For the first time Stand Tall hosted events in Liverpool over 2 days back-to-back. Over 1,100 students attended the Stand Tall events at the Liverpool Catholic Club.
Joany Badenhorst is Australia’s pioneering female Para-snowboarder and a two-time Winter Paralympian, serving as flag bearer at PyeongChang 2018. She lost her left leg below the knee in a tractor accident at age 10 but went on to win five World Cup golds and two Crystal Globes. Since retiring in 2019, Joany inspires audiences with her story of resilience, determination, and breaking barriers.
Alex Noble is a motivational speaker, bestselling author, and advocate whose life transformed at 16 after a rugby accident left him a C4 quadriplegic. Determined not to let his injury define him, he recovered enough to stand with a weighted vest and walk with an exoskeleton. Author of I Fight, You Fight, Alex now inspires thousands with "The Noble Way", a philosophy of persistence, gratitude, and mindset-driven resilience. A 2025 NSW Young Australian of the Year nominee, he balances university, advocacy, entrepreneurial pursuits, and a mission to empower others in adversity.
Born to Vietnamese refugee parents in a community plagued by heroin, Tony joined gangs at 13 and made as much as $10,000 a week dealing drugs, until a life-altering encounter in 2004 changed his path. Now with two decades of experience speaking in schools and mentoring young people, Tony shares his raw, real story of redemption to empower others to break destructive cycles and embrace hope.
Allie Smith is an elite Suncorp Super Netball player with the NSW Swifts, known for her determination on court and her passion off it. Beyond netball, Allie is a strong advocate for mental health and wellbeing, drawing on her own journey to encourage resilience, balance, and self-care. Through her work with What Ability and community outreach across regional NSW, she inspires young people to value their mental health as much as their physical performance.
Daniel 'D Minor' Harvey is an award-winning rapper, songwriter, and youth mentor from Sydney. At 11, he became homeless with his twin brother, an experience that inspired his hit single “Concrete Pillow.” Music became his refuge and platform for change. Through Musicians Making A Difference (MMAD), he now mentors at-risk youth, using his story to inspire resilience and self-worth. Daniel has performed on Australia’s Got Talent and represented Australia at the World Championships of Performing Arts, earning gold in the vocal rap division.
Anna Cocquerel is an Australian actress best known for her role as Coco Astoni on Home and Away from 2017 to 2019. She began her acting career with the short film Over the Hills and Far Away in 2014. Off-screen, Anna has been open about her struggles with dyslexia, scoliosis, and anxiety, using her platform to advocate for mental health awareness.
Nic Newling is a mental health advocate, educator, and keynote speaker who shares his lived experience to inspire change. Diagnosed with bipolar disorder as a teenager, Nic faced significant challenges, including the loss of his older brother to suicide. He now works to reshape mental health culture through his organisation, The Champions.
