Radio Brisvaani
Bindi Shah’s WISE journey earns her OAM
In an inspiring conversation with Australia India News Featuredesk, Bindi Shah, co-founder of WISEKidsWORLD, opens up about the grassroots charity that began as a humble school community project and blossomed into a global force for good. Honoured with the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) this King’s Birthday for her outstanding voluntary contributions, Bindi shares the joys, challenges, and deeply personal motivations behind her ongoing mission to empower children, support communities, and lead by example — one fundraiser at a time.
Q1. Congratulations on your OAM! What does this honour mean to you and the work you’ve done through WISEKidsWORLD?
It was a lovely surprise and honour to be awarded an OAM (for service to the community through a range of roles). Recognitions are a nice way to validate that one is on the right track, and it is important that we all contribute to society through whatever interests us
Q2. You’ve said you once thought these awards were only for “people high up.” How do you feel now that your grassroots work has received national recognition?
Receiving this award is truly humbling. I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the people who went to such trouble in writing the submission for my nomination and providing references.
Q3. Can you take us back to 2014—how did WISEKidsWORLD begin, and what were your hopes for it at the time?
I was involved in the usual primary school activities when Susan Day mentioned she was holding a garage sale to raise funds for children’s education. I got involved and initially we called it Mega Garage Sale holding it annually at the local scout’s hall. The event grew in 2 years, and we decided it was time to give it a name, and the family came up with the name WISEKidsWORLD
Q4. You and Susan Day started out as involved school parents. How important has the school community been in shaping your charity’s path?
Susan Day and I met through Beecroft public school and found that we both wanted to help disadvantaged children to have opportunities that our children had
This award recognizes that it is important for a cohesive community that we all add something whether through schools, sporting clubs or whatever interests us. We enjoyed being part of the P&C and helped with various activities at the school
Q5. Your children have grown up alongside the organisation. How has their involvement shaped them—and you?
When we started, all our fundraising events involved the whole family. The children were involved in all sorts of activities – manning the BBQ stall. Selling raffle tickets, decorating the halls, creating the flyers and letter box dropping and at the same time having fun. This has given them confidence, understanding of social issues and for me I have enjoyed seeing them grow to be responsible adults
The great thing about this is the whole family gets involved. My children learnt the benefits of the 3 R’s, reduce, reuse and recycle and along the way help raise funds for the less fortunate.
Q6. WISEKidsWORLD has grown to support causes not only in Australia, but also in India and Uganda. How do you choose which causes or communities to help?
We research the organisations that align with our goals and also look at the community needs. Some people approach us with their ideas and we work with them
Q7. One of the most moving stories you’ve shared is about the Delhi slum school that returned donated funds during COVID. What was going through your mind at that moment?
It was unreal. I had never heard of anyone returning any money. It made our work even more meaningful
Q8. You’ve supported a wide range of causes—rural schools, women’s shelters, community programs. Which initiatives have had the most personal meaning for you?
Seeing the benefits of whatever we contribute making a difference makes our efforts worthwhile.
Q9. Balancing voluntary work, a part-time job, and family is no small feat. What were some challenges you faced, and how did you manage them?
Family support, communication and persistence is the key to managing. There will always be failures, disappointments but the hard work always pays off and the result at the end is so worth it.
Q10. For someone wanting to start a community-based project like yours, what would be your top three pieces of advice?
Find like-minded people
Start small
Don’t give up
Q11. Now that you’re officially retired, your schedule seems busier than ever! What drives you to keep going, and what are you working on next?
I enjoy meeting up with people from all walks of life and looking forward to hosting a UNICEF High Tea fundraiser while still volunteering once a week at The Dish of St John’s in Hornsby, supporting Days for Girls Australia Ryde by cutting and pinning for the girls period kits and completing puzzles for Lifeline to sell at their bookfairs
