Nic Marchesi & Lucas Patchett

Nic Marchesi and Lucas Patchett are best friends, social entrepreneurs, and joint winners of the 2016 Young Australian of the Year, marking the first-ever joint award in the history of the program. They are the co-founders of Orange Sky Australia, a pioneering social enterprise providing free mobile laundry services to homeless Australians, designed to restore dignity, promote health, and foster human connection through conversation.

The idea for Orange Sky began in September 2014, inspired by the realisation that 105,000 Australians were homeless each night and lacked access to basic human necessities, including clean clothes. Launching from an old van equipped with two washing machines and two dryers, Nic and Lucas created a platform that delivers not just clean laundry but also a safe space for conversation, connection, and opportunity.

Since its inception, Orange Sky has expanded rapidly, operating six vans across Brisbane, Melbourne, South East Victoria, Sydney, Perth, and the Gold Coast. With the support of over 270 volunteers, the organisation washes hundreds of loads each week and engages with communities across more than 36 locations. The service has extended beyond urban centres, assisting cyclone-affected communities in North Queensland and integrating with food vans to maximise efficiency and outreach.

Under Nic and Lucas’s leadership, Orange Sky has become a model for social innovation, combining practical assistance with human connection to tackle social isolation, improve health outcomes, and strengthen community networks. Their approach has gained national recognition and continues to inspire individuals, organisations, and governments to rethink how small acts of service can create meaningful social impact.

As keynote speakers, Nic and Lucas share the story of Orange Sky with energy, authenticity, and insight, highlighting the transformative power of simple ideas, collaboration, and compassion. Their presentations leave audiences inspired to take action, embrace innovation for social good, and see the profound impact of connecting with others in meaningful ways.