The Australia Day Council of South Australia (ADCSA), in partnership with the South Australian Department for Education, launched the inaugural ‘Inspiring Australians Student Summit on 15 May at Christies Beach High School.

The Summits are for secondary school students across the state of South Australia, bringing together state and national Australians of the Year to engage with students on topics of global and national importance. The program will provide aspirational leadership, amplify student perspectives, promote active citizenship, and encourage students to explore future learning pathways.  

The first of five Summits occurred at Christies Beach High School, with distinguished speakers: human rights advocate and former Socceroo Craig Foster AM, climate change and sustainability expert Tiahni Adamson; youth mental health educator and author Mark Le Messurier; and special needs inclusion advocate Dr Trudy Lin.  

Years 9 to 12, students from schools in the local attended  Wirreanda Secondary School, Seaford Secondary College, Woodcroft College, Cardijn College, and Christies Beach High School.

Minister for Education, Training and Skills Blair Boyer MP expressed his enthusiasm for the program, saying, “It’s really important for students to meet with and engage with people they find inspirational – it helps them cultivate their own aspirations and think about the impact they might like to have on their communities.”

“I’m really pleased to see this innovative program launched at Christies Beach High School, which will provide students with opportunities to meet and learn from exceptional Australians.” 

Australia Day Council of SA’s CEO Jan Chorley said, “We are thrilled to launch this vital initiative that allows high school students to reflect on inspirational stories and experiences from those leading change and embody the true spirit of being a change agent, demonstrating compassion and strong community engagement.”  

“Our leaders come from our communities, and these young people are already able to contribute and be part of that”.  

Craig Foster AM said, “Today’s students are the custodians of the country’s future. Great expectations are being placed on them, along with great burdens by my generation. Thankfully, they are an inspiring generation seeking to confront many challenges Australia has long avoided. I am committed to helping them create a fairer, more equitable Australia and world”.

Guests attending included the Governor of South Australia, Her Excellency Frances Adamson AC, Minister for Education Blair Boyer MP, Minister for Health Chris Picton MP and Helen Connolly, Commissioner for Children & Young People.  

The Inspiring Australians Student Summits represent an outstanding opportunity for South Australian students to engage with and learn from Australia’s most notable changemakers. 

The Department for Education South Australia, Flinders University, Active Inclusion, and Marshall & Brougham proudly support this initiative. 

You, too, can hear the inspirational stories of the 2024 recipients at the Australian of the Year Luncheon. Featuring groundbreaking melanoma researchers Professor Georgina Long AO and Professor Richard Scolyer AO, Australian of the Year 2024. Followed by panel discussions with environmental scientist and filmmaker Tim Jarvis AM, SA Australian of the Year, Sister of Mercy and social justice advocate Sister Meredith Evans, SA Senior Australian of the Year, climate change and sustainability expert Tiahni Adamson, SA Young Australian of the Year and the founder of Backpacks 4 SA Kids Rachael Zaltron OAM, SA Local Hero.

Speakers will share their stories, helping you to understand how to ignite discussion and change on issues of national importance. You will also network with like-minded individuals at this lunch time professional development session.

Book here to join us on 21 June 2024, Adelaide Convention Centre.