by Brychan Hawker
With Darling Harbour as the back drop, DEFGLIS members attended the 2012 Pinnacle Foundation Scholarship Awards, rubbing shoulders with inspirational community figures Hon Michael Kirby and Prof Kerryn Phelps.
On Friday 24 February 2012, I was privileged to attend this event with Stuart O’Brien, David Brook and Neal Fischer. Many would not know what the Pinnacle Foundation does, who they represent or just how hard they work in supporting the community to create our future leaders.
The Pinnacle Foundation was established to provide scholarships to LGBTIQ youth who are marginalised or disadvantaged to assist with further education costs. It was set up by a group of friends who saw a big need in the LGBTIQ community that was not being addressed. It was a very moving night, listening to the scholar recipients talk about their stories; speaking positively about how they felt to be awarded a scholarship and for some, the unfortunate sad stories that far too many people in our community have and do continue to face.
To hear these amazing and inspiring young people talk was heartwarming, and its good to know that organisations like the Pinnacle Foundation are making such a massive difference to the lives of young people. The Pinnacle Foundation is lucky enough to have Prof Kerryn Phelps AM, and the amazing The Hon Michael Kirby AC CMG as patrons, who brought such an immense presence to the room and it was an honor to just be in their presence. Prof Kerryn Phelps has been inspirational in the medical world being elected Federal President of the Australian Medical Association in May 2000. Her work within the LBGTIQ community has been instrumental focusing on public health and human rights. Hon Michael Kirby was the longest serving judge in the Australian High Court when he retired in February 2009. Since he came out in 1999, he continues to influence gay civil rights and human rights.
Overall the night was very inspirational and if anyone is thinking about donating to The Pinnacle Foundation, I highly recommend it. To see the happy faces of the scholarship winners and talk to them personally, you can see that this is one cause that is making a difference to our community and young people of Australia.
For further information, visit: www.thepinnaclefoundation.org.