UNICEF Australia is thrilled to welcome Ronan and Storm Keating to the family as our newest Ambassadors. Known for their global careers, their family values, and their shared love for Australia, Ronan and Storm are bringing their passion and voices to help champion children’s rights here and around the world.
We caught up with them for a quick-fire Q&A about why this role means so much, and what they’re most excited to do next.
We’re so excited you’ve joined the UNICEF Australia family! What inspired you to take on this role?
Storm: We’ve always admired the incredible work UNICEF does across the world. And now that we’re spending more time in Australia with our children, it felt like the right moment to get involved and give back in a meaningful way.
Ronan: We believe it’s important to do what we can, when we can, which is why we support a number of different causes across the globe. Australia is obviously close to our hearts with my wife and children being Aussie, so UNICEF Australia is a perfect fit for us. Children are the future, and becoming a dad has made that more real for me.
Why does partnering with UNICEF Australia feel especially meaningful to you both?
Storm: Part of my childhood was spent in Papua New Guinea (PNG), and my family roots in PNG go way back.. so not only do I have an extraordinarily strong connection to help the communities in PNG, I have seen firsthand the life changing impact UNICEF can have there. Now, as a mum of two, the vision to create a better world for children resonates with me more than ever. Knowing how active UNICEF Australia is in PNG, and around the world makes me feel even more connected to this role - I’d love to support that work however I can.
Ronan: As Storm said, UNICEF Australia’s close connection to PNG really struck a chord with us. We’ve wanted to get involved with causes in PNG for ages - a country that’s so close to Australia, yet where so many children still lack access to basics like education and healthcare. If we can use our voices to help even a little, then it will mean the world to us.
Storm, can you tell us more about your childhood in PNG?
Storm: I spent part of my childhood in Wau and my family had a house on the island of Salamaua, in the Morobe Province. It was such a wild, unique, and formative time in my life. I was surrounded by vibrant cultures, strong communities, and traditions that really shaped how I see the world today.
Our village was deep in the rainforest, we didn’t have mod cons and shops. My mum and nan would sew a lot of our clothes (or they were hand-me-down’s or donations from the Red Cross in Australia). We made our own fun and adventures - it was very wild and free.
We didn’t have much, but my memories in PNG are some of the most magical in my life. At the same time, I saw how hard life was for many children around us but at the time, I didn’t compute it… that was the norm. But as I got older and would return to PNG on family visits after my family relocated to Australia, I was able to draw comparisons with my life in Oz and could recognize from a young age the difference in living standards, security and behaviors. I saw my old home with fresh eyes, I started to see the reality and it broke my heart. But it also shaped my worldview, and it’s part of why this role means so much to me.
Ronan, what was your experience of PNG like?
Ronan: Completely eye-opening. The people were so warm and welcoming, and the landscape is stunning. But you also see how much support is needed. I promised a reporter at the time that I’d use every opportunity to promote PNG after I left.
Have you had the chance to take your kids to PNG? What was that like?
Storm: We have, and it was amazing, they loved it. It’s important to us that our children grow up understanding not only their heritage, but different cultures and ways of life and to show them that not all children grow up with the rights and privileges they have.
Ronan: Yeah I agree, I think it made a big impact on them...It’s really important for us show them how other children live around the world. Our son Cooper, is already so empathetic and motivated to help others. We love it… we hope the kids will carry on our philanthropy work and one day raise their children to do the same.
You’ve made Australia a second home. What inspired that decision?
Storm: Well, Australia is my home! This where I grew up and where all my family are. It’s where I feel the most comfortable and where I feel grounded. I believe it’s the best country on the planet. I miss it when we are away and Ronan and I have always planned to try and get more time in Oz, once the our older three children were all grown up.
Ronan: Exactly. We’ve always travelled back and forth between Australia and the UK but when I was offered a role as a judge on The Voice Australia, it felt like the perfect time to spend more time here. The kids are loving it!
What excites you most about stepping into this Ambassador role?
Storm: I can’t wait to learn more about the young people and communities UNICEF support, especially in PNG. The work UNICEF Australia is doing to support communities around the world is incredible and we learn more about it every day – from malnutrition support to making births safer, I can’t wait to raise more awareness for such important causes.
Ronan: I’m looking forward to using my platform to raise awareness, fundraise, and learn about critical projects happening in the region. Storm introduced me to PNG in 2016, and that trip left a profound impact. After we left, I promised I’d help however I could and this partnership with UNICEF Australia feels like the perfect way to do that!
What do you each hope to bring to the UNICEF Australia team?
Storm: With everything going on in the world, I want to help raise awareness to vital projects and help encourage a better life for those who are struggling. I feel so privileged to get to live the life I have, my children healthy and I have the best family in the world. I want to give back and hopefully encourage others to do the same.
Ronan: I hope to shine a light on UNICEF’s work, especially in the places that don’t always make headlines. I also want to keep learning from UNICEF Australia and ways we can make a difference but most importantly, lead by example and raise my children to understand that kindness, compassion and generosity are some of the best qualities you can possess, especially in our modern world.
We’re thrilled to have Ronan and Storm join us as UNICEF Australia Ambassadors! Look out for more exciting updates in the coming months.
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