School Students' Forum

In this video, UNSW SMaRT Centre Director, Professor Veena, the 2022 NSW Australian of the Year, joined a stellar group of NSW Australian of the Year alumni recipients at Western Sydney University to share their inspirational life stories with high school students.

The first-ever School Students' Forum was held  at the Parramatta South Campus, with Years 9-11 students from Western Sydney NSW Government schools invited to attend and participate.

Recipients who took part include 2022 NSW Australian of the Year Professor Veena Sahajwalla; 2022 NSW Senior Australian of the Year Abla Tohamy 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 NSW Australian of the Year recipients, learned how they’ve all made such significant impacts in their chosen fields and were invited to take part in a Q&A session, and Veena talked about the various UNSW SMaRT Centre recycling technologies.

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.

Watch the full Forum in the video below and visit the Australia Day Council webpage where more information and images are available (see below for a few photos) or this news story published by Access News.