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Ask yourself…

What makes you optimistic?

The Centre for Optimism

Member Showcase

"At its simplest, optimism is an expectation that good things will happen and that things will work out in the end."

Victor Perton
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The Centre for Optimism?

We ask "what makes you optimistic?”
We believe the times call for realistic and infectiously optimistic leaders. We are a movement supporting realistic and infectiously optimistic leaders to be beacons in the fog of pessimism and cynicism.
We believe the leader is the person in your mirror.
What's at Our Core

Events and Opportunities

All Events
DALL·E 2024-09-10 06.14.03 - Two joyful older men behind microphones, engaging in a lively podcast conversation. One man is wearing an orange blazer and orange spectacles, and the

Optimism in Action: Rod Wade’s Leadership in World Commerce and Contracting

We'll record our Podcast Episode "Optimism in Action: Rod Wade’s Leadership in World Commerce and Contracting" - a conversation between Rod Wade and Victor Perton.
 
In this episode, we’ll dive into Rod Wade’s journey as an optimistic leader, exploring how his infectious optimism has shaped his leadership approach and influenced global commerce and contracting. We’ll uncover his insights on driving change, fostering collaboration, and overcoming challenges with a positive mindset. Your questions and contributions will help shape an inspiring conversation highlighting optimism's power in leadership.
 
Rod Wade is Chair of the World Commerce & Contracting Board of Directors and Vice President of Contract Management & Procurement at MedImpact Healthcare Systems, Inc. With a distinguished career in global commerce, Rod is known for his innovative leadership and commitment to fostering positive change. An active and enthusiastic member of The Centre for Optimism, he champions the power of optimism in transforming organisations and building strong, collaborative teams.

Wednesday, 1 October 2024, Pacific Standard Time
Thursday 2 October Austra;ian Eastern Time

Forks in the Road

The Power of Optimism: Bruce Everett and Victor Perton in Conversation

Join Bruce Everett and Victor Perton for a compelling Zoom webinar, The Power of Optimism, where they explore how optimism drives resilience, innovation, and leadership. In this conversation, co-creating a podcast recording, Bruce and Victor will discuss the transformative power of optimism in both personal and professional contexts, sharing insights on how it can inspire positive change, fuel success, and strengthen relationships. They will also delve into the vital roles of gratitude and forgiveness, showing how these practices enhance optimism and well-being.

We'll explore Bruce's reflections on optimism, meaning, and purpose, exploring how his unique experiences in ministry and consulting have shaped his approach to life and work. Through their engaging discussion, Bruce and Victor will provide practical strategies for cultivating an optimistic mindset, helping you navigate challenges with confidence and inspiring those around you.

Wednesday, 14 October 2024, 10 am Melbourne Time
Noon New Zealand Time

Young design team having a meeting together in creative office

"Imagine Your Best Possible Self" Gathering

Imagine Your Best Possible Self - we gather to imagine our future, write about it and share what we look forward to.

1 March 2025
Nelson Mandela

Nelson Mandela Youth Leadership Summit 2025

The Nelson Mandela Youth Leadership Summit brings together a diverse youth population from Shepparton, Regional Australia, urban Australia and Asia-Pacific to create a group of connected future leaders of the region and Australia. 

Born in Shepparton, the COVID lockdowns took the Summit online and allowed us to share the 2020 and 2021 summit experiences with young people and leaders spreading from New York to Africa.  Young people chose the topics, and they were designed to assist them in growing into leading community players and act on the immediate most pressing challenges. 

In 2022 and 2023, the historic Legislative Assembly Chamber of the Victorian Parliament in Melbourne allowed the young leaders to experience speaking in the chamber used by the Australian Parliament before the construction of Canberra's Houses of Parliament and still in use by the Victorian Parliament.  

Details to Come
DALL·E 2023-11-23 10.33.31 - A graphic of a smiling older man looking at a computer screen. On the screen, there are several laughing, smiling people, as if they are participating

Surround Yourself with Optimists: Conversation via Zoom

Whenever you can, surround yourself with optimists; please join our online conversation on any topics people want to raise.

Next Date to Come
Noirin abd Workshop

WorkShop: Optimism - The Why and How in Middle Park (Melbourne)

Led by Victor Perton and Noirin Mosley from The Centre for Optimism, this workshop is designed to help you answer the question "What makes you Optimistic?" and to pick up some tips, tricks and habits to make you more infectiously optimistic. We will cover: What is Optimism? The Benefits of Optimism in Health, Relationships, Leadership, Strategy, Innovation and Resilience Tips and Tricks to Help you be More Infectiously Optimistic We'll leave laughing or singing or both.

Next Date to Come

Group of people in a round table isolated over a white background

Optimism: The Why and How Workshop Online

Join us via Zoom: Led by Victor Perton and other Presenters from The Centre for Optimism, this workshop is designed to help you answer the question "What makes you Optimistic?" and to pick up some tips, tricks and habits to make you more infectiously optimistic. We will cover: What is Optimism? The Benefits of Optimism in Health, Relationships, Leadership, Strategy, Innovation and Resilience Tips and Tricks to Help you be More Infectiously Optimistic We'll leave laughing or singing or both.

Next Date to be Set
Optimists Breakfast at Hurricane Handsome

The Optimist's Breakfast in Port Melbourne

The best way to maintain your optimism and expand your horizons is to surround yourself with optimists!

We had delicious breakfasts through the Summer and Autumn of 2023, starting with a celebration of the Year of Joy and the Centre for Optimism's Week of Optimism and Joy. We danced, and we sang. We laughed a lot.

Details to Come 2024
Peter Anthony, Stave Angel and Victor Perton Men with Spirit

Optimism and Men with Spirit

 Victor Perton,  Chief Optimism Officer of  The Centre for Optimism joined Men with Spirit's Peter Anthony and Steve Angel on Radio Carrum  to talk about optimism, spirituality and life!  

"Men with Spirit is for men who want to feel more ... less from their head, and more from their heart."

 

 

 

Mathias Sundin

Mathias Sundin in Conversation in The Optimism Cafe

Mathias Sundin, Editor-in-chief & CEO of Warp News, joined us in conversation.

Warp News is an action and impact-based newsletter and community that tells stories and shares insights to give people "The Optimists Edge." Mathias began his career as a changemaker and Swedish Member of Parliament. In 2018, he choose not to run for reelection because he had a vision for a much bigger opportunity to have a more positive impact on the future. 

What's an angry optimist?

Lawrence Reed by_Gage_Skidmore

A Bubbly Optimism: The Optimism of Lawrence W. Reed

Lawrence W. Reed will be joining us in conversation at the Optimism Café in The Centre for Optimism via Zoom.

We’ll be asking him about his optimism, what makes him optimistic, his optimism for liberty and the world and the leaders who have inspired him.

In the often dismal science of optimism, it is uplifting to find optimists and optimism.

In “Liberty as a Life Philosophy”, Larry Reed advocated for “a bubbly optimism and exuberance about making a difference in the world."

Larry cites the 1968 "Prague Spring", as the genesis of his passion for liberty and has referred to the Czech cause as a "flowering of liberty".

Larry became President of the Foundation for Economic Education after serving as chairman of its board of trustees. He previously served for 21 years as President of the Mackinac Center for Public Policy in Midland, Michigan and taught economics at Northwood University in Michigan. In 2019, he retired to the role of President Emeritus at FEE, working as the Humphreys Family Senior Fellow and Ron Manners Global Ambassador for Liberty.

Now on Video and an Article
Ros with the Laughter Effect

The Laughter Effect - How to Build Joy, Positivity and Resilience in Your Life 

Join Ros Ben-Moshe in Conversation via Zoom at The Centre for Optimism to celebrate the release of Ros's new book. The Laughter Effect - How to Build Joy, Positivity and Resilience in Your Life 

We usually end our workshops and speeches with a dose of laughter yoga. Ros is our muse and inspiration for our belief in the power of laughter to enhance optimism. The Laughter Effect is a practical guide to turbocharge humour, laughter and joy, providing a roadmap to awakening positive wellbeing and optimism. 

A positive psychology academic and laughter wellness expert, Ros will explain how The Laughter Effect offers a new dimension to self-care, elevating mindfulness, gratitude and self-compassion.

We will explore Ros's motivation for writing the book and highlight essential wisdom, research and practice that encapsulates this powerful body-mind philosophy.

We will ask Ros what makes her optimistic.

We look forward to sharing laughter and optimism (with you).

Event Held - Video to Come
DALL·E 2023-12-15 06.59.04 - A diverse group of people, mainly Africans, gathered around a BBQ near the Yarra River in Braybrook, Australia. The scene includes an older Caucasian

Africause Australia Day

Our Victor Perton was the keynote speaker.  

26 January 2024
Sister Jayanti for Humanitix

Afternoon Tea with Sister Jayanti, Brahma Kumaris Leader

My favourite meditation voice is that of Sister Jayanti.

When I asked her what makes her optimistic, Sister Jayanti told me, “Just as nature goes through its cycles, and day will definitely follow the darkest night, although there are many things that feel very dark at the moment, there is a conviction that light will not only penetrate the darkness but banish it - so that the day will begin. Legends and myths of every civilisation have remembered that the power of good ultimately conquers evil. This is the optimism with which I hold a vision for a better world.”

Sister Jayanti is a spiritual teacher for precisely these times. For more than 50 years, hers has been a life of daily spiritual practice woven into a life that seeks to support and uplift others. In these unstable times, her presence is one of deep peace and the kind of hope that can move us forward. She is relevant, soothing, and practical and understands the serious challenges that people face.  She connects authentically.

Been and Gone with Great Joy
Happy old couple smiling in a park on a sunny day-1

The Power of Optimism with Glen Waverley Probus

It was a joyful and uplifting event.  Why don't you invite Victor Perton and his colleagues at The Centre for Optiism to speak at your event?
Wednesday, 28 June 2023, 10.30 AM AET
Group of people in a round table isolated over a white background

The Power of Optimism with Telstra Purple Ambassadors and Team

Thursday, 29 June 2023, 12.30 PM AET

Connect With Us

We love to connect with everyone who is ready to open up and share their optimisim.