2023 Australian Olympic Change-Makers celebrated at Parliament House

24 of Australia’s brightest young leaders have presented their ideas for the future at a special forum held at Parliament House in Canberra.

The group, attending the 2023 Australian Olympic Change-Maker Summit, was selected from more than 900 applicants from every state and territory.

Each Change-Maker has demonstrated outstanding leadership in their school or local community. All the applicants submitted their ideas by video presentation before the group of 24 was selected to attend the National Summit.

Working alongside Olympian mentors Sami Kennedy-Sim, Mack Horton, Nathan Katz and aspiring Olympian Dr Rachael Gunn, the students were tasked with providing recommendations to the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC).

AOC Chief Executive Matt Carroll was joined at the forum by Olympians, Federal Minister for Youth Dr Anne Aly, Shadow Minister Angie Bell and Royal Australian Mint Chief Executive Leigh Gordon.

The ceremony marked the final day of the 2023 Australian Olympic Change-Maker National Summit, that saw Olympic Change-Makers come together to collaborate on important issues facing sport in Australia.

The students' recommendations focused on the themes of social inclusion, rural and remote opportunities, sustainability and the benefits of sport on the Australian community, which they presented to Carroll and Olympic gold medallist Chloe Dalton at a session on Thursday morning.

Each student was then presented with a Change-Maker gold medallion crafted by the Royal Australian Mint.

Advising that he was inspired by the students' recommendations and thanked them for their vital contribution to Australian sport, Carroll stated “this Summit ensures that the voice of youth continues to be heard as we move down the nine-year green and gold runway towards Brisbane 2032.

“Each year our Australian Olympic Change-Makers consistently amaze me with their innovative ideas and valuable suggestions, and this year's cohort is no exception.

“The recommendations provided today showcased the depth of understanding and thoughtful perspectives from our young leaders.

“Their input is instrumental to the AOC in addressing challenges facing Australian sport and we thank them for their invaluable contribution.

“I’d also like to extend our gratitude to the students' schools and notably the teachers who nominated them, for their time and contribution to the Australian Olympic Change-Maker program and the Olympic Movement in Australia.”

Triple Winter Olympian Kennedy-Sim said she was impressed by how open-minded and willing the students were to learn, share and step outside their comfort zone over the three-day Summit.

Kennedy-Sim stated “the way the students weave sport, community and humanity into their thinking is outstanding.

“I am in awe of their capabilities and look forward to seeing them realising their sporting and academic potential.

“Maybe even one day becoming Olympian mentors themselves at future Olympic Change-Maker National Summits.”

Images: Participant in this week's Australian Olympic Change-Maker Summit at Parliament House in Canberra (top) and AOC Chief Executive Matt Carroll (centre) presents a Change-Maker gold medallion (below). Credit: AOC.