Breakfast Cafe
Breakfast Cafe series of conversations in Sydney will return in 2019.
The Cafe is attended by business, government and community leaders, conversations focus on topics shaping civil society and is of interest to all Australians.
Discussion is facilitated by Chain Reaction Specialist Consultants and introduced by prominent guest speakers. All who attend the Cafe are invited to host a breakfast of their own, whose guests in turn are invited to do the same, thus creating a chain reaction of conversations.
How to Participate:
- Book your place in the series to attend each breakfast.
Email Margaret Bell at margaret.bell@chainreaction.org.au or phone (02) 9953 3287
Places are limited so be early to avoid disappointment.
Venue in Sydney - TBA
Breakfast Cafes Conducted in 2016
Verity has over ten years experience at the highest levels of government and the not for profit sector, first as Minister for Education and Training in New South Wales, and then as Chief Executive Officer of the Public Education Foundation.
She has always been very focussed on equity in education, and how best to address educational disadvantage in low socio-economic areas including rural and remote indigenous communities.
Few would expect a tough-as-nails Chief of Army to be recognised internationally for his commitment to gender equality, diversity and inclusion. But when former Lieutenant-General David Morrison ordered misbehaving troops to ‘get out’ if they couldn’t accept women as equals, his video went viral and he started a cultural shift that has changed Australia’s armed forces forever. Since then, the number of women joining the army has grown by two per cent and the culture is more accepting of racial, ethnic and sexual diversity.
David retired in 2015 after 36 years in the Australian Army, and four years as its Chief, but he continues his commitment as a champion of human rights in his new role as the Chair of the Diversity Council Australia
Susan Alberti is a renowned business woman, and philanthropist, and what might even be more important to some, Vice President of the Western Bulldogs Football Club, and Founding Co-Chair of the Western Bulldogs Forever Foundation.
She has been President of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation; she founded the Walk for the Cure raising more than $30 million towards the search for a cure for diabetes.
Susan is the recipient of a number of outstanding awards and in January this year was made a Companion in the Order of Australia.
Sydney Breakfast Cafe, 28 June 2016 with guest speaker Norma Ingram, Board Director, National Congress of Australia's First Peoples
Norma Ingram is a Wiradjuri woman born in Cowra NSW. She has over 35 years of industry experience in both training and serving the interests of Aboriginal communities. During this time, she has occupied a number of roles including Senior Aboriginal Coordinator at TAFE managing training programs at the University of Technology, Sydney (UTS). Norma’s training experience includes corporate training programs for QANTAS as well as delivering training programs for the NSW Premiers Department and Cabinet and the Australian Department of Defence.
Norma has served the Aboriginal community with various roles including CEO of both the Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council and the NSW State Aboriginal Land Council, founding member, Board Member and CEO of Murawina Aboriginal Pre-School and Chairperson of Wyanga Aboriginal Elders Program.
She has also sat as a Board member on the Indigenous Land Corporation (ILC) and NSW Aboriginal Housing Office and on the Indigenous Advisory Group at UTS and the City of Sydney. Norma holds a Master’s Degree in Education from Harvard University, a Diploma in Education Sydney University and a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment; Diploma in Government and Diploma in Community Services and a Diploma in Industrial Relations.
Julian Burnside spoke on "SOCIAL COHESION AND HUMAN RIGHTS IN AUSTRALIA"
Julian Burnside AO QC, is an Australian barrister who specialises in commercial litigation and is also deeply involved in human rights work, in particular in relation to refugees.
He is a former president of Liberty Victoria, and is also passionately involved in the arts: he is the chair of Melbourne arts venue fortyfivedownstairs, and is chair of the Mietta Foundation.
He has published a children's book, Matilda and the Dragon, as well as Wordwatching, a collection of essays on the uses and abuses of the English language, and Watching Brief: reflections on human rights, law, and justice.
Julian won the Sydney Peace Prize in 2014, largely for his pro bono work with asylum seekers. He was designated a Living National Treasure in 2004 and in 2009 made an Officer of the Order of Australia.
Sydney Breakfast Cafe, 3 May 2016 with guest speaker Dr Tim Soutphommasane, Race Discrimination Commissioner, Australian Human Rights Commission
Melbourne Breakfast Cafe, 1 March 2016 with guest speaker Karen Mahlab AM, Founder and CEO, Pro Bono Australia
Karen Mahlab spoke on "NEW MEDIA AND IT'S POTENTIAL FOR CONNECTED INFORMED AND ENGAGED COMMUNITIES"
Karen Mahlab founder and CEO of Pro Bono Australia is a great innovator and a passionate believer in the power of the community and connection. Formally from The Mahlab Group, Ogilvy Mather and Unilever, Karen founded Pro Bono Australia in 1999 as a for-purpose business.Kerr Neilson spoke on "BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT AND SOCIAL COHESION"
Breakfast Cafes Conducted in 2015
Anna Bligh spoke on "WOMEN AND SOCIAL COHESION IN COMMUNITY"
Sydney Breakfast Cafe, 29 September 2015 with guest speaker Angela Clark BA (Oxf), Director of Digital Network, Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC)
Covering:
- Citizen centric media
- Porous borders in media
- Creation of the digital "common"
- Technology/role in "bridging divides" and democratising "voice" and contribution
- Increased power in the hands of "the people"
- The promise of a new era of education - open & empowering.
Angela currently sits on the Sydney Festival Board and has previously held Directorships across arts, media and sporting organisations including South Sydney Football Club, Biennale of Sydney, Bundanon Trust, Performing Lines and Commercial Radio Australia.
Breakfast Cafes Conducted in 2013
Sydney Breakfast Cafe, 20 August 2013 with guest speaker Professor Gillian Triggs
Professor Triggs spoke on "SOCIAL INCLUSION IN AUSTRALIA IN RELATION TO HUMAN RIGHTS"
Professor Gillian Triggs, President of the Australian Human Rights Commission since 2012, has had a long term commitment to legal education and seeks new ways to inform Australians, especially children, about their fundamental human rights.
She has held appointments as the Dean of the Faculty of Law and Challis, Professor of International Law at the University of Sydney from 2007 – 2012 and Director of the British Institute of International and Comparative Law from 2005 - 2007.
She is a former Barrister with Seven Wentworth Chambers and a Governor of the College of Law.
Melbourne Breakfast Cafe, 23 July 2013 with guest speaker Bruce Bonyhady AM
Bruce Bonyhady spoke on "DISABILITY CARE MORE THAN SOCIAL INCLUSION"
Bruce Bonyhady has been appointed to the role of Chairman, DisabilityCare Australia since 1st July 2013. He is a leading disability advocate of many years and played a key role in securing the National Disability Insurance Scheme. Prior to this appointment Bruce has been associated with Yooralla, the oldest and largest Victorian disability support group, for many years and Chairman of the Board since 2004. He is also Chairman of the Advisory Panel to Solve, at the Royal Children’s’ Hospital in Melbourne.
Bruce is currently President of the Philanthropy Australia Council and Chairman Acadian Asset Management Australia Ltd. He is also a Director of Dexus Wholesale Property Ltd and was made a Member of the Order of Australia in 2010.
Melbourne Breakfast Cafe, 14 May 2013 with guest speaker Maxine McKew
Maxine McKew spoke on "SOCIAL INCLUSION AND EDUCATION"
Maxine McKew is widely recognised as both a journalist and politician. As Parliamentary Secretary for Early Childhood Education she led the reform agenda through COAG and secured agreement with the states for the first national standards on a quality framework for child care and pre-schools. She has also delivered $970 million to states and territories to help secure quality pre-school education for all children.
Maxine has a strong reputation for responsiveness and effective advocacy. She has won both a Walkley and a Logie for broadcasting excellence. Maxine has chaired the Advisory Council to the National Breast Cancer Centre and she is a member of the University of Sydney's Research Institute for Asia Pacific.
Sydney Breakfast Cafe, 2 April 2013 with guest speaker Commissioner Andrew Scipione
Commissioner Andrew Scipione spoke on "SOCIAL INCLUSION AND POLICING"
Commissioner Andrew Scipione has a history in the NSW Police Force since 1980. He has worked as a Detective in the CIB and National Crime Authority. He has risen through the ranks of Detective Inspector in 1995, Detective Superintendent, Counter Terrorist Advisor, Chief of Staff, Assistant Commissioner and Commissioner of Police since 2007.
Commissioner Scipione is the recipient of the Australian Police Metal and National Medal.
Melbourne Breakfast Cafe, 13 March 2013 with guest speaker Hon Mary Wooldridge MP
Mary Wooldridge is the State Member for Doncaster and the Minister for Mental Health, Women's Affairs and Community Services. Prior to being elected to Parliament she was CEO of The Foundation for Young Australians.
Sydney Breakfast Cafe, 26 February 2013 with guest speaker Professor Brian Howe
Professor Brian Howe spoke on "SOCIAL INCLUSION AND HEALTHY AGEING"
Professor Brian Howe AO is a Professorial Associate at the University of Melbourne's Centre for Public Policy. He was Deputy Prime Minister of Australia (1991-95) and held a range of Ministerial portfolios in Defence, Social Security, Health, Housing, and Community Services.
He was responsible for a number of major policy initiatives such as the National Mental Health Strategy, Commonwealth Dental Scheme, Commonwealth State Disability agreement and the Building Better Cities Program.
Breakfast Cafes Conducted in 2012
Sydney Breakfast Cafe, 16 October 2012 with guest speaker Dr Haydn Washington
Dr Haydn Washington spoke on "SOCIAL INCLUSION AND CLIMATE CHANGE DENIAL"
Haydn has a 30 year history in environmental science. He has a degree in ecology, a Masters of Science in eco-toxicology, a Dip.Ed and Ph.D. He has worked as an environmental scientist and extensively within environmental non-government organisations. He is the author of "Ecosolutions" (1991) and "A Sense of Wonder" (2002) and has just completed a new book "Climate Change Denial".
Hayden is a former member of the Mutawintji National Park Board of Management, and the NSW Biological Diversity Council. He is a current member of the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Advisory Committee.
Melbourne Breakfast Cafe, 9 October 2012 with guest speaker David Locke
David Locke spoke on "ACNC AND SOCIAL INCLUSION"
David Locke is the Assistant Commissioner, Charity Services, at the Australian Charities and Not-For-Profits Commission (ACNC) Taskforce. In this role David is responsible for the provision and overall management of the ACNC's one-to-one services to charities including registration and advice. David is also responsible for the ACNC's portal, its communications and its corporate services.
Prior to his appointment David was the Chief Adviser to the ACNC Taskforce working with Susan Pascoe AM and the team on the design and delivery of the new agency. David previously held senior roles at the Charity Commission of England and Wales, most recently as Executive Director of Charity Services. David is a qualified solicitor and he spent over ten years working in advice centres managing the delivery of services to the public.
Sydney Breakfast Cafe, 14 August 2012 with guest speaker Hon. Victor Dominello MP
Hon. Victor Dominello MP spoke on "SOCIAL INCLUSION AND THE NSW GOVERNMENT"
Hon Victor Dominello MP is the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Minister for Citizenship and Communities. A solicitor by background Victor also
served on the Ryde Council for nine years until he won the seat of Ryde in the State Parliament in 2008. In April 2011 he was sworn in as the Minister for Citizenship and Communities which includes Veterans' Affairs, Volunteering and Youth portfolios also covering the Community Relations Commission.
Victor enjoys travel and is a passionate supporter of the West Tigers Rugby.
Simon McKeon spoke on "SOCIAL INCLUSION AND PHILANTHROPY IN AUSTRALIA"
Simon McKeon is a Social Entrepreneur and Australian of the Year 2011. He is a prominent investment banker and record breaking yachtsman, but it’s his efforts to support multiple Australian and International NGO’s which has earned him great admiration.
Simon is a board member of World Vision Australia, Chairman of the CSIRO and Business for Millennium Development, which encourages business to engage with the developing world. He served as founding Chairman of MS Research Australia and founding President of the Federal Government’s Takeover Panel. His association with World Vision International continues and he is involved with the Global Poverty Project and Red Dust Role Models, which works with remote Indigenous communities.
Simon was made an Officer in the Order of Australia in June this year.
Sydney Breakfast Cafe, 19 June 2012 with guest speaker Jody Broun
Jody Broun spoke on "SOCIAL INCLUSION AND THE NATIONAL CONGRESS OF AUSTRALIA'S FIRST PEOPLES"
Jody is the Co-Chair of the National Congress of Australia's First Peoples. She has dedicated herself to the service of Australia's first people over a 25 year career. Appointments have included Executive Director of Policy and Coordination of the Aboriginal Affairs Planning Authority (WA) and Director General of the NSW Department of Aboriginal Affairs.
Jody is also a well-known and highly respected artist.
Melbourne Breakfast Cafe, 12 June 2012 with guest speaker Dr Haydn Washington
Dr Haydn Washington spoke on "SOCIAL INCLUSION AND CLIMATE CHANGE DENIAL"
Haydn has a 30 year history in environmental science. He has a degree in ecology, a Masters of Science in eco-toxicology, a Dip.Ed and Ph.D. He has worked as an environmental scientist and extensively within environmental non-government organisations. He is the author of "Ecosolutions" (1991) and "A Sense of Wonder" (2002) and has just completed a new book "Climate Change Denial".
Hayden is a former member of the Mutawintji National Park Board of Management, and the NSW Biological Diversity Council. He is a current member of the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Advisory Committee.
Sydney Breakfast Cafe, 21 February 2012 with guest speaker Sam Mostyn
Sam Mostyn spoke on "SOCIAL INCLUSION FROM A BUSINESS PERSPECTIVE"
Sam has enjoyed a diverse career across business, politics, science, the arts, non-profit sector and sport. Currently serving on the Boards of Virgin Blue, Transurban and Citigroup Australia. She is an AFL Commissioner, President of The Australian Museum Trust and a Board Member of Australian Volunteers International and the Sydney Theatre Company.
Sam is also Chair of the Diversity Council of Australia and a member of the Women's Advisory Panel of the Australian Chief of Defence Force.
Melbourne Breakfast Cafe, 7 February 2012 with guest speaker Prof Marcia Langton AM
Prof Marcia Langton is the Chair of Australian Indigenous Studies at the University of Melbourne.
She is an anthropologist and geographer and also a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences in Australia. Her research has been concerned with Indigenous relationships with place, land tenure and environmental management.
Marcia's work in anthropology and advocacy for Aboriginal Rights was recognised when she was made a Member of the Order of Australia in 1993 and she was awarded the Inaugural Neville Bonner Award for Indigenous Teacher of the Year in 2002.
Breakfast Cafes Conducted in 2011
Sydney, 6 December 2011 with guest speaker Prof Andrew Markus FASSA
Professor Andrew Markus shared his findings on 'SURVEY OF SOCIAL COHESION IN AUSTRALIA' based on surveys he has conducted for the Scanlon Foundation in 2007, 2009 and 2010.
In an Australian first Andrew is tracking changes in Australian attitudes towards immigrants and asylum seekers, a project that is socially very useful research. Andrew has a very personal connection to his research as he came to Australia as an eight year old refugee from Hungary in the late 1950's.
In addition to his work with the Monash Institute for the Study of Global Movements, Andrew is a research professor in the Australian Centre for Jewish Civilisation.
Melbourne, 22 November 2011 with guest speaker Prof Andrew Markus FASSA
Professor Andrew Markus shared his findings on 'SURVEY OF SOCIAL COHESION IN AUSTRALIA' based on surveys he has conducted for the Scanlon Foundation in 2007, 2009 and 2010.
In an Australian first Andrew is tracking changes in Australian attitudes towards immigrants and asylum seekers, a project that is socially very useful research. Andrew has a very personal connection to his research as he came to Australia as an eight year old refugee from Hungary in the late 1950's.
In addition to his work with the Monash Institute for the Study of Global Movements, Andrew is a research professor in the Australian Centre for Jewish Civilisation.
Sydney Breakfast Cafe was on 27 September 2011 with guest speaker Prof Julian Disney AO
Professor Julian Disney spoke on 'SOCIAL INCLUSION AND THE MEDIA'
Professor Julian Disney is Chair of The Australian Press Council and is also Chair of the National Affordable Housing Group, National Co-Chair of Anti Poverty Week and National Chair of the Community Tax Forum. He is also convenor of Tax Watch, a community information service and for the Neighbours Program, which works to strengthen engagement between community leaders in Australia and neighbouring Asian countries. He is also Chair of the Council of the Energy and Water Ombudsman in NSW (EWON)
Julian is a Professor of Public Law, ANU and Professor and Director of the Social Justice Project University of NSW. He was made an Officer in the Order of Australia in 1994.
Sydney Breakfast Cafe was on 23 August 2011 with guest speaker Prof Patrick McGorry AO
Professor Patrick McGorry spoke on 'SOCIAL INCLUSION AND MENTAL HEALTH IN AUSTRALIA'
Professor McGorry is a leading researcher, clinician and advocate for the youth mental health reform agenda. He is Executive Director of Orygen Youth Health (OYH) and is also a founding board member of headspace, the National Youth Mental Health Foundation.
He was named Australian of the Year in 2010.
Melbourne Breakfast Cafe was on 19 July 2011 with Margaret Bell AM as our speaker.
Margaret Bell spoke on 'SOCIAL INCLUSION AND CONNECTING COMMUNITIES'
Margaret will offer us a tool for connecting communities which can be used in the workplace, community organisation, church or within a specific geographic organisation.
Margaret is well known to most of you as an Educational Psychologist and comes today from a considerable experience across four continents in working for creative community development.
She was accompanied by Muriel Pittman (16) and Kane Swain (15) Youth Ambassadors from Mt Druitt Learning Ground in Western Sydney. Both young people have overcome immense difficulties in their young lives and are moving forward, fast becoming young Aboriginal role models in their community.
We feel sure you will be pleased to meet them.
Sydney Breakfast Cafe was on 10 May 2011 with guest speaker Andrew Thomas
Andrew Thomas spoke on 'SOCIAL INCLUSION AND PHILOCAPATALISM'
Andrew Thomas is Perpetual's General Manager, Philanthropy responsible for Perpetual's total Philanthropic Services including the management of over 450 Charitable Trusts.
In Andrew's professional career he has been the Executive Director of a large national not-for-profit organisation which operated in every State and Territory in Australia, providing a very hands on view to the matrix of various regulations that non-profit organisations face.
Melbourne Breakfast Cafe was on 3 May 2011 with guest speaker Prof Patrick McGorry AO
Professor Patrick McGorry spoke on 'SOCIAL INCLUSION AND MENTAL HEALTH IN AUSTRALIA'
Professor McGorry is a leading researcher, clinician and advocate for the youth mental health reform agenda. He is Executive Director of Orygen Youth Health (OYH) and is also a founding board member of headspace, the National Youth Mental Health Foundation.
He was named Australian of the Year in 2010.
Sydney Breakfast Cafe 15 March 2011 with guest speaker Julian Burnside AO QC
Julian Burnside spoke on 'SOCIAL INCLUSION AND HUMAN RIGHTS IN AUSTRALIA'
Julian Burnside is an Australian Barrister, Human Rights and Refugee Advocate. In 2004 Burnside was awarded the Human Rights Law Award by the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission and sponsored by the Law Council of Australia for his pro-bono legal work for asylum seekers and for his work in establishing Spare Lawyers for Refugees.
Melbourne Breakfast Cafe 15 February 2011 with guest speaker Julian Burnside AO QC
Julian Burnside spoke on 'SOCIAL INCLUSION AND HUMAN RIGHTS IN AUSTRALIA'
Julian Burnside is an Australian Barrister, Human Rights and Refugee Advocate. In 2004 Burnside was awarded the Human Rights Law Award by the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission and sponsored by the Law Council of Australia for his pro-bono legal work for asylum seekers and for his work in establishing Spare Lawyers for Refugees.