The first-ever NSW School Students' Forum was held at the Parramatta South Campus, with Years 9-11 students from Western Sydney high schools who were invited to attend and participate.
NSW recipients that took part include 2022 NSW Australian of the Year Professor Veena Sahajwalla; 2022 NSW Senior Australian of the Year Abla Kadous; 2021 NSW Young Australian of the Year Nathan Parker; 2021 NSW Local Hero/Australia’s Local Hero Rosemary Kariuki OAM; and 2020 NSW Young Australian of the Year Corey Tutt OAM.
Students heard about the personal journeys of the NSW Australian of the Year recipients and how they’ve all made such significant impacts in their chosen fields.
NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet said the Forum has offered a fantastic opportunity for our next generation to meet and be inspired by high-achieving Australians.
"NSW is filled with incredible people achieving extraordinary things for their local community, our state and the nation – and their messages deserve to be shared among our younger generation for inspiration,” said Mr Perrottet.
Minister for Transport, Veterans and Western Sydney David Elliott said the Forum gave more than 300 high school students the opportunity to gather at the university’s incredible auditorium for an uplifting and motivating Q&A session and to hear from the exceptional NSW Australian of the Year alumni.
"This uplifting forum in Western Sydney offered an opportunity for students to hear first-hand from a group of individuals who are changing lives and society for the better," Mr Elliott said.
Kenyan-born Local Hero Rosemary Kariuki OAM, who has spent the past two decades helping isolated migrant and refugee women overcome domestic violence and financial distress in Campbelltown in Western Sydney, was excited to be part of the Forum and participating in the Q&A sessions with the young audience.
Melting pot of cultures
“It was wonderful to connect with this group of teenagers and sharing my story. Western Sydney is a wonderful melting pot of diverse cultures, and it’s important to embrace our rich migrant heritage which is very much a part of our unique Australian identity.”
Pilot and Invictus Games gold medallist Nathan Parker, who is now also a public speaker and mentor aspiring to provide joy flights for sick children, says the younger generation need to know they can make a difference.
Despite having his left hand amputated following a military bus accident, Nathan completed his university degree at the Australian Defence Force Academy and now works as a senior RA-Aus flying instructor in Lismore.
“Chatting and sharing my story with teenagers is the best way I can help students look to the future with optimism,” Nathan Parker said.
Chair of The Australia Day Council of NSW, Andrew Parker has thanked the students for participating in the Forum, which aimed to inspire high schoolers from Western Sydney and promote the Australian of the Year Awards program.
“This Forum offered a wonderful platform for our worthy recipients from the past two years to inspire the young audience to follow in their footsteps. A future Australian of the Year could be sitting in the auditorium,” Mr Parker said.
Western Sydney University Pro Vice-Chancellor, Engagement and Advancement, Professor Alphia Possamai-Inesedy said the University was delighted to host the inaugural Forum.
The Australian of the Year Awards are managed by the National Australia Day Council (NADC). Nominations for the 2023 Australian of the Year Awards have now closed, with NSW recipients to be announced at a ceremony in November 2022.
