Students from across Australia have come together in Sydney and virtually this week for the Australian Olympic Change-Maker National Forum where they heard from Olympians Chloe Dalton, Sally Fitzgibbons, Bronte Campbell, Kyle Vander-Kuyp and Sam Fricker.
The Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) has received close to 1000 nominations to date for the 2023 Australian Olympic Change-Maker program, which celebrates students who are driving positive change within their schools and local communities.
The National Forum provides a unique opportunity for nominated Australian Olympic Change-Makers to connect, learn and be inspired by the experiences of our Olympic athletes.
Dual Olympian Kyle Vander-Kuyp said he hopes the National Forum provided an extra boost of motivation for the Olympic Change-Makers across the country.
“The National Forum was a big success, and it was great to have the opportunity to encourage the Change-Makers to keep pursuing their passions and keep aiming to make positive change,” Kyle said.
Watch the replay of the Forum here.
“It's really inspiring to see young people who are wanting to create change, who are wanting to connect to a larger purpose and who have the ability to pause and think, how can I have an impact and how can I become a leader in my community."
This year the AOC is encouraging students to 'Power the Change'. Olympic surfer Sally Fitzgibbons said she was feeling inspired by the many initiatives the Change-Makers were taking part in.
“The Olympic Change-Makers are so thoughtful, they’ve got direction, and they have this incredible insight on what they want to do to create change,” Sally said.
“Seeing some of the initiatives the students are coming up with and to see the environments they are creating for their peers and the ones that come after them is so inspiring."
NSW based Olympic Change-Makers were invited to attend the National Forum in Sydney, with students travelling far and wide to be part of the live audience.
Year 12 student from Nowra Anglican College, Parri Barrele, said it was well worth the four-hour trip from the NSW South Coast to learn from the Olympic athletes.
“The National Forum was a great opportunity to hear from Olympians about their experiences through sport and how they have used their influence to inspire others,” the 18-year-old said.
"I think that everyone can benefit from sport, and I think the skills you learn through sport, like determination and resilience, can be transferred no matter what career path you take.
“Hearing the Olympians talk about everything they have achieved because of their hard work and passion has made me more motivated to achieve my own goals, both in and out of sport."
Nominations for the Australian Olympic Change-Maker are open until 21 September 2023. You can find more information and nominate students today.
