Advocacy
Global youth advocate, Ambassador for Alannah and Madeline Foundation, combating bullying and promoting well-being worldwide.
As a victim of bullying throughout his childhood, John is passionate about educating youth on the affect a bully can have on a person. Speaking through his own journey, he presents to large groups with an anti-suicide message – proving that you can come out the other side stronger than ever.
John released a book, Full Throttle, in early 2013 revealing his upbringing and the emotions he experienced in order to spread the anti-bullying message.
John is an independent youth advocate and an Ambassador for Alannah and Madeline Foundation. He campaigns to spread the anti-bullying, health and well-being message on a global scale. He is actively involved with communities on all levels, from schools to universities doing research into the epidemic as well as groups lobbying to government.
Making impact internationally, John is taking the message to all corners of the globe, being relied on as the link with overseas charities such as The Trevor Project in the USA and the Anti-Bullying Alliance in the UK.
John's passion and commitment to the cause has created a large network of people working together to stop bullying and promote health and well being.
Alannah and Madeline Foundation
John says “I feel truly humbled to be a voice for The Alannah and Madeline Foundation, advocating for everyone in the community to take a stand against bullying. A life free from violence is every child's right and I am so proud to support such a worthy cause." The
Alannah and Madeline Foundation is delivering best-practice prevention programs in one in four schools across Australia that are helping to reduce the incidence of bullying and cyberbullying, including:
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Better Buddies - reducing the incidence of bullying by creating friendly and caring primary school environments. The program will engage more than 135,000 primary school children this year.
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eSmart Schools - addressing online safety and cyberbullying by guiding schools to develop a culture where everyone uses technology in a smart, safe and responsible way.
Paying it Forward: Philanthropy and Giving Back
Dedicating his efforts towards positive change, John has made an impactful mark by collaborating with multiple charities across the globe over the span of two decades. From esteemed charities under the patronage of Buckingham Palace to immersive engagements with remote African villages, his philanthropic journey has traversed diverse landscapes, demonstrating a profound commitment to uplifting communities on a global scale.
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In a recent stride towards meaningful impact, John has aligned with longstanding associates to assume a substantial role as a major shareholder and contributor to the innovative social enterprise, Unlabelled. This endeavor transcends mere business, reflecting a shared vision to make a tangible difference. Unlabelled stands as a testament to John's holistic approach to creating positive change.
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Unlabelled serves as a remarkable non-profit organization, steadfast in its mission to combat the pressing concern of youth suicide. Guided by a vision to effect transformation, a range of ethical and sustainable hand and body wash products has been meticulously crafted and embraced. These products, proudly endorsed by Chemist Warehouse and our website, embody the embodiment of change – each purchase contributing towards the collective endeavor to reduce youth suicide rates. This holistic approach epitomizes the depth of John's commitment to driving impact-driven initiatives that echo far beyond mere profit margins.
Midsumma Festival Chairman
After being Midsumma Festival Champion, John joined Midsumma as a board member in 2015, and was then elected Chairman.
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Midsumma is a Melbourne-based organisation with an annual festival celebrating the LGBTIQ community. During his time as chair, John transformed the almost bankrupt festival into what is now one of the top 5 LGBTQI festivals in the world and includes a wide variety of arts and cultural events.
Are you experiencing bullying?
Please reach out to the following organisations for help and support
1800 55 1800
13 11 14
1300 224 636