Community Broker Network raised $161,500 at this year’s Shine conference, where brokers, partners and industry leaders came together over three days under the theme New Horizons.

Highlights included a gala dinner, workshops on productivity and effective writing in the age of AI, exploring the future of Steadfast Apps, and an update from Steadfast Workplace Risk.

Actor Shane Jacobson was master of ceremonies at the event last month, and speakers included Kick On CEO Drew Brauer, RedBalloon founder Naomi Simson, engineer and inventor Jordan Nguyen, and executive coach James Laughlin.

“There is a genuine willingness across this network to share ideas, help each other and celebrate each other’s success,” CBN CEO Richard Crawford said.

“It feels like a reunion – to see the community come together and raise $161,500 for causes that matter is something we’re incredibly proud of. We leave Cairns with stronger relationships, new ideas and real momentum for what’s next.”

The total raised includes a $100,000 donation to Kick On, a Cairns charity promoting positive mental health.

The group works across schools, workplaces and community settings to encourage honest conversations, build emotional intelligence and give people tools for everyday life.

The donation will enable Kick On to deliver wellbeing workshops and murals to help about 2500 people in Far North Queensland over the next year.

“We are completely blown away by what the CBN community has achieved and the generosity of everyone who contributed,” Mr Brauer said. “The funding will support ... our mental health, emotional intelligence and early intervention programs while developing new, evidence-informed educational material.”

Funds raised will also go to Little Heroes, an SA charity supporting children’s health; No Limits Perth, which offers emergency relief for vulnerable families; and CBN broker community grants.