# Transcend Australia

Transcend Australia (Transcend) is a national community-led organisation, and a registered charity providing education, peer support and advocacy services to Australian families of trans, gender diverse and non-binary people. Founded in 2012 by actor and advocate Rebekah Robertson after she found little curated information when seeking to support her daughter Georgie. As a result resources were developed to support transgender, gender diverse, and non-binary (TGDNB) children, young people, and their families. Transcend continues to support families and carers who have TGDNB children of all ages. Their current financials and documents are published on ACNC.

## History

Transcend was the first parent-led support group and information hub in Australia for gender diverse children and their parents. As an information hub, the website provides information about where to find support and information specific to the Australian reader's location (State and City), details on how to access treatment and how to look after a gender diverse child (for parents) as well as specific support services for the child themselves. Furthermore, the website also lists contact details for different services and specialists nationwide. The 'latest news' section contains various links to articles or media pieces that relate to trans issues including advocacy through subscription.
   "Because of the stress, anxiety and the time limit of puberty and court together... transgender people and their families are pushed to the limit,"
—Robertson on the court process
In 2014, Transcend began raising money for the Royal Children's Hospital Gender Service, a service that provides help for transgender children and support for families.
In 2016 Georgie and Rebekah were featured in ABC's Australian Story "About a Girl". From July 2017, over $30,000 has been raised. Since their appearance on Four Corners.
From 2018 Transcend began to focus more on advocacy and law reform surrounding access to stage-two treatment, as opposed to being a support group. Robertson was nominated for Straight Ally of the Year at the GLOBE Community Awards in 2016, but lost to Matt Finnis from St Kilda Football Club. In 2019, Transcend Australia became incorporated and has since then operated as a charity registered on the ACNC. It continues to operate in support of thousands of families in Australia and to advocate to enhance protective factors and opportunities to ensure trans, gender diverse and non-binary (TGDNB) people have opportunities to thrive and flourish.

## Awards and nominations

Patron and office bearer (as executive or director) past and present:
| Year | Organisation | Award | Work | Result |
| 2016 | GLOBE Victoria | Victoria LGBTI Person of the Year award | Georgie Stone | Won |
| 2018 | GLOBE Victoria | Victoria LGBTI Person of the Year award | Jeremy Wiggins | Won |
| 2018 | Victoria | Young Australian of the Year | Georgie Stone | Nominated |
| 2019 | GLOBE Community Awards | Straight Ally of the Year | Rebekah Robertson | Nominated |
| 2018 | Australian LGBTI Awards | Community Initiative / Charity | Transcend | Nominated |
| 2022 | Globe Community Awards | Improving Health and Wellbeing | Transcend Australia | Won |

## Affiliations

Transcend Australia collaborates with or is a member of:
* LGBTIQ+ Health Australia
* City of Kingston
* AusPath