The Wayfinder Podcast - Yellow Edge | Performance Architects - Canberra Australia

In this episode, Scarlet and Andrew Simon speak with Churchill Fellow, Donna Purcell who’s journey is a testament to the power of inclusion and the potential for change in the employment landscape for people with disabilities. While representing the Australian Network on Disability at a global forum in Geneva, she embarked on a mission to gather the world's best practices for fostering workplace diversity. From visiting Microsoft in Seattle to exploring initiatives in New York, London, France, and Switzerland, Purcell discovered innovative strategies that champion inclusivity. Her key insights revolve around strong leadership, inclusive policies, and the critical role of tracking progress to drive meaningful change.

In this episode, Scarlet speaks with Tim McLennan, a Churchill Fellow and clinical rehabilitation engineer based at Fiona Stanley Hospital in Perth, Western Australia. Tim's journey into the world of assistive technology was profoundly influenced by a life-altering experience. Tim's story is one of personal transformation and a deep commitment to making a difference in the lives of those who have faced adversity. He specialises in innovative assistive technology, a field that aims to enhance the independence and quality of life for individuals with disabilities.

In this episode, Scarlet speaks with Kon Karapanagiotidis, a Churchill Fellow, CEO and Founder of the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre (ASRC). Established in 2001, the ASRC stands as a testament to his visionary aspiration to ‘create a place of home and welcome where no one was turned away.’

In this episode Scarlet speaks with Churchill Fellow Carly Davenport Acker who works as a cultural intermediary to safeguard and facilitate access of art, stories and knowledge of Indigenous creators and elders. Carly has an extensive background working with not-for-profit education and commercial sectors to engage with Indigenous individuals, communities, and organisations around the world.

In this episode Scarlet speaks with Churchill Fellow Alpha Cheng about how he found his voice for advocacy after the sudden and violent loss of his father. Alpha’s father Curtis Cheng was killed in a terrorist attack in 2015. Alpha shares with us how he chooses to messages of hope over hate, full in the knowledge that his, and stories like his, have the power to change communities and policies.

In this episode Scarlet has a conversation with Churchill Fellow Peter Cursley about his work in creating the Newborn Intensive Care Foundation, which so far has raised over $4 million for the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Canberra Hospital.

Meet Julie Morrison who, alongside dogs Lucy and Kiki support victims of crimes in Victoria through the Office of Public Prosecutions.Julie, who had worked with support dogs in both hospitals and schools, thought, why not in the justice system? Though similar programs exist in other countries, such as the United States and Canada, there was nothing in Australia. Julie changed this. Overcoming roadblocks and challenges along the way, Julie now runs the ‘Court Dog’ program through the OPP. They play a powerful role assisting victims through deeply challenging moments, and supporting justice procedures. Julie is currently looking to expand the program both in terms of the amount of services they can provide (as dogs!) as well as into other jurisdictions across Australia. Learn about Julie’s story and the wonderful work she does in this first episode of The Wayfinder Podcast. Visit Julie Morrison’s Churchill Trust Project Page here.