ANZ event supports drive to produce Attitude Foundation pilot episode

The Attitude Foundation’s Founding Sponsor ANZ held an information and fundraising event at its Melbourne Docklands headquarters on 22 May as part of its support of the Foundation’s drive to get the pilot episode of the TV series to production.

Hosted by Fred Ohlsson, ANZ’s Group Executive for Australia, the event featured a mix of ANZ corporate clients, philanthropic trust advisors, government agencies and individuals interested in disability issues. It was also attended by Attitude Foundation board members Graeme Innes (Chair), Dominique Antarakis and Jane Seeber.

Accessibility and Inclusion Sponsor for ANZ, Christine Linden outlined the broad involvement of ANZ with the Foundation through its partnership, underpinned by its shared desire to change community attitudes and behaviour and to empower people with a disability to participate in every aspect of political, social, economic and cultural life.

Graeme Innes explained how tackling mainstream attitudes towards people with disabilities would flow onto improved education, employment and life outcomes. The TV series is an important way for disabled people to be able to tell their own stories and shatter the tired old stereotypes of people with disability being reliant on charity, waiting for miracle cures, being incapable or being “inspirational” for doing ordinary things.

Attitude Foundation CEO, Alex Varley, said, “this event was another example of the strength of the partnership with ANZ which ranges from financial and staff support to a desire to share its experiences around successful diversity and inclusion approaches and how the work of the Foundation fits into that strategy.”

“We are hopeful that the broad range of people attending the event will join ANZ in this partnership and help us get the pilot episode of our TV series into production.”

Guests at the event received an outline of the Foundation’s approach and its move to create a pilot episode of the TV series, seeking a number of supporters to contribute around $30,000 each. The pilot episode will be produced by award-winning, disability inclusive creative agency Taste Creative.

This article by Meg Dalling. Meg is seconded to the Foundation by Founding Sponsor ANZ as part of its ongoing support.