Fahan Student Hannah Sheen is Olympics ‘Change-Maker’

Media release – Australian Olympic Committee, 27 November 2024

AUSTRALIAN OLYMPIC CHANGE-MAKERS SHARE VOICE OF YOUTH AT NATIONAL SUMMIT IN CANBERRA

Twenty-eight young leaders have shared their vision for improving Australia through the power of sport at the Australian Olympic Change-Maker National Summit at Parliament House in Canberra today.

The Change-Makers from around the nation presented their ideas to Olympic leaders including AOC President Ian Chesterman, CEO Matt Carroll and Chef de Mission Anna Meares, Federal Minister for Sport Anika Wells and Olympians.

Chosen from almost 1000 nominations, the students were celebrated as Olympic Change-Makers for sharing the Olympic spirit and creating positive change in their community through sport.

Over the two-day summit, the students collaborated with each other and Olympians including Zac Stubblety-Cook, Chloe Dalton, Sam Fricker, Keesja Gofers, Milly Tapper and Elka Whalan, tackling the opportunities of Brisbane 2032 to increase participation and the benefits of sport on the green and gold runway to our home Games.

The students shared ideas from harnessing the energy of the Games to drive massive increase in sustainable public transport solutions, campaigns to connect Australians to local sporting communities, addressing challenges faced by regional and remote communities in accessing sport and promoting sport as a vehicle for inclusivity and positivity across the country.

Each Change-Maker was awarded a commemorative medal crafted by the Royal Australian Mint to honour their contributions.

AOC CEO Matt Carroll commended the Change-Makers.

“These young leaders represent the very best of Australia,” Mr Carroll said. “Their ideas and energy will be vital as we prepare for Brisbane 2032, ensuring the Olympic movement continues to engage and unite Australians for years to come.

“Australian Olympic Change-Maker is one of our signature programs and brings together committed students with their ideas on how to make stronger communities and better Australia through sport.

“It’s an inspiration and the future of this country is in safe hands with the strength of these students.

“Thank you to the Change-Makers for your fantastic contribution and to your schools and teachers who foster the environment for these students to lead and thrive. I look forward to seeing these students bring their passion and ideas to life in the coming years as we build towards Brisbane 2032.

Federal Minister for Sport Anika Wells encouraged the young leaders to stay connected with the Olympic movement.

“I’m especially proud to welcome all the Olympic Change-Makers to Parliament House,” Minister Wells said. “These young Australians been identified in their community as people who use sport to lead and drive change. The Olympic Movement captivates nine year olds to 99 year olds – inspires from up north at Longreach where Abigail here today is from… across the desert to the Pilbara where Charlotte here today is from.

“Change-Makers, keep engaged with sport and the Olympic movement in the years to come – and aim to be part of Brisbane 2032. Thank you to everyone who made the summit possible and for giving these fantastic young Australians the opportunity to make a difference.”

Olympic champion rugby player Chloe Dalton was blown away by the students’ vision.

“The students were absolutely amazing, I love being a part of this program” she said.

“As an Olympian, the Olympics carries so much power for me about what sport can do. Seeing the next generation of young people be so passionate about change and about a brighter future gives me so much joy.”

Year 12 student Charlotte Ball hails from a town with less than 250 people in Western Australia’s Pilbara region.

“I’m so proud of being an Australian Olympic Change-Maker, seeing that it’s even possible to be recognised from my small town,” she said.

“To have the opportunity to come to Canberra and represent that has been amazing. I hope I’ve done them proud back at home.

“It’s been so interesting to meet people from all around the country and see their perspectives and experiences. We had Milly Tapper, an Olympian and Paralympian in table tennis, she’s been an amazing mentor for us and so inspiring.

“Being from a remote town, seeing all the benefits sport can have in a small community and what bright futures they can bring about is amazing.”

This is the sixth year of the Australian Olympic Change-Maker program, with more than 6000 students across the country engaging with the program since 2019.

2024 Australian Olympic Change-Maker National Summit