Virtual PepTalks 2020

When high-flying Hollywood film exec Scott Neeson took the first steps on what was intended as a short-term sabbatical, little did he know it would be the beginning of a lifelong – and life-changing – mission to create positive social impact. What Scott saw on the trip to Phnom Penh, Cambodia, at one of the world’s most toxic environments, the Steung Meanchey garbage dump, shook him to the core and inspired him to set up the Cambodian Children’s Fund. What followed was the recreation of a life’s calling; Scott sold all his possessions, gave up his career and moved to Cambodia. CCF – under Scott’s continued guidance – aims to provide education and a pathway out of poverty for children and their families, working with almost 2000 children since its inception in 2004. CCF also provide the junior leaders with community responsibility, through their ‘Granny’ program. The junior leaders, ages 12 through 17 years, visit the grannies 2-3 times a week, ensuring that they are well, have sufficient water and food and any required medicine. Each visit provides the younger generation with a greater insight into Khmer society and ways, including customs and history, family values and community responsibility.

Amelia Telford is a young Aboriginal and South Sea Islander woman from Bundjalung country and is the National Director of the Seed Indigenous Youth Climate Network. Amelia is passionate about supporting a national grassroots network of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people to protect our land, culture and communities from the impacts of climate change and fossil fuel extraction and be a part of creating positive change for our people. Amelia was awarded National NAIDOC Youth of the Year 2014, Bob Brown’s Young Environmentalist for the Year 2015 and Australian Geographic Young Conservationist of the Year 2015 for her commitment to building a more just and sustainable future for all young people.

Lily Dempster is an environmental advocate and the CEO and founder of One Small Step. Formerly GetUp’s market impact director, Lily ran consumer campaigns that helped thousands of people switch to zero carbon products online. These campaigns had an emissions impact equivalent to taking 50,000 cars off the road for a year and adding 2MW of additional renewable power to the grid – and inspired her leap into entrepreneurship. Lily has a background in law, social science, public policy and renewable energy technology and, in 2017, she was the Foundation for Young Australians Young Social Pioneer.

Orange Sky Laundry began in September 2014 when best mates and social entrepreneurs Nic Marchesi and Lucas Patchett built a free mobile laundry in their old van to help people experiencing homelessness. What started as one laundry van in Brisbane, has now expanded into a fleet of 20 laundry vans, three shower vans and six hybrid vans (a combination of washers, dryers and showers) across Australia. Orange Sky Laundry operates at 250 locations each week, where their volunteers form positive connections with communities through clean clothes, warm showers and genuine conversation. Nic & Lucas were recipients of the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in 2020, and were named the Young Australians of the Year in 2016.

Rachael Sarra is an artist and designer whose work is an extension of her being and experiences.  As a contemporary Aboriginal artist from Goreng Goreng Country, Rachael uses art as a powerful tool in storytelling to educate and share Aboriginal culture and its evolution. Rachael’s work often challenges and explores the themes of society’s perception of what Aboriginal art and identity is. Her style is feminine, fun and engaging but is strongly drawn from her heritage and her role as an Aboriginal woman in a modern world. Rachael is fuelled by passion to continue exploring her Aboriginality through art and design, with each piece strengthening her identity.

Dr Rebecca Ray is an author, speaker and clinical psychologist who is passionate about helping people find meaning in it all by overcoming fear, overwhelm and self-doubt by stepping into self-love, courage and bravery. Rebecca has authored three books: Be Happy, The Universe Listens to Brave and The Art of Self-Kindness; she believes in creating a life worth living, in living our bravest lives, and in taking responsibility for making our lives as meaningful and rich as we can. As one of our previous much-loved PepTalks speakers, we are excited to be bringing Rebecca’s insightful – and heartful – words to our online community!  

Melbourne-based eco stylist Leah Musch, aka The Un-Material Girl, is a self-described ‘former fast fashion addict turned slow fashion activist’. After opening her own store at age 21, Leah realised that business can be used as a force for good. Having spent the last few years as the creator and curator of the slow fashion department at Biome, she is now on a mission to change the way we shop, spend and style through her blog and popular Instagram feed. Leah will be the MC for the night and will be interviewing all our speakers.