Doug PollardTranscript - Susan Brooks, Pinnacle Foundation
DOUG: Now, you like me may not have heard of the Pinnacle Foundation so I went to have a look at their website when I got their press release and it says – addressing to young, GLBTIQ people it says:
[reads]
“No matter what your interest or vocation we might be able to help. Do you want to be an actor, a musician, doctor, architect – a chef – accountant, lawyer or engineer?”
SUSAN: Good morning.
DOUG: The Pinnacle Foundation. I explained that you do provide support for young people with ambitions but how do you do that?
SUSAN: We provide a scholarship which is available for full time or part-time students attending either public or private secondary school or any public institution of higher education in Australia. The purpose of the grant is to encourage people to excel in education or vocational qualifications in professions, the Arts or trade. So, it’s not just purely academic. It’s really hands-on as well.
DOUG: You cover people going to TAFE courses, apprenticeships. That kind of thing?
SUSAN: Yes. It’s got to be really focusing on the final year of private or secondary schools, that’s predominantly where we’re looking at. So we can encourage people to move through the education system up into higher levels of vocational qualifications if that’s what they’re aspiring to do. Basically, we’re trying to light the fire for people.
DOUG: Good [laughs] now, what kind of people can apply for your grants?
SUSAN: The obvious, being an Australian citizen and - - -
DOUG: Yeah.
SUSAN: - - - a permanent resident and obviously, identifying as a gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender. But we’re really looking for people who are serious, consistent students really focused on scholastic achievement. To be able to demonstrate a commitment to completing Year 12 in secondary school or a tertiary degree or vocational training, as the case may be. As well as that we’re also looking for leadership. The whole thing about Pinnacle is its run by people like myself(sic) who have had reasonably successful lives in various professions and we are wanting to put back into the community. So as well as the grants we’re giving people we’re also providing a mentor relationship with them. With people, like myself. Who encourage and provide guidance to students who may not have the same benefits as a lot of other teenagers with a happy home. With all the things like financial and emotional security that that provides.
DOUG: A lot of LGBTIQ – however many letters we want – teenagers do have a rough time. Particularly, if they come out – I mean, their parents might cut them off for example and they find themselves no longer financially supported by their parents.
SUSAN: Like a 'shag on the rock', as the old saying goes.
DOUG: [laughs]
SUSAN: That’s right, that’s really important and as well as that when we’re looking and assessing all the applications we receive we look for equity in the applications so for somebody that’s come from a unique, disadvantaged area – like, they may come from the rural areas or they might come from indigenous backgrounds or might be disabled we pay very strict attention to those applications. We do things – like, assist people to make applications if that’s needed.
DOUG: Have you some stories of some of the people you have helped in the past?
SUSAN: This year 2010, is the first year. We’ve only been going for about 18-months.
DOUG: I see.
SUSAN: This last year was the first year we granted two scholarships. One is at university in a Geology course and the other one is actually improving his English skills – literacy skills, receiving coaching. So that he can then go on and do an assistant vet course at the zoo, that he’s looking to enroll in next year.
DOUG: This is based on an American model?
SUSAN: It is.
DOUG: I believe it’s been very successful over there?
SUSAN: Roaring success. (and)It’s been successful primarily because we’ve been able to tap the wealthy, more philanthropic members of our community. Of course, if you’ve ever visited the Hamptons in New York you’ll know what I’m talking about.
DOUG: [laughs] Yes, indeed.
SUSAN: In terms of philanthropic activity down there it is very, very well developed. Not so well developed in Australia and - - -
DOUG: Not so many people with that much money here in Australia, either [laughs]
SUSAN: You would be surprised. You would be surprised – that when you approach them and can demonstrate your success and you’re properly constituted and you provide tax benefits to people and donors, people are very, very happy to listen to what we’ve got to say and consider making a considerable donation.
DOUG: That’s the other part of this, you’re always on the look-out for donors, too?
SUSAN: We can’t exist without it. The important thing is we don’t have any overheads in a sense, because we’re all voluntary. We don’t have administrative staff. We do everything online and that’s very attractive also, for donors – is they know their money’s going to the right cause. It’s going to the scholars and not to the administration.
DOUG: How many people do you hope to be able to help this year?
SUSAN: That’s a matter for the Board to decide. In the next month or so, they’ll make that decision. To some extent it’ll depend on the quality of the applications, too.
DOUG: M’mm, m’mm.
SUSAN: We just don’t grant for the sake of granting. We really want to make sure that we’re focusing on people who are potential, next-generation leaders of our community. We want to really light that fire so people can excel in their academic or trade pursuits. We can fund things like tuition fees, text books and lap-top computers. Fees – union fees, but not things like repayments on HECS and travel or – m’mm, rent allowances. Those things are not covered but all the ones I’ve mentioned first are the types of grants that we can make.
DOUG: So it could be something reasonably small, in fact – someone can’t afford for themselves.
SUSAN: Exactly. We’re flexible enough to be able to meet those varying demands.
DOUG: How do people get in touch with you?
SUSAN: Check out the website, that’s the most important thing. All you need to do is type in: “Pinnacle Foundation” – and it’ll pop up.
DOUG: Yep.
SUSAN: It’s really just a matter of following your nose. There’s a “FAQ” section there for you to look at, for your questions and you can also email us if you have any questions. Applications close at the beginning of November so you’ve got six weeks to think about your application and slot it into the line for us to consider, before the end of the year.
DOUG: (and)Of course, donors are welcome to contact you at any time?
SUSAN: Donors, we would welcome – put the red carpet out, for donors.
DOUG: Ah-ha.
SUSAN: They’re very important. We would certainly welcome any enquiries that any of your listeners would like to make with us.
DOUG: Thank you very much for your time this morning, Susan.
SUSAN: Thanks, Doug.
DOUG: I hope we can encourage people to become donors for you and also get some young people to contact you - - -
SUSAN: Yes.
DOUG: - - - to see if you can help.
SUSAN: Great, thanks very much.
DOUG: You’re welcome. That was Susan Brooks there, one of the directors of the Pinnacle Foundation. Just so you know the quality of the people you’re dealing with, here. Susan used to be a member of the Australian Broadcasting Tribunal, the Australian Securities Commission. She was chief compliance officer at Westpac and she’s also worked for the Australian Banking Industry Ombudsman and she’s a member of the ABC’s Independent Complaints Review Panel and everyone involved in the Pinnacle Foundation, it’s that kind of level of people. It’s a great organisation. The website is: thepinnaclefoundation.org. All one word. There’s also links on the Freshly Doug website. You can find more information there as well. Very worthy cause, either way: Pinnacle Foundation. Dig deep if you’ve got it to dig into.
