian Committee gathered in Melbourne for a truly special occasion – the annual…

Scholar Welcome 2024 – TAS

Last night the Tasmanian Committee held the 2024 Scholar Welcome Event, graciously hosted by Hydro…

Dr Glen Lo

Dr Glen Lo

What inspired you to become a mentor at The Pinnacle Foundation? My inspiration is to…

First Nations Voice to Parliament

As an education charity supporting young LGBTQIA+ Australians to achieve their full potential, The Pinnacle…

Scholar Welcome 2024 – ACT

The Pinnacle Foundation’s ACT Committee recently held the 2024 Scholar Welcome event. A special shoutout…

Scholar Welcome 2023 – QLD

On 23 March, The Pinnacle Foundation welcomed its incoming and returning scholars in Queensland at…

A Country Practice – Dr Jacinta Clark

PREGNANT women in the Limestone Coast will be delivered easier access to specialist care, thanks…

Patrons’ & Cornerstone Donors’ Dinner 2026

Last night in Sydney our gold partner, Macquarie Group generously hosted our annual Patrons’ &…

End of Year Fundraiser 2023 – WA

As we bid farewell to another incredible year, the Western Australian Committee celebrated in style…

Power of words – King & Wood Mallesons

Pinnacle Foundation gold partner, King & Wood Mallesons believes that responsible business is everyone’s business,…

Picnic For Pinnacle – VIC

Scholars in Victoria gathered with members of the Victorian Committee for a Picnic for Pinnacle,…

The extraordinary joy of being considered ordinary

South Australian committee member, Simon Royal, wrote a gorgeous article for Indaily, featuring Pinnacle scholar…

Midsumma Parade and Melbourne Pride

The Pinnacle Foundation’s Victorian committee joined this year’s Midsumma Festival Pride March. With a marching…

Brayden’s Story

Brayden cannot remember exactly what he put in the note to his mum. It was,…

David Edwards Photo

David Edwards

Tell us a little about your journey and how you became involved with The Pinnacle…

Sarah Sandford – Pinnacle alumnus 

Tell us a little about your journey and how you became involved with The Pinnacle…

End of Year Event 2023 – TAS

Last Wednesday, the Tasmanian Committee lit up the night at our End of Year event,…

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…

End Of Year 2024 – NSW

Thank you to our gold partner, Herbert Smith Freehills for generously hosting our end of…

EOFY – NSW

Our incredible Platinum Partner @mirvac_residential, hosted a fabulous cocktail event to raise funds for The Pinnacle…

The LGBTQIA+ Executive Fellowship 2024

The LGBTQIA+ Executive Fellowship, a one-week intensive executive leadership program developed by The University of Sydney…

Scholar Welcome 2025 – NSW

Thank you to our gold partner Allens for generously hosting another wonderful Scholar Welcome event…

Commonwealth Bank Unity Gala 2025

On Friday 21 March, our principal partner, Commonwealth Bank, and its LGBTQIA+ and ally network,…

Scholar Welcome QLD 2026

We are grateful to our Gold Partner Allens for generously hosting our Pinnacle event last Thursday. It…

Louise Fisher and Peter Maher

Louise and Peter have been involved with The Pinnacle Foundation and have generously sponsored the…

TasPride 2026

What an incredible weekend in Hobart! The Pinnacle Foundation’s Tasmanian committee was out in full…

“The art of changing lives”

A gift made possible by two of South Australia’s most significant arts figures is changing…

Georg Tamm

Georg Tamm

Tell us a little about your journey and how you became involved with The Pinnacle…

Partners’ Dinner 2025 – VIC

On Wednesday night, our gold partner, King & Wood Mallesons generously hosted our annual Melbourne…

The Mardi Gras Parade 2026

What an incredible Mardi Gras experience for The Pinnacle Foundation! This year’s float was filled…

Partners’ Dinner 2023 – Melbourne

On Wednesday night, The Pinnacle Foundation, Australia’s LGBTQIA+ education charity, hosted its annual partners’ dinner…

Rose

Renae Papalexiou

Tell us a little about your journey and how you became involved with The Pinnacle…

Isabella Kotasek

Isabella (Izzy) Kotasek

Tell us a little about your journey and how you became involved with The Pinnacle…

Midsumma Pride March 2024

Over the weekend The Pinnacle Foundation’s Victorian Committee joined with scholars, alumni and partner reps…

End Of Year 2025 – QLD

A heartfelt thank you to our gold partner, KPMG, for so generously hosting our end-of-year event…

Cornerstone members’ dinner 2024

A Night of Tears, Cheers, and a Million Reasons to Celebrate! Last night was pure…

Mardi Gras & World Pride 2023

Truly a night to remember. The Pinnacle Foundation marched in the Sydney Gay and Lesbian…

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…

Nic Steepe

Nic Steepe

Nic’s journey with The Pinnacle Foundation has come full circle – he began as a…

Odette Maher

Every year we receive inspiring and outstanding applications from young LGBTIQ+ Australians all around the…

Scholar Welcome 2026 – VIC

A heartfelt thank you to our Gold Partner Allens for generously hosting Pinnacle’s Scholar Welcome in Melbourne…

TasPride 2024

Over the weekend The Pinnacle Foundation family in Tasmania proudly marched at TasPride. Our Tasmanian…

Murray Gatt

Murray Gatt

Tell us a little about your journey and how you became involved with The Pinnacle…

Jacinta Clark

Jacinta Clark was welcomed into the Pinnacle family in 2018 as one of our scholars….

Caiti Galwey

We have just welcomed our new scholars for 2022 and we are so inspired by…

Crown Pride Luncheon 2025 – Melbourne

On Friday 20 June, The Pinnacle Foundation was the charity beneficiary for the inaugural Crown…

Lili Murtagh

Lili Murtagh

Tell us a little about your journey and how you became involved with The Pinnacle…

EOFY – TAS 2026

A heartfelt thank you to our gold partner KPMG for hosting our End of Financial Year event…

Scholar Welcome 2025 – WA

Last night in Perth, we had the very great pleasure of introducing eight new WA…

Partners’ Dinner 2023 – Sydney

Last night in Sydney, at our annual partners’ dinner, we thanked our corporate and philanthropic…

Brisbane Pride Festival March 2021

After the uncertainty of the last eighteen months, The Pinnacle Foundation’s Queensland committee seized the…

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 2026 – WA

A heartfelt thank you to our Gold Partner Allensfor generously hosting our Scholar Welcome event…

The Hon Michael Kirby AC CMG and Jason Ma

Pinnacle Foundation scholar, Jason Ma, invited our patron and Cornerstone donor, the Hon Michael Kirby…

End of Year Fundraiser 2023 – ACT

The ACT Committee’s End of Year Cocktail Fundraiser was an absolute blast, filled with joy,…

Scholar Welcome 2023 – WA

On the 25th of March, we welcomed incoming and returning  scholars and their mentors in Western…

Fair Day 2026

What an incredible day at Fair Day over the weekend! The NSW Committee had a…

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…

End of Year Fundraiser 2023 – VIC

This week in Melbourne, KPMG set the stage for a heartwarming evening as they hosted…

WA Bingo Night 2024

What a night! Huge thanks to everyone who made the WA Committee’s Bingo Night at…

LGBTQIA+ Executive Fellowship

The inaugural LGBTQIA+ Executive Fellowship, a one-week intensive executive leadership program developed by The University of…

VIC EOFY Event 2025

Last week, we were delighted to gather with our partners and supporters in Melbourne for…

Leann Duff – Pinnacle alumnus

Tell us a little about your journey and how you became involved with The Pinnacle…

Adelaide Cabaret Festival 2025

The SA Committee had a truly memorable night last Thursday, connecting with our wonderful South…

Scholar Welcome 2025 – VIC

A heartfelt thank you to our gold partner Allens for so graciously welcoming us at…

Beyond the Rainbow

Watch Devon Esper, Lead Author of WPP’s global research, “Beyond the Rainbow – An investigation…

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…

young men at the beach

Article posted in the Star Observer (August 17, 2020)

Philip Comans graduated in the 1970s when tertiary degrees were free for students in Australia….

CBA Unity Gala 2026

On Friday evening, our principal partner, Commonwealth Bank, through its Unity LGBTQIA+ and ally network,…

Brenda Appleton

Trans Day of Visibility

Trans Day of Visibility is an annual international celebration of transgender pride and awareness, recognising…

Scholar Welcome 2023 – Victoria

On the evening of 21st March, The Pinnacle Foundation welcomed its incoming and returning scholars…

Scholar Welcome 2024 – SA

Last Thursday night the SA Committee hosted our Scholars Welcome event at the Treasury, generously…

“I Was Born This Way”

The Pinnacle Foundation was delighted to be the chosen charity to our bronze partner, Morgan…

The Honourable Justice Thomas Bradley

The Honourable Justice Thomas Bradley shares with us why he decided to become a Pinnacle…

Nathan Li

Nathan joined the Pinnacle family in 2012 as one of our scholars and his journey…

Tailor tertiary scholarships for marginalised students

Multi-year scholarships are now open to First Nations applicants who identify as LGBTQIA+ and considering…

James Holland

James Holland

Tell us a little about your journey and how you became involved with The Pinnacle…

Scholar Welcome 2026 – NSW

A heartfelt thank you to our Gold Partner Allens for generously hosting Pinnacle’s Scholar Welcome in Sydney…

Midsumma Carnival Day – VIC

The Pinnacle Foundation’s scholars, mentors and volunteer Victorian Committee were at Midsumma Festival’s Carnival. It was…

Mardi Gras 2024

The Pinnacle family proudly danced its way up Oxford Street in the 2024 Mardi Gras…

ben

Ben Bjarnesen

What inspired you to become involved with The Pinnacle Foundation? Growing up I didn’t have…

Out For Australia 30 Under 30 Award

Congratulations!   We at The Pinnacle Foundation would like to congratulate everyone who has been awarded…

Mardi Gras 2021

The Pinnacle Foundation participated in our first ever #SydneyMardiGras and what an amazing night it…

EOFY – ACT 2026

A huge thank you to our gold partner KPMG for hosting our EOFY Trivia event in Canberra…

Rhian Mordaunt

Rhian Mordaunt

Tell us a little about your journey and how you became involved with The Pinnacle…

Scholar Welcome 2022

The Pinnacle Foundation family has welcomed incoming scholarship recipients and their mentors in five states…

Profile: Anon (he/him) – Pinnacle alumnus

Tell us a little about your journey and how you became involved with The Pinnacle…

Andrew Staite

Andrew Staite on Joy Radio

Andrew Staite, the CEO and Managing Director of The Pinnacle Foundation, was interviewed on Joy…

Scholar Welcome 2024 – QLD

Last week, The Pinnacle Foundation welcomed its incoming and returning scholars in Queensland at a…

Lorraine Hall

Lorraine Hall

Lorraine Hall has been a valued mentor at the Pinnacle Foundation for nearly four years,…

Professor Jennifer Westacott AC, Patron of The Pinnacle Foundation

Professor Jennifer Westacott AC shares her thoughts about the importance of the Pinnacle program.