Everyday Heroes with Bernie Shakeshaft

Following the tragic death of their teenage daughter, Amy 'Dolly' Everett in January 2018, following extensive bullying, Kate and Tick Everett founded Dolly's Dream to create positive change and a legacy to their daughter. Their advocacy has resulted in governments taking childhood bullying and its devastating impacts more seriously.

Ronni Kahn is a social entrepreneur and founder of food rescue charity OzHarvest. Ronni is a passionate advocate and activist renowned for disrupting the food waste landscape in Australia. She appears regularly in national media, serves in an advisory capacity to government and is a sought after keynote speaker.

In this episode Bernie speaks to, Russell Kerr. Who, as a response to many years witnessing struggling students, or those with different learning styles, written off prematurely and not given the opportunity to realize their potential, developed the Hands on Learning program. Armed with the philosophy that a school has a responsibility to provide a stimulating environment, Russell works to make this a reality right across Victoria, and schools in New South Wales, Queensland, Tasmania and even the United Arab Emirates!

After her husband Peter died of cancer in 2008, Vicki Jellie found his plans for a local cancer fundraiser. His dream had been to bring radiotherapy services to the South West of Victoria. Peter's dream became Vicki's passion. In 2009, Vicki initiated “Peter's Project” – a community group dedicated to fighting for improved cancer services. Listen now to hear her story.

Maddie Diamond is the founder of Trash Gather, a youth-led community group that meets every month to pick up rubbish in public areas across Canberra. She is a 22-year-old sustainability advocate and was a nominee for the Young Australian of the Year award. At the award show she sent a message to Australians everywhere by painting “Climate Justice” across her chest. Listen now to hear her story.

Orange Sky Australia is the world's first free mobile laundry service for people experiencing homelessness – an idea founded in a Brisbane garage by two 20-year-old mates, Nic Marchesi and Lucas Patchett. In late 2014, the boys installed a couple of washing machines and dryers in the back of their old van and visited parks around Brisbane to wash and dry clothes for free. What started as an idea to improve hygiene standards and restore dignity to people doing it tough has evolved into something much bigger and more powerful.

Gillespie, whose nickname is "Lachy", began playing the piano at the age of four, and started formal singing training when he was 12. He attended the Fame School of Performing Arts as a teenager, earned a Bachelor of Arts in musical theatre at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA), and has performed in musicals in Melbourne and New York. He has been a vocal and drama coach for children between the ages of four and 13. He is the lead singer of The Wiggles and wears the purple skivvy.

Detective Jon Rouse is a leading crime fighter who heads Queensland's anti-online child exploitation unit, Taskforce Argos. His extensive achievements includes establishing Australia's first undercover operation targeting internet child sex offenders whilst at Task Force Argos, which has now led multiple national and international investigations targeting child exploitation criminal networks.

Ms Carey has been colloquially referred to as a “medical warrior” for her selfless work in Sierra Leone during the Ebola virus outbreak which claimed more than 11,000 lives in West Africa since 2014. Today, she uses her profile to advocate against workplace bullying, and espouses the virtues of kindness.

Dana and her husband Scott were a young couple when Scott was involved in a tragic car accident. Luckily, he survived but he has been left with a debilitating spinal injury. Listen now to hear how Dana has helped support him and her family through this challenge.

David Hurley was sworn in as the Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia on 1 July 2019. In a long and distinguished 42-year military career, his service culminated with his appointment as Chief of the Defence Force. Prior to being sworn in as Governor-General, David Hurley served as the 38th Governor of New South Wales. Linda Hurley has been a teacher in both the public and private school systems, until her retirement from full time teaching in July 2011. She is also an active member of the community as a Pastoral Carer at the Canberra Hospital and Hospice. Linda is dedicated to championing causes that are developing new technologies to recycle rubbish, and ways to reduce our reliance on single use plastic. Listen now to hear their story.

As the Program Coordinator for Down the Track, Lana is dedicated to getting youth out on country, connecting them with their culture and engaging them with locally relevant employment pathways. She's a standout in the local community, connecting with kids in a way that is unparalleled and enabling them to believe in themselves and overcome generational disadvantage. Listen now to hear her story.

No matter the age, there can truly be nothing worse than losing your child. Take it from one Australian father Greg Hughes lost his baby boy, Riley, only 32 days after he was born. Greg now helps other dads through hardship with his organisation “Dad Minus One”. Listen no to hear his story.

In June 2018, Richard & Craig played a pivotal role in a task that captivated an international audience of millions — the rescue of 12 soccer players and their coach from a flooded cave in Chiang Rai, Thailand. Listen now to hear their incredible story.

As a communication advisor and speechwriter to some of the country's most inspiring and high achieving individuals, Leesa's job is to bring to life the stories of incredible humans, and communicate their visions to inspire change. Listen to the episode to hear about her experience working with other everyday heroes, her own journey, and the lessons she's learnt about life along the way.

Katie Perry is an Australian fashion designer who is engaged in a David vs Goliath court battle with pop superstar...Katy Perry. Katie (the fashion designer) is not just fighting for the right to sell products under her own name. Instead, she is fighting for the right of all Australian small businesses to stand up against powerful overseas companies. Listen to hear Katie's story.

Munjed was born in Iraq and became a surgeon under the regime of Saddam Hussein. He is now a renowned Australian orthopaedic surgeon, author and human rights activist. He has done pioneering work on prosthetics, especially on titanium devices. Listen now to hear Munjed' story.

As one of the leading humanitarian eye surgeons worldwide, Dr James Muecke has seen a lot. Travelling the world, James is on a mission to reduce blindness in developing countries and beyond, reaching an estimated 1 million people each year. Listen now to hear James' story.

Aussie sporting dream couple Richard & Carissa Tombs have had their fair share of wins. But after a freak accident in a casual soccer game left Richard with a spinal injury, he with wife Carissa started the Guns Out Spinal Foundation, working with scientists to fund research into spinal recovery. How are they progressing? Listen now to find out.

Math teacher, Youtube star, everyday hero? Eddie Woo never had an interest in maths in school, now he's online helping thousands of adults and students across the world learn math and apply it to their life. Listen now to see how it all adds up to Eddie Woo, everyday hero.

A little preview of the brilliant season ahead.

Shanna says it herself, she shouldn't be here, she should be dead. After years of giving up and letting herself down, Shanna Whan is the founder of Sober in the Country - a grassroots bush charity supporting rural communities against alcoholism. Listen now to hear how she did it.

Will Smith is more than just a famous name. A Tassie police officer since his teens, social activist, and father-figure to some of the boys he helps keep off the streets, now just 26 years old, it's only the beginning for 2020 Young Tasmanian of the Year Will Smith. Listen now to hear his story.

Bernie Shakeshaft, 2020 Australian Local Hero of the Year, doesn't want fame. He's on a mission to change the lives of regional kids who Australia has left behind. While society says forget these kids, let them die early, Bernie keeps showing up with his organisation BackTrack. Listen now to find out how.