We are thrilled to bring Stand Tall to Coffs Harbour for the first time! Held at the C.ex Coffs, expecting over 1000 high school students in attendance, this event will feature a line up of inspirational speakers.
James Chapman was born with Pseudoachondroplasia, a rare form of dwarfism, and now uses his story to inspire others with the motto “difference is dope.” With over 200,000 followers and 300M+ video views, he’s a TikTok for Good Award nominee, Australian representative at the World Dwarf Games, and a sponsored surfer invited to the PARA Surfing World Championships. As a youth leader, James is passionate about helping young people grow, thrive, and make an impact.
Leila Abdallah is a mother, author, and advocate who has inspired Australia and the world with her message of hope and forgiveness. In 2020, Leila and her husband Danny lost three of their children- Antony, Angelina, and Sienna - in the Oatlands tragedy. Choosing forgiveness over anger, they launched i4Give Day, a national initiative promoting reconciliation and healing. Today, Leila shares her story to show the life-changing power of forgiveness and the hope it can bring to even the darkest circumstances.
Duku Forè (GAICD) is an inspiring international speaker, author of two books, two-time TEDx presenter, and Australia’s youth delegate to the United Nations in New York. Born in a Ugandan refugee camp and arriving in Australia at age 10 with limited English and a speech impediment, he transformed adversity into purpose. Today he leads Rich Dreams, a platform empowering people to share success stories, and HnH Wholesalers, serving major hotel and hospitality clients. A graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, Duku continues to uplift audiences with a message of resilience, identity, and possibility.
Grace Rowe grew up racing motocross as one of the only junior females fully sponsored in Australia. In recent years she trained in freestyle motocross where she became one of just a few women in the country to clear a 75ft gap. In March 2023, she had an accident in training which resulted in a broken pelvis in 6 places. She was airlifted to hospital where she spent a total of 45 nights including 3 surgeries. Over 15 months of rehabilitation, Grace learnt to walk again and undertook trauma therapy. She is now learning to reconcile an experience that brought unprecedented fear and pain, as well as strength and resilience. Grace looks forward to sharing her remarkable story of overcoming adversity.
Michael Crossland has the ability to captivate the imagination of young people to encourage and inspire them with his story. Michael has defied the odds of a life- threatening cancer to build a life of achievements as an accomplished businessman and an elite sportsman. His message of hope and overcoming adversity has seen Michael invited back year after year to Stand Tall.
