The Remarkables

The McGrath Foundation is widely associated with the Pink Test and the prominent display of pink during the Australian cricket season. However, beyond these charitable events, a dedicated team of Cancer Care Nurses works diligently to ensure that every woman diagnosed with breast cancer receives support and care from the moment of diagnosis. These professionals provide consistent guidance and compassion throughout each patient's journey. Throughout this chat, Tracy discusses the journey of the Foundation, what her most memorable moment has been and what’s still to come for cancer care across Australia. Have you subscribed to our newsletter?⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Keep up to date with the latest developments in accounting, tax and consulting delivered directly to your inbox every fortnight.

Welcome back to our Best of The Remarkables series! Our people and our broader community continue to inspire us, and this series is our way of revisiting what remarkable looks like beyond our firm’s walls. We hope you enjoy this highlight from one of our previous remarkable conversations with Jessica Fox. Listen to the full episode here: https://www.grantthornton.com.au/insights/audio/jessica-fox-reaches-for-remarkable-in-paris/

Australia is on the cusp of a major wealth transfer, alongside profound personal loss. Resulting demographic shifts and changing family structures make early planning conversations more important than ever. Herekind combines education and technology to help people navigate the complex and costly process of identifying assets, settling liabilities and closing accounts. Recognising the emotional weight of this time still requires a human touch, they also offer a bereavement concierge service. Have you subscribed to our newsletter?⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Keep up to date with the latest developments in accounting, tax and consulting delivered directly to your inbox every fortnight.

In recognition of International Day of People with Disabilities, we chat with Dylan Alcott on The Remarkables. From winning four Paralympic gold medals to giving back to the community through philanthropy, acting and as a successful author of both a biography and kids books series, Dylan Alcott continues to pave the way and inspire young people living with disabilities. His goal is to see a world where disability is normalised – something he is achieving one career move at a time. So how is he showcasing the importance of representation and what would younger Dylan be most proud of today? Have you subscribed to our newsletter?⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Keep up to date with the latest developments in accounting, tax and consulting delivered directly to your inbox every fortnight.

TRACTION For Young People is a not-for-profit organisation striving to make a real difference to young Australians aged between 12-15 who may be at risk of disengaging from school. The organisation provides hands-on learning through projects like building bikes and boomboxes, providing an alternative learning experience where young people reconnect with education to build confidence.  So far, TRACTION has helped over 3,000 young people, delivered almost 115,000 hours of mentoring and donated nearly 2,200 bicycles to young people – but what more can be done to help young people remain engaged in learning and brightening their future? Have you subscribed to our newsletter?⁠⁠⁠⁠ Keep up to date with the latest developments in accounting, tax and consulting delivered directly to your inbox every fortnight.

For Kim Crane and Richard Fox, paddling is so much more than a sport – it’s a lifestyle and driver of community, with the water being a place to switch off and unwind. Both are passionate about making the sport more accessible, so anyone, anywhere can experience the tranquillity of being on the water.  With the 2025 ICF World Championships fast approaching, how do they see the legacy of this event alongside the runway to the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games? Have you subscribed to our newsletter?⁠⁠⁠ Keep up to date with the latest developments in accounting, tax and consulting delivered directly to your inbox every fortnight.

Dogs play a vital role in our communities – from assisting with farm work to detecting threats at airports, and much more in between. At Delta Therapy Dogs, trained volunteers and carefully assessed therapy dogs bring comfort and connection to health, aged care, education, and community settings. Their mission is to make a meaningful difference in organisations and communities – one furry friend at a time. Volunteers are the backbone for an organisation like Delta Therapy Dogs – so who are they and how can someone become involved?  Throughout this chat, Debbie speaks about how Delta Therapy Dogs started, positive stories that have stayed with her and what’s next for the organisation.  Have you subscribed to our newsletter?⁠⁠ Keep up to date with the latest developments in accounting, tax and consulting delivered directly to your inbox every fortnight.

Businesses in Australia are currently preparing for mandatory sustainability reporting where they will be required to collate correct information and report on their processes and controls around their sustainability data to support disclosures. The UN Global Compact is helping organisations prepare for these changes – with 25,000 corporations globally across 170 countries already signed up and committed to sustainable business practices. They support businesses with aligning their strategy and operations to the Ten Principles, covering human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption.   Dr Evan Center discusses what the UN Global Compact sets out to achieve, how organisations can get involved and how the Not For Profit helps drive positive change for Australia in reaching climate targets. Have you subscribed to our newsletter?⁠ Keep up to date with the latest developments in accounting, tax and consulting delivered directly to your inbox every fortnight.

In this Pride Month episode of The Remarkables, we sit down with Ben Bjarnesen – a police officer, educator and campaigner – to understand his journey and community impact. In this episode, Ben discusses his personal story, how workplaces can better support LGBTQIA+ people who are experiencing family and intimate partner violence, and his greatest achievement working in this space. Have you subscribed to our newsletter? Keep up to date with the latest developments in accounting, tax and consulting delivered directly to your inbox every fortnight.

A quarter of young Australians decide to stop playing sport by the age of 15, with girls more likely to drop out than boys. However, Holly Bailey wasn't going to let this statistic deter her from competing. As a passionate advocate for gender equality in sport and leadership, Holly founded Play Like a Girl. After being told she ‘threw like a dude,’ Holly was determined to show that playing like a girl was something to be proud of. Her mission is to change the narrative and inspire girls to continue playing sports beyond their teenage years. 🔎Want to learn more about Grant Thornton? ⁠⁠Click here.⁠⁠ 🎧Want to listen to more of our podcasts? ⁠⁠Click here.⁠⁠ 🎧Follow The Remarkables on ⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠Spotify⁠ Holly Bailey's LinkedIn Jessica Fox's LinkedIn

The Grant Thornton Foundation welcomed RizeUp and Women’s Resilience Centre as national partners, further strengthening the established relationships with headspace and Special Olympics Australia. With the Australian Government reporting that 11.3 per cent of Australian adults have experienced violence from a partner and 7 per cent from another family member, organisations like RizeUp and Women’s Resilience Centre are critical in creating a more supportive and safer community. So, how are these organisations striving to change the statistics and uncover and support the invisible population who aren’t reporting? 🔎Want to learn more about Grant Thornton? ⁠Click here.⁠ 🎧Want to listen to more of our podcasts? ⁠Click here.⁠ 🎧Follow The Remarkables on ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠ or ⁠Spotify⁠ Katherine Shamai's LinkedIn Nicolle Edward's LinkedIn Simone Allan's LinkedIn Dr Gabrielle Morrissey's LinkedIn

Corey Tutt is a Kamilaroi man from Nowra, NSW, Founder and CEO of DeadlyScience – an organisation striving to create STEM equity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander learners. From facing challenges and adversity as a child to being awarded 2020 NSW Young Australian of the Year and an Order of Australia medal in 2022, he has had an extensive career in STEM, including a role as a Zookeeper. Corey and his team want First Nations children to find the same passion for the sector, and are on a mission to foster the next generation of STEM leaders.  🔎Want to learn more about Grant Thornton? Click here. 🎧Want to listen to more of our podcasts? Click here. 🎧Follow The Remarkables on Apple Podcasts or Spotify A/Prof Corey Tutt OAM's LinkedIn

After an extensive career in management consulting, Ifrin Fittock began volunteering at SisterWorks – a not-for-profit social enterprise that helps refugee and migrant women achieve economic empowerment by providing job opportunities. Years later, she is now the CEO of the organisation, striving to ensure that women can participate economically and gain the confidence to stand on their own two feet. What drives her and the team every day is the generosity and gratitude from the women who participate in the programs. 🔎Want to learn more about Grant Thornton? Click here. 🎧Want to listen to more of our podcasts? Click here. 🎧Follow The Remarkables on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Ifrin Fittock's LinkedIn

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, there are 5.5 million people living with a disability in Australia. For Sharon Xabregas, she was born deaf and upon entering the workforce, Sharon found herself in environments that didn’t meet her needs.  This experience inspired her to create change for future generations in the Auslan community by founding Sign Hear: a deaf-owned organisation providing support to families and individuals who are Deaf or hard of hearing. Sign Hear partners with other businesses helping create inclusive workplaces for employees who are faced with difficulty hearing. 🔎Want to learn more about Grant Thornton? Click here. 🎧Want to listen to more of our podcasts? Click here. 🎧Follow The Remarkables on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Sharon Xabregas' LinkedIn

Jedess Hudson, a talented artist and descendant of the Ewamian and Western Yalanji people of North Queensland, has also established herself as a prominent female business leader and role model. In 2023, she was honoured with the Indigenous Business Women of the Year award in Cairns. She draws on her home and elements of the land, seasons, flora and fauna to create artwork that connects to a story. Jedess wants her artwork to resonate with people, encouraging them to find personal meaning, as she feels a profound connection to her community. 🔎Want to learn more about Grant Thornton? Click here. 🎧Want to listen to more of our podcasts? Click here. 🎧Follow The Remarkables on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Jedess Hudson's LinkedIn

Rochelle Courtenay founded Share The Dignity in 2015 after reading an article about the 48,000 women in Australia who lacked a safe place to call home and access to sanitary products. Since then, she has been tirelessly working to end period poverty in Australia. The advocacy group achieved a significant milestone in 2018 by helping remove the tampon tax and now, they’re striving to ensure that businesses and hospitals offer free sanitary products to their staff, aiming to eliminate the stigma associated with periods. So, how can businesses and individuals join Rochelle and Share The Dignity in their mission to end period poverty?  🔎Want to learn more about Grant Thornton? Click here. 🎧Want to listen to more of our podcasts? Click here. 🎧Follow The Remarkables on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Rochelle Courtenay's LinkedIn

In this episode of The Remarkables, we chat to 10x Canoe Slalom World Champion and gold medallist Jess Fox about her achievements in Paris, how she uses social media, and what’s next on her journey.

In this episode, Abigail Forsythe, co-founder of KeepCup, chats to us about becoming a global symbol of sustainability, how the brand innovates in an increasingly eco conscious market, and the importance of understanding different market sustainability drivers and expectations.

Walk Free was founded by 2021 WA Young Australian of the Year, Grace Forrest, after working with child sex-trafficking victims in Nepal. In 2018, the organisation successfully campaigned to implement the Australian Modern Slavery Act and produces the Global Slavery Index to inform legislation around the world on this issue.  Walk Free uses the data collected for the Index to understand the scale of exploitation, where the findings are key to global efforts in eradicating modern slavery. So, how does Walk Free tangibly drive change with the data they collect and how can we help? 🔎Want to learn more about Grant Thornton? Click here. 🎧Want to listen to more of our podcasts? Click here. 🎧Follow The Remarkables on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Katharine Bryant's LinkedIn

Yalari is a not-for-profit organisation offering secondary education scholarships to Australian schools for Indigenous students. The organisation champions the value of education and nurtures an encouraging community for students to thrive in their studies. Founders Waverley Stanley and Llew Mullins believe education is a catalyst for generational change, committed to fostering a brighter future for Indigenous Australians. In 2023, Yalari had over 249 students on scholarships, and the founders remain driven to make a difference in the lives of each student – one opportunity at a time.  🔎Want to learn more about Grant Thornton? Click here. 🎧Want to listen to more of our podcasts? Click here. 🎧Follow The Remarkables on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Waverley Stanley's LinkedIn

She pursues excellence and reaches for remarkable in her training, community work and, most recently, as the new Brand Ambassador for Grant Thornton. When she’s not on the rapids, she is studying her MBA or helping her local community by mentoring the younger generations in sport. With Paris around the corner, how does she prepare for such an event? 🔎Want to learn more about Grant Thornton? Click here. 🎧Want to listen to more of our podcasts? Click here. 🎧Follow The Remarkables on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Jess Fox's LinkedIn

Simon Fenech’s life took an unexpected turn for the worse after a workplace injury. The General Manager of Fruit2Work went from having a family, home, and full-time job, to finding himself in prison, facing the daunting prospect of reintegration into society with a criminal record once completing his sentence. Today, he runs a company that helped him get his life back on track. Fruit2Work is a social enterprise offering employment opportunities to ex-offenders in fruit and milk packing for workplaces across Melbourne, Geelong, and now Brisbane.  🔎Want to learn more about Grant Thornton? Click here. 🎧Want to listen to more of our podcasts? Click here. 🎧Follow The Remarkables on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Simon Fenech's LinkedIn

The Grant Thornton Foundation, headspace, and Special Olympics Australia all strive to create inclusive, supportive environments in and out of the corporate landscape. So, what underpins their work, and how can the Grant Thornton Foundation help our charity partners continue to drive diversity, inclusion, and mental health initiatives throughout the community? 🔎Want to learn more about Grant Thornton? Click here. 🎧Want to listen to more of our podcasts? Click here. 🎧Follow The Remarkables on Apple Podcasts or Spotify John Picot's LinkedIn Christina Molina's LinkedIn Jennifer Lobb's LinkedIn Sean Douglas' LinkedIn

With growing concern for the environment and the implications of climate change, it’s important to consider how we can reduce our impact on the planet. As Clean Up Australia Day 2024 is just around the corner, we spoke with Jenny Geddes, CEO of Clean Up Australia, to discuss conservation in the current climate and how we can lead more sustainable lives to benefit future generations. 🔎Want to learn more about Grant Thornton? Click here. 🎧Want to listen to more of our podcasts? Click here. 🎧Follow The Remarkables on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Jenny Geddes' LinkedIn

Madeleine Little is a creative, performer and access consultant based in Brisbane. After finding her passion for the creative arts in school, Madeleine has forged a career in performing. Her role as an access consultant was inspired by her work in the disability sector, advising theatre production companies on accessibility requirements to enhance experiences for actors and audiences. So, why is disability representation in the arts so important, and how can we work towards a more inclusive world for all? 🔎Want to learn more about Grant Thornton? Click here. 🎧Want to listen to more of our podcasts? Click here. 🎧Follow The Remarkables on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Madeleine Little's LinkedIn

Amanda Goodfellow is a corporate meditation teacher, owner at Agile Mind, and a Grant Thornton alumnus teaching the corporate world how to slow down through mindfulness. Agile Mind’s mission is to ensure everyone has the knowledge and tools to experience the benefits of mindfulness and meditation in their everyday life. With studies showing a correlation between mindfulness and more positive mental health, Amanda is on a mission to ensure the corporate world is happy and energised. So, as we near the holiday season, what are the best tips to unwind and incorporate mindfulness into our lives? 🔎Want to learn more about Grant Thornton? Click here. 🎧Want to listen to more of our podcasts? Click here. 🎧Follow The Remarkables on Apple Podcasts or Spotify 🗒️Amanda Goodfellow's LinkedIn

Orange Sky is a not-for-profit organisation creating an inclusive environment for people who are living rough through providing access to laundry facilities and shower services. With the recent cost of living crisis and low housing stock, there is a growing demographic of hidden homelessness. World Homelessness Day is on 10 October – so how do we try to destigmatise homelessness, increase housing stock, and help people who are living rough? 🔎Want to learn more about Grant Thornton? Click here. 🎧Want to listen to more of our podcasts? Click here. 🎧Follow The Remarkables on Apple Podcasts or Spotify 🗒️Lucas Patchett's LinkedIn 🗒️Rebecca Archer's LinkedIn

“You don't have to be the most outgoing, loud, confident person to create change in the world”. This is a statement that cofounder of PROJECT ROCKIT, Rosie Thomas, stands by after witnessing acts of bullying during school. Since then, Rosie and her sister Lucy have been making a stance against bullying by delivering evidence-based programs about the negative impact persecution can have on young people. As a result of their national programs, they’ve helped thousands of young students create a kinder world.  🔎Want to learn more about Grant Thornton? Click here. 🎧Want to listen to more of our podcasts? Click here. 🎧Follow The Remarkables on Apple Podcasts or Spotify 🎧Lucy Thomas' TEDx Talk 🗒️Rosie Thomas' LinkedIn 🗒️Rebecca Archer's LinkedIn

International Youth Day was celebrated on Saturday 12 August with this year’s theme being ‘Towards a sustainable future’. While we always hear about future issues facing the world as adults, we wanted to know what the kids of Grant Thornton see as the biggest issues and how we can solve them. While we were eager to hear their thoughts about the future, we couldn’t miss the opportunity to ask them what remarkable means in their life. 🔎Want to learn more about Grant Thornton? Click here. 🎧Want to listen to more of our podcasts? Click here. 🎧Follow The Remarkables on Apple Podcasts or Spotify 🗒️Rebecca Archer's LinkedIn

Bec Brideson began her remarkable career in communications and has worked across multinational agencies in Melbourne, Sydney and New Zealand. Her own experiences in the workforce drove her desire to teach the corporate world about the power of seeing business through a gender lens. 🔎Want to learn more about Grant Thornton? Click here. 🎧Want to listen to more of our podcasts? Click here. 🎧Follow The Remarkables on Apple Podcasts or Spotify 💻Find out more about Bec Brideson’s businesses, bridesonbennett.co and becbrideson.com. 🗒️Rebecca Archer's LinkedIn 🗒️Bec Brideson's LinkedIn

After losing a close friend to suicide, TradeMutt cofounders Dan Allen and Ed Ross were driven to reduce the rate of blue-collar suicides in Australia through their bright and vibrant workwear. While pivoting from tradespeople to workwear apparel was a learning curve for them, the challenge hasn’t stopped the duo from continuing to do remarkable work. Since starting TradeMutt, they’ve gone on to cofound TIACS (This is a Conversation Starter) which is run using 50 per cent of the profits from TradeMutt workwear sales, offering a text and call service where tradies can access mental health counselling for free.  🔎Want to learn more about Grant Thornton? Click here. 🎧Want to listen to more of our podcasts? Click here. 🎧Follow The Remarkables on Apple Podcasts or Spotify 💻Find out more about TradeMutt here 💻Find out more about TIACS here 🗒️Rebecca Archer's LinkedIn 🗒️Dan Allen's LinkedIn

Art is a way of exploring different ideas separate from reality and, for Rachael Sarra, it allows her to feel strong connections with ancestors and culture. After realising there was demand for her creative work in the public realm, Rachael has managed to start and grow a business through a strong sense of self and being selective with external partnerships – all part of the formula for commercial success in her eyes.

Access to information is endless, with abundant advice around parenting and caregiving on the internet and in books. So, how do you know what advice to follow? The Circle In founders believe that information is only one piece of the puzzle, with managers playing a critical role in supporting their team to feel listened to throughout their career.

Doctors Gareth and Richard attempted to be the first polar explorers to complete the longest fully unsupported ski crossing of Antarctica. Though they fell short of their incredible goal, the pair have plenty of stories to tell about their tenacity and comradery on the ice. Their journey started amongst an emperor penguin colony, but for most of the expedition they rarely saw any other living organisms.

In a world where Australian businesses are preparing for Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) reporting to ramp up, Conservation Capital are one step ahead of the game – they are market leaders when it comes to preserving natural resources through implementing sustainable business practices. Frances Carter has always been passionate about sustainability and the environment, and today she helps clients at Conservation Capital understand the importance of commercial conservation and why it is their responsibility to be corporate stewards.

As founder and CEO of ID. Know Yourself, Isaiah has created a positive environment for Aboriginal children in out-of-home-care by giving them a place to connect with their culture, and form friendships outside of their home life. Isaiah is determined to inspire every child who is part of this wonderful community where he wants to excite them about what the future holds.

With the Antarctic Treaty expiring in just over 20 years and current global conflict, a question mark remains over the future of this remarkable place. In this episode, we explore projects led by the Foundation, the independent research currently being conducted, and how businesses can do more to ensure the future growth and protection of Antarctica.

Designed to celebrate place, Chrysalis Projects employs the creative workforce, energises local businesses, and reconnects the community – one project at a time. In this episode, they share stories about how their work has impacted the local community, their passion for the creative sector, and a new perspective on making art in the public realm.

Dr Retamal shares her insights into how we can avoid, reduce, reuse and recycle and advocates for a future where consumers, industry and government all work together to create a greener and healthier planet for all of us.

In our second episode of The Remarkables podcast, we meet exercise physiologists and co-founders of Be Physiology, Aj Morris, Harry White and Brittney Kenward. In this episode, the trio share stories about people they work with, what drives them to do what they do and how we can better educate ourselves about disability.

In our first episode, we meet Drs Gareth Andrews and Richard Stephenson from The Last Great First, who in October will attempt to become the first polar explorers to complete a fully unsupported ski crossing of Antarctica. Their expedition will push boundaries of what’s humanly possible and is an opportunity to collect critical data for climate scientists and inspire younger generations. They talk about their journey to get to this point, how they will prepare, and what a day in the life of a polar explorer looks like.

Grant Thornton’s new podcast that seeks to uncover stories about remarkable people doing incredible things for their community, bettering the world for future generations and inspiring others to do the same.