About Me – The Glitter Effect
My name is Kate Gniel, and among many things, I’m a passionate advocate for community.
In 2024, I had the incredible honour of being named Manningham Volunteer of the Year. At first, I’ll admit—I was a little embarrassed. I kept it quiet because, like so many of us, I felt there were others just as, if not more, deserving. But over time, I came to see this recognition not just as an award but as a reminder—of the power of community and the impact we can all have when we show up for each other.
Why Community Matters
And that’s exactly what The Glitter Effect is all about—community. Not just the kind that comes with an overflowing WhatsApp group or an email chain you can never quite keep up with, but real, connected, meaningful community—the kind that lifts us up, supports us, and gives us a sense of purpose (and, let’s be honest, sometimes a reason to escape the house for a few hours!).
For me, volunteering and community involvement have never been just about giving—they’ve been about growing, connecting, and creating something bigger than ourselves. As Helen Keller once said: “Alone we can do so little, but together we can achieve so much.”
The Beginning of My Community Journey
I suppose you could say my passion for giving back started young. Picture this: I’m 11 years old, sitting cross-legged on my bedroom floor, hand-sewing potpourri lace door hangers with my best friend. We sold them to very supportive family and friends (who probably didn’t need another lavender-scented item in their lives) to raise money for the RSPCA. That thrill—the feeling of handing over what we raised, knowing it would help—never left me.
Fast forward a few years (we won’t count too closely), and I found myself fresh off the plane from the UK, ready to start a new life in Australia. While I waited for my work visa, I thought—why not volunteer? That decision led me to the Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind (now Vision Australia), where my marketing and fundraising volunteer role turned into a full-time job. From there, my passion for community only grew.
Over the years, I’ve taken on roles in:
✔ Kinder committees
✔ School councils
✔ Local junior footy & athletics clubs
✔ Creating the “In Your Backyard” Facebook page, helping families find the best coffee spots, weekend markets, and local events
✔ The Pettet Foundation, a charity providing immediate financial support to kids and families in crisis
And I’m always on the lookout for the next place to spread my glitter.
Why The Glitter Effect Matters to Me
In 2016, my family’s world was turned upside down when my youngest son, Harvey, was diagnosed with leukemia at just two years old. It was a time of absolute chaos, but also a time when we saw firsthand the true power of community.
Within 48 hours of Harvey’s hospital admission, our local community had sprung into action. A month’s worth of homemade dinners were delivered to our home (saving us from hospital cafeteria food—thank you, community angels!), and a chest freezer arrived to store them all. It was more than just practical help—it was a reminder that we weren’t alone.
Now, I am beyond grateful to say that Harvey is five years cancer-free! And as soon as we could, my husband Joel and I poured ourselves into giving back—because how could we not, after everything our community did for us?
Creating a Community Movement
In 2019, Joel and I launched League of Gentlemen, a networking event aimed at connecting local men and raising awareness around mental health. We fundraised to help build a respite holiday home for families facing childhood cancer, supporting Challenge, an organization we had been on the receiving end of.
Then, COVID happened. And while it put a pause on many things, it also reinforced just how vital community is. We saw people step up for each other in ways big and small—checking on neighbors, leaving chalk messages of hope, rallying around those in need.
Now, as life speeds up again, the need for real connection remains. And that’s why I created The Glitter Effect.