Make a Difference

Dinners that make a difference

The world is full of people making amazing contributions without recognition. MAD allows some of their stories to be heard.

What motivates people to make a difference? What inspires us to challenge injustice? How can we contribute?

MAD is a not for profit, voluntary organisation who seeks to give voice to those in our community who have chosen to support, change, inspire, challenge and make things happen to make our world a better place. Even the smallest action can make a difference.

We invite you to be part of our community- Join us for a feast for the mind, the taste buds and an opportunity to connect with Inspiration, Courage, Innovation. 

Next MAD Dinner

Thursday 24 May 2019
6 – 9.30 pm
Railway Hotel
29 Chapel St, Windsor       

A New Generation of Social Entrepreneurs

Manita Ray – Chief Operating Officer at YGAP
Manita is an example of this new brand of social entrepreneur with a mission to make a sustainable difference in our world. Manita has extensive international experience and believes in solving real issues and making a social impact.  YGAP believes that a world without poverty is possible. They are an international not-for- profit with an innovative approach to poverty alleviation. YGap supports 295 local leaders who improve the lives of over 406,000 people living in poverty. 

Marcus Godinho – CEO FareShare

FareShare cooks 5000 meals a day for Victorians doing it tough. Starting as a volunteer, his first task when he became CEO was to raise $1 million dollars from his first office which doubled his  spare bedroom. Five qualified chefs now oversee a 120 volunteers a day with a staff of 20. Can you imagine what it takes to fund an organisation on this scale? At FareShare round 900 people give up their time to rescue, grow and cook food. Around 30,000 secondary school students and 3000 corporate volunteers are welcomed to FareShare kitchens in Melbourne and Brisbane. Combined they cook 1.2 million meals a year for people in crisis.

Thank you for your contribution

MAD Speakers 2008 – 2019

Andy Gild is the President & Co-Founder of  Bicycles for Humanity
Jess Boyden Director of Youth Social Enterprise at YMCA Youth for Causes Founder One Big Love
Cindy Angel  Education Manager, Board member World Youth International  and This Life Cambodia 
Amberley Laverick Education Services Coordinator Butterfly Foundation; The 20 Project
Linsie Davis Occupational Therapist;  World Youth International  Channel 7’s“Life Changing Adventures” Mama Ann’s Odede Community Health 
Bronwyn Angus  Lawyer; World Youth International  Masters of Applied Positive Psychology (University of Melbourne).One of 10 people chosen for channel 7’s “Life Changing Adventure” series.
Sandy McDonald   Founder of Why You Must Blog and Australian charity, KasCare Author, TedX speaker, Director Get It Right Online,

Margaret HepworthThe Ghandi ExperimentEducation Today, Society Tomorrow

Jeanette Kinahan Director Work Health Systems; Conflict Resolver, Work Health Well-being & Injury Adviser 

Carolyn Tate The Slow School of Business ; Author; Speaker; Strategist and Director of The Slow School of Business

Lance Picioane Founder & Chair of LMLY  Love Me Love You  Former AFL footballer

Emma Manks Education Coordinator, The Butterfly Foundation

Alexander WilkinsonJ.R.Lugg Foundation

Heather Thorne, OAMResearch manager, kConFab
kConFab the world’s largest resource for scientists investigating genetic causes of breast, ovarian and prostate cancer.
Dr Elisabeth Tudball – Associate Professor education and Director of Undergraduate programs. Monash campus South Africa
Jane Stephens – Physiotherapist Kooyong Physiotherapy
Marguerite Ryan AMFounder & Chair Women for Women in Africa  Supporting the people of the slums of Kibera, Nairobi to forge better lives.
Petra den Hartog  Counsellor/ Educator  sids&kids Victoria
Anne Hooker    Youth Development Officer at Port Phillip Prison
Annemaree Rowley  Principal  Cool Calm and Collected    The East West Overseas Aid Foundation
Jane Tewson – Director & Founder Igniting Change
Victoria Triggs  Experience- Bank Coordinator Leadership Victoria
Angela Ireland   Manager Family Drug Help
Helen Sykes – Chair of The James Macready-Bryan Foundation; Board member Alzheimer’s Australia Vic
Lyn Swinburne Founder Breast Cancer Network Australia, Priceline Sisterhood Foundation; Royal Womens Hospital

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“How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.”
Anne Frank