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Her Excellency, the Honourable Sam Mostyn AC

Governor-General of Australia

Ms Sam Mostyn AC was sworn in as Australia’s 28th Governor-General on 1 July 2024. 

A businesswoman and community leader, Ms Mostyn is known for her exceptional service to the Australian community. She has a long history in executive and governance roles across diverse sectors, including business, sport, climate change, the arts, policy and not-for-profit.

Her Excellency is also a patron of Bus Stop Films.

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Bella Roberts

Content creator. Editorial Assistant on Netflix's Adolescence

Bella Roberts is a London-based editor, film school graduate, and social media personality. Bella’s love of cinema as a child led to a fully-fledged pursuit of filmmaking in her teens. After developing her videography skills through short film content and YouTube vlogs, Bella realised her passion lay on the cutting room floor.

In October 2022, armed with a wealth of knowledge, Bella started her TikTok channel and became a valuable source of editing expertise on the internet. Three years later, Bella has risen to prominence in the industry, amassing a dedicated fan base of eager learners and creatives. Bella's engaging content and distinct catchphrases have evolved her audience into an active community eager for her recommendations and preferred brands.

Bella sparked significant conversation about the challenges of breaking into the film and TV industry. Her viral series, "Day in the Life of a Runner," ignited discourse around working your way up in entry-level roles and how to successfully navigate the industry.

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Nas Campanella

Disability Affairs Reporter ABC

Nas Campanella is the ABC’s National Disability Affairs Reporter. Nas is totally blind and has a neurological condition called Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) which means she can’t read Braille. After completing a Communications degree at the University of Technology Sydney, majoring in journalism she started with the ABC as a cadet. Nas has worked as a regional reporter in south eastern New South Wales and then as a triple j newsreader for seven years. In taking on this role, Nas became the first blind newsreader in the world to read and operate the studio for herself live to air. In 2020 she was appointed to the senior national Disability Affairs role.

Nas travels the world to speak at events, helping to motivate people on issues ranging from inclusive education, adaptive technology, accessible travel and the importance of empowerment and leadership for women. Now also a proud mum to her son, Nas also shares her experiences navigating motherhood as a parent with disability. As well as working in the area of policy development in Australia and across the Pacific, Nas has volunteered abroad creating disability awareness training programs for the United Nations and has held several board positions in the disability sector.

Nas is a freelance writer, MC and mentor and is an ambassador for three organisations; The Centre of Perinatal Excellence, , Motivation Australia and the Royal Institute For Deaf and Blind Children.

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Carly Findlay OAM

Disability Advocate and Writer

Carly Findlay OAM is an award-winning writer, speaker and appearance activist.She also works part-time as Access and Disability Lead at Melbourne Fringe.Her first book, a memoir called Say Hello, was released in Australia in January 2019. She also edited Growing Up Disabled in Australia with Black Inc Books, released in February 2021.

She received an Order of Australia Medal for her work in disability advocacy and writing in 2020.Carly works part time as Melbourne Fringe's Access and Disability Lead. She writes on disability and appearance diversity issues for news outlets including CNN, ABC, The Age and Sydney Morning Herald, and SBS. She was a finalist in Marie Claire’s Women of the Year Awards in 2023, and named as one of Australia's most influential women in the 2014 Australian Financial Review and Westpac 100 Women of Influence Awards.

She has appeared on You Can’t Ask That, The Project and The Cook Up, and has been a regular on various ABC radio programs.

She has spoken at the Sydney Opera House, Melbourne Writers Festival, the University of Western England and Melbourne University, to name a few. She organised the history-making Access to Fashion, a Melbourne Fashion Week event featuring disabled models.

Carly has a Masters of Communication and Bachelor of eCommerce. Carly identifies as a proud disabled woman - she has Ichthyosis and has survived Ovarian and Endometrial Cancer. She lives in Melbourne, Australia.

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Kerry Tavou

Head of Inclusion & Diversity, Tennis Australia

Kerry has over 15 years of experience in creating welcoming, safe and inclusive sporting environments for people from diverse communities. Kerry is the Head of Inclusion & Diversity at Tennis Australia who are working through a range of initiatives that engage people with disability, multicultural communities, First Nations people and people part of the LGBTQIA+ community. Tennis Australia is committed to create a diverse workforce that feel valued and included, a game that reflects the diversity of our communities and events that are inclusive and celebrate diversity.

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Hannah Diviney

Writer, Disability advocate, Actress,

Hannah Diviney is a writer, disability advocate,  actress, screenwriter, speaker, author and media personality. Her disability advocacy has garnered global attention thanks to both a viral petition encouraging Disney to create a disabled Disney Princess and a successful campaign encouraging both Lizzo and Beyonce to change ableist lyrics. Her debut book, I'll Let Myself In, a collection of personal essays chronicling what it means to come of age in a world not built for you, was released in 2023. 

 As a writer, her work has appeared in Harper's Bazaar, Marie Claire, Mamamia and The Guardian among others. She’s the former Editor in Chief of global grassroots media company, Missing Perspectives which she also co-founded, dedicated to platforming and making space for the lived experience of women and girls around the world.  As if that wasn't enough, she's also an actor having made television history as the first disabled person in Australia to do a sex scene on television, thanks to SBS digital originals series, Latecomers. She made her feature film debut in SXSW premiere pick Audrey. She’s also one of only a handful of people with disabilities to have ever addressed the National Press Club of Australia across its 60+ year history.

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Matt Formston

Advocate, surfer and filmmaker

Matt Formston is no ordinary athlete. With 3% vision, he's a world champion big wave surfer, Guinness World Record Holder, cyclist and Australian Paralympian.

Diagnosed with Macular Dystrophy at age 5, Matt defied expectations by excelling in mainstream school and playing Rugby League, Union, and Ice Hockey - all with the love and support of his family who never used the word 'cant' and focussed on things that he could do. Beyond the waves and tracks, Matt is a powerhouse in the professional realm. As a motivational speaker and executive coach, he's inspired leaders and teams across iconic brands and businesses in Australia. His story is a testament to turning differences into superpowers.

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Laura Winson

Founder Zebedee

Laura Winson is a leading advocate for inclusive advertising and co-founder of Zebedee Talent, an agency dedicated to authentic representation of disabled, visibly different, and trans and non-binary people in the media. Since launching Zebedee in 2017 with her sister-in-law Zoe Proctor, Laura has been at the forefront of transforming industry standards, ensuring that inclusivity is not just a trend but a fundamental aspect of creative storytelling.

With a background as a qualified social worker, Laura's commitment to social justice and advocacy for underrepresented communities deeply informs her approach to inclusive advertising. Under her leadership, Zebedee has partnered with global brands such as  Burberry, Marks & Spencer, and Primark, facilitating campaigns that resonate with diverse audiences and unlock the commercial potential of inclusive representation.

An established speaker and thought leader, Laura has shared her expertise on inclusive advertising at various industry events and publications, including SXSW, Cannes Lions, Vogue Business and the BBC.

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Deanne Weir

WeirAnderson Films. Lead Producer Boss Cat

Deanne Weir is a former media lawyer and executive turned producer, investor and company director.  She is passionate about storytelling, change-making and gender equality.  Through WeirAnderson.com and WeirAnderson Films, Deanne invests in entrepreneurs and storytellers to help them change the world.

Film investments include I Used to Be Normal, Babyteeth, I Am Woman, Blaze, How to Please A Woman, Seriously Red, Run Rabbit Run, The Wolves Always Come at Night, Addition and Sweet Milk Lake.  An experienced Executive Producer, Deanne is expanding into lead producing roles, including the upcoming film Boss Cat, and WeirAnderson Films has a number of projects in advanced development.

A board member of Screen Australia until 2016, Deanne was instrumental in the development of its Gender Matters program. Deanne was Chair of the Sydney Film Festival until November 2023.An active investor in female-led startups, Deanne is Chair of Seer Data & Analytics, a civic tech company, advisor to culture tech company Othelia, and media platform Missing Perspectives.  In February 2024 Deanne retired as Chair of ASX-listed Ai-Media Technologies Limited after 14 years as a board member. Deanne is also a board member of Mannifera, a philanthropic giving collective, and Chair of the Grata Fund. 

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Dr Jenny Crosbie

Interim Director, Centre for Inclusive Employment

Jenny has over 35 years experience in the disability sector, primarily working in employment services in direct service, management, policy and research roles. Her PhD focused on the experience of young people with intellectual disability as they transitioned from school to work. Jenny is currently the Interim Director of the Centre for Inclusive Employment.

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Dr Alexia Derbas

Head of Equity and Inclusion at the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA)

Dr Alexia Derbas is the Head of Equity and Inclusion at the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA). She guides access and inclusion initiatives, and advises NIDA staff and students on best practice to break down barriers to participation for historically excluded communities.

Alexia is a sociologist with scholarly expertise in the experience of social disadvantage in the settler-colonial context of Australia. She was the Research and Policy Manager at Diversity Arts Australia, the national peak body for racial equity in the arts, screen and creative sectors. She advocates for justice and equity to be embedded in systems and workplace practices in the creative industries. Alexia has lectured and taught students at Western Sydney University and the University of Technology, Sydney in media and communications, the social sciences and humanities. She has a PhD in Sociology from Western Sydney University, and a Bachelor of Arts (Honors) from the University of Technology, Sydney.

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Elizabeth Wright

Journalist ABC Sport, Paralympian and Advocate

Elizabeth Wright is a Paralympic medalist, award winning sports journalist, keynote speaker and emcee. She brings forth all of her life experience to challenge people around disability, sport, diversity, and inclusion. Elizabeth holds degrees in Fine Art and Character Education; she is an international speaker and has edited and written for multiple disability focused and mainstream publications. Elizabeth now works at the ABC as a reporter, with a keen interest in telling Para sport stories.

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Mandina Oh

Project Manager, Diversity & Inclusion ABC

Mandina Oh has over 20 years of international experience in the media industry. She currently leads diversity and inclusion initiatives and strategy for the Screen team at the ABC.
Mandina developed Backstage Pass, a program for The Assembly students, and drives workforce initiatives and projects that foster a more inclusive workplace at the ABC. Prior to this, she worked in ABC Marketing, focusing on community partnerships, audience acquisition, and amplifying underrepresented voices on radio.
She also has extensive production management experience across film and television, working on series for ABC, SBS and Nine, and previously managed global brands at Saatchi & Saatchi New York.
Mandina is deeply passionate about championing diverse perspectives and lived experiences both on and off screen. She is dedicated to creating opportunities and spaces that reflect Australia’s rich diversity, ensuring all voices have a seat at the table.

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Alex Jones

Senior Manager Access, Sydney Opera House

Alex is a leader with more than 15+ years of experience in corporate, government, and non-government roles and is a Graduate of Australian institute of Company Directors (GAICD), Certified Provisional Deaf Interpreter and Translator, and holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from New York University. He is a dedicated advocate for changing societal attitudes towards people with disabilities and people who are Deaf or hard of hearing in Australia. A Co-founder of Ai-Media, a global captioning solution provider, Alex has been instrumental in enhancing accessibility. Alex currently works at Sydney Opera House as a Senior Manager, Access in the Social Engagement and Impact Team. He continues to drive initiatives that empower individuals with disabilities, embodying his commitment to fostering inclusivity and equal opportunities. With a background in cultural event leadership, including the 2005 Melbourne Deaflympics Cultural Festival and 2018 Australian Deaf Games, he has been a longstanding ambassador for the NSW Don’t DIS my ABILITY campaign, and have served on boards as a Chair and Vice President for Deafness Forum and Deaf Sports Australia. Alex is the on the board of Australian Sign Language Interpreter and Translator Association.

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Bethany Woodman

Journalist, Advocate & Public Speaker

Having participated as a Student Journalist in the first season of the celebrated ABC show The Assembly, which has been nominated for a TV Week Logie Award for Best Factual or Documentary Program, Bethany went behind the scenes to become a Student Mentor in the highly anticipated second season.   

In 2024 Bethany joined fellow The Assembly journalist Angus as one of the hosts of the interview show Good Morning Woodfordia at the Woodford Folk Festival, and completed an internship at the ABC in the Impact and Partnerships department. 

Bethany's passion for politics and standing up for what is right drives her every action. Having felt misunderstood and alone until a diagnosis of Autism and ADHD in her early 20s, Bethany is dedicated to advocating for Autistic people."

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Adam Archer

Head of Finishing and VFX, Spectrum Films

Adam Archer is the Head of Finishing & VFX at Spectrum Films, a 60 year old Australian family owned business. Adam has over 30 years experience in Post Production, on features, series and TVCs. His credits include Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga, Boy Swallows Universe, Runt, The New Boy, Heartbreak High  and Mr Inbetween. He has built a strong reputation for possessing sound technical knowledge with a flair for creative problem solving. As the proud father of two autistic children, Adam is passionate about advocating for more neuroinclusive practices within the Post Production industry. He is the founding force behind The Lumina Initiative, a neuroinclusive visual effects training and internship program being developed as a collaboration between Spectrum and Bus Stop Films.

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Marlee Silva

Writer and Presenter

Marlee Silva is a proud Gamilaroi and Dunghutti woman, born and raised on Dharrawal Country, south of Sydney. She has built a dynamic media career grounded in storytelling for good.

A best-selling author, her published works include My Tidda, My Sister, stories of strength and resilience from Australia's First Women, Stand Proud, which she co-wrote with NRL star Nicho Hynes, and the children’s book For 60,000 Years, which introduces young readers to the richness of First Nations culture and history.

Marlee is a sideline reporter with Channel Nine’s Wide World of Sports rugby league coverage and host of the podcast Marlee and Me, where she speaks with some of the biggest names in the NRL about family, identity, and culture. Her work sits at the intersection of sport and social change.

Her latest project, Skin In The Game, an NITV and SBS documentary for which she is Host and Executive Producer, explores how rugby league can help address gendered violence in Australia.

Marlee brings to every conversation a deep commitment to amplifying voices and perspectives that often go unheard, using storytelling to spark positive change.

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Steph Dower

Disability advocate, Filmmaker and Access Coordinator

Stephanie Dower is a screen producer, writer, consultant, and access coordinator based in Brisbane, Australia. In 2021, Stephanie produced and edited short film Sunshine, a project funded through Screen Queensland’s RIDE Shorts program in collaboration with Taste Creative and Bus Stop Films. The film premiered at the Brisbane International Film Festival and later went on to screen at the Cleveland International Film Festival in the USA. More recently, Stephanie was a producer on short film And The Ocean Agreed, a film written, directed and produced by AWGIE-winner Tanya Modini.

Stephanie’s advocacy efforts as a filmmaker living with disability has seen her become a member of Screen Queensland’s Equity and Diversity Taskforce and appointed as an advisor to the Screen Producers’ Australia Council. Stephanie is also a regular co-host of Attitude Foundation’s ReFramedPodcast and works as an associate at disability inclusion consultancy firm, Get Skilled Access.

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Soph Tonson

Disability advocate, filmmaker, entrepreneur, song writer and musician.

Soph is a creative extraordinaire, an emerging filmmaker, songwriter, and musician with a vibrant and distinctive voice. As an autistic, mostly non-speaking AAC user, she transforms her lived experience of disability into art that educates, uplifts and sparks understanding. Through a wide range of creative outlets, Soph offers bold, fresh, and deeply insightful glimpses into her world. Her work is more than expression, it is a form of illumination. Combining her musical talents, like drumming and writing evocative lyrics with powerful visual storytelling, she breaks barriers and shines a light on the beauty of her neurodivergence and disability identity. A passionate disability advocate, Soph believes in the power of representation and in creating space for every voice, spoken or unspoken, to be heard, seen and celebrated. She also aspires to develop her acting skills. Her art radiates her unique sparkle: authentic, imaginative, and unapologetically expressive.

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Angus McCleod

Comedian and Advertising Executive

Angus McLeod is a comedian, actor, and advertising professional based in Melbourne. Since beginning his media career in 2018, he has worked across radio, small theatre productions, stand-up comedy, and brand strategy — building a path that blends creativity with communication. In October 2022, Angus survived an assault in Brisbane City that left him profoundly deaf. Now living with cochlear implants, he has become a passionate advocate for accessibility and inclusion in media. Drawing on lived experience, his work challenges industry norms and pushes for more authentic, accessible storytelling across platforms.

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Loz Booth

Stand-Up Comedian, Actor, Disability Advocate

Loz Booth is a comedic content creator, actor, and Mum of two young boys from Sydney Australia. Although having a hand and foot difference Loz doesn’t allow this to define who she is and is extremely passionate about showing up on social media with content that focuses on her comedy rather than her "difference".

Through her content and 20+ million views, she has managed to grow a thriving community of Mums across the globe, including a growing community of Mums who also have children with limb differences.

Loz believes that Australia is very much behind the rest of the world when it comes to diversity in the Media & the Arts, hence her goal is to be a part of the movement that is slowly changing that for the better.

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Bridie McKim

Actor, Advocate and Access Coordinator

Bridie is a NIDA graduate and has worked on screen productions such as The Heights, Bump, Christmas Ransom, Dive Club, Irreverent, and Joe Vs. Carole. This year, Bridie appeared in the Ensemble Theatre’s production of The Glass Menagerie. She is passionate about reducing the barriers faced by people with disability, so that everyone has the opportunity to perform at their best. Bridie works as a screen access coordinator within the screen industry. She is also an access and inclusion consultant for disability inclusion consulting firm Get Skilled Access, founded by Dylan Allcott. 

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Emily Dash

Disability Advocate, Actor, Filmmaker and Bus Stop Films Board Member

Emily Dash is an Australian writer, actor, advocate and speaker, celebrated for her dynamic storytelling and sharp comedic voice. Her recent show, Em & Maddie Solve Your Problems, premiered at the Sydney Fringe Festival in 2024, winning the Adelaide Fringe Tour Ready Award and has since gone on to win the Adelaide Fringe Festival Weekly Emerging Artist Award in March 2025. Emily is also known for her acclaimed short film Groundhog Night, which premiered at the Sydney Film Festival and won Audience Choice at the London Australian Film Festival in 2022. Her earlier works, including I Am Not A Work of Art, The Cards I’m Dealt, and The Milky Pop Kid, continue to be recognised at Australian and international festivals, carrying an enduring message of inclusion.

Emily is a co-creator of Diversity Work, a podcast exploring authentic representation and equity in the creative industries and the barriers that diverse creatives face. Through screen, theatre, and comedy, she continues to challenge perceptions and champion diverse voices. Emily also shapes disability perception and representation through her role as Chair of Attitude Foundation, Director of Bus Stop Films, Director of Accessible Arts, and Director of Dirty Feet.

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Emma Myers

Screenwriter, Actor, Journalist and Disability rights advocate

She is the co-creator and writer of the critically acclaimed SBS Digital Originals’ series Latecomers, which won a Screen Producers Australia Award as well as the Screen Diversity and Inclusion Award in 2023, and the AACTA Award for Best Online Comedy or Drama in 2024.

Emma's career highlights include participating in Screenworks Inside The Writers Room program, serving on Screen Australia’s Gender Matters Taskforce, and speaking at the National Young Writers’ Festival and TEDX Sydney. Emma is also the inaugural disability rights and political reporter for Powerd Media, where she amplifies the voices of people with disabilities within Parliament. She was awarded ABC's Regional Storyteller Scholarship and has two years’ experience working as a Features Reporter for ABC News.

Through her work, she aims to address the community's concerns directly with policymakers and use storytelling as a tool to change perceptions of disability. Emma believes it’s crucial to challenge societal misconceptions about disability, particularly around topics like relationships and intimacy, where people with disabilities are often misunderstood or overlooked. Through her work in journalism and screenwriting, she aims to shift these perceptions.

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Genevieve Clay-Smith

Director, Co-founder Bus Stop Films

Genevieve Clay-Smith is an award-winning writer and director dedicated to inclusive storytelling that shifts perceptions and champions underrepresented voices. She is the co-founder of Bus Stop Films, Taste Creative, and Inclusively Made—organisations that lead the way in accessible, purpose-driven filmmaking.

Genevieve was the series writer and director of Fizzy and Suds (Season 1), a joyful children’s show that was nominated for three Prix Jeunesse awards including the UNESCO award for diversity. She is also the creator, writer, and director of an upcoming live-action series for BBC Studios and Ludo Studio (the team behind Bluey). The new show invites families into the kitchen to cook, play, and connect—offering a real-world companion to Bluey's imaginative spirit.

Her debut feature film Boss Cat is set to premiere in 2026. The film follows a young woman with Down syndrome on her journey toward independence and self-discovery, told with heart and authenticity. Produced by Bus Stop Films through an inclusive filmmaking model, Boss Cat involves people with disability in key creative and crew roles.

Genevieve is a trailblazer in inclusive filmmaking, recognised internationally for her work that blends creative excellence with social impact. She is committed to building a screen industry that is more diverse, equitable, and creatively rich

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Karina Holden

Head of Factual at Northern Pictures

For over two decades, Karina has been a trailblazer in the field of factual television. As Head of Factual at Northern Pictures, her role has allowed her to oversee content creation for broadcast television and feature release, as well as direct her own films. In the last decade, she has overseen more than 20 factual series including See What You Made Me Do (SBS), called ‘one of the most important documentaries you’ll ever watch’; Employable Me (ABC), which gave people with disabilities their first opportunity to participate in the workforce and the dating shows celebrating diversity in Better Date than Never (ABC) and Love on the Spectrum (Netflix) winner of 5 Emmy® Awards. Along with the series co-creator Cian O’Clery, Karina has been recognised by the Producer’s Guild of America for advancing the portrayal and employment of disabilities in media. The crux of her work is to create change, truth tell and find unlikely heroes who challenge our perceptions.

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Kellie Baxter

Indigenous Australian creative, Writer, Director, Producer, and Actor.

Kellie Baxter, known as Australia’s Baxter (BK), is a proud Indigenous creative, director, producer, and actor. She’s known for bold, culture-driven storytelling in projects like Sons of Summer, QLD Mob Rising, and Smiley. A graduate of NYFA and member of the LGBTQ+ community, BK brings heart, resilience, and lived experience to every project.

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Knox Gibson

Actor The Hunger Games, Competitive Swimmer

Knox Gibson is an actor and athlete from regional NSW whose determination and talent have seen him overcome adversity and thrive in the spotlight.

After losing his right arm in an accident at the age of 3, Knox defied expectations—playing rugby, excelling as a national-level swimmer, and building a fast-rising acting career, all by the age of 17.

His breakout role came as the lead in Netflix’s powerful 2022 short film Forgive Us Our Trespasses. He went on to appear as Tribute Bobbin in the 2023 blockbuster The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. In recognition of his work, Knox was named one of the Top 50 Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA) Young Stars at the end of 2024 and attended the AACTA Festival in 2025 as part of this. 

Knox’s screen experience also includes appearances on The Project, ABC’s What’s It Like? and You Can’t Ask That, along with work for Kmart and Breeze Singapore, short films, music videos, a feature in Bonds’ As Worn By Us campaign, and modelling for Tommy Hilfiger in New York Fashion Week’s virtual Runway of Dreams.

Alongside his acting, Knox continues to shine as an athlete—regularly selected for the NSW Para Development Squad and competing at the 2024 and 2025 Australian Swimming Trials.

A passionate advocate for disability inclusion, Knox uses his platform to challenge stereotypes and push for authentic representation—believing that visibility and truth in storytelling can drive real change.

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Melissa McClean

Executive Producer, Helium Pictures

Melissa Maclean is a film and television executive producer and director, having extensive experience in unscripted television across all genres. She believes strongly in the power of the screen to inform and entertain while changing norms. Melissa is proud to have worked collaboratively with participants and partners to deliver The Assembly to the ABC for Helium Pictures. Part of multi-Logie winning teams for Travel Guides and Gogglebox, she also co-created the successful format Parental Guidance, which has been sold overseas to 7 territories and was adapted in the USA as The Parent Test. Melissa's feature documentary Beyond Our Ken was nominated for an AFI and featured at international film festivals including Toronto HotDocs, MIFF, and IDFA. 

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Meredith Hall

Gaming business, Developer and Producer

 Meredith Hall is a multi-award-winning business developer, marketer and producer. She is currently the Business Development and Marketing Director at Summerfall Studios, creators of the BAFTA/Grammy nominated Stray Gods: The Roleplaying Musical. Meredith has worked as Lead Producer at international studios Aconite & Strange Scaffold, as well as Games & Digital Content at VicScreen, where she administered grant funding to indie games like Untitled Goose Game. She's the co-founder of Accessibility Unlocked, an organisation focused on better support for disabled developers in the industry, and runs a newsletter called the Indie Dev Digest, an ANZ focused regional community noticeboard. Winner of the Rising Star Award at the 2020 Australian Game Developer Awards, she champions the games industry locally and internationally.

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Olivia Hargroder

Actor and advocate

Olivia studied drama at NIDA’s Young Actors Studio and then gained a Cert IV in Stage and Screen with Perform Australia. She became an emerging artist with Brisbane’s La Boite Theatre Company and delivered her monologue performance Quick Fixes to great acclaim. This was an opportunity to combine her love of contemporary dance and drama, to drive a highly emotional performance. Her first lead role on screen, was in Bus Stop’s beautiful short film Sunshine with Anna McGahan. She burst into Australian living rooms, in ABC TV’s Better Date Than Never, winning hearts and changing minds about people with a disability.  Olivia has been part of Bus Stop’s filmmaking program since 2021, exploring all aspects of the industry and working on a diverse range of projects. She jumped at the chance to audition for the gritty lead role of Sonja in Bus Stop’s first feature film Boss Cat and cannot wait to bring this incredible story to the world.

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Patrick Hukins

Sexologist and Psychosexual Therapist | LGBTQIA+ and Disability Lived Experience Advocate

Patrick Hukins (they/them) is a queer, non-binary psychotherapist and sexuality educator with lived experience of autism and ADHD. As a clinical counsellor specializing in relationships, gender and sexuality, they work alongside people with disability to explore intimacy, identity and pleasure without shame.

Patrick has led national projects in inclusive sex education, co-created film-based resources like Love Rights and Peaches and Cream, and delivered training across health, disability, and education sectors. They advocate for the rightful presence of people with disability in shaping the stories that reflect their lives - because these voices are not only valid, but vital to meaningful and authentic storytelling.

They bring warmth, insight, and lived expertise to conversations about inclusion, consent and representation.

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Ronan Soussa

Bus Stop Films Participant Ambassador, disability advocate

Ronan is a young man who lives with Autism. He resides in Sydney with his parents, older brother and the two family cats.

His early years were filled with frustration and confusion however with the dedicated support of his parents, family and friends he now lives a happy and very busy fulfilled life.

Ronan proudly graduated from high school in 2017 and has now moved into the world of employment which he finds very rewarding.

He is passionate about promoting inclusiveness, advocating for people living with autism and spreading positivity.

He is a proud Ambassador for both the Autism Community Network and Bus Stop Films.

Ronan loves to experience new things and has many interests and hobbies, some of which are;  a passion for motor racing including working at the race track, playing piano and tuba, drama, modelling, voiceover, karate in which he has achieved a black belt, and learning about film making.  Just as importantly to him are the fun times he spends with the friends he has made through social support groups.

Four years ago Ronan dipped his toe into the world of dating, appearing as a participant on ‘Love on the Spectrum’ through which he has met someone who is now a special person in his life. 

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Sam Martin

Deaf filmmaker and researcher Sign on Screen

Sam Martin (he/him) is a Deaf, Queer director, creative producer, writer, consultant and Access Coordinator working across film, television and theatre. A graduate of AFTRS with a BA in Screen: Production, he has directed short, award-winning short documentaries broadcast nationally and screened internationally. He is also one of the first qualified Access Coordinators in Victoria, having trained with Bridge06 and worked in the role on a major production for seven months. Sam also is currently an MPhil candidate with ANU’s Sign on Screen project, exploring Deaf "Voice” in documentary filmmaking.

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Samira Cox

Bus Stop Employment Member

My name is Samira Cox and I am 24 years old.  I live with Usher syndrome which means I was born profoundly deaf; I have some balance difficulties and retinitis pigmentosa and am now legally blind (but I still have good central vision!).  I have cochlear implants which allow me to hear and enjoy music.

I started to get into filmmaking when I attended a filmmaking workshop with Hear for You who mentor deaf teenagers.  I started to enter their annual film festival and have won awards for Best Screenplay, Best Story, and one year my short film “What Am I Missing” was selected to be shown in Hearing Australia Offices.  This experience gave me a passion for creating films and has led me to pursuing this as a career.  I also produced a short film for my HSC Major Artwork which included an animated character. 

Since leaving school I have entered short films in the Focus on Ability Film Festival, Georges River Council Short Stuff Film Festival, and BlindDANCE Film Festival in the USA.  In all these films I was screenwriter, director, editor, and actor. I recently submitted a short, animated film to the 20th Anniversary Fan Club Celebration for Kingdom Heart which was shared online.  I am also inspired by Japanese Anime and games such as Kingdom Heart.

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Stevie Nicholson

Production Manager

Stevie Nicholson is a Film and Television Production Professional with credits across major international productions, including Heartbreak High (Netflix), Colin From Accounts (CBS), and La Brea (NBC). A former member of the ARIA Award–winning children’s group Hi-5, Stevie continued his passion for storytelling as the author of the hit children’s book Superdudes. Earlier in his career, he was nominated for an Australian Sports Commission Award for his work as Assistant Editor of Australian Tennis Magazine. Stevie brings a unique blend of creative energy, production expertise, and a deep commitment to inclusion and representation across all forms of media.

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Tim Hans

Producer

Tim Hans is a video producer who specialises in working with people with disability to create online content. He is the co-creator of the hit comedy cooking show, Beautiful, Tasty, Beautiful! starring Sean and Marley. Tim has helped Sean and Marley (two best friends with Down syndrome) become global celebrities, filming, editing, and producing their social media content, which has helped them gain millions of followers all over the world. In 2023 they won the 'TikTok for Good Award' at the Australian TikTok awards, and have collaborated with brands such as Arnotts, Sydney Water, Disney, Raw Nutrition, Kraft, Lego, Down Syndrome NSW, and many more. 

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Charlie

Life Education’s “Healthy Harold” first Auslan presenter

I’m Charlie, I’m 11 years old and in Year 6. I absolutely love dancing and musical theatre, being on stage is one of my favourite things ever! When I’m not dancing or performing, you’ll probably find me playing soccer with my friends or reading one of the many books in my growing collection (I can never have too many!). I recently hosted a series with Life Education’s “Healthy Harold” and was the first Auslan presenter in the series. 

I was born deaf and I wear cochlear implants, which help me hear the world around me. I’m also learning Auslan and think it’s important for more people to know about being deaf and how wonderful the deaf community is. I love sharing my story and raising awareness so that everyone can feel included and understood.

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Nathan Borg

Actor and Advocate

Nathan Borg is an Australian Deaf actor from Melbourne. Nathan is known for his acting role in 'Neighbours' (2021), where he portrayed “Curtis Perkins”. In 2023, Nathan became 'BONDS' first deaf and recurring model in a variety of projects featuring Auslan representation. Nathan played the lead in Bus Stop Films' fully Auslan scripted rom com, the award-winning 'Strawberry Cheesecake'. Nathan has gained visibility for his advocacy work in TV interviews on 'ABC News Breakfast,' 'Studio 10, 'The House of Wellness,' and the famous gay magazine 'DNA.'. He worked alongside Northern Pictures, Jaggi Entertainment, and Werner Film Productions in crew roles.

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Tea Uglow

Advocate, Digital expert and consultant at EP Australia

Tea Uglow is a Peabody-winning creative visionary who has been working in the seams of culture & technology for over 20 years. Tea established Google’s Creative Lab in London (2007) and started the Google Arts & Culture project. She became globally known for award-winning UX, AI and AR projects with cultural organisations like the Guggenheim or British Museum after she moved to Sydney in 2012.

As part of EP Australia, she advises businesses and boards on innovation and AI strategy.

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Ben Phillips

Actor and advocate

My name is Benjamin Phillips and I love story telling. Inspired by my grandfather Wallace Phillips, an author of children's stories, I began acting at the age of 5 in community theatre. Throughout my school years I developed a creative imagination for both poetry and story writing. Cast as the lead in a number of theatrical plays during my childhood, I discovered a true sense of belonging in performing on stage to dramatically share stories with audiences. My natural talent for improvising comedy often became useful in helping to defuse the threat of schoolyard bullying. Most of my education was spent being the class clown.

Eventually as an adult I found there were limited opportunities to pursue my acting career on stage, however I began to have success finding work as an extra in film and television. I was only able to make rare appearances on stage alone as a stand up comedian. Noticing amongst the blind community the amount of talent but lack of opportunities, a group of us collaborated together to create our own blind theatre company, whom triumphantly wrote and performed a number of quality stage productions for the public. 

I then found myself acting in a variety of short films and learning the art of filmmaking with Bus Stop Films. My desire to still be the class clown made it difficult for me to learn much as a student while studying the course, although I did benefit greatly from the inclusive learning environment and practical industry experience. It has since led to many wonderful projects that I have been so privileged and honoured to be part of, such as performing as a voice artist and puppeteer in children's education, assisting to direct and acting in a feature film, and being cast in a comedic lead acting role for children's entertainment. Thankfully I never gave up the dream.

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Ken Crouch

Head of Industry Development, Screen Australia

Ken is a senior executive working specialising in the screen and digital games sectors, who focuses on transforming creative industries through strategic leadership, collaboration, innovation, and operational excellence.

In February 2023, Ken joined Screen Australia in the newly created position of Head of Industry Development. In this role, he develops and oversees national initiatives aimed at industry capacity and deliver strategies that support skills growth and economically sustainable businesses across the screen sector. 

As Screenworks CEO from 2014 to 2023, Ken implemented strategic changes that led the organisation’s scaled-growth and transformation into Australia's leading regional provider of industry training and development, achieving 32% average annual revenue growth while empowering over 14,000 creatives through more than 280 tailored initiatives.

Before joining Screenworks, Ken was part of the Executive Management team at Clarence Valley Council from 2012 to 2014, the Business Operations Manager for Australia's largest annual event, Sydney New Year's Eve, from 2005 to 2012, and a member of multiple boards of non-profit organisations and government advisory committees.

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Billie Hutchison

Anytime Fitness Marketing Lead

Billie Hutchison is the Marketing Lead at Anytime Fitness, Australia’s largest gym network. With nearly two decades experience in advertising agencies across Australia and the UK, Billie has led strategic and creative work for global brands including IBM, UNICEF, Guide Dogs UK, Virgin Mobile, Toyota, and P&G. Her career has spanned brand strategy, advertising, direct marketing, CRM, and customer experience design — always anchored in a deep commitment to keeping the customer at the centre.

At Anytime Fitness, Billie leads the brand marketing team and national campaign strategy, working closely with media partners and the franchisee network to drive meaningful member engagement and acquisition. She has played a key role in implementing a national marketing calendar and aligning local club activity with broader brand objectives. Most recently, Billie has been proud to partner with Shift 20 to embed disability representation into Anytime Fitness’ marketing, both on screen and behind the scenes, as part of a broader commitment to inclusion and authentic representation.

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Shakira Clanton

MEAA First Nations Co-Chair

Shakira Clanton is a proud Wongatha, Yamatji, Noongar, and Gija woman from Perth, Western Australia, and a graduate of NIDA (2015). Her screen work includes Zombucha (2024), where she stars as Audrey (written by Emma Leonard, directed by Claudia Dzienny), Stoned Bros (2009, dir. Richard Frankland), Frayed (ABC/HBO Max), Eden (Stan), and Doctor Doctor (Nine Network). Her acclaimed stage credits include Don’t Ask What the Bird Look Like,York, Still I Rise (self-devised), The Long Forgotten Dream (STC, dir. Neil Armfield), and Is That You Ruthie (QTC, 2025), directed by Leah Purcell. As Co-Chair and an advocate for structural change, Shakira champions visibility and access for new Indigenous voices,stories to be truly heard and seen. She believes these pathways must be lasting—not just temporary, box-ticking initiatives—but real, transformative opportunities that allow First Nations storytelling, culture, and talent to thrive for generations to come.

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Pele Sulusi

Athlete and business owner

My name is Pele Sulusi, and I’m an above-knee amputee and aspiring Paralympian. I was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in 2013, and after years of health challenges, I underwent a leg amputation in 2018. Since then, I’ve been on a mission to rebuild my strength, improve my health and fitness, and push the limits of what’s possible. My ultimate goal is to compete at the Paralympic level and inspire others through my journey of resilience and determination.

On the other side of that journey, I recently launched a disability support company focused on helping others with disabilities pursue their own health and fitness goals. Through this work, I aim to empower individuals to adapt, overcome, and thrive beyond their circumstances — physically, mentally, and emotionally.

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Caroline Kasper

Intimacy Coordinator

Caroline (she/her) is a widely experienced intimacy coordinator based in Sydney, Australia whose 30+ years as a performer across theatre, film and TV enhances her work in the intimacy landscape. Starting intimacy coordination training in 2020 with Intimacy On Set under the mentorship of Chloë Dallimore, further courses through IDC and certification through IPA Caroline continues to maintain and expand her training as the role demands. Intimacy coordination credits include the feature films: Mad Max Furiosa - 2024, Three Thousand Years of Longing - 2022 (Kennedy Mitchell Miller/Warner Bros), The Fall Guy - 2024 (Universal), and Five Blind Dates - 2023 (Amazon) Limited series includes: Erotic Stories - 2023, Latecomers - 2022 (SBS), Watching You - 2025 (Stan). Series include: Heartbreak High - 2021-2025 (Seasons 1, 2 & 3 - Netflix), Ten Pound Poms (Seasons 1 & 2 - BBC), Bump (Seasons 3, 4 & 5 - Stan), Black Snow (Season 1 - Stan), Last King Of The Cross (Seasons 1 & 2 - Paramount+) and Significant Others (ABC). Empowering actors to do their best work, adherence to individual consent and boundaries, facilitating effective communication across departments and supporting the directors' vision is paramount. With the sculpting/choreography of scenes of intimacy her guide is: if every movement is a sentence, what are we trying to say.

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Tracey Corbin-Matchett OAM

CEO Bus Stop Films

Tracey is a proud hard of hearing woman with a passion for film, advocacy and inclusion. As CEO of Bus Stop Films she is advocating for greater representation of people with disability in the screen industry, receiving an OAM in 2023 for service to the arts and to people with disability. Her 25-year career has crossed social housing, women’s domestic violence services, including 6 years as the State Manager of Women’s Domestic Violence Court Assistance Program and the film and television industry, working with a number of industry services including Screen NSW, Event Cinemas and Women in Film and TV (WIFT) NSW.

Her advocacy work in the screen industry has seen her lead on strategies including “Screenability” and “She Shoots” at Screen NSW and WIFT’s Raising Films Australia and growing the work of Bus Stop Films on a global scale.

Tracey is an Includeability Ambassador on disability employment to the Australian Human Rights Commission and a Director of Deaf Sports Australia and Northcott (Disability Services). She is also a member of the Screen Australia’s Gender Matter Taskforce, Screen Producer’s Australia Respectful Workplaces Reference Group and TAFE NSW Creative Industries Taskforce. Tracey was a member of the Australian delegation of disability advocates to the United Nation’s 15th Conference of State Parties to The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). Tracey is Executive Producer of Bus Stop’s slate and co-produced films including Groundhog Night and Valiant.

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Jessica Sherlock

Membership Development and Training Coordinator

Jessica has ten years experience working in the disability sector within Australia and the UK, for both government and non-government organizations. Driven by a passion for film and television as a platform for social change and advocacy, Jessica transitioned into the screen industry, and has directed a number of short films screened in festivals across Australia. She is passionate about the amplification of underrepresented voices and stories on Australian screens and a more inclusive screen industry. Jessica holds a Bachelor of Film from SAE Institute, and a Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Queensland.

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Mark Condon

Marketing Manager at GIO (Suncorp Group)

With over 20 years’ experience in marketing and sponsorship, Mark is a results-driven marketing leader known for crafting innovative, data-led strategies that fuel business growth and champion inclusive storytelling. Currently Marketing Manager at GIO (Suncorp Group), Mark leads the GIO marketing function developing high-impact, through-the-line campaigns.

His experience spans diverse industries including financial services, FMCG, pharmaceuticals, aviation, and telecommunications. A passionate advocate for meaningful brand engagement, Mark has played a key role in managing purpose-driven relationships and inclusive campaigns, including GIO’s partnerships with Wheelchair Sports NSW, Freedom Solutions NSW, Taronga Conservation Society and Suncorp's participation in the UN’s Unstereotype Alliance.

Known for his strategic leadership, Mark has developed award-winning brand campaigns, championed resilience-driven brand initiatives, and delivered personalisation-at-scale marketing with measurable impact. Mark brings a deep understanding of stakeholder collaboration, cross-functional leadership, and inclusive brand strategy to every conversation.

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Dianna La Grassa

COO and Head of Screen Bus Stop Films

With over 10+ years of experience in the education sector, an MBA graduate and a NIDA trained actress Dianna is our Chief Operating Officer and resident Producer. Her background in adult education underpins the delivery of our Accessible Film Studies Program.

As the COO it has given her great pleasure to watch the organisation pave ground-breaking pathways for the inclusion of people with disabilities in the film industry and watch the students blossom in these interactive and unique environments, seeing them develop real life skills and opportunities for their passion. Dianna has produced more than 25 film projects with Bus Stop Films including the multi award winning Groundhog Night and What Was it Like? and acclaimed films Filters, Visible and This Is News Radio.

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Chanel Bowen

Norfolk Pictures – Company Director, Film Producer, Access Coordinator

Chanel is a proud member of the disability and hard-of-hearing communities and is a passionate advocate for disability stories on screen. Having acquired her disability as an established film practitioner and experiencing difficulty re-entering an industry she knew, Chanel felt deeply committed to ensuring that disabled practitioners were given seats at our creative table. Across her work in film, Chanel also worked as the Film Mangaer at CinefestOZ Film Festival from 2016- 2022 managing multiple stakeholders including film guests like Isla Fisher, Sacha Barren-Cohen, David Wenham and Mark Coles Smith. In this role Chanel managed the budgeting, negotiating with distributors nationally and internationally, recording attendee statistics and issuing box office reports for each screening. CinefestOZ screened traditional media, immersive technologies and complimentary art practices. Her capacity to manage event logistics, art installations and high-profile guests was commendable. Chanel was recognised by Screen Producers Australia as a ‘One to Watch’ and was mentored throughout 2023 by Goalpost Pictures founder, Rosemary Blight. Chanel is trained as an Access Coordinator with Bridge06 and Screen Australia. Chanel was awarded the Regional to Global Australians In Film and Screenworks Internship in LA for 2022 allowing her to expand her producing experience with Animal Logic Entertainment and Truant Pictures in the USA. Under her production company Norfolk Pictures Chanel is currently managing two individual 1million dollar film budgets in production for 2025, one of which is shooting in multiple countries. In addition to her advocacy for disabled practitioners and stories in screen, Chanel works in several public and private areas advocating for disability rights. Chanel has partnered with A2K Media on the Industry Advisory Committee for Disability Justice Lens and recently completed her three year term on the Minister’s Advisory Committee for Disability in Western Australia reporting to Honourable Don Punch, Minister for Disability (2022-2025). Chanel is a member of the Disability Action and Inclusion Plan Committee for City of Busselton and sits on the Disability Integration Network Opportunities and the Disability Health Network in WA. Chanel works directly with ShelterWA and their clients to support safe storytelling for people who experience homelessness and disability in our state. Becoming passionate about awareness of brain injuries, and how common and diverse they are – Chanel has worked with the Australian Society for Study of Brain Injury and studied Traumatic Brain Injury at the University of Tasmania. Chanel worked alongside Bus Stop Films founders Eleanor Winkler and Genevie Clay-Smith as Producers Attachment on the first inclusively made feature film in Australia, Boss Cat. In her spare time, Chanel likes to cook dumplings from scratch, surf or swim in the ocean and talk to her chickens about the meaning of life.

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Paul Nunnari

CEO Inclusively Made

Paul Nunnari is a Paralympic medallist, performer and disability advocate. In 2022 Paul received the Public Service Medal for outstanding public service to New South Wales, particularly in the field of access and inclusion.Paul’s exploits as a performer came to prominence as “The Other Superman” on Australia's Got Talent in 2013. Since this time Paul has performed around the world, including setting a Guinness World Record on the Italian production of La Notte Dei record in Rome in 2019. This was followed by performances with The Wiggles in 2020, a performance at World Expo Dubai in 2021 and the principal act for Australia Day Live at Circular Quay in 2023.

Paul’s film credits include the infamous Wheelchair Zombie in Little Monsters by Australian director Abe Forsythe in 2019. He appeared in the ABC’s production of Fresh Blood Pilot Season (2015), Bus Stop Films Taking Back the Waves (2017) and in 2019 was key talent for the Blackmore’s Good Health Changes Everything campaign which included global distribution.

Paul’s live stage credits include Justene Williams' production of She Conjured the Clouds as part of the Sydney Festival, La Soiree at the Sydney Opera House and with The Wiggles in 2020.

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Seema Dudley

Employment Trainer & On Set Support Worker Bus Stop Employment

Seema is a skilled  Employment Trainer & Assessor and on set support worker for Bus Stop Employment (BSE). Her role consists of delivering training modules to BSE’s members, and liaising between production companies and members in order to ensure a smooth transition to their work day on set.  Projects she has worked on as support worker include TVC’s for GOOGLE, ANZ, KIA, OPTUS, Australia’s first pictureless film ‘TOUCH’, and ABC's The Assembly & Headliners.

Prior to moving into disability support work, Seema worked for Channel NINE in their newsroom as a Senior News Non-Linear Editor, editing for their flagship 6pm broadcast, along with feature story editing for The Today Show, and Today Extra.

Seema has a keen passion for disability advocacy/inclusion and the film/tv industry, Seema says that Bus Stop Films and Bus Stop Employment offer the beautiful fusion of both and she is incredibly passionate about helping create a more inclusive industry for all to enjoy and be a part of!

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Adam Smith

Founder of The Everyone Project

Adam Smith is the founder of The Everyone Project, an innovative tool empowering organisations to measure and advance diversity and inclusion simply and securely. 

Drawing on over 20 years as a global film and TV executive Adam is known for championing diverse talent and supporting inclusive, successful screen businesses across Europe, Asia, and North America. Still an occasional Entertainment lawyer—Adam now leads a purpose-driven benefit corporation dedicated to building stronger, more dynamic communities, organisations and industries by helping everyone to put their hand up and be counted.

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Priya Addams Williams

Shift 20 Initiative Lead, Dylan Alcott Foundation

Priya is the Shift 20 Initiative Lead at the Dylan Alcott Foundation. Prior to joining the DAF, she spent nearly a decade working at creative agencies including Special Group and Cummins&Partners, on some of Australia's biggest brands including ANZ, Netflix, Virgin Australia and Australian Red Cross Lifeblood. She is passionate about closing the representation gap for people with disability, to ensure that the nearly 20% of Australians with disability see themselves represented in advertising campaigns.

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Lauren Edwards

Film and Television Producer

Lauren Edwards is a multi-award-winning film and television producer with over 18 years of experience in the industry.

In 2019 Lauren produced the critically acclaimed series DIARY OF AN UBER DRIVER for RevLover Films and ABCTV. Previously, Lauren produced the second series of the Screentime and Channel 7 ratings smash, THE SECRET DAUGHTER, starring Jessica Mauboy. She was a Producer on Goalpost Pictures' critically acclaimed 6 x 1 hour television series CLEVERMAN for ABCTV and SundanceTV. She was Associate Producer on the hit Australian feature film THE SAPPHIRES, which won 11 AACTA Awards, Co-Producer on feature film FELONY, written by and starring Joel Edgerton and Producer on the Eddie Perfect created ABCTV comedy pilot THE FUTURE IS EXPENSIVE.

Lauren has produced many short films that have been highly successful internationally. Highlights include BEAR, directed by Nash Edgerton, which was selected for Official Competition at the Cannes Film Festival 2011, Sundance Film Festival 2012 and screened at over 80 international film festivals. THE AMBER AMULET by Matthew Moore won the Crystal Bear for Best Short Film at the Berlin Film Festival 2013 and was shortlisted for an Academy Award for Best Short Film.

Prior to producing, Lauren worked in various production capacities on award winning short films, television series' and major Australian feature films, including the Cannes Film Festival Camera d’Or winning production of SAMSON & DELILAH, written and directed by Warwick Thornton.

Lauren has been employed at Screen NSW since April 2021, where she has worked across development, production and special initiatives. During her time at Screen NSW, Lauren has been responsible for the creation and implementation of multiple initiatives which focus on mentoring and nurturing the next generation of screen creatives including the Screen NSW Power Lunch and the Short to Feature Fast Track. In April 2025, Lauren was appointed Senior Manager Content Investment at Screen NSW.

In 2024 Lauren was the recipient of the Chief Executive Women (CEW) Hansen Scholarship for the Arts.

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