NEDD BROCKMANN

At 23 years old Nedd Brockmann became the fastest ever Australian to run across the country. He embarked on the nearly 4,000km run that took 46 days, to raise money for the homeless charity 'Mobilise.' By the end of his run he had raised $2.5 million. On his final day more than 10,000 people welcomed him home in an emotional finish that will be remembered for years. Nedd's relentless focus on never giving up and continuing to show up has inspired the nation. His incredible achievement and the way he did it has resonated with all ages and demographics and is driving people across Australia to take on new challenges.

MICHAEL CROSSLAND

Michael has the ability to captivate the imagination of young people to  encourage and inspire them with his story. Michael is an extraordinary young man who has defied the odds of a life- threatening cancer to build a life of exceptional achievements. An accomplished businessman and an elite sportsman, his life is a remarkable success. He looks to share a message of hope and overcoming adversity. Michael's impact is so great that he is invited year after year.

ORNELLA BYAK

At 14 years old, Ornella went on a trip to East Timor with her mother, a trip that changed her life forever. When she returned home, she had a passion and a dream to make quality education a reality for Timorese children. At only 15, Ornella founded a charity to begin that work. Ornella’s vision was clear from the outset. She developed close friendships with the Timorese people including President Jose Ramos Jorte whose encouragement helped her found her new charity, BETTER (Building East Timor through Education and Resources). The belief that ignited her vision is as relevant today – education is fundamental to breaking the cycle of poverty. Through education, BETTER empowers the current, next, and future generations to live BETTER lives with choice!

DEREK RABELO

Derek Rabelo is a blind, big-wave surfer and author who was the first blind person to ride life-threatening monster waves at Pipeline in Hawaii. Derek has overcome significant adversity in life, defying the odds and re-defining what it means to believe in yourself and to never stop chasing your dreams. Derek recently surfed some of the biggest and most dangerous waves in the world in Nazare, Portugal.

GRACE ROWE

Grace Rowe grew up racing motocross and enduro as one of the only junior females fully sponsored in Australia. In recent years she has trained in freestyle motocross where she became one of just a few girls in the country to clear a 75ft gap. In March 2023 she had an accident in training that left her with a broken pelvis in 5 places. She was airlifted to hospital where she had 2 surgeries and suffered an extremely painful recovery period for 31 days.. After intensive physio and hydrotherapy, she is recovering and living life with a new found appreciation. She looks forward to sharing her remarkable story of overcoming adversity.

JACK BERNES

15-year-old Jack Bernes was only 9 years old when he started an initiative called 'fiver for a farmer' to support drought affected farmers. Jack has changed the lives of thousands having since raised over $2 million. He is an inspiration to young people, proving that you are never too young to make a difference. He has shown  young Australians that great things can happen when we come together to support one another. Jack and his family continue to start fresh initiatives including school dress up days, presentations and advice on additional ways to support farmers including water conservation.