Resilience in Action: a surfing champion, cave rescuer and youth advocate inspiring students to lead with purpose.

From leading world-renowned rescues and empowering youth voices to surviving and thriving after trauma, three of Australia’s most extraordinary individuals headlined the Inspiring Australians Student Summit at Riverbanks College on Thursday, 21 August 2025. 

The Inspiring Australians Student Summit, delivered by the Australia Day Council of South Australia in partnership with the Department for Education, Flinders University, Credit Union SA and Sarah Constructions brought together more than 400 students from Years 10 to 11 to hear from national figures who embody courage, leadership and service. 

Sam Bloom, four-time World Para Surfing Champion and bestselling author, shared her story of rebuilding her life after a devastating spinal injury. Her family’s journey became the focus of the Netflix film Penguin Bloom, starring Naomi Watts. 

“You’re braver than you think you are, capable of more courage than you realise,” says Sam, who now travels the country helping young people reframe adversity. 

Sam was joined by: 

• His Excellency Dr Richard Harris SC OAM, Governors Deputy and key member of the 2018 Thai cave rescue. An anaesthetist and technical diver, Dr Harris has earned global recognition for his role in saving 12 boys and their coach from a flooded cave system. and key member of the 2018 Thai cave rescue. An anaesthetist and technical diver, Dr Harris has earned global recognition for his role in saving 12 boys and their coach from a flooded cave system. 

“It was the strength of our team, and the trust we had in each other, that made the impossible possible.” 

• Amber Brock-Fabel, 2025 SA Young Australian of the Year and founder of the South Australian Youth Forum. Amber created a platform for young people to influence decisions on issues such as climate change, gender equality, and youth wellbeing. Her work has been presented at the United Nations Summit of the Future and continues to shape policy. 

 “I saw how disconnected young people felt from the decisions affecting their future, so I built a platform to change that.” 

The Inspiring Australians Student Summits, curated for secondary school students across South Australia, bring together Australians of the Year and nominees to engage with students on topics of global and national importance. The program provides aspirational leadership, amplifies student perspectives, promotes active citizenship, and encourages students to explore future learning pathways.    

Australia Day Council of South Australia CEO Jan Chorley said:
“This Summit shows young people that resilience, compassion and courage are powerful forms of leadership. It helps students see that their voice matters and that the actions they take now can shape the communities they’ll lead in the future.” 

 This Summit is proudly supported by the Department for Education South Australia, Flinders University, Sarah Constructions, and Credit Union SA.