The Pinnacle Foundation’s Post

The patrons' and Cornerstone members' dinner was held on Thursday 28 August in the magnificent ILUMINA venue at 1 Elizabeth Street, Sydney, generously hosted by our gold partner, Macquarie Group. Ros Coffey, Cornerstone member and Macquarie executive, welcomed guests. Pinnacle Foundation patrons, the Hon Michael Kirby AC CMG and Alan Joyce AC attended, and we welcomed our newest patron, Professor Annamarie Jagose, senior deputy vice chancellor and provost at the University of Sydney. Also in attendance were Pinnacle Foundation founders Sean Linkson OAM (founding patron) and Philip Comans, and founding chair, Paul Zahra. CEO, Andrew Staite spoke of the life changing impacts of The Pinnacle Foundation’s programs - especially critical in current times. He reinforced The Pinnacle Foundation’s commitment to supporting LGBTQIA+ youth – and that a record number of scholarships will again be awarded across Australia in 2026 thanks to the sustained and generous support of donors, and corporate and philanthropic partners. Chair, Greg Livingstone shared how inspired he had been by Cornerstone members’ Dr Craig White, Rod Anderson and Jess Bastow’s perpetual scholarship commitments, and announced he too will fund the creation of a named scholarship to be awarded in perpetuity ($375,000). Pinnacle Foundation alumnus, Judd Behr spoke of his personal journey and the life-changing impact of receiving a Pinnacle Foundation scholarship, mentoring support and the welcome embrace of the Pinnacle family. He thanked the Cornerstone donors and patrons for making this possible, not just for him but for all scholars. Also, attending the dinner was Pinnacle Foundation scholar Victoria Shahho, who had the pleasure of sitting with the funder of her scholarship, Michael Gorman.