How we connect and who we connect with is what can make the difference to a project.
Our M.A.D. Associates share a uniting attribute; they are passionate about making positive change - both on an individual and global level. Covering the fields of Education, Science, the Arts, Media, Sport, Culture, Health and Wellbeing, Music Art Discussion ( M.A.D.) build dynamic and expert teams to advise and collaborate across a broad, diverse range of client commissions.
Engage directly with them or / and through M.A.D. for a curated design approach.
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Now living freely, Erfan’s focus is to offer positive and practical help for those who couldn’t escape the Taliban regime. One of the most extraordinary initiatives is the establishment of 10 covert schools for girls. There are currently 200 girls above year 6 in Afghanistan benefitting from the ‘secret education’ classes managed entirely from Australia.
Erfanullah Abidi is a former interpreter in Support of US/Australia and NATO missions in Afghanistan. An experienced Risk and Project Manager working with the Afghanistan Government and International NGOs, his Bachelor degree in Law, Criminology and Political Science has enabled the grounding to his visionary Leadership and commitment to make a positive impact.
Abidi, known as Erfan, was one of the lucky last people, together with his family, to escape Afghanistan as it fell dramatically to Taliban control in August 2021.
An unimaginable and indeed life altering experience of facing a harrowing uncertainty, Erfan’s ability to share his story, gripping audiences with his eloquent use of English, not only informs but motivates ‘us’ to be better Human Beings..
His personal story has also been published in a riveting book, The Afghan Interpreter, written by Joe Cassar. Finding the courage to recount his experiences was challenging but his ‘why’ drove the need to release the story. The aim of the book is to offer a voice for those who are forced into silence and to advocate for human rights in Afghanistan and all refugees.
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Here is an impressive list of achievements since arriving in Australia, September 2021.
Presenter/Facilitator of the ‘Leader of the Refugee Community program run by Asylum Seeker Resource Centre (ASRC)in conjunction with the “Welcoming Centre of Australia”.
twice Fund Raised for the survival of family members of Afghan families in Australia repatriated as Interpreters, Army and Police officers who are currently stuck in Afghanistan since the fall of the Republic of Afghanistan on August 15th, 2021. [Food, essential resources, shelter, and basic necessities.
Successfully completed of the Community Leadership Program (2022) run by the City of Marion.
Active Member for Afghan communities involved in the organization and support of community events within South Australia.
Facilitator and liaison between New Arrivals (from Afghanistan) and support services available in Adelaide. Support for Afghan Refugees available through existing Afghan Community groups, ….
Responding to the expressed and desperate needs of former Interpreters remaining in Afghanistan and helping them with their applications for Visas and completion of their documentation required for repatriation to Australia and other western countries.
Organizer of community based social events bringing Australian citizens together with recent and established groups from Afghanistan. For example: Saturday October 1st, 2022 [ 30 persons of Afghan or Australia citizens] Location: City of Marion at Hallett Cove Beach.
Host of a BBQ for members of the Afghan National Cricket Team T20 World Cup (the team was in Adelaide for the T20 Cricket match on 4th November) with all Afghan Community Leaders in Adelaide and representatives of Adelaide Afghan communities at Hallett Cove Beach in the City of Marion on Wednesday November 2nd, 2022.
Host BBQ for cultural sharing with different cultural backgrounds (24th of June 2023)
Honory MC for 1st TAFE graduation ceremony after Covid Pandemic
Motivational and Public Speaking to raise awareness in the Australian communities in Adelaide, Sydney, and Perth.
Erfan’s spoke to these events as keynote speaker with below titles of the speech:
Escaping to safety, adversity, diversity and inclusion. (Community Impact Expo)
Journey to safety (Gawler Rotary Club)
Journey to safety (Adelaide light Rotary Club)
Journey to safety (Adelaide Park Rotary Club)
Journey to safety (Mitchell Park Rotary Club)
Journey to safety (Adelaide Rotary Club)
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Read more on Erfan https://www.refugeecouncil.org.au/erfanullah-abidi/
Erfanullah Abidi (refugeecouncil.org.au)
https://www.facebook.com/erfanullah.abidi/
Erfanullah Abidi (facebook.com)
The Afghan-Interpreter – True Grit Counts
After escaping Afghanistan Erfanullah Abidi is ready to start his life in Adelaide - ABC listen
TURNING A NEGATIVE INTO A POSITIVE, MORE THAN ONE WAY – The Jolly Times
Journey to Safety – Rotary Club of Modbury Golden Grove (modburygoldengrove-rotary.org.au)
AFGHAN FAMILY START NEW PEACEFUL LIFE IN THE LAND DOWN UNDER – The Jolly Times
Escape from Afghanistan with Erfan Abidi - Zoom Only | Humanitix
Escape from Afghanistan | Rotary Club of Sydney Inc (clubrunner.ca)
Bulletin-20220911-2113.pdf (regencyparkrotary.org.au)
David's Desk - RCS Bulletin 22nd es August 2022 (Aug 22, 2022) (clubrunner.ca)
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A scientific futurist, speaker, advisor, author, founder, executive producer, executive director, and company director working across global projects where emerging technologies meet humanitarian, education and environmental needs. Catherine also likes to create businesses and champion movements, collaborate with peers, and advise game-changers.
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Julian Ferraretto is known for his virtuosic and melodically charged improvisational style, collaborating internationally with works premiered at the Sydney Opera House, The Adelaide Festival, Wigmore Hall and The Adelaide Symphony Orchestra’s ‘Gigs at Grainger’ series.
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Meet Cookie, a senior leader in media and now an employee culture specialist who is passionate about making the world a better place through the power of storytelling and conversations. With over 20 years of experience in the industry, Cookie has battled burnout, reinvented his business, and lost people close to him. His mission is to inspire others to navigate life's challenges and grow both professionally and personally. Through his platform Cuppa.tv, Cookie has interviewed over 400+ experts and personalities and is now on a mission to create positive change, one conversation at a time.
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After receiving his career break in radio, Cookie over the last 20 years has established himself as a senior leader in media & helping companies improve their culture.
Cookie is an ideas man, change maker, connector, employee culture specialist, entrepreneur, host, father and husband.
He is also someone who has battled burnout, lost people very close to him, had to reinvent his business in a day, and been on the brink of losing it all!
Cookie found his purpose when launching Cuppa.tv (Netflix for businesses who want the most for their people) at a time when people (and himself) needed it most. After interviewing over 400+ experts & personalities, Cuppa.tv showed him first hand how the power of storytelling & conversations can change a person's life forever and also galvanise a community to do good.
Cookie is now on a mission to make the world a better place, one conversation at a time
His topics include Navigating Life’s Puzzle (Mental Health Journey), Entrepreneurial Mindset (Professional Growth), Setback to Success (Personal Growth) & Conversational MUSCLE (Communication + Connection)
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Annie is a TEDx and keynote speaker with expertise in neuroscience and brain health, education and coaching. She is known for making the complex simple. She’s not able to say she does just one thing but everything she takes on is aligned with her values of curiosity and fun! Annie is an international keynote speaker around the topic of busy to burnout, in particular she shares her knowledge of Empathy Fatigue and how to heal from it. Annie also teaches mindfulness to teens, adults in the community and through corporate workshops. She has a book which helps us learn the powerful lifeskill of mindfulness without having to sit and meditate daily. Her #1 Amazon Bestseller, The Little Book of STILL: Calm for Busy Lives has a powerful foreword written by M.A.D. Creator, Dr Gill Hicks AM MBE. And finally, Annie is a Gelotologist, someone who studies the power of laughter on our physical, emotional and mental wellbeing and her clients range from 4 to 94.
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Annie Harvey | LinkedIn
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TEDx Annie Harvey: Silence to LOL | TED Talk
Keynote: HOME MAIN VIDEO LANDING (thestilleffect.com.au)
Her Book: about (thestilleffect.com.au)
Corporate Laughter Workshops and Conference Energisers: LIPS with QR (kartra.com)
The Giggle Game – a unique resource for adults and young children to co-regulate: about (thestilleffect.com.au)
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Katrina Webb OAM is on a mission to lead humanity through the self-mastery of embracing and harnessing ‘our difference’ to empower purpose, performance and potential for impact. As a Paralympic gold medallist, she herself has experienced the power of harnessing her own ability and disability equally to realise her full potential, and now imparts that same alchemy to empower others.
For over two decades, Katrina has transformed corporate leaders in conference rooms, professionals in their lounge rooms, and elite athletes in change rooms from experiencing limited success, and downplaying their unique difference, to realising their full potential through unlocking self-mastery, performance wellbeing and whole leadership.
Katrina’s presentations take people on a transformative journey to ignite purpose, human potential and team performance necessary for succeeding, thriving and generating a lasting positive impact in their social, local and global communities.
She delivers with authenticity, wholehearted compassion, humility and grace, driven by an insatiable curiosity and intense passion to enable others to unlock their own infinite possibilities.
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Katrina Webb is recognised and acknowledged for her success as a Paralympic athlete. She has won Gold, Silver and Bronze medals in athletics at three Paralympic Games. She was the first torch bearer to enter the Stadium for the Opening Ceremony of the Sydney2000 Paralympic Games and in 2006 Katrina was selected on behalf of the International Paralympic Committee to speak at the United Nations in New York.
Off the track Katrina is the Director of Silver 2 Gold High Performance Solutions which specialises in powering organisations, teams and individuals' best. Katrina is a global ambassador for the International Paralympic Committee and due to her own experience in dealing with a disability and a deep love of helping others, Katrina is the Founder and Director of Newday Leadership a platform to inspire leadership for the greater good.
Katrina Webb is an international speaker, leadership and personal mastery consultant, trainer in Wellbeing and Resilience and a physiotherapist. Katrina loves to be challenged. She has walked the Kokoda track and has trekked to Basecamp Everest twice. She is also a mother to not just one, but to three beautiful boys. Katrina recently worked with Seven as a reporter at the Tokyo2020/21 Paralympic Games.
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