The Community Advocate Sat, 07 Mar 2026 14:21:21 -0500 https://www.communitydirectors.com.au/news en-au © 2026 Institute of Community Directors Australia yes 919f7580-d747-5fc5-986f-9629b896e95e Institute of Community Directors Australia episodic false Conversations with not-for-profit leaders and thinkers.

]]> Buzzsprout (https://www.buzzsprout.com) community, nfp, governance, nfp leaders, nfp leadership, leadership, community directors, community advocate, advocate Institute of Community Directors Australia https://storage.buzzsprout.com/967pck65b60y9jesjl6007mgfvfc?.jpg The Community Advocate https://www.communitydirectors.com.au/news Ray Martin delivers the 2025 Joan Kirner Social Justice Oration Ray Martin delivers the 2025 Joan Kirner Social Justice Oration Victoria has created history as the first Australian state to sign a treaty with First Nations people. The landmark moment comes days after media legend Ray Martin gave a powerful address at the annual Joan Kirner Social Oration on governments’ repeated failures to face up to the true horror of colonisation.

Martin, who discovered his own Indigenous heritage in the 90s with his great-great-grandmother being a member of the Kamilaroi nation, has been a passionate advocate for a better deal for Australia’s first peoples.

He spoke at the State Library of Victoria before an audience of not-for-profit leaders, and was introduced by Carol Schwartz, Australia business leader and chair of Community Directors’ parent company, Our Community. 

The Joan Kirner Social Justice Oration has been held each year since 2011 to commemorate the works of Victoria's first female premier. 

Become an Institute of Community Directors Australia member (free) to receive all of our news reports and the latest guidance for not-for-profit leaders. 

]]> Victoria has created history as the first Australian state to sign a treaty with First Nations people. The landmark moment comes days after media legend Ray Martin gave a powerful address at the annual Joan Kirner Social Oration on governments’ repeated failures to face up to the true horror of colonisation.

Martin, who discovered his own Indigenous heritage in the 90s with his great-great-grandmother being a member of the Kamilaroi nation, has been a passionate advocate for a better deal for Australia’s first peoples.

He spoke at the State Library of Victoria before an audience of not-for-profit leaders, and was introduced by Carol Schwartz, Australia business leader and chair of Community Directors’ parent company, Our Community. 

The Joan Kirner Social Justice Oration has been held each year since 2011 to commemorate the works of Victoria's first female premier. 

Become an Institute of Community Directors Australia member (free) to receive all of our news reports and the latest guidance for not-for-profit leaders. 

]]> Institute of Community Directors Australia Buzzsprout-18103405 Fri, 31 Oct 2025 10:00:00 +1100 2995 bonus false Act for Kids CEO Dr Katrina Lines. Act for Kids CEO Dr Katrina Lines. In this edition of the Community Advocate podcast, CEO of child support charity Act For Kids, Dr Katrina Lines, talks about the upheaval in the nations childcare system, following disturbing revelations of alleged sexual abuse of children.  

]]> In this edition of the Community Advocate podcast, CEO of child support charity Act For Kids, Dr Katrina Lines, talks about the upheaval in the nations childcare system, following disturbing revelations of alleged sexual abuse of children.  

]]> Institute of Community Directors Australia Buzzsprout-17459305 Mon, 07 Jul 2025 13:00:00 +1000 925 full false Greg Thom Kriya Ferrari talks about the role art can play in fostering better mental health. Kriya Ferrari talks about the role art can play in fostering better mental health. In this Community Advocate podcast, we chat with mental health practitioner Kriya Ferrari, to talk about how creative programs such as a very special art exhibition at a gallery in Melbourne is supporting mental health.   

]]> In this Community Advocate podcast, we chat with mental health practitioner Kriya Ferrari, to talk about how creative programs such as a very special art exhibition at a gallery in Melbourne is supporting mental health.   

]]> Institute of Community Directors Australia Buzzsprout-17428991 Tue, 01 Jul 2025 19:00:00 +1000 1192 full false Sue Woodward, Commissioner, ACNC, speaks about the latest Charities Report Sue Woodward, Commissioner, ACNC, speaks about the latest Charities Report Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) Commissioner Sue Woodward – in conversation with Institute of Community Directors Australia journalist Matthew Schulz – delves into the findings of the eleventh Charities Report. Woodward discusses a spike in charity registrations, the value of a  workforce now comprising nearly 11% of the total, how the $222b revenue pie is sliced, and trends in donations, volunteering and productivity. 

Become an Institute of Community Directors Australia member (free) to receive all of our news reports and the latest guidance for not-for-profit leaders. 

]]> Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) Commissioner Sue Woodward – in conversation with Institute of Community Directors Australia journalist Matthew Schulz – delves into the findings of the eleventh Charities Report. Woodward discusses a spike in charity registrations, the value of a  workforce now comprising nearly 11% of the total, how the $222b revenue pie is sliced, and trends in donations, volunteering and productivity. 

Become an Institute of Community Directors Australia member (free) to receive all of our news reports and the latest guidance for not-for-profit leaders. 

]]> Institute of Community Directors Australia Buzzsprout-17379414 Mon, 23 Jun 2025 13:00:00 +1000 1434 full false Alison Covington, founder and managing director of Good360 Alison Covington, founder and managing director of Good360 Good360 founder and managing director, Alison Covington, talks about a new report from Deloitte Access Economics which reveals a staggering $4.5 billion of brand new, unsold goods go to waste every year in Australia – goods such as hygiene products, clothing and homewares that instead could be directed to people in need. 

]]> Good360 founder and managing director, Alison Covington, talks about a new report from Deloitte Access Economics which reveals a staggering $4.5 billion of brand new, unsold goods go to waste every year in Australia – goods such as hygiene products, clothing and homewares that instead could be directed to people in need. 

]]> Institute of Community Directors Australia Buzzsprout-17245316 Thu, 29 May 2025 14:00:00 +1000 783 full false Chris Christofi, homeless advocate. Chris Christofi, homeless advocate. After seven consecutive years taking part in Vinnies’ annual CEO Sleepout — and raising more than $1 million to support Australians experiencing homelessness — philanthropist and real estate entrepreneur Chris Christofi isn’t done yet.

]]> After seven consecutive years taking part in Vinnies’ annual CEO Sleepout — and raising more than $1 million to support Australians experiencing homelessness — philanthropist and real estate entrepreneur Chris Christofi isn’t done yet.

]]> Institute of Community Directors Australia Buzzsprout-17230294 Tue, 27 May 2025 11:00:00 +1000 849 3 full false Fiona Patten, Legalise Cannabis Party Fiona Patten, Legalise Cannabis Party Veteran politician Fiona Patten knows what it takes to win in politics, having achieved a string of progressive social reforms as a former Victorian MLC and leader of the Australian Sex Party, later renamed Reason Australia.

Known as both pragmatic and principled, Patten has returned to the fray as a federal Senate candidate for the Legalise Cannabis Party.

Her latest campaign follows her recovery from three types of cancer in just two years, and builds on a legacy of political victories, including passing voluntary assisted dying legislation, decriminalising sex work, criminal records reform, legalising ride sharing, and ensuring safe access zones near women’s reproductive health clinics.

Speaking to the Institute of Community Directors Australia (ICDA),  Patten shared her knowledge of the inner workings of parliaments, and explained how not-for-profits (NFPs) could better engage with politics.

]]> Veteran politician Fiona Patten knows what it takes to win in politics, having achieved a string of progressive social reforms as a former Victorian MLC and leader of the Australian Sex Party, later renamed Reason Australia.

Known as both pragmatic and principled, Patten has returned to the fray as a federal Senate candidate for the Legalise Cannabis Party.

Her latest campaign follows her recovery from three types of cancer in just two years, and builds on a legacy of political victories, including passing voluntary assisted dying legislation, decriminalising sex work, criminal records reform, legalising ride sharing, and ensuring safe access zones near women’s reproductive health clinics.

Speaking to the Institute of Community Directors Australia (ICDA),  Patten shared her knowledge of the inner workings of parliaments, and explained how not-for-profits (NFPs) could better engage with politics.

]]> Institute of Community Directors Australia Buzzsprout-17206922 Thu, 22 May 2025 11:00:00 +1000 1452 2 full false Katherine Raskob, CEO Fundraising Institute of Australia Katherine Raskob, CEO Fundraising Institute of Australia In this podcast with the Community Advocate, Fundraising Institute of Australia CEO, Katherine Raskob discusses the not-for-profit and charity sector capability gap, and what needs to be done to increase the skills of fundraisers.

]]> In this podcast with the Community Advocate, Fundraising Institute of Australia CEO, Katherine Raskob discusses the not-for-profit and charity sector capability gap, and what needs to be done to increase the skills of fundraisers.

]]> Institute of Community Directors Australia Buzzsprout-17165599 Thu, 15 May 2025 14:00:00 +1000 1262 1 1 full false