Conversation with Sue Thomson, award-winning filmmaker who bravely tackles taboo topics in her work. She is deeply passionate about human rights and equality. 

Drawing on personal experience, Sue Thomson is creating CARELESS, a brand-new social impact solutions-led feature documentary, a universal story about everyday Australians growing old. It is an eye-opening journey that begins with the creation of Australia's residential care system and reveals how it has been undermined and slowly dismantled by powerful forces and extraordinary greed. Join us to hear more why this story must be told. 
Igniting Change proudly supported Sue's last film UNDER COVER, narrated by Margot Robbie, which shines a light on the devastating reality that women over 50 are the fastest growing cohort experiencing homelessness in Australia. 

PCYC provides a safe, nurturing space. It offers youth programs and workshops, in the company of good adult role models, who are assisting the young people to access education and to look after themselves. We hear time and time again that this wraparound support is the only thing that keeps these children off the streets and out of our justice system. Please join us to visit this organisation, running on the whiff of an oily rag, and meet the extraordinary team who provide a beacon of hope and space of safety for the entire community. 

Conversation with Jeremy Wiggins, CEO of Transcend Australia and Tom Snow, Founder of Equality Australia, Chair of Canberra Airport and Chair of Snow Medical Research Foundation

More than twenty years ago Jeremy transitioned. Now as the CEO of Transcend Australia, his personal journey uniquely positions him to positively impact the lives of others navigating similar paths. Join us to hear firsthand about his story and lived experience in conversation with Tom Snow, Founder of Equality Australia which protects the rights of LGBTIQ Australians. Tom was also founder and Co-Chair of the Equality Campaign which led and won the successful YES marriage equality postal plebiscite.

A home should be safe, nurturing, and a place to be yourself. Sadly, many young people in Melbourne don't experience this. In Australia, at least 122,000 people experience homelessness any given night, with young people aged 12-24 making up 24% of this group. Bridge It is breaking the cycle of homelessness by providing homes (not houses), community and support programs to young women leaving residential care, foster care or homelessness. 

"Without the support of Igniting Change and their family this incredible project would never have happened and we would love you to share our successes and aspirations for the future” Carla Raynes, CEO

Conversation with Brea Dorsett, Founder of Pink Leopard and Fiona Patten, Former Member of Parliament (2014 - 2022) who was pivotal in the decriminalisation of sex work through the inquiry she led.

Brea's wisdom and insights (aged 25) are gut-wrenching and extraordinary. Having grown up in Shepparton, she first experienced homelessness aged 12 and then again during Year 12. Succeeding against all the odds, she went onto university and moved to Melbourne, where she now works at HoMie. Brea is a proud sex worker. Brea and Fiona both believe that dignity, empowerment and opportunity should exist in the sex industry as it does in any other workplace. Join us to hear what it will take to make the world’s oldest profession safe and stigma-free. 

“Indeed, I may be the first former sex worker to be elected to a Parliament anywhere in this country although no doubt the clients of sex workers have been elected in much greater numbers before me.” Fiona Patten 

Despite one in three women around the world experiencing childhood sexual abuse, the issue remains un-talked about. Left Write Hook is a unique program offering a way for victim-survivors to heal by reclaiming both their body and mind, through boxing and creative writing. 

Igniting Change and the Decjuba Foundation invite you to come and meet Dr Donna Lyon; academic, boxer, survivor; and Founder of Left Write Hook. Together we will be shown an exclusive clip of the Left Write Hook documentary, ahead of its official release at Melbourne Film Festival later this year, and we will listen to a conversation between Donna, Jane Tewson and Tania Austin, Founder and Owner of Decjuba, about the content of the film and its story. 

In Australia, 1 in 8 adults and 1 in 6 children do not have access to essential clothing. And yet the fashion industry is the second biggest global contributor to carbon emissions, not least because a third of new clothes go straight to landfill. Thread Together partner with the fashion industry to collect end of line brand-new clothing apparel and shoes, in order to provide these items without judgement and with dignity to people doing it tough, all across Australia. We're passionate about their work and their approach - join us to see its magic firsthand.

Every community needs a PCYC.  A youth-driven hub around the corner providing connection for everyone it serves through arts, sports, employment and joy. Their spirit is unmatched. Igniting Change have walked alongside PCYC in St Kilda for over a decade, and remain in awe of their unwavering commitment and impact. Come and feel it with us.

At Igniting Change we are proud to walk alongside people who refuse to accept the unacceptable and Jane Rowe is no exception. As a drug and alcohol counsellor, she recognised the lack of support for children with a parent who has died from a drug overdose and their kinship carers who are now raising them. Join Jane and Jane to learn more about Mirabel and how it is addressing these challenges head on.  
Jane in conversation with Jane Rowe

Inspired by successful litigation in the Netherlands to force urgent climate action, two Elders from the Torres Strait Islands are launching a landmark litigation case against the Australian Government. Rising sea water is washing under their homes killing crops and dislodging grave sites. Maya and her team are on the ground documenting the process. 
Jane in conversation with Maya Newell

PROJECT ROCKIT is Australia's youth-driven movement against bullying, hate and prejudice. Through their signature youth-led workshops, the team has directly trained over 600,000 young people to stand up instead of standing by. Central to PROJECT ROCKIT is the ethos that lived experience is expertise. They see their role not to teach or impart knowledge but to spark curiosity, empathy and courage – to hand over the mic to young people and actually listen.

Join Jane with co-founders Lucy, Rosie and former participant, Teresa, to hear how to build a world where every young person is truly free to realise their potential.

Racism is at the centre of every issue faced by the African community in Melbourne. It is causing children as young as nine to drop out of school and become involved with crime. As 10 is the minimum age of criminal responsibility in Victoria, many of these children are ending up in the criminal justice system. Join us for a traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony and meet the man who has committed his life to changing these outcomes.
With Dr Berhan Ahmed from Africause

Learn how a backyard garden has become a thriving community for refugees and people seeking asylum. Mariam Issa's story is one of survival, determination and perseverance. In 2012 she created RAW Australia, a cross cultural space for refugee people to gather, learn, build community and thrive. 

Meet the business leaders accelerating change and redefining the way we work. Listen to how they are expanding their focus on profitability by supporting their people to achieve their highest potential.  
Jane in conversation with Radek Sali (Light Warrior), Julia Kay (The Great Wrap) and Simon Griffiths (Who Gives A Crap)

In March this year, the ASRC was on the brink of collapse. Meet founder Kon Karapanagiotidis, who rallied his community and raised enough money to keep the doors open. Join this conversation with Kon and learn more about the incredible work of the ASRC and the crucial way they are walking alongside people newly arrived to Australia. 
Jane in conversation with Kon Karapanagiotidis

Victoria is experiencing a youth homelessness crisis, with 16% of all people experiencing homelessness aged between 15 and 24. BridgeIt is creating homes and communities for some of these young people. Join us on this visit to their new home in Sandringham, to learn more about their vision and what BridgeIt is doing differently, to give young people hope for a different future.  

Sexual assault complaints have skyrocketed in Australia and yet still only 10% of assaults are reported to police. The legal system is brutal for complainants. Meet two women on a mission to change this. 
Jane in conversation with Sarah Rosenberg (With You We Can) and Nina Funnell (Let Her Speak)

TW// This discussion touches on themes of sexual assault and violence.