A career journey of connection, courage and impact
Save the Children’s work in Australia is delivered by 54 Reasons, our team committed to ensuring children and young people’s rights are real, respected and part of everyday life.
And since 1998, Peta Nichol has been one of 54 reasons’ driving forces. She began her career working as a casual facilitator in the Future Parents Program. It was here that she discovered her true purpose: supporting young people to lead their own learning in safe, supportive environments.
“I really fell in love with that program,” Peta reflects.
From those early days, Peta’s career grew steadily as she moved from frontline facilitation into leadership roles. She coordinated teams, expanded services across Queensland, and built lasting partnerships that strengthened community-based support. Her journey also took her to remote Aboriginal communities, including Doomadgee and Mornington Island. There, she worked closely alongside local people, collaborating on approaches that were led by the communities themselves, and deeply respected cultural wisdom and knowledge.
Image supplied by Peta Nichol
A turning point in Peta’s professional life came with her introduction to the Safe & Together model, an approach that reshaped her understanding of domestic and family violence. This framework emphasises centring children, partnering with non-offending parents, and holding those who use violence accountable. Becoming a certified trainer, Peta played a vital role in embedding the model nationally, helping to transform practice across the organisation and beyond.
Today, Peta is part of the Practice and Impact Measurement team. In this role, she supports frontline teams to embed child-centred frameworks and reflect on their practice, ensuring children’s voices and experiences remain at the heart of everything we do. Her work helps Save the Children and 54 reasons better understand and share the stories of the children and families we support.
Peta’s influence has reached far beyond program delivery. She has shared our impact with figures such as Princess Anne, actor Luke Arnold, and Safe & Together Institute founder David Mandel. In these moments, she has acted as a powerful advocate for children’s rights, amplifying our mission to diverse audiences.
At the heart of Peta’s decades of service lies a simple goal: “I just want kids to find their smiles.”
Her daughter once described Peta’s role to her teacher by saying, “My mum helps children smile”.
It is a statement that perfectly captures the essence of Peta’s career – one defined by a lifelong commitment to helping children thrive.