Selected by a panel of Olympians from almost 1000 year 10, 11 and 12 students across the country and representing every state and territory, the Change-Makers have made positive change in their communities from Thursday Island to Launceston, Perth to Deniliquin.

The students were awarded Olympic Change-Maker gold medals produced by the Royal Australian Mint, at a ceremony on Thursday with Olympians, AOC CEO Matt Carroll and Royal Australian Mint CEO Leigh Gordon AO.

The ceremony capped a two-day summit, in which the Change-Makers shared their community initiatives and collaborated with each other and Olympians including Melissa Wu, Cedric Dubler, Jemima Montag, Beki Smith, Brooke Hanson and Rohan Chapman-Davies on workshops exploring the role of sport to drive positive change.

As part of the summit, Change-Makers were tasked with providing recommendations on how to maximise the impact and engagement with young Australians on the ten year Green and Gold Runway to Brisbane 2032, which they presented to AOC CEO Matt Carroll at a session on Thursday.

The students recommendations focused on the themes of equality and diversity, sustainability, regional and rural opportunities, and wide reaching community benefits of sport.

Mr Carroll said yet again he was inspired by the Change-Makers’ ideas, insights and commitment to improving their communities through sport.

“The Australian Olympic Change-Maker program shines a light on inspiring work by young Australians,” Mr Carroll said. “These 24 young Change-Makers selected for the National Summit and the thousand more who have been part of the program this year, embody the Olympic spirit.

“I’m proud the Olympic movement and this program can highlight and reward young leaders, using the power of sport to make a difference in their communities.

“The students of today will have an incredible impact on the next decade as we build towards Brisbane 2032, and these young Change-Makers have already shown insight and initiative that will be vital to harness and amplify the opportunities that this Green and Gold decade can deliver for Australia.

“Congratulations to all the Olympic Change-Makers recognised today, we look forward to seeing the fantastic impact you will have in your communities and beyond in the coming years.”

Dual Olympic decathlete Cedric Dubler, whose exploits in Tokyo showcased the Olympic ideals of sportsmanship and teamwork, worked with the students across two days of the summit.

“Sport isn’t just about the final placings or the number next to your name – sport can bring people together, can inspire those around you and can create positive change,” Cedric said.

“I've been so inspired by these students, everyone was excited to share stories but also excited to listen and learn from each other’s experiences. Everything they're doing to build up their own communities and give back is really special.

“With young leaders like this, I'm very confident that our future is in good hands, really gives a lot of hope.”

Tagai State College student Kailu Luffman from Thursday Island in the Torres Strait helped promote positive health outcomes and school engagement through sport.

“This is such a humbling experience,” Kailu said.

“Working firsthand with the Olympians has been incredible – they’ve been there, done that, and still doing it. They’ve worked so hard to achieve greatness.

“I just want to be a sponge to take in as much as I can to bring back to my community.

“All of us Change-Makers come from different parts of Australia, but we’ve all connected instantly, because we’re young people who want to do good things in their community. We all love sport and that drives us, that’s the vehicle for us to do good work. That's the kind of people you want to be around.”

Kaitlyn Brockett, grade 10 student from Lilydale District School in Launceston, promotes inclusion and positivity through her sport of equestrian.

“I love being out in the community, volunteering at our local club and helping to make equestrian accessible for as many people as possible,” Kaitlyn said.

“It’s been so special being here with other Change-Makers and the Olympians – meeting them and sharing our stories with them makes them real – they’re not just these sporting stars on TV, they’re here giving us advice.

“I’ve learnt so much at the summit and I can’t wait to take it back to use it in our school community. There’s 24 Change-Makers here, but everyone can make a change in our community. I really want to try and empower our school community and the people around me.

“With Brisbane 2032 only 10 years away, it’s been really exciting working with other young people on how we can make the most out of it, how to get the greatest benefit for all of our communities across Australia.”

2022 Australian Olympic Change-Maker National Summit Attendees

• Dakota Thorne - Year 10 - University of Canberra High School Kaleen - ACT
• Nicholas Carswell - Year 10 - Mount Stromolo High School - ACT
• Kai Donohue - Year 12 - Burgmann Anglican School - ACT
• Malak Ghaly - Year 11 - Glenunga International High School - SA
• Bow Habermann - Year 10 - Faith Lutheran College - SA
• Kaitlyn Brockett - Year 10 - Lilydale District School - TAS
• Iszaebella Zielinski - Year 10 - Dominic College - TAS
• James Johnson - Year 12 - All Saints' College - WA
• Chloe Gee - Year 12 - Frederick Irwin Anglican School - WA
• Mietta Passon - Year 11 - St Catherine's School - VIC
• Samuel Elvey - Year 12 - Frankston High School - VIC
• Willoughby Perriss - Year 12 - Cobden Technical School - VIC
• Kailu Luffman - Year 12 - Tagai State College - Thursday Island Secondary - QLD
• Txai Anglin - Year 12 - Westside Christian College - QLD
• Samara Cosijn - Year 12 - Holland Park State High School - QLD
• Mia Bergh - Year 11 - Queensland Academy for Health Sciences - QLD
• Angus Bathe - Year 12 - Marist College Ashgrove - QLD
• Elena Mulham - Year 11 - Deniliquin High School - NSW
• Lauren Whiting - Year 12 - Kincoppal-Rose Bay School - NSW
• Will Thornhill - Year 12 - James Sheahan Catholic High School - NSW
• Benjamin Auckram - Year 12 - Trinity Catholic College Lismore, St Joseph's Campus - NSW
• Dominic Eid - Year 12 - Sefton High School - NSW
• Daytona Porter - Year 11 - Bega High School - NSW
• Amy Schilling - Year 10 - Casuarina Senior College - NT