SA’s positive Instagram stars using their platform for good
From artists to eco-warriors and winemakers – these SA Instagram influencers are using their platform for good. See the list and their causes to get behind.
Lifestyle
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It’s a social media platform known for superficiality and vanity, but some South Australian Instagram stars are using their influence for good.
The social changemakers have made it their mission to spread awareness of issues or causes that rarely become trending topics on Instagram.
Some promote health and wellness advice while others are eco-warriors, artists and charity advocates.
Here are our top picks of 12 Instagram stars using the platform for a good cause.
Leah Grant
Handle: @leah.grant
Followers: 5.1K
Bringing colour and life to dull buildings in Adelaide, mural artist Leah Grant says she wants to “share her love for colour and create a space for creativity in the community” through her street art.
Immersing herself in Adelaide’s creative community, Leah found mentors who helped sharpen her artistic mastery.
The 33-year-old says: “The connections, mentorship, discussing ideas, and celebrating our achievements is unique to the community I’ve found here.”
Leah also started running workshops to help children develop their creativity and artistic expression.
“I love seeing their faces light up when they’re having fun, experimenting with colours, gradients and layers.”
Now she has expanded her workshops and mentorship to older age groups.
Leah, who says her charitable projects are the most rewarding, painted park benches in partnership with Adelaide City Council and Catherine House for the Benches of Hope project which raises awareness for violence against women.
Annelise Kumri
Handle: @annelisekumri
Followers: 32.2k
Annelise began using her platform to raise awareness of period poverty, after joining the #ItsInTheBag campaign posted by Share The Dignity.
Now as an ambassador for the campaign, the motherhood and lifestyle influencer connects with other women to advocate for menstrual health and access to hygiene products.
“It’s heartbreaking hearing stories from women who have had to choose between buying food or pads/tampons,” she says.
“As a mum, I was taken aback by the amount of women and girls experiencing period poverty in this country.”
Annelise believes it’s now her responsibility to create and share content that will inspire other changemakers to spread the awareness.
“I know a lot of my followers have made donations and spread the word about Share The Dignity and it’s fulfilling to hear women say it’s changed their lives for the better,” she said.
Maddi
Handle: @wellnesswithmaddi
Followers: 1.3K
As yoga and meditation teacher, Maddi has created classes and retreats to help people master the art of breathwork to improve their wellbeing and mindfulness.
In a recent post promoting her Gather & Grow Women’s Wellness Retreat, Maddi said her retreats are a chance for “women to come together to connect, learn, share, grow, laugh, let go and to find clarity”.
Bianca Chaptini
Handle: @biancachaptini
Followers: 713
Health coach Bianca Chaptini, 36, says she “learned so much information (while studying) that could help other people” struggling with the same digestive symptoms she suffered.
Since her first post, Bianca now collaborates with like-minded people and businesses by “attending wellness events and discovering new products, foods and services” to share on her platform.
She has featured on social campaigns, hosted wellness masterclasses, workshops and partnered with gyms, studios and health cafes.
“It’s so rewarding to be able to help people through my passion of sharing health and wellness-focused content,” she says.
“I love reading people’s comments that indicate what I’m doing is making a difference in people’s lives.”
Jenna Hudson
Handle: @jennawiththepink
Followers: 30.6K
True to her name, Jenna With The Pink hits the streets of Adelaide, always dressed in something pink, to advocate for inclusivity and body positivity while raising awareness for menstrual and reproductive health.
After overcoming her own self-esteem challenges, Jenna founded the Self Love Club, saying “I’m passionate about helping young women become authentic and confidence,”
“It feels special to have a real life impact, when girls feel more confident from engaging with my content.”
The energetic modiBodi Teen and Kickstart ambassador is also proud to help debunk misconceptions and raise awareness about menstrual health.
“I’m proud to be an ambassador for Kickstar for Kids period poverty campaign to raises awareness for girls in SA that need resources,” she said.
Isobel Marshall
Handle: @izzygmarshall
Followers: 4K
Co-founder of TABOO period products, 2021 Young Australian of the Year, medical student and podcast host, Isobel Marshall is an SA changemaker icon.
Launched in 2019 TABOO – a social enterprise specialising in 100 per cent organic cotton period products – launched in 2019, and Isobel said her platform played a huge role in the initial stages of advocating for the cause.
“TABOO relied heavily on social media. Advocacy was particularly important during that time, because it helped facilitate positive conversation and education,” Isobel said.
Its goal is to fight period poverty and through its “pad it forward” program, people can purchase TABOO products on behalf of someone at risk of period poverty.
“I hope people who view the things I post or re-share have been encouraged or learnt something,” Isobell said.
Isobel also recently co-authored the Fault Lines Covid-19 Report, saying on a recent post: “This was an apolitical analysis of how Australia dealt with the pandemic with recommendations that apply to federal, state and local governments, industry and civil society, to set a better framework for the next national health crisis.”
Nate Christopher
Handle: natestoolbox
Followers: 5K
A jack of all trades, Nate Chrisopher is SA’s go-to influencer for DIY tricks, tips and tools.
With a huge amount of knowledge and experience under his belt, the digital creator behind Nate’s Tool Box started posting household and outdoors product reviews, unaware of how much attraction and engagement he would gain.
“I started to see people enjoying and engaging with my content and now I know I’m helping my local community learn new skills and save a lot of money in the process,” the 41-year-old says.
Since his first post two years ago, Nate says the following he’s gained and the “millions of views from social channels” have boosted his confidence and helped him make new friends around Australia.
Ma-Musu Nyande
Handle: @nyande.bo
Followers: 6.6K
Writer, community advocate and event host Ma-Musu created an event-based business to bring together African-Australian women in Adelaide.
Hosting a range of events such Q&As, interactive functions and conversational interviews over Instagram Live, the digital creator says she “hopes the events will inspire other young girls to aspire for a bigger dream”.
“I want our next generation to be born with confidence, to occupy spaces without fear. To know and recognise that (other) women have created spaces and places that ensures their safety and identity,” she says.
Matthew Wright-Simon
Handle: @ecocreative
Followers: 1.2K
Climate and nature activist Matthew Wright-Simon is all about “eco futurism” and encourages regenerative ideas to help preserve nature in regions such as the Adelaide Hills, Fleurieu and Kangaroo Island.
Matthew promotes fundraisers and also highlights the dangers of ocean pollution, recently posting a confronting image of a face mask left in the ocean.
“How many medical masks and Rapid Antigen Tests have you used in the last three years?” he asks.
“The plastic waste of the pandemic is overwhelming on a personal level, let alone a global level.”
Taryn Brumfitt
Handle: @bodyimagemovement
Followers: 120K
Keynote speaker, The Embrace Hub co-founder, author of The Embrace Your Body, and South Australian winner for the 2023 Australian of the Year awards, Taryn Brumfitt believes self-confidence starts at young age.
She travels around primary schools in SA to spread the message of body positivity to young children and says her platform has helped reach “over 2 million people in 190 countries”.
Having given away 1000 copies of the Embrace Your Body book to kids, Taryn says in a recent post: “The reaction from the kids today was priceless – there were gasps, excitable screams and so much appreciation.”
Nicole St. Pierre + James Hastwell
Handle: @loveandglorywine
Followers: 949
After experiencing serious health complications, couple Nicole and James decided to switch to a healthier, low-sugar lifestyle.
They created Love+Glory – a sugar-free sparkling wine – to help other health conscious wine lovers enjoy the beverage guilt-free.
The couple now donates three per cent from every bottle sold to charity organisation Fitted for Work, helping disadvantaged women.
“We want to help people help themselves – a hand up rather than a handout,” Nicole says.
Nicole and James also partner with local charities such as Yellow Submarine and McLaren Vale Enterprises.
“We’re big believers that the quickest way to make the world a better place is by helping others build lives they truly love,” Nicole says.
Daniella Nolan
Handle: @thelittleurbanbee
Followers: 2.3K
During her spare time in the pandemic, Daniella, 26, started growing fruits and veggies, learning about sustainable practices and canning and preserving foods.
She eventually created an ethically sustainable business, developing a community stall full of ethically sourced goods.
“I’ve fostered a little community where we exchange different recipes and ideas for people in SA,” she says.
Daniella says her homecrafted treats, handmade items and sustainable living advice has helped her followers “change their day-to-day practices and minimise their (environmental) impact on the earth.”
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