Inclusive Kids Ambassadors

Elly

Elly Chaney is a passionate ambassador for Inclusive Kids, driven by her commitment to creating a welcoming and supportive environment for all children. With over a decade of experience in broadcasting and as a current host of the “Elly & Taz” Drive show on SEAFM, Elly has used her platform to raise awareness about kids on the Sunshine Coast who are doing it tough. Elly believes that every child deserves an equal opportunity to thrive.

Why did you choose to become an ambassador for Inclusive Kids?: Having grown up in a loving and supportive household, it kills me to think that not all children are afforded the same luck. With the cost of living higher now than ever before, it is getting tougher and tougher for families to survive, so I want to help all kids to thrive in whatever small way I can.
What inspires you most about the work Inclusive Kids does for children?: The team at Inclusive Kids are some of the most selfless people I have met. Their commitment to helping the community is unmatched and the difference I have seen them make in the 5 years I have been an ambassador has been real.
What’s your dream for the future of children and young people in our community?: That no child on the Sunshine Coast is going to school feeling like any less than their peers. They’re not hungry, they have the essentials and they are going home to a loving household. Every child deserves this — and imagine the people they will grow to be!

Taz

Taz Eriksen has spent almost a decade in Australian radio and has become a prominent voice for local youth. Using his vast radio platform, Taz raises awareness for mental health struggles of young people in this challenging new world. Taz and his on-air partner Elly are both millennials and big believers in creating a safe space on air for young people to share their stories. You can hear The Elly & Taz Show on 91.9 Sea FM from 3pm weekdays.

What inspires you most about the work Inclusive Kids does for children?: The joy that comes from seeing kids benefit from support, and knowing that you played a part in that, can be incredibly uplifting.
What is your personal connection or passion for supporting children and young people?: Kids don't choose their surroundings or circumstances they were born in to. I think we all either were the kid struggling or knew someone at our school that was. It affects everyone. Giving them a second chance feels like the only option!
What’s your dream for the future of children and young people in our community?: Hopefully we can inspire the next generation that they can go beyond what we believe is possible. If each gen helps more than the previous, it'll never be perfect but it'll improve and create the best future we are capable of!

Brooke

A born and bred Sunny Coaster, Brooke lives and breathes the coast and loves radio. Her love for music started early on, with regular poorly choreographed living room karaoke performances for her parents occurring as often as her folks would allow. She started out at SEA for her grade 10 work experience stint, and kind of never left. Nowadays she spends her days busting questionable dance moves and singing (usually off-key) in the studios!

What is your personal connection or passion for supporting children and young people?: I was lucky to have been working for SEA FM for 3 years prior to being offered the breakfast host role. In that time, I worked behind the scenes and had a lot to do with the Inclusive Kids team. The passion that they must have to help children in need really inspired me. At the heart of Inclusive Kids is a desire to make a very real change to the lives of children who are experiencing disadvantage. When they request my support, I am always willing to jump in and do what I can to raise awareness and funds for Inclusive Kids. When I was asked to become an ambassador, it was a no brainer for me.
Why did you choose to become an ambassador for Inclusive Kids?: Given the role as a radio announcer instantly gives you a platform to be a voice, a voice for women, adults and I guess children who can’t speak up about these kinds of things yet. I chose to become an ambassador in the hope that this platform I’ve been given can help get the word out that local kids need our help.
Who or what has been your biggest influence in advocating for children’s wellbeing?: I have many people who have influenced me in advocating, but I would say, Foz. Foz is a father to a 2 year old and seeing how emotional and passionate he gets when talking about the thought of Jack (his son) ever not having food, or shoes, inspires me to do what I can to help.

Luke “Foz” Forrest, Inclusive Kids Ambassador

Foz

Meet one half of Sea Fm’s Breaky Radio show Luke “Foz” Forrest, a weathered 38-year-old builder renowned for crafting both houses and suburban cricket innings. With over a decade of experience in the radio industry, Foz has left his mark across community radio and Triple M. Between surfing and entertaining listeners on 91.9 Sea FM, Luke took the helm as the host of “Dad life with Foz,” a podcast that delves into the challenges and joys of fatherhood.

Why did you choose to become an ambassador for Inclusive Kids?: I became an ambassador for Inclusive Kids because, as a new father to my two year old son Jack, it’s absolutely heart breaking to think about 9,000 children on the Sunny Coast going to school with no food and a huge amount with no shoes on their feet. As a parent myself, I know how essential it is for kids to have the necessities to feel safe, supported, and confident in their education. My own experience as a dad has inspired me to take action and help ensure that every child has the chance to succeed without these barriers.
How do you hope to make a difference as an ambassador?: As an ambassador for Inclusive Kids, I hope to make a difference by using my platform and voice as a radio host to raise awareness about the urgent need to support children who are going to school without simple things like food in their lunchboxes and shoes on their feet. I’m committed to helping drive Inclusive Kids’ major fundraising events, working to raise much-needed funds that can provide these children with the essentials they deserve.
What’s your dream for the future of children and young people in our community?: My dream is to see a day when no child on the Sunshine Coast has to go to school with an empty lunchbox or without shoes on their feet. Every child deserves to feel cared for, supported, and ready to learn. Through the incredible work of Inclusive Kids and the strong partnership with Sea FM, I truly believe this dream is within reach.